Being a Good Girl…Mostly

I’ve been a good girl sticking to my goal of not buying a lot of “new” stock for my online stores. I even passed up going to our local monthly flea market last Saturday. That was a bit of a wrench. But I needed to focus on researching and listing things that I already had–my “death pile” or “money pile” if you prefer. And I’ve been slogging away at it a little each day.

I had these two1906 magazines in my ephemera stash and got them listed as a pair. They both feature photos of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake that are quite haunting.

But I haven’t gone completely cold turkey and did pop into my neighborhood thrift store one day when I was already out running errands and ended up finding a few things.

What I bought…

One was in a category I have never found–an English Dinky Toy from Meccano.

Dinky Toys was the brand name for a range of die-cast zamak zinc alloy scale model vehicles, traffic lights, and road signs produced by British toy company Meccano Ltd. They were made in England from 1934 to 1979…among the most popular die-cast vehicles ever made, pre-dating other popular die-cast marques, including Corgi, Matchbox and Mattel’s Hot Wheels. – Wikipedia

I was so excited to find one in the wild. My research indicates that this ambulance is circa 1935 to 1950s. Not valuable (and some Dinky Toys are) and it’s been well loved, but I’m still thrilled!

But here’s a category I often buy–Native American pottery. It consistently sells for me and I liked this graphic carved pottery bowl by Navajo artist R. Silas. Sadly crazed so no longer suitable for food, but certainly other things.

It was fun buying a few things but these are just bread-and-butter finds–which for me is anything that makes me less than $50 profit. I keep telling myself I want to get out of this range, but sometimes it’s the sale of bread-and-butter finds that save your bacon!

Internet buying…

I’m also continuing to buy vintage sterling charm bracelets on eBay. Typically I harvest the charms to sell individually. But to make the purchase worth it I have to spot a couple of rarer charms on a bracelet. Here’s one I just received from a Canadian seller. The Mary charm/pendant (by Creed) is particularly good as is the Greek replica coin one and the Egyptian head. And bonus, the bracelet is rather special too. (I love these vintage bracelets that have bigger spring rings which makes it easier for us older folks.) When all is said and done I won’t make a ton of profit, but charms have always been more of a labor of love for me.

What’s sold in the last few days…

Strangely, sales have been good this month with vintage and antique sterling silver leading the way. I’m a bit amazed and perplexed but delighted too!

Five of these sales represent things from my personal collections. I bought them at collector’s prices years ago so my profit is fairly minimal. But I was no longer appreciating them or wearing them so I’m happy to see them head off to new homes. I do have more old sterling silver pieces and if I want to let them go now might be a good time!

So I am grateful that the summer slowdown hasn’t hit my stores yet! We’ll see how long it lasts.

Wishing you happy hunting in your neck of the woods,

Karen