End-of-Summer 99-cent Sale

I just realized that next weekend will be Labor Day -- the perfect time to clear out some older stock so I can refill my shelves with more recent finds -- currently overflowing all over the house. I'm planning to start bids at .99 on all items that I have relisted more than once over the summer. So if you missed an item because you weren't around when an auction closed (some people have forgotten that it is allowed to bid before the close of an auction -- you know who you are) this is the time to pick up a bargain.

This will be kind of a test for me. I've been reading up on eBay "best practices" and 99-cent "Vegas Style" listings were recommended as good for buyers and sellers, but we'll see. There may be some steals. I'll get some going this weekend to close Labor Day weekend. Take a look and see how it goes.

Friday is Estate Sale day

I got a bit of a later start than I had hoped this morning (don't ask me why I scheduled the repair guy to come on a Friday at 8 a.m.) but there was still some good stuff to be had. I hit 2 estate sales and a church sale here on the east side of Louisville metro (lately I've been sticking to my home area to save gas). The first was just around the block and had plenty of good stuff. I picked up some stellar Christmas stuff including some unusual metal counter-weighted tree candle holders with musical instruments on them, a figural Henry VIII ornament and a set of standing brass candleholder made to look like altarboys holding candles. Some other fun stuff from that sale includes tiny metal doll-size cutlery made in Germany, a ceramic bank in the shape of Boston's Faneuil Hall, the Dutch children tablecloth pictured and some pulled-thread linen pillowcases to die for.

When I approached the second sale I sensed a mad house -- there were cars lined up for blocks on both sides -- so much fun with a minivan and the narrow streets common in the 'ville. There were three floors packed with stuff -- shelves and tables piled with glass and ceramics, books, sheet music, linens, old Christmas ornaments, furniture, jewelry and compacts. Much of it was very high, though I still came away with a fair amount -- a knitting needle case filled with needles, the mother-of-pearl inlaid Japanese tray, a set of EAPG footed dessert dishes, Estee Lauder perfume compacts and a bunch of cool vintage clothing.

The church sale was the most fun -- gotta love those church ladies -- especially since it included a bake sale (good chocolate muffins). I found this neat deco perpetual calendar/pen holder, another Waechtersbach mug (I'm hording them for Christmas), a wonderful Sunday-supper hammered aluminum platter, some lovely vintage silk scarves and clothing. So funny they had a stage at the side heaped with clothes and there was a little boy about 3 rolling around, covering himself up and bursting out, he thought it was better than the ballpit at Chuck E Cheese -- it did make it a bit hard to look, but you gotta laugh (especially since it wasn't my kid).

Anyway -- hopefully some of this will get listed "soon." I am so behind in my listings. If you've got any requests for an item to jump to the head of the listing line let me know!

Love the steamer

This Whirlpool steamer is my new favorite thing. I have been using it many times a day -- each time proudly showing my family the results (much eye-rolling ensues). However, since I don't iron (except for eBay items) Steve will have to admit that he's glad to be going to work not looking like an unmade bed. And while I know this will confirm my daughter's opinion that I am totally weird -- I did a little before and after thing on this vintage dress I found that was crumpled in a box for the past year.

More Goodies Coming Up

Posting with the new template is taking me a little longer to get used to, so I'm a bit behind on my listings -- but not on my shopping! I told myself I wouldn't buy anymore eBay stuff this week - I have such a back log - but I can't help myself. It is so much more fun to find things than to process (clean-up, photograph, measure, research) and post them. Here are a few more things I found -- including a pic of the gorgeous Italian plates I found last weekend and other estate items including a big lot of chocolate molds, a turned wood humidor (I think), a piece of old Bybee pottery in a deep eggplant purple, a 1972 Pigeon Forge Pottery artist signed pitcher and Eastlake style Quadruple plate trinket box and a gorgeous Jacquard woven yellow and white bedcover. I also will continue listing clothing -- I've got a lot of trendy casual tops up now and have quite a bit of career wear to post - Ann Taylor, Talbots, Ellen Tracy etc.

Back in Business

Yay! People are finally buying again. After a dismal couple of weeks I'm busy again. I will be spending plenty of time listening to my audiobook tomorrow -- I've got a lot of shipping to do! Thanks all!

Unfortunately converting last week's relists to my new auction template has taken longer than I thought, so I haven't gotten too many new listings completed. Maybe I can get one or two more done before Deadwood & Entourage (at least I have my priorities straight).