REFLECTIONS ON CHANGE!

A cruise last evening on our lake

After a wonderful day yesterday with our kids and grandkids (including an evening cruise on the lake, see pic) I have a few minutes this crisp Sunday morning to ponder some things! I was thinking about how hard change is sometimes but how necessary. I wonder if the caterpillar wants to be stuck in a cocoon for 2 weeks to months? I really don't think that caterpillar knows what the future holds or what the metamorphosis will bring. Then VIOLA a beautiful butterfly emerges. I think we become so used to the routine and so comfortable there. Well, change can sometimes be refreshing.

With all that in mind - We are doing some research into some new venues, different products, new places to find our treasures, meeting and connecting with new friends! Please check back to see how this METAMORPHOSIS unfolds. Enjoy your week.

Finding Treasures!

Believe it or not there are still valuable finds and money-makers at garage sales!! For us the challenge is the "hunt" in "saleing." A few tips:
1. Try to get there early. There is some truth in the early bird gets the worm. Sometimes I just simply cannot make it early so I go later and on those days I have found some items that were marked down a lot and found some worthwhile bargains.
2. If it is a busy sale pick up and hold on to the item you are considering. That way you know it won't be purchased before you finally decide. You can always put it back.
3. Ask if they would "consider taking less." Be polite. If you anger the seller they may just say no because of the way they are asked.
4. Recently I came across a garage sale that was actually an estate sale. BINGO! I found handpainted glass lamp shades, vintage bakelite jewelry, Murano glass. They only regret is that I only purchased one set of jewelry and I should have made an offer for the box. They were selling them for 50 cents a piece. The piece I purchased (bracelet and earrings went for $67). DUH!!
5. Sometimes I see something and am not sure how much it would sell for. I use my cell phone to look up completed listings on eBay so then I can buy with more confidence knowing what a similar piece actually sold for on eBay. The seller thinks I am texting or something and they do not realize I am checking prices. :))

Happy Saleing!!

http://stores.ebay.com/eStuffMart

Internet Withdrawal!

Good morning,

Our internet had been down almost a week and yesterday it came back up! I had serious withdrawal. Amazing how dependent we are on our on-line activities. My husband and I both have home offices and work from home. He is a VP of sales for an internet company. I manage our eStuffmart ebay store and auctions. He does our fabulous shipping and we both search for unusual treasures. I also am an RN and now do medical transcription for a national transcription company. Soooo, you see all we do involves the internet. I guess we were supposed to spend the Labor Day weekend with our family and not WORK. Fun but somehow does not pay the bills :(. Well, I did get the enjoy our kids and grandkids, play on the lake, eat and eat and eat. Hope all of you had a great Labor Day weekend.

We do have some new items to list so stay tuned for more vintage, antique and collectible items! Thanks again to our faithful followers and buyers. We have made wonderful friends and appreciate each one of you.

We welcome and enjoy feedback so feel free to post thoughts or comments.