I can check that off my list

Remember this?

I've been working reaaallly hard-listing, selling, purging, organizing...and now it looks like this!!

What really helped the most were these cabinets with the doors.A friend of mine was saying she was going to have to put them in storage since she didn't need them in her house anymore.The same friend wants me to list some records for her. I've traded listing for the cabinets(there's another not in the picture).I feel like it's a great deal for both of us-she's not paying to store them(plus I'm listing some records for her) and I've got these like new cabinets(she used them to store VHS movies).
I'm so happy..I've got all like toys together(no missing pieces from a sticky finger 4 year old) and I know where everything is stored. Now time to get listing.

Red, White, & Blue Wreath

I'm pretty sure my Momma bought this trim in 1976 (remember the Bicentennial?) to use on some sewing project that never happened.Fast forward to 2012, these trims were in a box sent home with me. Since the Olympics are this summer plus all the patriotic holidays,I made this red/white/blue wreath for the front door. The best part-I used stuff I already had so it was FREE.

I had a straw wreath already wrapped in silver tinsel garland (I was going to make an ornament wreath for Christmas and didn't get around to it).I briefly thought about taking the garland off, but I didn't want to see the straw.The red, white , and blue flowers were a trim I cut into individual pieces and hot glued on.After attaching the flowers,I made the bow from some embroidered vinyl. I feel like it needs something else like fireworks, but I'm setting perfectionism aside and calling it done.
What do you all think?

Goodwill Finds-A good man is expensive

You know how some days just feel longer than others?Friday was that day for me.Scott had taken the big kids so that my oldest could test for his learner's permit and I had the four year old with me doing errands and stuff.When we finally did get back together, it was across town to pick up my car from the shop.By the time we all got home, I needed a little break so I headed over to Goodwill.
I was in there earlier that day with Nathan, but didn't find anything.I rechecked the toys and found a taped up bag containing these.

The price? $15.99-more than I have ever spent on dolls at a thrift store,but I thought the top five were Bratz boyz and knew they sold well.They also had a ton of Barbie and Bratz dolls also taped up in bags @ $7.99 a bag.I got home and figured out that those aren't Bratz, but rather Barbie My Scene dolls and they sell really well too.I've got them and the Ken and Friends lot already listed. I also got two bags of Barbie shoes, clothes, & accessories for $5.99 each-got that stuff photographed, just need to list it.

Sales this week-May 19-25

This has not been the whirlwind week that I had last week as far as selling goes, but at least I wan't in a black hole.Some things I didn't really make a profit on, but was glad to move out because I've had them for-evah(well it seems like it).Some things I was really surprised that sold so fast.
I also went out to my parents house (a.k.a my free inventory source) and came back with a trunkload of stuff to sell.My momma has always been a die hard sewer (one of her sewing machines is worth more than my car),but she's decided to concentrate just on quilting.I came home with a big bin of silk fabric, a bin of lace/trim, big rolls of elastic lace,and other odds and ends.She tried to give me more stuff,but I literally could not fit another thing in my truck.
On to the sales!!

These sold for $19.95 and the buyer left great feedback.Love those kind of sales.

I reduced the price on these because I was tired of knocking into them in the playhouse and I've had these for a loong time.The chipmunk glasses sold for $1.99-pretty much broke even,but they're gone and the buyer left great feedback.I'll take that and stay in my happy pants,lol. The McDonald's glasses are a different story.Bought 23 glasses at Bargain Barn for .25 cents each= $4.50 for three complete sets and this set of five(it's missing Mayor McCheese).I've sold the complete sets for $35 and finally sold this set for $3.99.Yeah! They're all gone!!!

This is my WTF?! this week.I bought this whole batch at Bargain Barn for like 50 cents.They're 2 inch tall Power Rangers that you put on top of cakes/cupcakes.I thought maybe Nathan would like playing with them, but he wasn't interested so I threw them on Ebay to see what would happen. They sold for $15.99 a couple of days after I listed them(might've had them too low).I am constantly amazed at what people will buy.
I also sold a couple of more patterns($2.99 each) and a ceramic owl ($3.99).I'm hoping next week will be even better.

Sales this week-May 12-18

I had quite a few sales this week.Last week was free auction listing on Ebay for store owners and I listed a ton of stuff.Since it was free, I put up alot of stuff that I wasn't sure was going to sell and I was pleasantly surprised.

A set of five unicorn collectable plates from Germany.These are my friend's-her stepdad had collected these kind of decorative plates before he died.I'm selling them for her on commission-she's happy because she's getting more than what she would selling them at a yard sale and I'm happy because I get money for inventory I don't have to buy.These have been in my store since January.They're not a quick sale, but I got the full asking price of $289.00.

Another decorative plate for $16.99 with free shipping.It helps to have the Certificate of Authenticity and original box on these plates.

This cookie jar ended up selling for $35.00 even though it's not pristine.Buyer hasn't paid yet though.

This 70's owl plaque is one of those things that I wasn't sure would sell so I started the auction at $1.99.It sold for $10.50.

If you ever see cast iron lids without the pot/pan, pick them up anyway.Bought this for a quarter-it sold for $18.00.
Also sold some Minnie Mouse party supplies($7.99),a cross stitch kit($11.50),a Fisher Price doctor kit missing pieces($5.99),some cloth napkins($7.49),and five patterns(from .99 to $2.99 each).
The neighborhood yard sale was Saturday and even though there wasn't alot of participation and it rained for awhile, we made $175.00.
My very best flip of the week doesn't have any pictures. A few weeks ago I bought two crusty metal plates from the Bargain Barn at Goodwill for .25 each.They looked like they had been buried, but I noticed the words "Sterling" on the back. I cleaned them up-one of the plates was solid while the other had an inset.I did some research on them to see if I could sell them on Ebay, but they were in pretty rough shape even after cleaning them.I took them to a jeweler and sold them for scrap for $142.00.They took the inset out of the one plate and gave it back to me because it wasn't marked.I want to get the inset metal tested because if it's silver too then that'll be a nice chunk of change(It's heavy.I already know it's not lead or aluminum).Sterling silver is selling for $28 an ounce these days people.
I hope everyone else had a productive week too.

Don't Be A Victim

At the beginning of karate class last night, my instructor asked me,"Did you see those guys coming towards you after we talked last week?"And then he went on to say that he had reached into his glovebox,grabbed his gun,and waited to see if they were going to grab me.
In fact, I did see them.They had walked through the parking lot and then circled back around as I was walking back to my car.Behavior like that is odd.As I walked to my car, I made sure that they saw me looking at them.Then I opened my door, grabbed my billy club,and most importantly, got in my car and left. The whole situation took 15-20 seconds tops. And then I didn't think about it again until my instructor said something to me about it.
I am by no means an expert, but I think it's important for people(especially women) to know these things to avoid being a victim.
1.Be situationally aware. The first thing an attacker will look for is someone who is not paying attention. Don't just blithely gab away on your phone, check email/Facebook, or listen to your iPod as you walk to your car.Look around-notice things that seem weird.
2.If someone is at a distance and starts to approach you,don't ignore them.LOOK at them..and not just any look.I like to give what my husband calls the death stare.Just noticing and staring will stop alot of attackers before they even start.I used to have a job where I had to visit several grocery/drug stores in sketchy parts of town.I can't tell you how many times guys have stopped in their tracks and went in another direction after I've stared them down.
3.If a would-be attacker continues in your direction, don't be afraid to get LOUD.Scream, yell, curse like a sailor-anything to make an attacker stop.In karate class, we yell a loud "KIAHH!!" as we attack. When you yell for any reason, it ramps up your adreneline and gets you ready for fight or flight.It also tightens your ab muscles,making it easier to take a hit to the gut.Your voice is your most powerful weapon- don't be afraid to use it.
4.If it's possible..leave.Get away.The best fight is the one you never have to have.
5.If you are attacked,FIGHT!!Bite,scratch,punch, kick.Go for the most vulnerable body parts-eyes, ears, nose, throat, kidneys,groin,knees,feet.If they've grabbed you in a certain way(like a choke hold),think about what appendages are free and use them.Don't let them take you to a second location.Punch until they let go and then get away.

I hope these tips help.Personally,I think that all girls/women should learn self-defense or some form of martial arts.You don't have to become the next UFC champion,but it will get you prepared if you are ever attacked.

Oh Awesome,one of THOSE kind of buyers

Remember the dress I sold last week?Well today I got an email from the buyer..

The dress is not in excellent condition. Its pretty white skirt and ribbons are dirty with some stains on them. When opening the package, I cut the piece of fabric. Please, next time DO NOT do that, you should rap the cloths at least into the paper before putting into the envelope!!! VERY DISAPPOINTED!!!!!!!!
WTF?!?The dress was not dirty when I mailed it and she's complaining because she cut the fabric??
I took a look at the feedback she's left for sellers and every fourth to fifth one is pissy and negative.
Oh awesome...I can see where this is going. I emailed her back and told her I'd be happy to refund her money if she sent me a picture of the stain(cutting the dress is on her). I'll probably end up with negative feedback.Grrrreaat....

Finds from the G-Dub

Here's a couple of items I've found at Bargain Barn (aka Goodwill Outlet)lately.I've actually found more,just haven't photographed them yet.

Thomas and Friends Trackmaster Shake Shake Bridge. I got this in a box that had this and an incomplete Thomas set for $2.50.This sold yesterday for $15 plus shipping.Since the other set is incomplete,I'm dividing it up and selling as replacement parts.

A vintage Shawnee Smiley Pig Cookie Jar.It's got a big ol' crack(that's been repaired) right above the flower and a couple of major chips.In pristine condition,this cookie jar can go up to $80.I've got him listed at auction for $19.99-already got a ton of watchers.I paid $1 for him.

Last but not least,I snatched up these owl mugs as soon as I saw them for a quarter a piece.There's an owl face on each side of the mug-adorable.I've got them listed for $19.99.

Angry vent

Ebay has free listing all week for people who have stores.That means I'll be a busy little beaver trying to get as much as I can listed/relisted.I want to get my Ebay playhouse thinned out plus we could really use the money(insurance payments and deductables are a bitch).I've promised myself a leisurely day of yard saling Saturday if I can get a ton of stuff listed.
The husband is always asking how much money is in our Paypal account.Seriously?!I don't know what pisses me off more, the fact that he refers to it as "our" account or the fact that he expects a ton of money in there. If I didn't have to transfer money over all the time to pay bills,groceries, or gas "we" probably would have a nice chunk of change in there.He keeps saying I should list more, but he lays up in the bed every morning until almost 12 (and he leaves for work at 1).That leaves me making sure the four year old stays out of trouble for most of my long ass day. Arrrgh-sometimes I just want to smack him.
He asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day-I want to be left alone. I want a whole day where I'm not responsible for the well being of any children and then I don't want him to act like a fucking martyr because he took one day and took care of HIS kids.And his day shouldn't start at noon.
Sorry this post is so whiney..just had to vent so I don't go all postal on him.

Sales this week-first week of May 2012

Last week, I swear I could hear crickets chirping in my store but thank goodness it's picked up. I'm hoping to get more stuff listed (and sold) when the kids get out of school.
Here's what I've sold this past week-not the best sales week, but certainly better than last week.

A set of 8 vintage aprons(including this one).Took a Best Offer of $8.00 on this.I think I paid less than $1.50 for all of them.

This vintage gingerbread doll kit.Sold for $9.99.Paid .50 cents for it, but I've had it for awhile.

Cappeli Straw Purse for $15.99-free shipping. Paid $1.25 for it, but again has been in my store for awhile.So glad to see it go.

Vintage Embroidery Kit.Sold the day after I listed it for $19.99.Paid .50 cents for it.I think I might have listed this one a little too low.Oh well.
Also sold a smocked boys romper for $17.99 and a set of 6 steak knives for $12.50.I'll have to post about the place where I got those steak knives-it's a hoarder's dream and the owner is cray cray crazy.
Hopefully next week will be even better.