Strong Finish

 

Just been a shitty week. There is no other way to express it or make it prettier. My duties as Caregiver are being stressed to the limit. After having the most horrible day Thursday with him "escaping" twice and I having to take on foot to find him b/c my daughter had the car. The medication he so desperately needs to control his roaming was screwed up at the pharmacy for several days. I was a real dick at the pharmacy because I had been there THREE times and all THREE times they did not have his medication ready. But my having to have him with me on the FOURTH try and explaining he has dementia and its a matter of life and death that he takes his meds - they finally got it together for me. So, I sent my daughter to pick it up, all four prescriptions and she was there for over an hour, first waiting in line and then waiting for them to over ride a computer glitch. It was so bad Friday morning I had to call his son for help. He came within about an hour or so later (traveling about 60 miles from his work in three counties over) and took over. J got in the shower for him and allowed his clothes to be changed. B then returned to work. What a life saver.

I'm sick. Again. Third time this year. Same thing, not as bad as the first time, but the same old thing. A sore throat and then coughing up my lungs. Probably my immune system is compromised by all this stress. There is more, but it's too depressing to continue complaining. 

To tell you the truth, I am amazed how far I have come and how I can tackle the most gruesome tasks and just do it. Just do it. 

On a better note, my sales are very good and I will end  the month with over 2000 in gross sales.

 Death Pile Plate from a haul I made to Camp-ville. I listed it and it sold in 48 hours! I had another one sell very quickly last year too. Why I sit on this stuff is beyond my comprehension. Its a good thing I am not sourcing this month (ha ha).

This sold quickly. I used Maltese Cross Costume Jewelry in my description. I believe I took an offer. They haven't paid yet, but also I listed and it sold within 72 hours.

 Sold a lot of 5 items combined from the KY Derby Auction earlier this month - maybe the end of last month? I have made my money back and still have several items. A very good investment and flip. Spend about 135$ on all the items and have doubled my money after expenses and COG.

Finally one of my "investment" Barbie dolls paid off. My Retail Arbitrage. I was very saddened by her passing as I have listened to her music all my life. I am a boomer and as a Boomer we always and always will  have the best music. Sold Out item and was bought without any negotiations. Later when I realized what happened, my price was not inflated as much as others.

I've been doing fairly well with Ball Caps lately.

All the news that fits.
 

Semi Annual Doll Auction

My pledge to curtail my spending in May defiantly went down the drain this week end and I believe I spent more than I have in months! The jokes on me. How could I pass up the bargains offered at the Doll Auction? I got the ones I highlighted, but most for more than I wanted to pay, but I will still make money when (and if) they sell.

 The comps on the larger bear are in the three figures and the little one is just extra. They are Steiff Bears and I paid 50$ for the two of them. They are sitting in my photography area at ready to go on Ebay. As soon as I get my butt over there and stop goofing around on the coputer.

Got this baby too. I need to reference my invoice to remember how much I got her for. She is an exclusive doll offered up at the Doll Collector Convention. I need to do a lot more research on her and it's much easier to start to do that while photographing her. She comes with three wigs and I am not sure of the make. I just like her, looked up her com[ps which fell in the mid 100s so I got her!

The auction was getting ready to wind down and I was asked if there was something I wanted to go up. I asked for this Eliz Taylor doll and another, Father of the Bride. There was a Japanese exclusive 10th Anniversary Barbie I wanted but another woman in the audience was bidding for her against the computer bidding and I backed off. She went for 70$ I felt she was a Barbie collector and I was going to have to take my chances bidding for these dolls. And then a Miracle. Before the dolls went up and before she was aware they were being plucked from the mountain of dolls in the back, she went outside to smoke a cig. Saints be praised! I got both Cleo and the Bridge for 45$  I was thrilled! I sold a Cleo several years ago. I know better now. Wait for the right buyer. I was also being scammed on FBM for her. But, I am not a naive dummy desperate for a sale.

I did get this beauty also. I need to reference my invoice to see the $$ paid out.

Over apid at 30$ but I like her and will just hang on until I find the right buyer!

I think I got her! I did not go back for the 2nd day as I got a lot of Madame Alexander's. More than I can sell quickly, maybe only one or two I can sell quickly. I did get 2 Scarlett dolls, one very old one not so much.

 

I paid the most for her, 80$ it took me awhile to raise my hand to bid, right at the last second. She is listed, comped out, around 450$ So, I know I will make my money back it's just scary to take that risk.

I got this Ashton doll for 40$ (I think). The doll lady and her husband were sitting next to me, "That is one ugly doll"....I know but people love them and collect them. I had no idea how big this doll is and it is big!!! Shipping will be a problem, I image 25 or more. But, there is someone out there who will have to have it. I believe they call it a LongTail meaning it will take awhile to find the right person.

I'll add more as I take their pics. 

I did not get any more Barbies, nor did I get any of the the Marie Osmond dolls. My budget was 400$ and I blew it Friday. I wanted to go back on Saturday but stopped myself. Plus I did not have a car since my daughter was using it and did not bring it back until after 1230pm. A sign from above.

Feeding the Beast

 Had a fairly good week end. Sold 5 items but not big money, but enough activity to keep the algorithm going. In other words, feeding the Beast. 

Sold some things that had been around for a time. The rah rah shoes. Yay! A 1920 pitcher that I got in an auction last fall. A Couple of cup and saucers and a Lefton village piece.

So that was that. 

I went to several Estate Sales this weekend. First one was a bust. 2nd one better, but just some nickel and dime things, except for the wig. Now I have had a good record selling wigs. Found my first one in a bag at the Bins, a Racheal Welch wig - I sold for good money after a few months. I loved the bins for a long time. Not the same now with their picking over everything and removing anything of perceived value to their web sites. So I found this very cute wig for 3 bucks and have listed at 80$

Then I went to an estate sale in an historical home. Sometimes in the past I wish I had photographed the homes I go to to pick up my loot from on line estate sales. I've been to some beautiful homes tucked into some of the most high end areas in Big L and surrounding Shelby. But this one was so breathtakingly beautiful I immediately snapped a pic. The inside was just as spectacular with high ceilings and wooden floors. The staircases were stunning. A sun room on the 2nd story, recessed bathrooms. Fireplaces in each room. If I won the lottery, the 100+ million one, this is the house for I would love to have.

 

At this house I purchases a couple of Nippon Collection books and the Hull to the left. When I got to photographing it I noticed the hairline fracture in the sugar bowl. It was half price and I paid 17.50 for it. Hoping to get at least 65$ for it. Listed at 79.99 so we will see.

  And a set of 6 of these for 20$ They're supposably from the 1920s. There are several on the site but none of them list as a 1920ish item. So I'll do some more research and revise the listing as needed.

Didn't spend all that much this week end. 73 bucks and I think I was over charged by someone who needed to get off the phone while doing business. And I think 5 bucks must have flown out of my purse somewhere around the three story house. I hope who ever finds it deserves it.

Pledge to Stop the Madness

 Okay, no more sourcing - except for the Doll Auction later this month. And estate sales because I buy very little at Estate Sales and I get out of the house for a blessed few hours when I have no worries or anxiety. I always have anxiety when B keeps an eye on him for an extended period of time. It gets more and more difficult with the progression of the disease.

I called and cancelled my booth at the FPM. I have not been there for over four months and it's just not fair to me or them. Let them rent the space to someone who can handle it and make money. It was a good idea at the time, but it's not doable.

I will list in ernest. My sales have died. I think it's the time of year or whatever. The key is to just list list list and God knows I have a ton of stuff. I was close to the 10 grand in 90 days mark on E-bay. My 90 day total is half that now.

A yardsale is in the future also.

Crappy Weekend

It was Derby Week End so the number of Estate Sales were Zip. There was one in Old Louisville that said it was an estate Sale but it was actually a dilapidated backyard garage (circa 1930s) filled with over priced art and knick Knacks. I went to a Church Bazaar in the Knobs but it was crap too. I ended up at the Bins. It has been a long time since I have visited the Goodwill Outlet Center, and I was surprised that the parking lot was practically empty! Saturday is usually the BIG day with many coming from far and wide to rummage thru the blue bins. Yet, it was very sparse with the only regulars I recognized were the Tee Shirt Vultures. 

I found a few things. A nice Worthington Beige Purse that the only flaw I can find is it is dirty in one spot. I shall use it because its big and roomy and that's exactly what I need. I will retire my purse, another Bin find, an Eddie Bauer brown leather beauty. I need to clean it and put it up for another run next winter - maybe.

In addition I  found a Longaberger Liner, a Wrigley Field lap blanket, and a dozen vintage Ball Mason Jars.I also scooped up all the Barbie Dolls I could find to snap their heads off and sell them in the Mason Jars!! Its very cool just look at my Header Picture.

My sales for the week end were profitable but very few.

This beauty that I got for 15 and sold for 50$

Sold Ginny for 65$ cog 10.21. The first of the 200 lot of dolls. Have 42 more to sell. But good start to recover my investment.

And this statue! Sold for 40$ cog was 3$ I think I spent around 130 for the Derby Lot and I have lots more listed and a whole lot more to go, so I am well on the road to profit soze.

I sold Neptune for 50$ Not paid yet, but it has been a long time since I have been stiffed. And it has been listed for a long time. I believe I picked this up in the fall of 2021. Maybe. But this is profit. I picked up a lot of these Toby mugs at that auction. Many were signed by the Doulton family member who now runs the establishment.

Derby Week is 14 days Long!

 The biggest event in Big Lou is this coming week end. I have lived off and on, in Big Lou for 4 decades. In the beginning there was The Chow Wagon downtown ona fenced in area on Broadway and ???? Can't remember. I do remember being shoulder to shoulder and drinking beer and the Derby Pins were $1. The Balloon Race was the Saturday before and held at the Fair Grounds. I went once. It was early!! The balloons were filled and we filled ourselves with Bloody Mary's, brought along for the event. The Steam Boat race was Wednesday, and the Derby Parade on Thursday. The Oaks is still held on Friday (went once) for the  "locals" then Saturday is Derby Day. The very first Thunder was not called Thunder but Gargantia and held at the old Lou Red Birds stadium. 

Now the events are so many and so varied it takes two weeks to accommodate everything kicking off two weeks ahead of Derby Day beginning with Thunder over Lou. Back in the day, you know, when dinosaurs roamed, I was at the 99th and the 100th Derby. The 99th involved the Super Horse known as Secretariat! I was there! 

I have a special place in my heart for Horse Racing and particularly racing in Kentucky, being from central KY and spending so much time in Big Lou. I have many members of my family that are somehow connected to the Horse Business beginning with my Mom. Further back than that actually, as my Great Grandfather bred and raced horses in Ireland and England.    

These are some of the items I am interested in when I see them come up for auction. Horse memembelia, Horses of a Different Color, Bobble Heads, pins, buttons, books, programs. Etc. Etc.

Some of the things I have on hand.

 Bronze Jockey on Race Horse, unsigned. Appears to be a candle holder.

Secretariat Bobble Head.

Gorgeous Heavy Aluminum Ash Tray

Derby Pin from KY Derby113, 1987 Year Alysheba Won and I was there!!

Championship Trophy 

Just a sampling. What I have sold is a lot of Derby Pins and Balloon Race Pins, A marble bottom KY Derby winner statue of horse with garland of roses. Naturally, Secretariat Bobble Heads, along with Affirmed and Seattle Slew. Coffee Mugs, Secretariat framed picture and banners.

May Day! May Day! May Day!

 

This Old German Stein saved my month. I listed it about 2 weeks ago - had a difficult time researching it. I could have easily gone down the rabbit hole and just throw up my hands and forget it. But I went ahead and listed it, described it, showed the sticker on the bottom and listed it well below the value if it were indeed a Mettlach. It sold for 285$ On April 30th and then, surprise surprise PAID FOR!

On another note, I have no idea where it came from. It sat on my front Lane Hope Chest for who knows how long. I believe that it was a donation from MF who was moving and sent over some things for me to sell. She also sent over a book about Space written by the German bomb guy. It sold for 100$ Thank you 

This baby below sold for $180. A Lladro which was HUGE. I had a feeling it would sell with Graduation in the air. Other than these two, I was nickeled and dimed all month.