Posted by Back when I was working full time and raising two children, by early December all the presents had been bought and wrapped with many shipped back east to relatives. Christmas cards were well under way and the Christmas menu planned. Now that I am older with more time on my hands, preparations are strangely more…lax. There are fewer presents because honestly we all have everything we want and if we don’t we could buy it ourselves. Christmas dinner is not traditional–no big ham or turkey–and we all prepare food so it’s not just me doing all the work.
And I love this simpler Christmas which also means I have more time to enjoy this season! Today we will head out to pick up a Christmas tree and I will spend a happy afternoon decorating it.
Etsy Store Stuff
Store wise, I’ll be putting my Etsy on “vacation mode” starting December 19th. After that date there is no guarantee that packages will arrive in time and if they don’t customers often blame the seller and leave bad reviews. And frankly I don’t want to be rushing around stressed at getting orders out for folks who left their shopping so late. I’m done doing that!
Sales are still very atypical for December (i.e. super slow!), but I am using the time to keep winnowing my inventory and downsizing more of my belongings. Some of my personal stuff is getting added to my store–like these small antique pyrope garnets brooches. I’ve been a keen collector of old garnet jewelry for decades but realize there are only a couple of pieces I wear consistently so it’s time to let more of them go.
This Victorian-era cast iron card holder (originally meant to be hung on a wall) has been used to corral my biz cards over the years but I rarely give out my cards anymore. Though I still really like this piece, I decided it was time to list it. (I’ll keep it on my desk till it sells!)
There is one exactly like it on RubyLane listed for $100 (condition is not quite as nice as mine) and one on Etsy for $25 that has been painted, ruining it for most buyers. Still the seller has priced it accordingly.
Selling on Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor
I’ve listed three items on both platforms and only one has had any traction–a fantastic huge 17″ Pyrex bell jar. These can sell in the $$$ ($200 to $300), but I’ve listed mine modestly for $60. Just $60.
Well so far it’s been a time waster. I had multiple messages with one guy and we set up a meeting time and an hour before it he canceled. It was only sheer luck that I opened FB and saw his message or I would have been waiting around in a parking lot. Then we went back and forth about another meet-up time and now he’s ghosting me. Well, fine. Another guy was interested but wanted to pay $40, not $60. Well, that was a hard no. It’s already at a great price.
So now I’ve deleted the FB listing and will list it on eBay for local pickup only and for a lot more $$$. I just don’t have the patience for this nonsense.
One Good December Find So Far
Went to my favorite boutique thrift store today and gave it a good going over. In the end I bought two things, but one was head and shoulders above than the other…and I almost didn’t buy it. It was a carved wood bread bowl with scratches and a metal patch. The scratches confused me–why would anyone be cutting things in a bowl?! Not sure about the patch either, but I liked it and the bowl was signed and dated. But I put it down and walked away. And then I went back to it. In the end I decided it was worth the gamble.
Back home I did some research on this Keith Jones piece and was pleasantly surprised–on several fronts. First, Keith created The Boston Bowl Company in 1986 to handcraft these primitive-style bowls. He then closed the company around 2006 or so to work in Africa with Hands Across Nations. But his bowls, despite being created with faux wear, are sought after! They sell well and here are a few current listings.
I’ve listed mine for $120–a nice find in my fav little thrift store and a new bit of learning.
I’ll close for now, wishing you happy hunting,
Karen
Hunting for Vintage 