Waiting for My Ship to Come In

Two weeks ago I wrote “Good News for Secondhand Businesses” where I shared that many purveyors of used/vintage items were starting to see an uptick in sales. I was moderately hopeful that that would be my reality too. So it’s rather ironic that May is turning out to be my worst sales month so far of the year. Still I do believe secondhand things will be more popular in the coming months and remain naively hopeful.

Despite the dearth of sales I am keeping busy. Besides continuing to downside my inventory (last Saturday’s estate sale helped), I am continuing to redo older listings. Some are getting new photos and search terms. Others price adjustments. Like this pretty Greek Madonna and Jesus icon. It’s not antique but has a surround of embossed 950 silver. I took new photos and lowered the price.

I had listed a lot of four Victorian-era figural metal napkin rings a few months ago but found a fifth one so I added that. Prices for these type of antique figural napkin rings vary widely with rare ones selling in the $$$. I’ve listed this group of five for $148.

I thought this striking MCM ceramic vase from Austria deserved a new and improved listing. Not everyones’ cup of tea but I think someone will like it.

I am also trying to reorganize my inventory and shipping supplies, but I’m finding it tedious work which reminds me of the TV show “Hoarders.” On the show the homeowners often engage in “churning”–moving objects around to try and reorganize them but never getting rid of anything or improving the situation. Some days I feel like I’m just churning!

But I do think I’m onto a good thing moving all my listed books into the house from bins in the garage and storing them together on shelves in my office. So when a book sells, boom, I’m going to find it on these shelves. I’m 70% done with this project.

On the plus side, the weather here in Silicon Valley has been perfect so I’m spending more time outside. If we had a porch I would live out there. But I make do with a homely little corner by our front stoop where I enjoy sitting in the dappled shade reading or writing.

So while May on the business front has been far from ideal (and I’m still waiting for my ship to come in!), I am enjoying the small joys of life–like bringing in cut flowers from our front yard and rereading favorite books.

Wishing you happy hunting and plenty of small joys,

Karen