Updated eBay store video

After receiving some constructive criticism from a well-known thrifting podcaster, I updated my eBay store video. My original sequences on my iPhone were facing vertically, rather than horizontally. That cut out a lot of space where I could show my product. 

There is also a feature on the iPhone to square up a picture. Never knew that. I don't do a lot of listings directly from my phone, but that may change in the future. 

I will also be devoting some time to learn iMovie. I was winging it with this video. As I learn more tips and techniques, I will share those. 

Christmas in July

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185519798442

An anomaly in the world of resell is Christmas-themed products selling in July. I recently listed holiday needle kits, and they sold quickly. I purchased a mystery bag of sewing-related items and this kit was part of it. 

I listen to a certain thrifting podcast and have learned some information on listing terms. 

Antique: Items that are over 100 years old. 
Vintage: Items that are old, my criteria is 1980s and earlier. 
Retro: New items that are made to look old

eBay now offers sellers the option to post videos. My next purchase is a rotating display stand for those types of videos. 

On a different subject, my family and I like Princess House lamps. We each have one. This recent find had a cracked lamp top. 

When I did a search to replace it, I was surprised to see the lamps fetch from $40-$100+. While I did not find another PH lamp, I did find a lead crystal one with flowers ($1.99 at thrift) that nearly matches another of my thrift shop find lamps. 

The last second hand find to highlight is this Goorin hat. I don't find too many of them and sold a blue one that I now wish I kept. This black and white checkered is beyond cute, but just a tad small for me. 

The fan is retro. I am tempted to model that hat, all I need to complete the outfit is a pair of Dr. Martens!

Reselling Saved My Sanity and Return to Office

If it weren't for my sales on eBay, I would not have been able to ever leave the house during lockdown. Because the delivery of my packages was considered essential, I earned short 30 minute respites from the home/work environment.  

Now it is time to make another change. My current position as a paralegal is 100% remote work and has been determined it will remain that way. While some might revel in that opportunity, it is like serving a prison term for me. I live in a remote and isolated area. Working remote means near total isolation and for a social person like me, it is a tough go. I have applied for in office jobs with the state. That means even accepting a demotion to a lower position, if I have to. 

I have also had an odd experience with remote working. I was hired remotely. I was trained remotely. I have never met most of my co-workers in person. For some of my co-workers, they never appear on camera for video meetings. I have mixed feelings about that. The only word that comes to mind is "disconcerting." 

I have really tried to adjust to this new working environment. Part of in-office working was the social component, being with friends, enjoying coffee together, walking around the Capitol grounds. There are so many places to walk during breaks, so many wonderful restaurants (even thrift shops) in Sacramento. 

When I think of working in my remote office bedroom for another 5+ years, it makes me scream inside. I was able to do it because I had to. Now I am choosing not to do it, because I want to. 

Exceptional Estate Sale and Gypsy Tami Travels

While thrift shops have been my primary destination for sourcing, estate sales finds can result in big ticket items. A local estate sale provided a slew of books. I grabbed all of the sewing/quilting related ones and a few military related ones, buying the lot for $30. A waving Mao Tse Tung watch will nearly cover that cost alone. Another chachkie is the Chinese compass, listed online for $80, so mine will join that "rare" one. I suspect it is a tourist item from China.  

Just when I finished selling the last lot of Barbie clothes, I find a $5 bag of 4 of them at thrift. The doll second from the left has a button where she shrugs her shoulders and her hands are articulated. The doll on the far right possibly is a Midge. 

When I first started reselling, I pooh-poohed the idea of selling books. I was of the mind that people weren't reading books anymore because I had stopped, with the exception of textbooks, that activity. As those books started selling, I got better at spotting which ones to list. You bet I snabbed this 1977 publication Guide to the Soviet Navy from the estate sale. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184635435279

I went back for Day 2 of the estate sale and spent $20. Turns out the gentleman was Kit Bonner, Jr., naval historian and rare book collector. I now have some publications I need to take for valuation. Other amazing items included an English Leeds plate and a Chinese Empire hand painted vase. I have been Blessed by the Bonners. 😇 I have to admit I cried for awhile as I unloaded the books and looked closer at all of the items. My $50 investment will bring at least $500 or more my way. I need to do my own show! 

I am all hat and no cattle. Time to admit I am no longer a city girl but a country girl. My time in Sacramento came to an end a pandemic-ago. 

I splurged on the Harley Davidson western hat $19 at thrift. I love it! Also wearing thrifted Learsi fringe jacket, and Articles of Society ripped jeans with black leggings and not thrifted Ariat black cowboy boots. A photoshoot seemed a great way to celebrate my estate sale good fortune and show off the amazing hat. 

My latest dream? To have a Gypsy wagon and dress up each day of the fair or event and sell specialty items or certain foods. This not being around people business isn't good for any of us. Gypsy Tami Travels or Tami Takes You Gypsy Traveling? We'll see. It is fun to dream. 

The last of my finds was the book 1000 Places to See Before You Die. I am going to bookmark 50 I find intriguing as a goal in retirement. 

Tackling 25 CDs at a Time

I must have over 200 CDs to list on ebay. I hurriedly posted the Christmas ones to catch the pre-holiday crowd. Over the past year, I have expanded my music-listening repertoire to Zydeco, World Music, and a couple of Japanese imports. I am going to chip my way through the CDs until I get back to the specialty listings. Mom mentioned I am officially working a second job. 

Each one of my orders is wrapped in fabric. Not only does it protect what I am selling (I also use bubble wrap too), it means one less piece in my ocean of fabric. Who buys fabric at $1 a pound? I do!

One of the pieces in the mystery fabric is the lead-off image. The selvage reveals it is a 2010 Alexander Henry print Bonsai Bridge. That one is a keeper, an addition to my Asian-inspired fabric collection. 

The newest wrinkle in my aging process - I have to rest my hands. Between the scrolling, mousing, and typing, my hands have indicated they have had enough. The official name for it is Overuse Syndrome. I have to schedule a time out for my hands, otherwise bad things could happen. When I watch TV, I sit with my hands on my legs so I won't pick up my phone or sewing or do anything else with them. 

Two thrift shops and one yard sale later, I picked up my usual suspects of CDs, needlework kits, and books. Fun find of the day was this cap, festooned with pins. 

And a fabric from the same yard sale - a 1994 Warner Bros. print. 

Included in my day's secondhand shopping haul was Boy Scout items. For some odd reason, they are prompt sellers. I keep saying I am going to lot them together so I've got to get going!

Three Keenes and Mason Jars

Found the day before my birthday, these three Keene big-eye girl plates joined my collection. I already had the 3-plate hanger from thrift. Not an original oil on canvas, this is the closest I will get to owning a Keene. 

Carole at From My Carolina Home posted a comprehensive post about having-fun-with-mason-jars. Her post prompted me to take a second look at my canning and lidded jars. This is the extent of the embossed ones with raised fruit, a small jam jar and one that holds buttons. 

I have quite a few Kerr and Ball canning jars. I hope to make good use of them, if the deer don't decimate my tomato plants. 

Reseller's update: As I suspected, the gospel CDs are selling. I have 22 more CDs to list on my next round. A Scooby-Doo tie and a vintage sewing book also sold. Listing goal for the end of this month to reach the milestone of 450. The bulk of my listings are CDs and sewing patterns. 

Fun and only find of the day - this 1963 Good Housekeeping Cookbook. At first, I thought perfect for resell but then decided it would join my collection. It contains delights like the recipe below.

I found this sewing pattern recently. It will be a forever keeper, this 1969 Simplicity. What I love about these graphics is it captures that time period, not only in apparel but also in hair styles. 

 

I am going through the last of my home-sourced sewing patterns I have gathered over the years to decide what to list for sale. I have two more tubs, hoping to narrow it down to just one tub to keep. I am beyond delighted that my reselling business is successful!

Pieces of the Past Quilt

This quilt truly is comprised of tiny fabric pieces of the past. Both Wanda at exuberantcolor.blogspot.com (an esteemed online friend) and I place the border fabric as a late 1950s-1960s print. 

I bought the bag of remnants at a hospice thrift re-opening. I was in a few minutes past the opening time and headed straight for the craft section. I usually pass by the bagged small pieces of fabric but this group caught my eye. The smallest pieces of fabric I combined in crazy quilt fashion for the cornerstones. I saw this technique in a lot of fabric I purchased a few years ago. Mystery quilter had combined pink remnants, I included those pieces in more than one of my quilts. 

In the four patches, the fabric cut with pinking shears, originally measured 2.75" and I trimmed them down to 2.5" inches. Only one small remnant of each print, like a snapshot in time. Fabric is such a wonderful medium to work with because it rarely degrades over time if preserved correctly. By preserving correctly I mean these scraps have been squirreled away in some closet or drawer or basket for a long period of time. 

It occurred to me the construction of the cornerstone was a lot easier than the first time I attempted those accent pieces. Border fabric is sewn to the top of the block, then the cornerstone is sewn to the left side border. You repeat the process until all of the blocks are sewn together, then you add the final border and cornerstones to the far right side of the quilt. 

The following are images of each of the 4 patches and close-ups of the cornerstones. 

I haven't decided yet whether to keep this as a mini quilt or save it for main section of a bed-sized quilt. Update: I am going to quilt it as a mini. 

Linking up with wendysquiltsandmore.

Resellers update: eBay continues to offer 15K free listings to the end of July to store subscribers. After restocking my product, I am ready to tackle the next round that will put me over 400 listings. I also made the leap from Starter Store ($15 a mo.) to Basic Store ($22 a mo. billed at the yearly rate). That subscription also gives me access to Terapeak which compares solds on eBay. 

What has sold? Those Girl Scout and 4H items - sold and quickly. If you see either in thrift, along with Boy Scout stuff, buy it for resell. I won on bid a lot of G.S. items on an online auction I am awaiting arrival in the mail. 

Clothing/craft patterns are selling. CD and cassettes continue to sell. I have to throw away about half of the cassettes because the tape has aged and drags. At 6 for $1, it is worth my time. 

In my "death pile" to be listed, five craft books, 1 needlework kit, 10 cassettes (still testing them), 12 Christmas CDs and another 50 regular CDs. 

On the subject of patterns, this Pattern of the Day is a McCall's 2781 from 1971. Sometimes I find other items in the pattern packets and this one contained a handwritten note and a sketch of the dress. 

When I find sewing baskets at thrift, there have been pictures, notes, and assorted tchotchkes. It is a part of thrifting that enjoy, when I catch a glimmer of the previous owner. 

Here We Are Into June

Lead off image is best of trail cam for May. It is nearly halfway through the year and still stay at home. I continue to have the gift of time so I am realizing old dreams and making new goals. 

I am returning to college and have officially changed my major to Art History at Sacramento Community College, my alma mater. In my shopping cart are two 8-week session courses, Introduction to Art History and Modern Art. I am praying I will get both classes. This is YUGE for me. My registration date is June 22, three days before my birthday. I have dropped from Priority 1 to Priority 2 because I took a couple of years off. This is my top favorite subject, next to Fashion Design.  

Originally, I was an art major. When I realized all of the art classes were only offered during the day, usually at 2 or 3 pm on a Tuesday or Thursday, I changed my degree to business. My reselling will fund the cost of my new degree. I estimate the cost of my A.S. Business degree was around $5,000 (tuition, books, etc.). 

I have taken quite a few online classes and love the format. Every once in awhile I would biff on an assignment but if I logged in every day it ensured I didn't miss any pop quizzes. 

I can rest on my laurels for awhile. I hit my 300 active listings goal. I have an area where I keep my pre-photographed product. Those items then move to another area for listing and finally move to the product room. (Sounds so official, doesn't it?) I think it translates to the more you list, the more you have to organize and make room for those items. 

I need to get back to buying those mystery bags of fabric. This piece is one of those surprise prints. 

And my needlework extravaganza finds? This kit sold within hours of listing. 

Needlework Extravaganza

I just knew needlework kits would be dropping into thrift. How many of you have cleaned out your closets and cupboards? *raises hand* Add to that the Kondo Effect and wahlah, needlework kits for Tami priced on average $1.50 each. The lead-off image is an opened counted cross-stitch that is a definite keeper for my camper. 

I am going to allow myself to keep one or two of the kits. I loaded up my arms full of them, like they were babies come to their mother. Some have their original price stickers from Hobby Lobby.

I know one of two things happened, the donator thought, "I am never to start these so I might as well give them away," or the original owner passed away. 

Giving the CD thrift trove a once over, I spotted this cutie, also adding it to my collection. 


Now at 300 listings, eBay has deemed me "promotion worthy." I was given the option to promote a few posts and have tested the waters. It appears you pay a small fee when the item sells. 

I admit I have haunted certain online auction sites and I have discovered a new one - hibid.com and am testing the waters with my first couple of bids. I have marked a few "watches" on the 221 featherweight sewing machines to see how high they bid up on that site. 

I predict my next round of sales will come after the next stimulus check. It has been quiet these last couple of weeks. I sell such specialty items, not high on the gotta-have list. I did sell my first men's tie, a real beaut, I think. 

My Babylok sewing machine is finally returning home. I promise never to abuse it again. It has been in the shop for 5 months. 

Only 14,700 to Go - Resale Listings, that is.

14,700 is the number of free fixed price listings I have left on eBay that I can utilize until the end of July. I am nearing my 300 listings goal! I have given up some of my bookshelf space for my inventory. CDs are alpha organized in two groups, Christmas and everything else. 

The sewing patterns are next to organize by pattern maker. I am looking for the right container in thrift to get them off the shelf. Eventually, I will have to use a bin organization system or SKUs. 

I keep teasing the Mr. that I need a She Shed, or a big red barn would  do. The more I think about it, the more I would like to go to estate sales for sourcing. I am an early riser anyway. 

Remember when I mentioned I listed a fancy empty liquor bottle? Well, it sold. Not for a lot, but it was $10 more than I had the day before. 

Since I have two quilts currently in to the longarmer, I have turned my attention to my unfinished needlepoint. The new Wysocki needlepoint find is fueling my desire to finish one and turn to another. 

Greenhouse update: After my tomato plants propagated like rabbits, I kept 8 or so (I see canning in my future), I left another 8 at the end of the road with a sign, "Free tomatoes. I planted too many."  Now I am pretty sure I have rabbit watermelon, there are 12 of them. That doesn't include the 6 in the planters. I will have to cull 4 more. 

I hope to have some trail cam pictures next month. We finally placed the cameras again after a few weeks hiatus. 

BTW Happy Memorial Day! With working remotely, each day just seems like the next. 

Turn Your Life Around?

Reselling has been the best debt reduction plan ever. Granted, I had a couple of stimulus checks in there to help me on my debt-reducing way but more I attribute to reselling.

I am not going to represent that it is easy. No, it is work, plain and simple. For the business major I am, each dollar represents a potential 80-90% profit. Buying six cassettes for $1 and selling them at a minimum of $5 each. It is almost criminal, but not at all. I am merely the new middleman in the New Normal *plugs ears and issues a silent scream*

The cassettes are flying off *my* shelves. I never would have guessed there was such a market for these techno-retro forms of music. I also price to move all of my products. Now is not the time to buy and hold items, get those puppies listed!

Included in my product sourcing are always items for me. I went outside of my comfort zone and purchased CDs I had no idea who the artists were, at $1 each, I don't care. They range from gospel to opera to jazz to some imports. I rip them all to my laptop so I can give the unusual ones a listen. 

The surrealist encyclopedia is pure eye candy. I do look for art reference books. I rarely find any publications on that topic. 

I took a trip up into another county to visit an open Goodwill. While not a stellar haul, I will at least double my $15 investment.

I sat on one of the chairs for sale and researched the CDs I had chosen. I put half of them back - buying at $3 and selling at $5 isn't worth the effort. 

The $2.50 knitting lot will go up for sale, with the exception of the Gutterman thread and scissors, which stay with me. 

Staples has CD jewel cases so I replace the covers on those that are broken. Goo Gone is your friend to clean up the ones that are in good shape. 

If you decide to begin reselling, be sure to check with your state's rules for online sellers. I collect the state tax rate for California on my products. 

I hope to report after this long weekend's end to have 300 active listings - 228 as of this post. 

The Thrift Shop Gods Heard My "Reopen" Plea

Reselling rounds stopped short at Round 12, just like a prize fight. I had been eyeing my vintage sewing patterns to list but they are saved for now. Three out of four of my beloved thrift shops have now reopened. The first, as I was driving to the grocery store spied the thrift shop door open and nearly slammed on my brakes to make it over to the other side of the road. 

The lead-off image is the piece de resistance find of the recent visits, a needlepoint project on frame with thread ($5)! I will not be parting with this one. 

As predicted, I didn't do my usual method of careful shopping. Luckily, all of the CDs were in their cases, I didn't even check them. 13 cassettes, 12 CDs and 1 game. Squealed like a lil girl when I found the Chris Gaines (Garth Brooks as a rocker) CD in the bottom of the CD rack. 

Included in my nearly $40 total was an 8 DVD Woody Allen movie collection. Again, if you are not flipping media, you are missing out. Quick sales, minimal storage. These babies are going to fund my tech/gadget purchases and bucket list trips around the world. 

A splurge for me was a $3 bag of 10 spools of thread, all seemingly high quality. I also snagged three cookbooks, a 1971 red plaid cover BHG cookbook, a 1975 Joy of Cooking and 1980 Elizabeth David Classics (Mediterranean Food, French Country Cooking, Summer Cooking). Meant for resell, I decided to keep all three. Doh! It happens. 

A frequent find and normally quick mover on the listings was this embroidery kit, also part of that day's finds.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184299713263

I have been selling off the quilt blocks and needlework kits earmarked for me. Believe me, there are more than enough projects in the queue to last through the next quarantine. (see newly-purchased needlepoint above)!

The other two sourcing splurges were $12 at one and $7 at the other. 

$12 one consisted of MLP cards, CDs, cassette, craft patterns, a Build A Bear outfit for camo bear and a men's racing tie.

$2.00 for a packet of Girl Scout badges!

$7 stop included the $5 needlepoint project above along with a couple of media items. In fact, I saw the needlepoint in the back room, not yet set out for purchase, so I asked about it. They just needed to confirm the price and it was mine. 

Now I get it! After almost a year of active reselling, I figured it out. You list possibly everything and then hold it in stock until it sells, just like a retailer would. After listening to some reseller's videos, they revealed they had some product listed for years. I had pulled quite a few of my listings because they didn't move. I have since relisted them. 

I follow The Thrifting Board and Jason T. Smith for many of my reselling tips and he posed the question:

Surfers, what is the ONE item that you have for sale online that you are tired of looking at? Do you have an item listed so long it has spanned 2 presidencies? Well maybe, just maybe, a fellow surfer here in the Thrifting Board just might need it.

I don't have one of those listed-forever items, this one will sell. Gorgeous when completed.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184272456609