Thrift Shop Commando

Top Five of MY choosing, all but No. 1 were new-to-me blogs in 2020.  The majority of my reading moved from books to blogs years ago. My Top 5 Blog list is random and irrational, and they are (none paid promotions btw 💜): A quilter holds my No. 1 spot, Wanda at  exuberantcolor.blogspot.com . Her patchwork quilting style is bold, bright and confident but her blog is low key. She also treats her reader to images of plants and flowers in bloom. Her quilt retrospectives are my personal favorites.  #2      A new-to-me blog  thedapperdahlia.com  Vintage style and beauty + retro recipes.  #3      Deep in the Heart of Textiles  Sharing a range of textiles and other interesting info. #4     A gal from Queensland  talltalesfromchiconia  quilting, gardening and cooking. #5      ifitshipitshere.com  While I am not hip nor there, I enjoy reading about the latest in design-related disciplines. There are tons of other quilt-related blogs that I follow and will reveal some other time.  Off to scan i

My best selling resell categories are CDs (including Christmas ones) and sewing patterns (Vogue being most popular). The next best selling categories are listed in no particular order: Books - cookbooks, quilting, sewing, specialty crafts Needlekits of all kinds, bonus if they are still sealed in original package.  Boy/girl scout items Vintage sewing machine parts and manuals Quilt tops and quilt blocks Barbie clothes were very slow but sure sellers. I lotted the clothes/accessories by color.  Categories that I have pulled listings: Books on crafts with kids Stuffed animals Women's clothing I am still dabbling in the vintage toy category. I did have one sell and I have one listed with 5 more in the queue. As an aside, my YouTube videos demonstrating those toys have extraordinary views.  So excited to have reached Power Seller status on eBay that means I have reached a certain level of sales and customer service.   Ending the post with a sweet graphic from the 1945 The Complete Book

I look forward to spring semester at Sacramento City College. Being online has been a boon for me, finally able to take the art history classes I have always wanted. Intro to Art History is queued up and I will have my first online counseling session.  Reseller update: The weekend's fun find was this partially completed afghan + magazine from 1972 with instructions. Too bad I have never been a knitter, not only does my left handedness impede me, this project involves circular needles *yikes* https://www.ebay.com/itm/184624649661 I hit my 900 listings goal on ebay - woot woot 💥  I picked up more Christmas CDs (yes, I did), and sewing patterns. Both are my bread butter on resell.  Another truly delightful find was this Beautiful Bollywood CD. I absolutely LOVE Bollywood stuff so this CD is a forever keeper.  The last of the Christmas decorations have been put away. I begin decorating in the middle of November and then it all comes down by Martin Luther King Day. Now, I can turn my a

Thrifting is so much fun because you find treasures for reasonable prices and the money you spend is directed towards those in need. While I am not into Pyrex as some, I will buy an Americana pattern bowl for 99 cents. I know the Pyrex people out there could identify this pattern.  I cannot resist cookie jars. My luck a cookie jar collector's wondrous items are coming through thrift. This blonde-haired little red riding hood entered my life for the low, low price of $4.99. I could not be happier! My 1991 Encyclopedia of Cookie Jars lists her at a $90 value but I am not giving her up.  My final thrifted finds of the day were these two Charles Wysocki puzzles. I am saving those for my not-too-far-off retirement. I had some gorgeous puzzles from the 1970s, but gave them all away years ago. Now, it seems they are trending back in style.  Reseller update: Books are selling. It seems that whatever I am listing at the time, seems to be what is selling. I am overloaded with books right now

The reason for my post title is that I slipped and fell while walking the dog. Nothing major but good-enough-to-hurt scrape on my left elbow, bruised left hip and maybe a slight concussion. After purchasing some new Sulky thread, my intentions were to sew together the new-to-me Dresden blocks. They will have to wait. On to reseller update then - the  king-sized completed cross-stitch sold, listed on ebay at $125 and I accepted $80 for it. 😁 I have learned to keep an eye out for linens at thrift. There is interest in this shabby chic shower curtain, eventually it will sell.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/184540499899 I bought this shabby chic publication for resale but pulled it for my collection to complete one of the projects for Christmas. There are some adorable reindeer cutouts, even the Mr. thought were pretty neat. I am trying to twist his arm to do the cutouts for me.  While I can't sew, I can still bake and made my first homemade traditional New York cheesecake. I had bought th

It feels good being caught up on some of my ebay category listings.  All of the needlekits are listed. All of the sewing patterns are listed. A few quilts there stored off to the side.  The books have moved from the She Shed Trailer floor to alphabetized in the crafting armoire.  I am constantly reorganizing. At some point, I will have to move to a bin system with UPC codes.  Recent finds included a ton of Christmas CDs. I am not going to pass those up when they are greatly discounted (50-75% off at thrift), I now have 40 to list but won't do that until I have caught up on all of my other categories. I hit on all cylinders at one thrift and loaded up on books, CDs, sewing patterns and quilt-related items.  The Mr. and I recently watched a Minimalist show on Netflix. The actors advocated getting rid of stuff and that stuff included CDs. I cheered and said, "You go! Resellers like me will love you for it!" Fun find of the Day this Rolling Thunder quilt template.  The year h