Friday, May 30, 2025

Gardening in full swing!

The backyard has been neglected for years. It once had a nice lawn area but now just weeds and compact dirt. I was going to pull all the weeds by hand but that is just a back breaking task. Something had to be done with all weeds as picking up after Posey is an Easter egg hunt everyday. Not a fun surprise anyone.

I decided why not try and use the push mower stored in the back.  Even with the dull blades it turned out pretty good. I may keep the weeds trimmed short so there's some sort of green ground covering to keep the dust down and  see be able to see Posey's business. There are future plans to redo the backyard but I don't see that happening any time soon.

It was a day of a lot of errands before it got too hot.  One of them was to return some things to Ace Hardware. I'm way past the 30 day return policy by several months so really didn't have any hopes of getting a credit. The first one I went was nice to explain that not all Ace stores carry the same things. If they don't carry it, they wouldn't have the shelf space for it, especially since I got them down while in Carmel in December. They suggested I try another store. Went to the one in Saratoga and when he said no, I said well I'll donate it to your store. I don't want my grandsons to find it my garage 20 years from now wondering why I never used it. :) He said if I could find something for $9.99, he'll do a trade. I picked out some very sad looking tomato and pepper plants. Since he was nice enough to do a trade, I thought why not trade for something he was going to have to throw out in a few day anyways. Hopefully I can get them to grow!

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Cards and More Cards Plus Bananas

Since I have a lot of parts left over from my beading class, I decided to make more cards for my card rack. It's not like I need to restock or anything. Handmade cards aren't a big seller at Cottage Crafts with so many other people selling cards. Still it would be nice to refresh my rack with some new stuff. The other plus side is not having to store the class leftovers. At my new place I have the space to spread out which is both good and bad. My work surface is a hot mess but as I tell myself, it's my hot mess. :)  

After cleaning out the garage over the weekend there was a box of paper work that had to get shredded. Since Red Dog (paper shredding company) is in the same shopping center as Cottage Crafts, I added it to my to do list. In the morning, I was just thinking I was getting low on my frozen banana stash for my smoothies.  I don't see my banana dealer anymore at the store as I don't volunteer on the day she comes in. :( As I went to pay for my box to be shredded, there was a case of very ripe bananas (banana bread ripe) next to the counter. I asked about it and he said please take the whole box. I shared it with the people at cottage crafts and now I have a freezer full again! Wonder if I wish for a beach house I'll find that too! :) 

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Saying Good Bye

The last of my things from the Carmel house came home this weekend. Since I've spent the last several Christmas at the beach house, I've left my Christmas stands there. Now I have to turn in my keys which I've had for over 30+ years. Very sad day for me to let go of the one key that's been on my key ring the longest. I hope when they say "when one door closes, a window opens" is true.  

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Water Color Crayons

As a crafter, I pick up supplies all the time. Collecting is the fun part for me. :).  I'm a fan of Tim Holtz but I didn't get his water color crayons when they were first released. I'm guessing a lot of other people didn't either as it didn't last very long on market. When I saw these off brand in the ZZ booth at Cottage Crafts for $2 I picked them up. I know they work well if you do collages and alter art from what I've seen on the Frugal Crafter videos.

When will I use them? Will I ever use them? Only time will tell.

Saturday, May 24, 2025

When you've been around the block a few times.

Not sure if you can see the purple tinge to this vintage toothpick holder. Getting an accurate photo with clear glass isn't easy. I went dumpster diving this morning in the "go away" bins at the store. The Hope truck hadn't picked up yet so it was my lucky day. I spotted the purple tinge on this glass and when I picked it up felt the weight. I knew it was a winner! Not sure why it was in the go away bin, but the sorters on intake days are new. They don't always know if something old is worth keeping. When I got home I checked it with my UV light and yes it glowed. 

Friday, May 23, 2025

To return or not to return

 

I'm of the generation that takes something back I didn't like or didn't use, even low dollar items.  I've noticed the younger generation just can't be bothered to do returns for low dollar value things. Way back in December when the boys were here, we had to replace some worn out wheels on the shower doors. Not sure what would fit being everything was so old, we got a few sizes. The parts we didn't use have been riding around in my car ever since. Don't ask me why it took me so long to do the returns. Went to Home Depot today and the part only cost $3.50. Because of the length of time I could only get store credit. Knowing if I left the store without getting anything, I would never use the credit. Thought maybe getting a small house plant. There were none that didn't come in a fancy vase with a price tag to match.  Since I have a lot of pots already all over my yard, I just wanted one I could replant. The violets were the only plain packaged plant for $6.99. The best part was that after I used my store credit I threw away the credit card. I count that as a major victory!  Back in the day I would have tossed it into my purse for some unknown reason. Now on to ACE hardware which has a much more strict return policy. 

Thursday, May 22, 2025

When to walk away

Some of the things I'm bidding on for this week. 

Not 100% sure this is an original because this artist, Curt Walters licensed this image out. From the estate it's coming from it could be but I'm going with it's a good copy. Either way I would like to add it to my art wall. Update: Didn't win the painting and from the final sale price sure hope it was  the real thing. 

The second thing I bid on but not going to win is this pyrex set. Only reason I bid on it was to get the blue bowl which

is one of the hardest one to find. Last week at this same seller's auction I got the other three bowls. Now I'm wondering if they purposely took the blue bowl out of the set knowing whoever got the first lot last week would pay up to complete the set. As a reseller it's now out of profit range so I have to pass. They are getting more for splitting up the set but still thinks it's a little shady.  So I have to pivot and sell off the bowls I have individually.  





 

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Who buys these things?

The other day I pulled this from the "go away" box at the store. The go away box are things we don't think we can sell at the store. The crafter in me thought someone could use it to melt wax. After reading the directions it's a no, no but I still think you could. :) The reseller part of me checked the comps and made sure it worked. I was pretty surprised the sold comps were around $20+. Makes me wonder why? It's headed over to Cottage Crafts in the morning. 

Saturday, May 17, 2025

Old Dog Learning Something New

Ms. Posey now refuses her Kong ball filled with peanut butter after getting her taste of the famous dried fish. I also think it takes too much effort for her to get the peanut butter out of ball. Either way, Posey will bark at my door until I let her in. She's learning that if she wants a treat from me, she has to be quiet for 15 minutes. She was barking so loud and for so long that it trigger my Apple Watch to excessive noise. She is getting the idea and some days there's not a lot of barking. 

 

Friday, May 16, 2025

Watercolor coloring with Distress Inks

 

I always thinks I'm going to get all those side art projects done while I'm dog sitting.  Now that my art supplies are in one spot and more importably I can find them when I need them, no more excuses! It only takes me a few minutes to pull everything together. 

I've been wanting to try watercoloring with Tim Holtz distress inks. I'm a big fan of his videos because he goes in depth about the development of his product line and what you can do with it. I don't know how old my ink pads are but it's been that long since I purchased any. Have to say they're all still inky.  I'm also doing what the Frugal Crafter (another favorite) has suggested. Stamping in a lighter ink or water soluble ink if painting free hand isn't your thing. You have an outline to follow. Using a stamping platform (Tim Holtz's is the best) makes adding the outlines back in if that's what you want super easy.

Some of the inks are bright enough so I added some really watercolor paint. I've had this palette for years too!

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Dried Fish Back In The House.

Finally was able to dry some fish for my furry friends.  It's been on to do list for a long time. This batch took days to dry. almost 30 hours.  
I know food prices are going up but the price for capelin has doubled and I'm not sure the stores will be getting any more. I brought the last two bags the store had. Use to have a freezer full.
Posey (the resident chocolate lab) loves them so much she'll bark at my door until I answer and give her fish snack. Of course she likes to snack no matter what but she really likes the dried fish. I'm going to pick up some carrots for her but I'm sure she's going to give me the evil eye about eating too healthy. :) 
 

Monday, May 12, 2025

Fast Sell Through Rate Goal

I did an MaxSold auction pick up on Sunday. They had a hard time finding my items (3 pyrex bowls) so I was chatting with all the people waiting in line. One woman purchased a lot of dishes and bowls. She was surprised how small the bowls were so that told me she wasn't a reseller. She did flip them on the spot as the bowls she didn't like was part of the set someone else wanted. Buying and selling at the auction is a big no, no, but she didn't know that. 
She asked for help to load her boxes into her car as she had a bad back. Not sure what she would have done if no one was there to help her. The auction makes it clear they will not help you load your car. Since I was waiting for my items, I helped her out. She also got this lamp ($2.00) which Im guessing she really didn't want but just went crazy bidding. She gave it to me to haul away. 
It's missing the glass chimney insert so I switch the light bulb to a candle shaped one. It actually looks good on my tansu cabinet but I posted it for sale. I really don't need another lamp. 
I posted it for $10 on Facebook market place and my phone blew up. Yes, I probably could have gotten more for it but it's 100% profit and it's out of the house in record time. This is what a fast sell through rate is all about.  :)

Sunday, May 11, 2025

Mini Bead Class Sign Ups Now Open

It's now official - my mini bead class is open for sign ups. There will be 3 cards (poster only shows 2) but you can make as many cupcakes and ladybugs you want in the 2 hours we have in class. Some easy stamping will be included.
I had to search for more red seed beads for the lady bugs, which wasn't easy. There aren't too many craft stores around anymore and not being a beader, I don't know enough of the lingo to order online. 
If you're interested go to FabMo's website to sign up. 100% of the class fee goes to FabMo. Hope to see you there!


Saturday, May 10, 2025

Would You Risk It?

 

Would you risk it? 

We had a discuss at the store about buying to resell. It's easy to price things at the thrift store since there's no risk to our bank accounts. Maybe not making as much as we could but we have no skin in the game. I was showing the picture of the $1 vase lot I got at auction last week. Then telling them five of the vases were worth some serious money. They said they couldn't deal with the stress of making the wrong choice. Gaining experience from making many, many mistakes as a reseller, I don't have to depend on AI or Google.

It was interesting that some antique cast iron irons came in that same day. Very cool but I said not very collectible anymore. Just because they're old doesn't mean they have any resell value. Before they looked up everything I told them what I would price them at as a reseller. I was right on the money. It helped prove my point that sometimes experience pays off. 

So why the picture. I saw the redish bowl in the back and I think it's a small red pyrex bowl. One of the hardest one to find, (blue being the other one) in good condition. The casserole dishes aren't worth anything. I did notice they didn't show the bottoms of any of them so I'm risking that they're all are pyrex. Paid $8 for the lot. Wish me luck!

Update: It wasn't a cherry red but a burnt orange pyrex bowl called Orange Flameglo. It's a color I've never seen before so it's win as far as being unique. I'm guessing it wasn't a popular color back in the day so the resell value isn't as high. 





Friday, May 9, 2025

On A Whim - fast sell through

Sur La Table Piggies

I went to another private estate sale on Friday. I had made an offer on a few things and went to pick them up. I saw these pig bowls and on a whim  brought them because I thought they were funny. Another reseller (she buys a lot) had already grab all the good stuff so I just did a quick look around. Parking was an issue and I didn't want my car to get towed away. I took them right to Cottage Crafts and I didn't even have to tag them. Another crafter brought them as soon as I pulled them out of the box. I doubled my money in less than 30 minutes. I didn't pay a lot for the piggy bowls but I'll take a fast sell through anytime. 

Experience Pays Off - card making 101

Working on my May 25 card class for FabMo. One of the things I have to keep in mind is what can be done in 2 hours. That is one of the major mistakes new teachers make. 
 While I was making this ladybug card the flowers stamp and die cut took me forever to line up correctly. Knowing if it was taking me a long time, it would be impossible to do in class. I could pre stamp all the flowers but that would take part of the creative process away from the students. Since I had to remake the card (first draft had design issues) I decided to make a template so the flower die cut was in the correct position to stamp. Stamps are already lined up on the stamping platform for a perfect fit. You still can choose what color you wanted but didn't have to figure out was what the top or bottom. This is something card makers do if they're making a lot of the same thing.



 

Thursday, May 8, 2025

New to me Tansu

I was so excited when this tansu cabinet came up for auction. I needed a certain size for this space. The height was right but the width wasn't. They measured the top part (32") but the base adds another 1/2" and I didn't think about how much the base board would add.It was a double whammy of not measuring correctly. Still love it even if it doesn't fit into the space I wanted it to go. 
One of the bonuses of my new place is I have a full size attic.  Not ever having one before, it's been a game change. No more having to rent a storage unit to storage my holiday decoration and craft supplies. My big bulky winter coats which rarely get used don't take up my closet space any more. It does make me wonder why I have so many winter coats. :) 
 

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Simple Daisy Card



I'm doing a class for FabMo this month (May 25) and not knowing how fast the ladies will be, I added a third card. This one is very simple and only uses one little bead. I had most of this card kitted up so it was easy to pull together. 
I'm finally going through all my craft supplies and kits. Many have been boxed up for ages. Amazing after all the purges I've done in the past few years I still have a lot of stuff. :) 

Copic Markers - brown and green
Mini daisy punch - unknown 
Flower pot die - I think from a Hero Arts set
Border stamp - unknown
Tim Holtz Oxide Ink -  picked raspberry 
Blending brush
Stamping Up - stem stamp from 2006
Aqua glue and double sized tape
Not pictured
Tim Holtz stamping platform - it's the best IMO
Tim Holtz sidekick - didn't want to like it but I love it! 

 

Monday, May 5, 2025

Up coming card class - May 25, 2025

Getting back to teaching workshops at FabMo. Now that my craft supplies are all in one place and more importantly I know where almost of everything is! I'm still organizing and cleaning up my supplies but I think that will always be an on going thing. 

Working on making samples so photos can be taken and posted. First workshop up is the mini bead card class. At some point I took apart the bead kit I had for this class. I wanted to work on new designs while I was down at the Carmel house. Basically I'm starting from scratch but I know I have all the parts. It's also nice that I have the space to spread out a little more so I can be working on several projects at the same time.  



Friday, May 2, 2025

Perfect fit - Avon bottle

 I know in the reselling world anything Avon isn't a thing. I do think someday it will be but for now it's not. 

I've been looking for a dish soap dispenser for a while now. I wash all my dishes by hand, mainly because I either didn't have a dishwasher or because being single it takes too long to fill a dishwasher.  Even before the pandemic I was a big hand washer. I think that was one reason I rarely get sick but mainly I can't handle of a sink full of dirty dishes. 

This Avon asparagus bottle came in and I just had to get it. I picked up some fresh asparagus at Costco this week, so I've been eating it for days. I'm not sure what originally came in the bottle but it's now next to my kitchen sink.  It was just meant to be! :) 

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Life of a reseller 2025

I went a little over board at the last private estate sale. This is an invitation only sale, not advertised to the general public. The house was small and there wasn't a lot of good stuff overall. What was good was snatched up by another reseller who either got there early or made an offer after we all got the email and photos. I did get the small tansu sewing box for $40 even with all the damage. It's a little higher than I wanted to pay but the reason we get invited to these sale is we don't haggle, it's a yes or no. She did give me a break on some of the smalls (sorry no pics) so over all I'm happy. Hopefully I'll be able to flip it. Priced at $75 and now at Cottage Crafts. 

I did spend a little more than I wanted to on the tansu cabinet ($211) but I did have a hard stop price  of $220. To find a cabinet the right size and style I wanted, I went for it. 

I thought I would show the three other lots I got at that same auction.  These are "junk" lots so I don't bid very much on them. There is the vase lot I paid only a $1 for. Most of the vases will get donated away but three look like I can flip for at least $10 - $15 each. Even if only one of them is good, I will make a good profit. The pitcher lot I went a little higher but it still breaks down to $1 for each one. I can easily flip all of them for $5 if not more. Not sure why the single big vase didn't go for more  ($5) but I'm sure I can flip it for $20. I go for the fast sale even if the profit is small. Waiting for the big pay out, I'd end up with a warehouse full of stuff!  So this is the life of a reseller.