Thrift Share Monday - Checking In

Mod Glasses

After my trip to Seattle, it's been very hard to sit down and write about thrifting. The trip North was much harder then expected. It brought the grief of my mother's passing up to the surface again, I got to experience waves of depression mixed in with not being able to stay on my gluten free/processed food (mostly free) diet. I arrived home a complete mess. The only blessing is that I brought my father with me. 

We arrived home and immediately gave him a tour of our homestead even though it was dusk. He loved it and saw all the potential in our 1 1/2 acres. He is already planning to build me a small warehouse out of recycled wood. The following morning he got to work and began to help us work on projects that we haven't had a second to catch up on since we moved here in April.

It's been wonderful having him here. He and I are very close and we always banter with each in other in silly father/daughter ways that make both of us laugh. His visit is healing for both of us.

During the last week I've poured all my attention into my space at the Antique Society. I also received my first check which covers August 1 - 15th. I'm excited to share that I sold over $1,200 in Mid Century Modern & Mod wares in my 180 square feet of space. The dealers do say that your first few months are typically the best since buyers tend to get excited about New dealers. Regardless, I'm looking at my sales as motivation to make having a local presence a priority. My goal for the year is to continue selling at the Antique Society, list on eBay and sell books and media on Amazon. Between the three of those, I'm hoping to secure a good income.

I can't tell you how exciting it is to scout for inventory at the weekend with having an actual venue to place the items. It's changed the way I buy. Although I don't have a photo of it, I recently bought a fabulous rectangle cork board bulletin board (large vintage brown cork like they sometimes have on lamps). I painted the edges a lovely aqua blue and added some wooden mushroom push pins. I'll be taking it down to the Antique Society this week. Just the idea of being able to work on a project and place it for sale locally is a wonderful distraction for me. Of course this opens the floodgate to "projects" and the front of my garage has about 6 of these already in just a few weeks of time. (oops)

The last update to share is that Keiran is going to be in a Waldorf Charter School this year. It was a huge decision to make for our family. He has been at his current school from 1st through 3rd grade. Financially though this gives us a much needed break. The children's tuition was my responsibility and I didn't feel ready to support both of them at a private Waldorf School. My eBay business isn't even properly running yet and I'm just getting going at the Antique Society. Keiran is nervous and excited. He has struggled to find a close friend at the school and this gives him at least the opportunity to connect with someone new. I've met with the teacher a couple times and she is incredible. He loved her immediately and had a hard time hiding his beaming smile as she spoke to him. This of course warmed my heart.

So there are many changes in store for our family. I will say that I think I'm glad to leave the summer behind us. It hasn't been my worst summer but emotionally it's probably been the hardest one ever. I've spent many hours on my bed with tears in my eyes. I'm emotionally spent.

I now look forward to school starting, fall arriving, building friendships with my local Antique Dealers (another post on this subject soon), stocking my eBay store for the holidays and trying to organize my complete and utter mess of a house (which really is filled with inventory to the brim). I also have plans to write more ReSelling posts here at ATG.

Did you go thrifting this weekend?

Thrift Share Monday celebrates the Art of Thrifting. As a community of readers and bloggers we are able to connect through the process of buying second hand, selling and sharing.

We Thrift  - We Share

Here are some guidelines if you would like to join Thrift Share:

• Your Thrift Share Monday blog post should include your thrifted finds from the weekend.
• Create a blog post with photos of your items.
• Link your Thrift Share Monday post back to Apron Thrift Girl.
• Link to your Thrift Share Monday post on Apron Thrift Girl using inlinkz below.
• If you participate with Thrift Share Monday regularly, please add a button to your side bar so that we can build our Thrift Share Community.

Don't forget to visit Her Library Adventures for Flea Market Finds.

Comments

[Robin ;-)]

What a great couple of weeks at your booth for sales! So glad to hear that you are getting back into the swing and that you have your dad visiting - sounds like it has been healing for both of you. This summer has been a hard one for me, too, so I completely understand about anticipating fall. It really can't get here soon enough!

[Jackie K.]

Expressing healing thoughts to you and your family as you head into this new season.

Wishing you ever more success as your business expands on all fronts.

As always - thank you for hosting your thrifty link ups each week.

[Jeanie]

Oh, my dear friend, I so feel your grief. My mother has been gone since 1990, and I still tear up occasionally. I miss her every single day. That said, you are super lucky to still have your dad. What a wonderful thing for both of you. Hugs all around to your family. Now on a thrifting note, how did you decide to get an Ebay store? What would you say are the benefits? What would be the tipping point to getting a store versus just the typical selling account. Thanks so much for your blog. It always brightens my Monday morning.

[Selena Cate]

Hi Jeanie, your question is worth an entire post but I am worried that Ill forget to write it so Ill try to quickly answer you here. The main reasons for my store is to have categories (I like to be organized :-) and to list items for 20¢ vs 50¢ (although there are free listings with not having a store). The other reason is motivation. With paying for a store, Im more likely to list more so that the store can pay for itself. I think the choice to have a store is a personal one. I think both ways to list have positive sides to them. The key of course to eBay though is listing and listing and listing..... Items not listed dont sell. Thanks for the question.
xoxo Selena

[Leah]

Selena, what a blessing, for you and your father, that he is able to be with you and the family. May it be a time of healing and encouragement for you all. Congrats on your good fortune in booth selling. Thinking about trying it again myself.

[Vintage Scapes]

It's so good to hear that you and your father have been able to support each other and provide healing. You are both fortunate in that aspect.
This summer seems to have been a tough one but we are all still standing and onward we go. It's great to have you back.

[Shannon]

Glad your Dad was able to get a change of scenery too. I think the lousy/busy summer was widespread - my blog has certainly suffered for similar reasons but I'm hoping the Fall months will turn that corner. Know what you mean on shopping for a store space instead of gauging how much of a pain an item would be to ship. :) I'm only renting a small shelving unit right now but I can see options in the future months so am looking forward to your experiences with this new endeavour!

[Amy Zimmer]

Mazel Tov to making decisions that are challenging, yet moving in a positive direction. I wish Keiran the best of luck!

Amy

[BeckyKay]

Congratulations!!! Sounds like you are going to do great in your local shop.

[Maria (Magia Mia)]

Welcome Back Serena! I'm so sorry for your heartache, but I am so glad your father came home with you. Only good can come from that....:)

[Denise M]

Welcome back. Glad your Dad can stay awhile and spend time with you. Thank you for hosting.
Denise

[Joy P]

Glad you are safely home Selena and that your Dad could come with you for awhile. That will help too. Good plans. I always look forward to reading how your business is doing. As a reseller in a collectibles mall I spend most of my time working the business too.

Thank you for hosting.

Joy

[Rob Hunt]

Thanks for hosting Selena.

Really happy for you that your Dad came back with your for awhile. Good for everyone.

Rob

[Mad Maine Vintage]

So nice to have you back - and so touching to read about your life events this summer. Glad to hear you are surrounded by family.
Also, very much looking forward to hearing more about your antique booth adventures ahead - what a great start!

[Jill]

Thanks for hosting again!
Jill

[Penny]

Thanks for hosting Selena! I am joining your party for the first time! Penny

[Jessie M.]

What a great post! I love hearing about the inner workings of both your business and your personal life.

This helps people get a picture of dealing with both daily life and an ebay/antique/thrifting business.

God bless you lady!

Romans 8:28

[Leah - moxiethrift on etsy]

I LOVE father/daughter time! =)

[Amelia]

Hoping for more healing and happiness ahead for you.

[Claire]

I'm very sorry to hear you've been having a difficult time. I admire your strength and positive attitude. Autumn is not far away, as Spring is definitely in the air here in Australia!

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[John Schindler II]

Love your blog. I’m a lifelong antiquer, and am making my passion for antiques a full-time business by selling antiques online. I’m blogging about my experiences at my blog, Wisdom Lane Antiques: wisdomlaneantiques.blogspot.com. Stop by!

[Antique shops]

its really the great one .....i appreciate......nice collection

[Christine]

Exciting new things for you and Keiran! And how lovely your father is there, perhaps it helps heal a little bit for all of you. I wish I could say more things to cheer you up, but perhaps making a few great sells, some awesome thrifting finds and school starting again will be better remedies. :-) Post some pics of your house some day, I'm still so curious!!

Christine

[Thrift Shopper for Peace]

hi Selena, it's been an age since i've visited your site and i've missed it. you really have had an emotionally draining summer (both positive and challenging) but you've written about it with such grace and with a heart to seek the positives in the midst of grief and change... it's been truly inspiring. i love your booth at the antique shop, by the way - and how wonderful that your dad can spend time with you and your family and be a part of your work. very cool. i hope the fall continues to be a time of healing and hopefulness for you.