It gets worse. Wife's birthday today and we had lunch in Old Marsh near Rye. Early, so went in the artisan shops near the inland Quay at Rye. All selling much the same fake antiquary. One shop had a selection of "artisan door stops". These were what I have an abundance of: off cuts of 6" square oak framing timber, given a coat of varnish and with a metal loop screwed on. £55.
One shop had 6 oak brackets - about 18" drop back plate, 10" projection and a brace. Quite nicely made, glued and pegged. I asked how much they were. The lady said £85. "For the six" I asked. She replied, "no, £85 each, the owner's son is a skilled artisan". I actually laughed out loud.
They had some "industrial metal stools". I asked if they were repro or genuine industrial reclaimed. In my mind they were far too similar. She claimed they were genuine, having consulted the same label as me. Skeptical look from me and she said "the metal is definitely old, but may have been reshaped into stools". Good line
The prices are fair enough really. It all takes time, but my parents generation would never have considered paying good money for stuff like this we can do ourselves.
Don't like: wood, engines, electrickery, decorating, tiling, laying stone, plumbing, gardening or any kind of DIY. Not wild about spiders either.