By Sam Logan Khaleghi
Special to The Review
Former Lake Orion resident, Michelle Lynne Balser is known to many of her customers by her nickname, ‘Shelly,? but others know her as the owner of the metro-Detroit consignment shop Shelly’s High End Collectibles.
A new reality show, ‘Shelly Strikes Gold,? based on Shelly’s company is being assembled and filming on the pilot episode will start this month in Oakland County. The show is intended to be an amalgam between ‘American Pickers? and ‘Antiques Roadshow.? With an Emmy nominated producer by her side, Balser endeavors to strike gold for her customers.?
Many items of fragile nature find their way into her hands and include popular brands like Lladro, Hummel and Royal Doulton to Swarovski, Waterford, Steuben and Daum, to Meissen and Dresden. Fine China, paintings, pottery, porcelains, sterling silver and early American primitives are also in high demand.
Balser said the nickname is more than just a coloquialism – it represents her memory of her grandfather and shows one of the many reasons she decided to go into antiques.
‘Shelly was a nickname given to me by my grandfather, short for Michelle,? said Balser. ‘It’s his legacy and I am proud to continue it.?
William Genette, Michelle’s grandfather and World War II veteran was thick with history. Beacause of this, antiquity has become her family legacy and she is contented in having found her grandfather’s passion as her own.?
While her grandfather was established in the merchantry – repairing antique clocks and watches and dealing in antique railroad items – Balser accessed an all-new client base when she introduced the worldwide market by way of the internet. More specifically, Balser is also a ‘Top Rated Power Seller? on eBay which allows her to attain more trusting customers and clients.??
‘Anyone who uses eBay knows that they’d rather buy from merchants who are ‘Top Rated Sellers? says Balser.?
According to eBay, a ‘Power Seller? is a seller who consistently receives the highest buyer ratings, ships items quickly and has earned a track record of excellent service.
‘We are a full service agency,? says Balser. ‘Our commission takes care of appraisal, pick up, packaging, shipping and insurance. There are no upfront fees and we work on commission instead which makes us work harder.?
For those interested in finding out more about Shelly’s High End Collectibles, utilizing the companies? services or being a featured guest on the television show – contact the company by email at ShellysCollectibles@gmail.com, or by phone 248-250-9092. Shelly is also on Facebook.