In The Beginning there was Shop Goodwill

I'm thinking back on how I have ended up with a million dollars worth of jewelry. Jewelry is everywhere. Costume jewelry and good jewelry. Designer jewelry and crap jewelry. It all began when I realized that Joe was probably going to be transferred again and that I needed something that would transfer easily. Something that I could do, earn an income, and it would go with me. So I got all caught up in Stella and Dot for about a month. But it was not for me. I am not much of a socializer. I do not want a million women and girls coming into my home for a party. Yikes. I'd have to clean up my house! And I don't like asking people to sponsor a party at their house as a hostess so I can demonstrate how the multi level marketing operation works.

It did not take me long to realize that the jewelry was crap. And expensive!! But I was hooked with the jewelry bug.

And then I found Shop Goodwill. A monster was born. I may still have my first purchase, a type of metal cross with purple stones. It was big! And it broke in half several years later.

But I bid on lots of jewelry and each time I won and the box was delivered it was like a treasure hunt. I can not tell you how many times I found good jewelry. 18 K gold tuff, designer stuff.

But that was then, this is now. The whole operation is different now. The shipping and handling can be more than the item! It's ridiculous! But sometimes you can still find some great stuff. This past summer I won a box of Southwest costume jewelry and in it was a silver cross designed by a very renown silversmith. It was missing a stone, so I sent it to place in Arizona to have the stone replace and it definitely increased it's value. I was thrilled. I'm keeping it.

The last and final box (maybe...?) I won the auction of 25 pounds of jewelry for about 100 bucks. After shipping and handling it was close to 150. And it was a box of CRAP. Only one Degrazi in it on a rawhide string. The Flower boy in yellow sombrero. I have another one, so I knew what it was. They are hand painted so it's cool. But not worth 150$

10 years of collection. I have been piece mealing it out now. Today i shipped my first box of a "lot" of southwest inspired costume jewelry for repurpose, ready weart, and whatever. I inadvertently make is free shipping and then made a ridiculous offer to someone who like it! Double yikes, it sold and I had to ship to Nevada (naturally! I'm surprised it wasn't Cali)   so I made less than 13. 

I dragged out the box this afternoon. I slid it under the bed because I was so discouraged by its lack of the good stuff. I'll match up some more and sell again. No 1 pound, no free ship!

Learning the curve is up up up.