Our Ladies of the Antiques – Roadshow, that is

Fans of Antiques Roadshow will have likely seen and admired two Northwest women – Kathleen Bailey and Rhinestone Rosie (also known as Rosalie Sayyah) – who are regular appraisers on the show. Just who are they and how did they get involved with PBS’s highest-rated series? Read on to discover the answers! By the way, now in its 16th season, the Antiques Roadshow is coming to Seattle on August 18. If you have a treasure and wonder if it will allow you to retire in style, you may be able to find out by applying for free tickets (apply by April 16 – info at www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/index.html).

Rhinestone Rosie – Show specialty: Costume & Estate Jewelry

Rosie Sayyah

Rosie Sayyah was raised in Florida where her parents ran a used furniture and clothing store. “My mother reupholstered furniture and would sometimes find jewelry there,” says Rosie, who pursued a 10-year career in advertising and television production, but returned to her roots after resigning from KOMO-TV.

“I started by redesigning vintage clothing for a friend’s store,” she says. With a baby daughter in tow, Rosie switched from clothing repair to costume jewelry repair and restoration. “Jewelry is easier to carry!” She soon gained a national following because what she does is so unusual. “Most jewelers will not touch costume jewelry,” she explains.

Her shop, Rhinestone Rosie, has sat proudly atop Seattle’s Queen Anne Hill for nearly 30 years. That daughter she used to tow around works there too. In addition to providing full-service costume jewelry repair, Rhinestone Rosie stocks thousands of pieces of mostly vintage and costume antique jewelry for sale. Daughter Lucia is a goldsmith and offers custom design services.

How did Rosie get involved with Antiques Roadshow? “Back when they first started, I saw a flyer advertising the show. It was being tested out that first season in Seattle. Some of my colleagues told me I should have been there because a lot of costume jewelry came in,” says Rosie. “So I called the producer and told him that I could add an element to the show.” The show agreed, and she has been with them ever since.

What’s it like to work on the Antiques Roadshow? “It’s like a big family summer camp,” says Rosie. “It’s amazing that I can sit and talk to appraisers from around the country. It’s a lot of fun, but a lot of work, too,” she adds. “We often work from 7:30am to 7:30pm.”

Viewers may be unaware of the fact that the appraisers are not paid to appear on the show. “They do serve us lunch!” exclaims Rosie. Appraisers pay for their own transportation and hotel accommodations. But the experience and exposure is worth it. “It is a wonderful experience.”

Rosie says that the most exciting thing for her is when someone brings in a box of costume jewelry to her shop. “They often have no idea what’s there and I get to sort through it. One time a senior brought in a box that had a 3 carat yellow diamond set in platinum. It was a thrill for me to ‘rescue’ it for her,” says Rosie. “It’s always wonderful to educate people about their pieces. Whether on the show or in my shop, I love the face-to-face contact with people.”

Rhinestone Rosie is located at 606 West Crockett Street in Seattle, 206-283-4605, rhinestonerosie.com

Kathleen Bailey – Show Specialty: Glass

Kathleen Bailey

Kathleen was invited to join the Antiques Roadshow at the very beginning. “I didn’t even know what it was. A friend called to say she had recommended me. I had a serious health issue at the time,” she adds. “Breast cancer. But my friend said, ‘I know this is going to be big. I don’t care if you have to roll there on your hospital bed. You have to do it!’ ” When the show called, she agreed to give it a try. “I’ve been involved ever since, and have missed only one year due to surgery.”

A Seattle native, Kathleen opened an antique store in Issaquah in 1980. “My husband and I are both certified appraisers.” In addition to the antique store, Kathleen has been an antique show exhibitor and estate sale specialist, having sold more than 800,000 items over the years. “Everything from the finest of antiques to kitchen utensils.”

“Antiques Roadshow has been the most fantastic experience I could have hoped for in my lifetime!” says Kathleen. “Not only the appraisals, but the crew and management.” She reflects that she was 53 when she started with Antiques Roadshow. “And I thought I was old then! There are so many amazing personalities and brilliant people there. We learn so much. If we didn’t know it going in, we’ll know it going out.”

She talks of the many memorable moments from the show over the years. “One that grabbed my heart was in 2007. A very frail attendee arrived with a piece of glass. We tape the show in the summer but it doesn’t air until January through June. Her daughter called me in February the following year and said, ‘I have to tell you this story about my mother.’ She knew she would be on TV and although she wasn’t well she said, ‘I’m not going to go until I see that show!’ Her mother said it was the best thing that ever happened to her,” adds Kathleen. “She was a lovely lady and the piece was a Royal Flemish Ewer. She had an old appraisal stating the worth to be $335. The value (at the time of the show) was $8,000-$10,000. She cried. What a moment!”

Back when Kathleen started, no one had ever heard of the show. “Now the mere mention of it stops people stop in their tracks!” she reports. “It’s a wonderful experience and has become a bit like family.”

Kathleen is happy to donate her time to PBS. “It’s a pure honor to appear on the show and support PBS Television. We donate our time and expenses. That’s a wonderful feeling, too. It leaves something for the next generation.” She laughs that she doesn’t like to have her picture taken. “I tell my kids they’ll have to get videos from the show to see me when I’m gone!”

Kathleen Bailey is an Estate Sale Specialist and appraiser of antiques (C. 1750-1930; her appraisal fee is $75 per hour). For more information, call 206-300-9311 or 206-920-4300.

This article appeared in the April 2012 issue of Northwest Prime Time, the Puget Sound region’s monthly publication celebrating life after 50.