Thrifting in Reno 2025

Line to pick up Aki's pink guava cake

Drove to Incline Village this weekend to celebrate my son's birthday with one of his favorite cakes, Aki's pink guava cake. They sent out a confirmation email and said to make sure to pick up on time because they had another engagement to attend so will close at 2:00. The line went fast as everything is preordered. The only downsize for me was having to leave so late (10:30) to make the drive to Tahoe. Traffic was bad all the way up but I didn't have to deal with semi trucks like I did on the way home on Monday. That was super scary!

Since I didn't want to go mountain biking we went thrifting in Reno. It was a treat to get chauffeured around and not be too concerned when we went to some sketchy area where most thrift stores are. Didn't find much but that was no surprise. I picked up a few puzzles and this small glass basket. It glows green so is vintage but doesn't really have a high resell value. Paid $2.99 (no tax in Nevada on non profits) and will tag it for $12.99 

Next trip we're going to visit the pawn shops!

Vinatage Duncan & Miller Basket

Fenton Glassware Worth It?

I finally did the make over on my booth on Thursday. Not 100% sure it looks better but at least I got it done. I was totally exhausted when I got home because of all the people that wanted to talk to me. I think that added another 3 hours to my day. People overload for sure! Posey had to wait for her evening walk as I had to take a nap. 

One of the people I talked to was another vendor. We have different opinions on going to estate sale. I normally don't go because the prices are just too high to resell, even on the last day when everything is 50% off. We then got into the discussion about vintage glassware. The secondary market isn't all that great IMO. As she rattled on about all the vintage brands she's picked up I said the people with the money (younger generation)  aren't buying at least not at full retail. Way too easy for the them to look it up and buy it online if they really want it for a lower price. 

These are vintage pink Fenton candy dishes were given to me. I would price them between $9.99 - $12.99. Knowing that who ever buys it will probably be another reseller.  The other vendor would price them at $36 which is full retail. I know for sure I will sell them quickly which is more important than getting the maximum amount.   

Water Time Fun

The boys are in Mackinaw, MI for a few weeks. It's a family vacation cabin on the lake. From the looks of it they're have a great time. The water is very shallow so it's a little safer for the boys to paddle around and play. 

The only downside to the cabin is there's no mail service. As it's a family compound (five homes) there was a PO box back in the day. Not sure if it's still active as another family took ownership and no one lives there full time anymore. 

 I did ship out a few boxes to a trusted former sister in law, that a long story why that's important.  She was going up to visit with my daughter for the weekend so I shipped everything to her.  My daughter asked me to source jeans for the boys which are very hard to thrift and very expensive in Holland.  Boys that age are just very tough on pants so hard to find in good condition.  I  shipped out most of the  Trader Joe's ubi pancake mix I got for the boys as it's their favorite.  
 

Things you do when you're bored

The store gets a lot of new in the box stuff. This came in and for only .50 decided to give it a try. Yes, I was bored. 

It has so many don't do instructions I thought that alone made it a bad purchase. It's basically a shower bomb that in theory fills your shower with a calming fragrance. Unless you just like watching something dissolve while you're in the shower it's a total waste. Does it work? Nope. Was it worth .50? Nope

My new oven

My place was designed to be a man cave so they didn't install an oven when it was being built. For the most part, I really don't miss not having one. I was told a Breaville was the one to get but the price tag for a new one just wasn't something I wanted to splurge on.  I see a lot of used one for sale online but it's usually the smaller models. I'm guessing because the price point is lower. This one came up for auction on Maxsold from a group I buy from all the time. Trusting that when they say it works is important. After a little cleaning my kitchen is finally complete! 

I forgot about the taxes when I was bidding. Most of time when I'm buying at an auction I'm using my reseller number so I don't figure in the tax. I forgot this time, so with the auction premium and taxes that added another $50.00 to my final auction bid of $175.00. Total paid $226. 89. Yes I could have gotten a new one for an extra $50.00 but in my mind I still saved money. :) 

The Impatient Embroiderer by Jayne Emerson

Just how I like reading cook books, I like looking through crafting books. The key word here is "looking". Will I ever do anything of the projects, probably not. :) 

I've been watching the YouTube channel "The Stitchery" and she has inspired me to get out my stitching projects. She really likes hand embroidery but her channel explores a lot of different needle and thread projects. I realized my eye sight can't handle the tiny little cross stitching I did back in the day. Now I have to find something to do with all the DMC thread I've hoarded away. Still  working out that problem. :)

When I saw this book (published in 2006) at the thrift store it looked interesting. Always fun when a box full of crafting books comes in. Even for it being published so many years ago, it's still had some timeless ideas. Going through it I was sure I was never going to do any of the projects until I got to the very last one. It was about using up your scrap fabric (which I don't have a lot of) and making a card. It's basic zig zag sewing (I can do that) and it's a card, which is my jam. So this maybe the rare time I actually make something from a book!

 

Stress Management

 With all that's going in our country it's been just a little stressful. It more not knowing what to do to help only adds to the stress. I do boycott stores that support the felon's grandiose ideas of a new world order. I put my vote and money where it counts but I should be doing more. 

My daughter likes these face mask thingy so when I just need to chill I get one out. Silly but for the 15 minutes you have to sit and be still. What do you do to manage your stress?

Summer Tofu Salad

While I was at the Japanese grocery store, I picked up some tofu. Being a city with a large Asian population, you have a huge variety to choose from. Having that many choices, it takes awhile to decide. :) Nice to have choices, just wish women's rights were the same way. 

Tofu like eggplant, it's all about the toppings. I always get a big root of ginger when I'm at the Asian markets. You can never have too much of fresh ginger in the house! For some reason I can't remember why I have several tins of smoked eel. I'm sure I was making something Japanese with it. The only thing I forgot to get was some green onion.

 A little sesame seed oil, furikaki (Japanese sprinkles), smoked eel, soy sauce, grated ginger and cucumber. A very refreshing summer meal. 

 

Make some family favorites.

Had fun working in my brother's garden today even with the giant bumble bee buzzing around my head. Green beans were a favorite of my dad especially the way our mom cooked them. None of us have been able to make the bean dish the way she did. Not sure if our flavor memory is out of whack as it's a very easy basic recipe. Our mom didn't follow written recipes so we can only guess on the seasonings. 

I made a cucumber salad, which I haven't had in a long time. It's something we have at our family gatherings. I only know the seasoned noodles by the packaging. It took me 4X times around the store to find it. It use to be in a tube and easy to see. I almost gave up but when I went back for some tofu I saw the dragons. Much smaller than it use to be but with the cost of everything now, it's no surprise. 

It was very noticeable there were no Hispanic male workers normally at the store. I asked about it when I was checking out. With the raids happening in the area I was concerned. The cashier said so far nothing at the store but she's on edge. Scary times! 

California 1960's Cat Plate

I occasionally get to talk to people who buy things from my booth at Cottage Crafts. They tell me I always have interesting stuff. Even if they don't buy anything, they come in to see what's new. :) 

With all that is going on I'm not sure how many people will still be able to shop for random non essentials. So that means I'm being a whole lot more careful what I source for my booth. 

This is a vintage California made plate from the 60's. I've been leaning more toward things made in California lately. I'm also planning a complete booth make over. Just trying to psych myself up to get it done. :) 

Halloween Cards 2025

I know Halloween cards aren't big sellers but I still had a lot of fun making the pumpkin and candy corn. 

Getting my card rack at Cottage Craft stocked up so I can donate the profits to the International Children's Art Foundation. With all the funding being canceled it's time to step up. 

Domestic Diva Day

Don't ask me why I saved this faux antler from the bins but I did. Still not sure what I will do with it but for now it will visit with my basil plant. 

Sunday is my domestic diva day and I try really hard not to go anywhere. I tackle the many cleaning projects I ignore during the week. I would also like to do my laundry but Matt is home so it has to wait until Monday.

One of the time sensitive projects was shipping a big box to Michigan. The boys arrive next week to visit an auntie, so a supply of Trader Joe's Ube pancake mix was requested.  With the postal rates going up by 51% I had to bite the bullet and learn to use Pirate Ship. It's not that it's hard to use but you have to be able to print the label. I don't own a printer anymore so that's the challenge. Shipping from the post office would have costed $48.00 vs $16.00 on pirate ship. The savings was worth me finding someone who still uses a printer.  Thank you Bron for saving the day! I'm going to have to check and see if my Rollo shipping label printer is still in the ZZ booth at Cottage Crafts. May have to bring it back home for the few times I want to send something. Going to the post office isn't an option anymore.