Happy Wednesday!

Jim Henson's Beauregard doll

I'm sitting at my desk in my work clothes (all thrifted - woohoo!), getting used to a new pair of shoes I bought Monday at Salvation Army. I'm super weird about shoes. They have to look just a certain way. I can't deal with anything that's too pointy or I think my feet look humongous. Nevermind that I have friends with larger feet who wear pointy shoes and look fabulous - I look awful. Anyhow, I went out on a limb and bought a pair of shoes that have open toes, but are definitely a little pointy. I'm getting used to them.

I've been thrifting like a mofo, listing constantly, taking tons of pictures. I'm still housesitting, so I have to find new canvases on which to photograph clothing, but I've made it work. Wooden fences look pretty cool as a backdrop with good lighting. I don't think I'll ever be the kind of girl who models for her own store, but who knows? Maybe if I'm still doing this when I'm eighty, I'll have lost all fear - that would be pretty hilarious. All of those types of online shops are typically cute young women and the occasional friend or boyfriend.

Anyhow, I was inspired by Ted Cruz's non-filibuster speech over the past 24 hours. I don't care if I agree with someone's politics - if I see someone who is passionate about something and they do whatever they can to make that visible, I have a lot of respect for them. I respect people with the courage of their convictions; I don't know that I always have that myself.

Peace out yo :)

A new shop?

Finished Vintage Paragon Stitchery :)

I especially love finding beautiful wall hangings, vintage art for someone to buy and delight over its uniqueness. I've found several small oil paintings that customers have enjoyed. And these things are fun for me to sell, because I know (or imagine) that they will be used and benefit someone with their beauty. I'm high-minded, if nothing else.

Both my Etsy and eBay shops have been cluttered with random things for most of their existence. Yes, I have things that I do more frequently (e.g. vintage ties, mugs, shoes), but for the most part, there is no rhyme or reason. The Recycleista, a thrifty blogger, recently opened a new shop with a specific theme (vintage papers), and it occurred to me that I am capable of doing the same. I too can hone in a little more, make a niche through what I already do, and offer it up to the masses in kind. The thing that has stood in my way has been an insecurity about what I sell, or perhaps an insecurity about myself as a person in general.

Anyhoo, I am thinking about it. It might just mean that I wait until summer arrives fully, or that I develop a better stash than I do today. I think that I'd like for it to be original art (in theory), though items like the above are also quite lovely.

Thoughts?

Recycled bubble wrap :)

A reselling blogger sells these all the time - I have been less successful

So a part of being "The Recycling Ethic" is in trying to use recycled materials as much as possible. I'm pretty picky about what I buy for shipping, because I'm constantly using shipping materials, and so this is the area I have the most potential for creating waste (or lack thereof). So I buy recycled labels and envelopes. I use all kraft tape, no plastic tape. Blah, blah, blah. I'm so awesome.

For a while, I've been buying bubble wrap from someone across the country who recycles large bubble wrap. I don't know where the product originates, but it comes taped together with masking tape, so it even looks recycled. But recently, I found a new recycled bubble wrap seller on eBay, and it's only a few hours away from me (a couple hundred miles), so I don't have to wait as long for it to arrive. Somehow the seller saves this pristine bubble wrap from a large-scale furniture company, and resells it (at what appears to be a zero profit margin) to continue the waste-reduction cycle.

Anyhow, we're kindred spirits, this bubble wrap recycler and I. And though we are small, insignificant eBay sellers who sell trash on the internets, I believe that our awesomeness will somehow surreptitiously seep into our packages, and influence our customers, who will then continue the cycle, and on and on.

I've been wanting to buy this stamp for ages, but it seems too decadent. It does need to be said, however, since I'm expecting that my customers are kindred spirits. I shouldn't assume though. I should make it clear that in addition to the recycled product you are purchasing, I also want to invite you to participate by reusing the packaging.

All for now :)

"What the hell does she sell?"

Serious, hard core, Sanita Danish leather clogs with wood bottoms - Booyah.

I get asked this question all the time. And every time it happens, I dig deep into my brain, and think, "What the hell do I sell?"

I get caught up in the routine of it, I guess, the buying, the cleaning, the organizing in my small space, and then the shipping and then the bill paying. Ack! There are a lot of steps, and it's no wonder that I get lost in the busyness of it all. So I'm evaluating my purchase/selling history, in an effort to define what I do, share my extreme lack of wisdom, and continue to move away from my brooding into a lighter mood for the holidays.

1. Milk glass/Fire King Mugs with Words/Pictures (blank ones don't sell as well)
2. Genuine Danish clogs
3. Vintage sewing patterns
4. SO many boots
5. Vintage Vera Neumann linens and scarves
6. Starbucks city mugs
7. Vintage heels, usually colorful and fun
8. Crewel and Embroidery kits
9. Vintage or artsy ties
10. Belt buckles

I especially thank Apron Thrift Girl and The Recyle-ista for keeping me up to date on what is selling, and inspiring me to look for new and interesting things in my own corner of the world.

Peace out mofos :)

Welcome back Selena :)

Vintage Vera scarf from the late 1950s

Welcome back to another edition of "Thrift Share Monday", a post where thrifting finds are shared with the thrift world at-large.

This vintage Vera scarf has been sitting in my storage for maybe six months. I haven't listed it, because every time I look at it, I think, "This isn't in good-enough condition to sell", but then I don't get rid of it. So today, I am listing it, and we'll just have to see what happens.

Coach purse

My first every Coach purchase. We'll just have to see what happens. Oh dear, I just said that. It's pretty much my new philosophy on life. It's hopeful, but not too deranged. It's mature without being a pain-in-the-ass. Oh wait, I think I am being a pain in the ass. Shoot.

New in package - unopened - So cool

I found this embroidery kit listed for $120 on someone's non-eBay site. I often wonder how people do when they set up their own online shops that are not affiliated with a larger entity. I know there are lots out there. I just don't think I have the kind of name recognition to go off on my own, nor do I particularly want to.

I've been thinking about closing my Etsy shop. It doesn't make very much money (I'm gonna go check on this statement right now). Well, it made $1100 last year, and $550 so far this year. Maybe I'm expecting too much. I don't know. I guess I am frustrated because it means that every time I purchase something, I have to decide where it would fit, and lately I have not been thinking about my Etsy shop at all. Does it even have a purpose, or a theme? What is it? I can't answer these questions, so I'm wondering if it's time to close it down in favor of putting all of my energy into my eBay shop, which I love and enjoy.

Linking up with Apron Thrift Girl :)

Thrift Share Monday :)

I'm on a total mug kick, inspired by The Recycle-ista and her penchant for finding Starbucks mugs. For whatever reason, I love buying mugs and photographing them and selling them. I love that I get to add a bit of fun to someone's morning coffee or tea (or late night soy milk, my newest fave).

The more I resell, the more I find that I am committed to making the world a better place through reselling used goods. That kinda sounds silly when I read it in my head, but that's why I do it. That's pretty much why I do everything, and I don't always succeed. For example, I dropped the ball and two Heath mugs broke in transit to their buyer this week. The shame! So after sending a full refund, I immediately went on eBay and bought some pre-owned bubble wrap (unpopped bubbles though, so no worries).

It is not okay that my shipping record is less than perfect. But, unfortunately, my failure in packaging can easily be tied to my emotional handicaps. I don't always protect myself sufficiently. I pack with newspaper when bubble wrap is needed.

 

On a lighter note, I am having new ideas! I want to reform the underground housecleaning community to become more marketable, for their own financial benefit, by using all-natural products. I want to put outdoor shades outside my single pane windows so my apartment isn't so hot this summer. I want to create some wort of workstation for packing and shipping so my apartment isn't so crazy-making. Summer is coming, and I'm excited!

Linking up with Apron Thrift Girl :)

Thrift Share Monday :)

I think this first kit is so great. I can't wait to sell it so someone will enjoy it and hang it up in a hipster pub somewhere. If I don't sell it in the next month or two, I think I'll keep it and give it to my pub-owning friends ;) I just want it to be loved by someone. Is that too much to ask?

Erica Wilson!

Tree + clouds + wildflowers = pretty boring by Erica Wilson standards, but this crewel embroidery kit is lovely and complete, so I got it anyway. Because who am I to decide what people should or shouldn't like, right?

Not complete - just instructions :(

This map of Frisia is humongous! I really do wish that it could be a complete kit, but I hope some brave soul will see it and take the time to honor their ancestors through embroidery. This includes instructions in several of the languages that one might find in this area: English, French, Danish, Dutch (who knew there was a difference?), Dutch (another dialect maybe?), and German. Wow.

I really miss Flemish though. Come on, people. Flemish is the new Chinese. Pass it on.

 

I figured someone out in the world would collect this set of letters by Lanarte, but I was concerned that the all-Dutch instructions would be a turn-off. No biggie. I sold it this week, and it hadn't been listed but a few short weeks. Yay!

I think I've decided (inspired by my affinity for finding vintage embroidery kits) that I will spend some time stitching after graduation. Think of all that I will be able to create! If I decide to go to Central America for a little while, I will be guaranteed some soothing activity to bring with me on the trip. Also, this will put me in touch with my nine-year-old self, who I really have been needing to reconnect with.

Linking up with Apron Thrift Girl.

P.S. Sorry for my absence faithful readers. I am graduating in three weeks, and my life overflows. I lost all desire to blog. My apologies. So, in an attempt to be human and do the things I love at the same time, I am going to slowly transition back to the blog. Today is my first attempt.

Semi-real "to-do" list

Very large vintage Le SportSac duffle bag

In honor of Thrift Core's organizational lists, I'd like to start thinking about the summer and how I'm going to start organizing my life. Mostly I just want to think of fun things to do over the summer.

1. Go to a Goodwill outlet: The thought of this has excited me for so long. I need to get a handle on my apartment before I bring in a bunch more stuff. Maybe if I started hanging things from the ceiling and got rid of some furniture...
2. Get my car situation into a better place: I've been saying this for a couple summers now. Summertime is ridiculous in my area, so pretty much we all just lay around and try not to die of dehydration. So going to the wrecking yard is not something I like to think about. Then suddenly it's March, and I'm wishing that my doors weren't broken.
3. Get rid of everything I don't need (garage sale, maybe?): In a little while, there are going to be a ton of block sales in town. I would love to get on board one of them. The scheduling conflict in a few weekends still chaps my hide, and I don't know if I've really fully decided what to do about it. I think I might look up flea markets, and see where I could go in the next couple months. I sure have enough stuff.

This was so not an exhaustive list. It was just a beginning. In my post-graduation life, I will be linguistically flexible and more organized. I cannot keep living in such a chaotic way. I don't know if that is going to change, in all honesty, but the more I think about it, it may be more likely that I find someone to marry who is organized. I will be the passionate one who makes life beautiful.

And it was all yellow...

6 yards of vintage upholstery fabric

What is significant about the color yellow? Let me look it up.

I got yellow roses from a boyfriend once, and then found out that yellow roses were for friendship and I wasn't sure if that meant something about our relationship or if they were just yellow roses and I like yellow. I'll never know.

I want to recover a couch with this material. Actually, I want to recover my couch with this material. I like yellow in my home. I also like bright blue and red and green, all atop a neutral background.

Handmade skirt with bicycles all over it.

I found this skirt ages ago, and it has sat in my Etsy shop ever since. I hope someone finds it and falls in love. It needs to be worn.

Unfortunately (and I noticed this the first time I saw it), the skirt does not appear to be conducive to riding an actual bicycle. Girls have it real rough, you know, trying to look good and love the environment.

Limey yellow leather boots.

These boots are the coolest. They're not lime green; they're more lime yellow. I also hope that someone finds them and loves them.

I wore my yellow raincoat today, and my hot pink rubber boots. It was raining. It's funny that I wore rain clothes, and I haven't fixed the broken window on my car. I guess it's better for me to take care of my own body than my car. At some point, I need to fix my car, but that's another task for another day. It just involves going to the VW wrecking yard and that takes time, and energy, and motivation that I just do not have. Someday, I will get a new car, and then that car will have its own unique needs. Life goes on.

Linking up with Apron Thrift Girl.

Thrift Share Monday :)

Vintage Galaxy mug

I love mugs. I drink coffee every day, and I have a NASA mug right now that I've been using regularly. It memorializes Apollo 13, and reads "Failure is not an option".

Sandra Boynton mug, "Keep Smiling"

I need a new travel mug, but every time I find one, it's not in good enough condition to buy and use. The last one I'd been using was broken to begin with, and then I fixed it, but it was never in perfect shape. Now I'm setting my sights higher.

Artist "Dale", Recycled Paper Products

Every time I see something from Recycled Paper Products, I like it. They're cute and funny, and I always need more smiling in my life. I've been trying to sell mugs lately. They don't always make a lot of money, but in adding them to my collection of tall pants, I have a regular stream of small sales.

Last month, I bought about ten of one thing: small plastic clocks made to teach kids how to tell time. It was a helpful thing to have a listing that didn't have to be updated, and just kept making me money (however little it was). So I keep that in mind when I'm looking now, just in case.

Linking up with Apron Thrift Girl.

Boots on the ground

What to look for in boots:

1. Leather soles
2. Embellished/appliqued/inlayed features
3. Brightly colored leather
4. Floral Doc Martens
5. Frye black label
6. Embroidered designs
7. Repairable flaws
8. Tapestry
9. Genuine Mukluks
10. Would you love to wear them?

The non-science of thrift

I'm always looking for things that sell. Of course, this isn't a science. It depends on time of year, even time of month, and time of day at the end of an auction. There are multiple variables, and one can only control for so many, and leave the rest up to fate. These boots were amazing, and when I brought them home, to my dismay, I realized that they smelled like cigarette smoke. Well shoot. That sucks.

I've kinda decided to stop looking for "sure things". I'm not sure they even exist. My best sales are special and rare, and I just have a hunch and go with it. People tell me that they would love to do what I do, but I don't talk it up. It's a job. I happen to love it, but it's still work. And it's a lot of work. My recent feedback problems have only reminded me how much work is involved, and how many people I'm trying to keep happy. Not too many repeat customers when I don't carry the same stuff week-to-week.

I do hate thinking that I've found something great only to have it sit in my shop for months with few overall views and no watchers. But I've learned to brush it off. You win some...you lose some. And that's okay. This week, I bought a bunch of beautiful vintage fabric and upholstery. I hope to list it later in the week. It was a gamble though. I don't know what will happen. I will enjoy taking pictures of the lot though. Beautiful stuff.

Thrift Share Monday :)

I was checking out, paying for my stuff, when I turned around and saw this. I was reminded of Curtis Jere's wall pieces, and bought it immediately.

 

Quilted pillows are so beautiful. I almost wonder if I should change the decor of my sitting room and keep these pillows. I like them so much.

 

They still smell like vintage and moth balls, even though I cleaned them and left them out in the sun to dry in the fresh breezy air.

 

This is beautiful. I've found some similar things on eBay labeled, "Original Thai painting". I'm wondering if this is some kind of street art that a traveler bought in Thailand or a nearby country. It seems very exotic and reminds me of the jungle. Ah, the jungle. I miss it so...I am thinking (again) of going to South America over the summer. There are several reasons for this, and I will very likely discuss them at a later date. Happy Thrifting!

Linked with Apron Thrift Girl.

Thrift Share Monday :)

I found an amazing wrist cuff yesterday. I knew right away that it was great, but the more time I look at it, and examine it, and look at other vintage cuffs, I realize how truly special it is.

But there are zero markings on it. I'm thinking about taking it to a jewelry store, but I don't know where I'd take it. I'm sharing it with all of you in the interest of sharing my find, and getting your thoughts. I'll let you know if and when I find more information.

Thrift Share Monday :)

Paul & Joe 100% Cotton pants: Um, "Made in France"? I think I always buy things that have those words. Turns out, this label that I've never heard of sells pants for hundreds of dollars. Whoa. I don't know what will happen, but I'm excited for my future of having sold these pants.

 

Vera kitchen towel: Anyone know about a non-vintage Vera label? What does it mean?

Royal Doll: This is a vintage doll. It is old and from some sort of collection with the same doll but different outfits from different countries. This is Joy and she's from Switzerland. I love her outfit, and her braids. Have I ever told you that I can't grow my hair out for anything? I dream of having hair so long I can have these kinds of braids. Never gonna happen.

Hallmark RED cards: Who out there is a fan of Bono's RED campaign? I don't know how I feel about it. Whatever helps raise awareness of HIV and AIDS has my support. I just don't know if it helps anything. Comments on this topic are welcomed, as always.

Bucilla Cross Stitch kit: Somehow, Frederic Remington art is super expensive, but I don't have high hopes for this cross stitch kit. For some reason, the piece ends up having like ten stitches and mostly pre-dyed fabric. Zoom in and tell me that it doesn't look weird. Do it.

Thrift Share :)

Vintage souvenir apron from Nairobi, Kenya. I have never traveled to Africa. I don't know why you'd care, but it's important for me to note that somewhere on my blog.

Five vintage plates commemorating different Dutch towns or villages, from Royal Sphinx of Holland. The day I find something vintage from Slovenia will be a happy day for me. I did find a new Slovenian actor though on the show I've been fascinated with. What a winner. He does a southern accent, and it's awesome. No need to send me information about all of the Slovenians you know. I really prefer to like them first, and then find out. That makes it sweeter.

 

I bought five different Bionicle Lego sets. If you don't know what Bionicles are, then you don't know any children.

There's more, but it's not really interesting. There are some children's books and some shoes and just general schtuff that I photographed this afternoon. I lost a whole week last week being sick and then I worked on my paper all weekend. So today, I needed to get moving. I needed inventory, and I needed to list it fast. I didn't get everything listed though. I was exhausted, and eventually, I needed to rest.

Senioritis is very, very real.

 

eBay makes me a little OCD about checking my email, and checking eBay and checking Etsy. Sometimes I just go back and forth. This happens because I am tired. I have a senior paper to write, but who needs to write a paper when there are other things to keep me non-busy. Yikes. I am so done with school, so done. I just want to eat my chocolate soy ice cream with natural peanut butter, and watch television comedy shows. I have no other desires. If someone could light a fire in my belly, it would be nice. Senioritis is real. It's very, very real. Tell your kids, hide your wife, etc.

Thrift Share Monday :)

Vintage "Get Well" Cards - Unused

Here are some of my finds from the storage/estate sale over the weekend. I was going to rest all day, but I needed to work on something after a difficult afternoon, so this was what came of it.

Dean's Childplay Fabric

This is fabric to reproduce antique dolls. There's no date on it, but I'm hoping it's desirable. Dean's Childplay dolls are really expensive if you find originals (fyi).

Victorian-esque Crewel Kit

So pretty :) I never get tired of finding vintage crewel kits. I did leave a bunch behind because they weren't pretty, or cool, or neat, or whatever it is that I look for. I'm glad I have a discerning eye of some sort.

Upholstery Top - Chair (3)

So I paid $0.50 each for three of these. Um...I don't know how old they are, but vintage upholstery? Ah-mazing. I know we had a super old chair like this when I was a kid. The seat wasn't attached to the chair, so you had to know just how to sit in it. The chair had a dark finish and lovely engraving at the top.

Well, my success over the past few days (I use the word success loosely, as almost everything has been listed, but they've only been up for the afternoon) has shown me that it is highly likely that at some point, I could easily end up with too much good stock. I am just now beginning to see how people end up storing stuff in the garage, and pulling it out as-needed. And of course, I am loving it more and more every day.

Linking up with Apron Thrift Girl :)

Help me make it through the night

I love the little Totals box at the side of the My eBay screen. I love to see the numbers get higher as the month goes along. It rarely gets beyond three digits, but when it does, oh the joy! I'm even thinking about pimping my blog and making buttons for my shops. I don't think readers are much in the way of buying from other resellers, and that's why I haven't done it. But I've thought about it - so there.

I have not thrifted in more than 48 hours. Can you believe that? Right now, I'm watching The Daily Show, and then I will get out of my three layers of clothing that I sleep in to keep from freezing to death, and make a trip across town. I don't know how much longer I can live this way. Do I go find a person on the street and offer them a shower, then my bed to share with me? I only want to make it through the night. I don't want any funny stuff.

Chchchch...changes

Yesterday was an amazingly long day, but I think I helped some people, so it was absolutely worth it. Unfortunately, my schedule this semester is feeling pretty smushed, crunched, limited, etc. I'm starting to think that I am going to shift my thrifting a bit. I don't think I have the energy anymore to go every day. I'm thinking more about a weekend gig with focus on estate sales. I will try it out this weekend and report back to you with how it went. I think I avoided it last semester because I wanted the weekend to rest, but I think I can arrange it so that I still get rest and get sufficient shopping time.