I’m having a garage sale, yard sale, junk sale, whatever you want to call it, in 2 days. There are piles like this all over my house.
Once the garage sale piles are gone it will feel great to have my house back, hopefully with less clutter and more money in my pocket.
My last yard sale was in 2012 when I got out of the antiques business. I purged like crazy then and had the biggest sale ever. Since then I haven’t bought a lot of junk. Still, it’s crazy the amount of stuff I have accumulated in just a few years. Most of it was for jewelry making, show props, etc.
And some of what I’m selling this time is the part of my stash that I wasn’t quite ready to get rid of at my last sale. I’m ready now. I’m ready for a clean palette so I can freshen up and lighten up the décor in our guest bedrooms. I’m ready for a king size bed to replace the queen size hubby and I have slept on for years. Any money I make is going toward a king size mattress. Roomy bed, here I come!
I’ll be ready for some R&R after the sale. But I’ll be back in a few days to let you know how it went.
I love thrift shopping and today I want to share with you some of my best thrifting tips! I’m using the word thrifting to include shopping at yard sales, thrift shops, estate sales, flea markets and even antique shops. After years of having this activity occupy my time as a business, a hobby and a way to furnish my entire house I have learned a few things, things that I would love to share with you! Rather than listing some of the more obvious tips such as getting to sales early and hunting often, I have compiled a list of things that I have gleaned through my own experience and observations. These are the tried and true methods that have worked for me. Of course nothing is fail-proof and luck plays a large part in finding the goods.
ë Search as if someone hid a treasure and dared you to find it. A lovely heart shaped chair might be concealed behind a big sloppy piece of upholstery tacked on loosely, when closer inspection reveals its true shape.
ë Don’t overlook piles of new when looking for vintage. Hidden treasure can be found in unlikely places. Never assume a collection of items on a table that looks like all new doesn’t have a vintage piece mixed in. Sometimes it pays to take a closer look.
.. ë Keep an open mind and try to see potential. A dirty, grimy trophy vase bought for a dollar can be shined up to become the perfect vessel for a bouquet of pink peonies.
..
THE NEXT FEW TIPS APPLY SPECIFICALLY TO ESTATE SALES:
ë Scan each room with your eyes before looking intently at smaller sections of space. Time is of the essence! This will enable you to zero in on specific areas of interest before methodically walking through.
ë Don’t get caught up in the frenzy. Take a deep breath! I’ve seen frantic people with similar interests as me pass right on by items that I was able to pick up by remaining more calm and clear headed.
ë Leave no stone unturned. Look under tables at items on the floor. I once found two gorgeous architectural pieces dated 1905 under a table on day three of an estate sale for $5 a piece.
Yes, it’s true. When I saw the pair of heart shaped French chairs at a flea market, they were completely camoflauged by pieces of needlepoint canvas that someone had tacked on. They appeared to have square backs and seats but when I peeled back the canvas just a little I could see the heart shaped seat and back. I wonder how many people walked right by them before I got there! I found the architectural pieces when I walked into a very picked-over estate sale. I looked under one of the tables and saw them. I was sure they must’ve been put there on hold for someone. So I asked about them and was told that they weren’t sold. My lucky day!
Have you developed your own strategy for scoring great finds? I would love to hear about them (if you want to reveal your secrets). And for more tips, check out this article that I was invited to contribute to.
Welcome to Swap & Tell #13! A link up for shop owners trading products and posting reviews!
This link up is all about helping one another get exposure for our products and services.
Word of mouth advertising = traffic = sales!
We all know that advertising can be very expensive, so my co-host and I are so very happy to be offering shop owners a way to get your name out there to new audiences for the cost of a trade, while helping fellow shop owners in the process. And now if you have a blog or Facebook, but no product to swap, you can link up to receive products and post reviews.
Speaking of co-hosts, I am pleased to be joined by Heather at Woods of Bell Trees . Heather has a unique and fun blog and personality, with a growing following. Be sure to pay her a visit! Your link will show on both blogs simultaneously, meaning more opportunities!
If you are just now finding out about Swap & Tell, you can read more about it here.
Please note: Swap & Tell will be on a break next week while I am away selling at Junk Jubilee Jingles.
And now, on to the swap, but first, please read the rules:
*This link up is a SWAP so please only link up posts that contain a picture of an item you would like to swap and have fun shopping around!
*Link up a post from your blog, Etsy, Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram that contains a picture and description of your swap item, using a permalink to your specific post or shop item.
*Visit the other links, find something you’d like to swap for, and leave the other person a comment with a link to your posted item.
*Exchange address info with your swap partner. Each person will pay shipping for the item she/he is sending.
*Please be prepared to ship your product no later than one week from the time the swap ends. (The timetable for services will be worked out between those swapping.)
*Product reviews should be posted no later than two weeks from the time the swap ends. (The review timetable for services will be worked out between those swapping.)
*The review should contain a photo of the product received; your own scoop on the product; and a link back to the product, shop or person (their choosing). (The review for services may or may not include a photo, details to be worked out between those swapping.)
*Please include the Swap & Tell button or text link back to your host in your linked post.
*Please Note: We have modified the link up to now allow participants to link directly from their Etsy shops!
* Please follow your host, Tarnished Royalty with one of the following methods:
*****If you are linking as a NON SHOP OWNER:
*****
*You can link any post, with a blurb about Swap & Tell somewhere in the post.
*Visit the other links, find an item, and leave the person a comment that you would like to review their product.
And finally, have fun and remember, it’s all about promoting and helping one another. The value of the swap is in more than the products received, but in the exposure you will receive from reviews. A swap means a review for your product too!
Welcome to Swap & Tell #12! A link up for shop owners trading products and posting reviews!
This link up is all about helping one another get exposure for our products and services.
Word of mouth advertising = traffic = sales!
We all know that advertising can be very expensive, so my co-host and I are so very happy to be offering shop owners a way to get your name out there to new audiences for the cost of a trade, while helping fellow shop owners in the process. And now if you have a blog or Facebook, but no product to swap, you can link up to receive products and post reviews.
Speaking of co-hosts, I am pleased to be joined by Heather at Woods of Bell Trees . Heather has a unique and fun blog and personality, with a growing following. Be sure to pay her a visit! Your link will show on both blogs simultaneously, meaning more opportunities!
If you are just now finding out about Swap & Tell, you can read more about it here.
And now, on to the swap, but first, please read the rules:
*This link up is a SWAP so please only link up posts that contain a picture of an item you would like to swap and have fun shopping around!
*Link up a post from your blog, Etsy, Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram that contains a picture and description of your swap item, using a permalink to your specific post or shop item.
*Visit the other links, find something you’d like to swap for, and leave the other person a comment with a link to your posted item.
*Exchange address info with your swap partner. Each person will pay shipping for the item she/he is sending.
*Please be prepared to ship your product no later than one week from the time the swap ends. (The timetable for services will be worked out between those swapping.)
*Product reviews should be posted no later than two weeks from the time the swap ends. (The review timetable for services will be worked out between those swapping.)
*The review should contain a photo of the product received; your own scoop on the product; and a link back to the product, shop or person (their choosing). (The review for services may or may not include a photo, details to be worked out between those swapping.)
*Please include the Swap & Tell button or text link back to your host in your linked post.
*Please Note: We have modified the link up to now allow participants to link directly from their Etsy shops!
* Please follow your host, Tarnished Royalty with one of the following methods:
*****If you are linking as a NON SHOP OWNER:
*****
*You can link any post, with a blurb about Swap & Tell somewhere in the post.
*Visit the other links, find an item, and leave the person a comment that you would like to review their product.
And finally, have fun and remember, it’s all about promoting and helping one another. The value of the swap is in more than the products received, but in the exposure you will receive from reviews. A swap means a review for your product too!
Welcome to Swap & Tell #11! A link up for shop owners trading products and posting reviews!
This link up is all about helping one another get exposure for our products and services.
Word of mouth advertising = traffic = sales!
We all know that advertising can be very expensive, so my co-host and I are so very happy to be offering shop owners a way to get your name out there to new audiences for the cost of a trade, while helping fellow shop owners in the process. And now if you have a blog or Facebook, but no product to swap, you can link up to receive products and post reviews.
Speaking of co-hosts, I am pleased to be joined by Heather at Woods of Bell Trees . Heather has a unique and fun blog and personality, with a growing following. Be sure to pay her a visit! Your link will show on both blogs simultaneously, meaning more opportunities!
If you are just now finding out about Swap & Tell, you can read more about it here.
And now, on to the swap, but first, please read the rules:
*This link up is a SWAP so please only link up posts that contain a picture of an item you would like to swap and have fun shopping around!
*Link up a post from your blog, Etsy, Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram that contains a picture and description of your swap item, using a permalink to your specific post or shop item.
*Visit the other links, find something you’d like to swap for, and leave the other person a comment with a link to your posted item.
*Exchange address info with your swap partner. Each person will pay shipping for the item she/he is sending.
*Please be prepared to ship your product no later than one week from the time the swap ends. (The timetable for services will be worked out between those swapping.)
*Product reviews should be posted no later than two weeks from the time the swap ends. (The review timetable for services will be worked out between those swapping.)
*The review should contain a photo of the product received; your own scoop on the product; and a link back to the product, shop or person (their choosing). (The review for services may or may not include a photo, details to be worked out between those swapping.)
*Please include the Swap & Tell button or text link back to your host in your linked post.
*Please Note: We have modified the link up to now allow participants to link directly from their Etsy shops!
* Please follow your host, Tarnished Royalty with one of the following methods:
*****If you are linking as a NON SHOP OWNER:
*****
*You can link any post, with a blurb about Swap & Tell somewhere in the post.
*Visit the other links, find an item, and leave the person a comment that you would like to review their product.
And finally, have fun and remember, it’s all about promoting and helping one another. The value of the swap is in more than the products received, but in the exposure you will receive from reviews. A swap means a review for your product too!
Welcome to Swap & Tell #10! A link up for shop owners trading products and posting reviews!
This link up is all about helping one another get exposure for our products and services. We all know that advertising can be very expensive, so my co-host Heather of Woods of Bell Trees and I are so very happy to be offering a way to get your name out there to new audiences for the cost of a trade, while helping fellow shop owners in the process.
If you are just now finding out about Swap & Tell, you can read more about it here.
I didn’t get to swap last week (darn!) so instead of showcasing what I received in a swap, I decided to show you some goods from one of my favorite Etsy shops. Susan of Must Love Junk is one of my favorite bloggers as well, and her shop is stocked with items that have her signature style.
This unique wire basket is so Susan! I love her clean, no frill style that still manages to be soft and inviting. How does she do it?
This soup tureen is a great find. Transferware, you are near and dear to my heart.
And now, on to the swap! And remember, Swap & Tell has been revamped to be more inclusive! Now if you have a blog or Facebook, but no product to swap, you can link up to receive products and post reviews. Yep, you read that right! Free products for you in exchange for a review!
Let’s party! But first, please read the rules:
*This link up is a SWAP so please only link up posts that contain a picture of an item you would like to swap and have fun shopping around!
*Link up a post from your blog, Etsy, Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram that contains a picture and description of your swap item, using a permalink to your specific post or shop item.
*Visit the other links, find something you’d like to swap for, and leave the other person a comment with a link to your posted item.
*Exchange address info with your swap partner. Each person will pay shipping for the item she/he is sending.
*Please be prepared to ship your product no later than one week from the time the swap ends. (The timetable for services will be worked out between those swapping.)
*Product reviews should be posted no later than two weeks from the time the swap ends. (The review timetable for services will be worked out between those swapping.)
*The review should contain a photo of the product received; your own scoop on the product; and a link back to the product, shop or person (their choosing). (The review for services may or may not include a photo, details to be worked out between those swapping.)
*Please include the Swap & Tell button or text link back to your host in your linked post.
*Please Note: We have modified the link up to now allow participants to link directly from their Etsy shops!
* Please follow your host, Tarnished Royalty with one of the following methods:
****If you are linking as a NON SHOP OWNER:****
*You can link any post, with a blurb about Swap & Tell somewhere in the post.
*Visit the other links, find an item, and leave the person a comment that you would like to review their product.
And finally, have fun and remember, it’s all about promoting and helping one another. The value of the swap is in more than the products received, but in the exposure you will receive from reviews. A swap means a review for your product too!
