Before you buy, educate your eye. Spend time reading as many books about antiques and collectibles as you can get from your local library.

Learn which materials were used at what periods, when the revivals of styles were.

Visit museums and historic houses and look at as much authentic stuff as you can. Go to high-end antiques shops and fondle the merchandise, look at the proportions, look at the construction methods.

I have made some amazing finds, but only because I took the time to learn the basics.

I don't know why you can't post pics of some of your finds right here. A lot of people do so when they don't know what they have. This isn't a forum to sell or to appraise, but there's a wealth of information here for antiques and "collectibles". Why don't you build your own website to post pics, discuss and offer items for sell. I might be one of your first bloggers. I don't do ebay and I find it very frustrating to navigate around some of the websites that offer the same service you suggest.

Thanks for both of your feedback. I am new to this forum but will definitly start posting pics. Thanks again for your help!