Friday, March 30, 2012

I think I might live

It's been a week since my dental surgery and I've learned a few things.
1)My family cannot seem to function without me.They don't know where anything is,how to load/unload anything,how to pick up after themselves.In short, if something happens to me they are in BIG trouble.
2)Percoset is a most wonderful drug.Not only did it reduce my pain, but it made me not give a crap about #1.
3)It's amazing how I can be on antibiotics and still get the crud that my oldest son had.Didn't I tell that kid not to breathe on me?
4)When I had dental surgery,my jaws are sore.My teeth are sore.I look like I've been in a fight..and lost.
5)Because my jaws/mouth/teeth are sore,I won't want to eat.Even when I do eat,it'll have to be something like soup or pudding.I lost 10 pounds.
6)TMI-All of these painkillers will make you constipated.
7)Your four year old child will not care about any of this because he's only thinking about going to the park.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Week in Review March 18-25

Between dental surgery and getting these kids all well, it has been one helluva week.My one and only daughter and the little one have recovered from strep and bronchitis, but now my oldest boy is complaining about his throat(he thinks he has strep-will be calling the doctor tomorrow).Wednesday I got into a car accident- nothing serious. No one was hurt and both of us were able to drive away(although now he's saying his car is undriveable--annoying).So now we'll have to come up with the $1000 deductible.Friday I had dental surgery-had two wisdom teeth and two molars removed.I spent most of that day out of it-my dentist believes in the good drugs.My face is still swollen and my mouth is super sore, but thankfully this is behind me and I'm on the road to recovery.
Here's what I sold this week:
Sold this vintage Vogue pattern for $12.50, however the buyer asked to cancel the sale since she already had this pattern.So I offered second chance to someone and when they didn't take it,I relisted it.It's already got a bid on it.I sold several other patterns too.
What I love about selling vintage patterns is that I can get them dirt cheap or free at yard sales or Bargain Barn.I only like to buy patterns that I know are at least as old as I am. Uncut patterns are even better. When I get them really cheap,I can wait until a free auction listing day and start them out at $4.99 or $5.99 each with free shipping and still make a profit.Many times, a bidder will buy more than one pattern.They're so light that they go out First Class mail(I don't do free shipping on international shipping)
What I hate about selling vintage patterns is that I have to check to make sure all the pieces are there.And I know I don't have to do this, but because sizes are so different now than they were back then I like to include finished body measurements with each listing.It takes some time, but I think it's worth it(besides I can get caught up on my shows at the same time).Also, not every pattern sells so I still have a pile even though I've made 10-20 times what I paid for the lot.I'm thinking that now I'll put them all together in a few lots and see if they sell.
Also sold:
                                       Little Einsteins Transform and Go Rocket for $29.00
                        Bucilla Felt and Sequin Applique Tablerunner Kit Sold for $28.00.
                                     Tommy Bahama XXL Hawaiian Shirt.Sold for $31.00.
Retro Classics XXL silk shirt.Sold for $19.49.I like to buy the "Big Boy" sizes in Hawaiian style shirts because 1)my husband is an XXL and he likes to wear these style shirts and 2)bigger sizes are easier to sell.If these shirts had been a small or a medium,they probably wouldn't have sold.Sold another Hawaiian XL shirt for $14.99 too.
Other sales include some Dora talking dollhouse furniture($19.50), a vintage red handbag($15.50), a crewel embroidery birth announcement kit($12.99), and a 2T smocked easter dress($14.99).
I didn't get anything listed this past week because of all the sickness/car accident/dental stuff going on.I did spend quite a bit of time out in the playhouse yesterday organizing and purging. Now I'm ready to take a ton of new pictures and get alot of new auctions up in my store while it's still free this week.The insurance deductible is a good incentive I guess.Half glass full people.
I hope everyone has great sales this coming week.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Whew! I thought you'd never leave

I also sold this yesterday.I've been trying to sell this jacket since December. December, people!!! I tried high price,low price-hadn't even gotten a nibble or a view. I was going to send it back to Goodwill or cut it up to use the leather for something else when I saw a segment on The Today Show about how neon colors are the latest fashion trend. So I listed it again at auction for $16.99 and included the word "Neon" in the title.It sold for $22.49! Thank you Today show!
I also sold New with Tags Lane Bryant Shorts for $12.99,two Build a Bear lots of clothes(one for $12.99, the other for $21.00), and a decorative plate($19.99 w/free shipping).
I've been thinking about having a selling goal, but I'm not sure what I want to work toward.Pay off the credit card??Save for vacation??It's something to think about for sure.


Thursday, March 15, 2012

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

In the last week, I have been listing trying to get the playhouse under control.  Is it working? Um..no. Did I at least stay out of the thrift store? Um..no. I know (slapping myself on the hand)-Bad Marla,bad girl.I did buy some canisters to help me organize, so not too bad.Of course,a leather director chair, a pile of Barbie clothes,some vintage Christmas stuff,an old carry on bag,and some Polly Pocket Disney princess clothes also came home with me.Bad Marla, bad.
Other than listing, we're all sick. Again. My one and only daughter has strep, my little one has bronchitis, I have a sinus infection, and my husband and oldest son are saying they don't feel well either.I will be so glad to get everyone well around here.Didn't I just get over a cold??Blech.
Today I sold this sweater..
Isn't it lovely (insert eyeroll here)? Why yes, those are sequins all over the front of the sweater.I had read on another blog that ugly unique stuff will sell on Ebay.So I bought this from Bargain Barn for about $2.00 ($1.45 per lb.) to test the theory.It's a Storybook Knit sweater from HSN.
I listed it starting at $18.99 since that was about what other sweaters with that label get. It sold for $51.00!!! I'm a believer-ugly sells!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Project Clean Out The Playhouse

(insert Janet Leigh blood curdling scream here-AHHH!!)
I know, I know-it's bad.Please don't turn me into Hoarders just yet. I have a plan.
Last night, I noticed that Ebay store owners can list auctions free for the rest of the month. (LIGHT BULB)So here's my plan to remedy the mess.
PROJECT CLEAN OUT THE PLAYHOUSE or COTP
1.Do not go to the thrift store or any garage/yard sales for the rest of the month.It's kind of hard to clean up the piles when I'm constantly adding to it.
2.Do some work and actually take pictures and list.I figure if I can do 10 listings a day,that's 230 by the end of the month.
3.Get the rest of the Ebay stuff scattered around the house into the playhouse.
4.Plan a yard sale for sometime in April-hopefully the first weekend in April.Everything that hasn't sold, put in yard sale and get rid of it.
5.Organize playhouse.I'd love to have a little photo area so I can free up my kitchen table.Also a shipping area where I can organize boxes, bubble wrap,etc. I know it's asking alot-it's not a huge space.
I'll give updates throughout the month for my spring cleaning.Wish me luck.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Geez is it March already?

My Momma says time gets faster the older you get- no kidding. Let's see...since I wrote my last post:
1.I got over my cold and so did everybody else-thank goodness.The only thing worse than me being sick is my husband and kids being sick.Of course, I have been accused of being less than sympathetic, but it's hard for me to show compassion when all I want to do is crawl up under the covers and knock myself out with medicine.
2.Nathan has started taking Ninja Karate classes every day which is a HUGE source of entertainment for me.It is nice to see someone else having that same look of frustration on their face for 30 minutes.Skills he needs to improve on include standing still,following directions, and responding to his own name.They have taught him to sit cross legged.Baby steps,lol.
3.I haven't sold alot of stuff lately, been lazy I suppose.A situation I plan to remedy soon.
4.Went to the dentist and I need dental surgery.5 teeth have to go bye bye.I've known about this for a year and a half, but chickened out and didn't schedule.This time I made sure to make an appointment.Going to cost $525, the main reason I have to work on no. 3.Thank God for dental insurance.
5.Had to take my one and only daughter to the doctor to discuss surgery.Last fall, she had been diagnosed with an osteoma in her ear canal, a benign bone tumor that would have to be removed surgically.Another doctor from the ENT group saw her today.He took a look in her ear, said "Let me see what this feels like", and poked a metal tool at it."Huh,that's not an osteoma.Hold still for a second" and proceeded to pull a big wad of swimmer's wax out of her ear."You're cured"he said as he got up to leave.I didn't even remember her ever using swimmer's wax until I got home and my husband said,"Oh yeah,I tried that on her at the YMCA.She didn't like it" The last time we went swimming at the Y was in 2007-ewww.I'm very thankful she doesn't need surgery.

Yep, that was pretty much my last week and a half.
I've decided to take a break from thrifting for awhile because my house and playhouse is turning into a huge mess.I've got to clean out before I add anything else.I want to get all this stuff listed and alot sold before yard sale season gets in full swing.I might even have to break down and have a yard sale myself.
Happy thrifting ya'll!