I hope everyone is staying warm and cozy. Here at the homestead the summer clothing has been stored away and the cold weather wear is in the closet and dresser. After 40 years in Kansas, my Texas blood still can’t cope with the cold and chill.

We are going to look at the antique and collectibles market year in review — what is appealing to collectors, what is selling well for dealers, and what you can purchase for a relatively low price; it’s always a good time to start a new collection. I follow the trends nationwide throughout the year and find it very interesting.

Costume jewelry is always in demand from beautiful rhinestone brooches to silly figural earrings. Men go for watches, working or not, and even some of the men’s rings. Many of the pieces are unsigned, and the signed or labeled pieces do bring and sell for more money. Look for Coro, BSK, Beau Jewels, Danecraft, Jonette Jewelry, Kramer, and many more. Believe it or not, the chokers that were popular in the 1960s through the 1980s are seeing a resurgence in popularity. Did you have a pukka shell choker? I still have one (not that it will go around my chubby neck). Big turquoise and silver pieces along with tribal style jewelry are also very popular. The Casa Maya green enameled brass Aztec mask necklace sells for $225.

One area of jewelry that has declined are the colorful Bakelite bangles and earrings. There is a modern process to create the same look. Once you start seeing “fakes” of anything on the market, the entire genre takes a big hit. HINT: To determine if a piece is real Bakelite, rub the surface with your thumb to heat it up then sniff; if you get a whiff of chemical, it is the real thing. You might find a great deal since prices have dropped.

Vintage clothing is a huge niche for collectors and dealers, from 1960s maxi skirts to bell bottom jeans, even lingerie. It is such a hot category that you can find new clothing made to look like a dress from the 1940s and earlier. When we had my father’s living estate sale this past summer, I was amazed at the clothes we sold. Even the big platform shoes that men wore in the 1980s have come back in style. Think John Travolta dancing in the movie “Saturday Night Fever.” It will run you about $100 or more to own a pair of those beauties. The price on vintage clothes is all over the place, but I found a shop in Reno that offers very affordable vintage clothes: junkeeclothingexchange.com

It seems like the more technology advances, the longing for simpler times comes to the forefront. I love my Polaroid One-Step camera. You can still buy film online, and you get such a sense of satisfaction when your photo pops out. I suggest buying from someone who has cleaned and tested any camera you buy. Those will run you about $75; 35mm cameras are a bit more expensive and you have the added cost of film and processing.