Goodwill Thrift Finds To Resell

Today, my husband and I went thrift shopping after going out to eat at my favorite restaurant (IHOP). Fancy Right? I love breakfast. This particular Goodwill is always extremely crowded. The shelves are pretty much picked clean. It’s a weird situation because I want to complain and yet, I know, resellers just like myself are responsible for the tsunami that washes the items out the front door. Thankfully, I was able to rescue a few items, pictured above.

When I became a reseller a few years ago, I was very focused on clothing. I quickly began being pulled by the tide in a different direction now. Fast fashion has consumed America. The quality of what is available today is disgusting. I love things with beautiful fabrics, colors, and beading. Not stringy, see through, teensy tiny items that are about to rip in half. Prices of clothing at thrift stores have gone up, making it hard to not only find any items but make a profit off of them. Therefore, I have learned to start educating myself on vintage items, ceramic art, and glass pieces. I also have become drawn to original canvas paintings.

The seal candle I found sitting on the electronic shelf at the back of the store. Makes total sense right? I’m surprised he did not melt on his wax ice. His big saucer eyes staring through my soul may have also been a reason he quickly landed in my buggy. I love things that I have never seen before. I’m absolutely positive that he was a new experience for me. Despite how I feel about the miserable weather here in SC, he expressed to me his delight of the melted ice falling from the sky today.

The white bird house with the wrap around porch my husband found. He really has a good eye for things. The house reminded me of the one from the movie, “The Notebook.” Can’t you just see Noah walking out of that house as Ally runs to him? I can also envision Ally painting a canvas on that porch. Maybe I am hallucinating from exhaustion. It’s entirely possible today. It is missing the back flap but thankfully, unlike Ally & Noah, birds don’t need privacy for romance.

The white ceramic angel playing the violin was just one of those beautiful yet delicate pieces that called to me. I’ve seen angel figurines before but never ones playing instruments. This angel looked as if she would bring peace to someone that was in pain. I know someone out there needs her as a remembrance that the storm will pass & healing will follow. For such a big mission she came with a small price tag of $1.99.

The Victorian bear with the pearl earrings, I must admit, was a bit of an impulse buy. I saw this lacy, dainty, uppity bear standing literally UP. She had a doll stand attached to her and I could tell she had been well cared for. I like pieces that people have respected, gently handled, and left a feeling of love with. How often do you see a stuffed bear holding a mini stuffed bear? And if you missed it, she is wearing a rose hat. I would be on point if I looked this coordinated going to church. If you are looking for a high class teddy bear, she is in my closet now.

The stuffed watermelon is a bit of a head scratcher. Though I love watermelons, I can’t say I have ever in my entire life seen a stuffed one. Not to mention one that has arms & legs. I’ve learned from reselling videos online to always check the tag or sticker on items for information. Such a basic thing that I did not know to do when I started. This watermelon is from Hallmark from the 80’s. The name on his tag is “Wally” the Watermelon. If you are lonely and need a Wally in your life, stop on by my closet.

The bike wine holder I actually got yesterday. It was one of those items that I thought a lot about. At one point at Goodwill I took it out of my buggy and replaced it with a massive picnic basket. Momentarily, I lost my dam mind and thought that it was a better idea to ship a basket my chihuahua could fit in. Thankfully, I came to my senses and tossed the picnic basket back up on the top shelf. I re-discovered the bike wine rack close to where I left it. I appreciated that the wheels actually turned & that it could hold 3 bottles of wine. If you find your bike wine holder missing from the kitchen, don’t come for me. I feel assured that a mouse literally biked all three bottles out in one ride across the counter.

That is it for tonight~! I enjoy writing about the things I find, why I choose to buy them, and funny stories that may go along with their discovery. If you are a reseller, I hope that you can relate to my writing. There are many more things out there to find and therefore, lots more to write about. Until next time, goodnight to all.

Surviving Mental Illness

The majority of my life can be described in these three title words, “Surviving Mental Illness.” There is much I do not understand about this condition but I know for a fact these things:

-There is almost non existent affordable help for those suffering from depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. Hope comes in the form of an insurance card, which so few can afford today.

-Take away someone’s hope and the only light they see is coming from the door under death.

-Society continues not to acknowledge the mental illness epidemic in America. Those who suffer only have life lines with others that are in the same boat. Everyone in this category though is sick, burned out, and fighting to breath. The boat is drowning.

-Being a YouTube Channel Creator, I know for a fact that videos on mental illness get demonetized immediately. Brands with commercials will not align themselves with others rallying to save lives. And yet, their commercials are often about changing lives. Do you see the irony?

I want to know when the world is going to wake up and realize that we live in the UNITED States. We stand on the soil of a free country and have exposure to tools (like social media) that can be used to inform, counsel, and support each other. People that commit suicide are just like you and me. They have made people smile, broken hearts, sought out peace, changed others minds, traveled to new places, lost loved ones, created art, and so much more. Can’t you find yourself in them? Acknowledge that Mental Illness is real and rally for reform. People with these illnesses, including myself, should not always have to live in the silent background of a tragedy.

Life Of A Reseller

A few year ago I discovered some Youtube videos about how to resell on Poshmark. I watched and listened as people explained how you can make a profit by selling items from thrift stores. Since I loved thrifting, I decided to create my new business immediately. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit that often acts before having any dam idea what I am doing. I started going to the Goodwill bins, where they weigh the clothing per pound, and loading up with plus size items. My knowledge of brands, style, or really anything involving clothes was pretty much nothing. I had a plan though and if other people did it, so could I. Fast forward over two very broke years……

Today, I am still a reseller. I sell on Poshmark, Mercari, Ebay, and when I am feeling adventurous I add on Etsy too. Learning to resell, price, list, organize, thrift, ship, etc, has been an absolutely roller coaster for me. Nothing has come naturally or worked as I planned. Reselling is not easy, as the unbelievably annoying commercial for reseller apps make it sound. There is such BALANCE involved that no one talks about. One must learn to balance their life with their business. You may have to choose between listing items and spending time with your significant other. There is a lot about reselling that has no easy answer.

Stop doing what everyone is doing. Right now. STOP. Spend some time thinking about colors, photographs, lighting, business names, etc, that you are in love with. Let me tell you, you need to be in love to put up with seeing these things every day. Don’t be afraid to step outside the box of your “competition.” It is only a competition if you are competing. I witnessed two women bicker over a couple of metal lawn mosquito ornaments the other day. One woman was going for them but another beat her to the punch. You better believe she let everyone near her in Goodwill know that a set of mosquitos was unfairly taken from her. Don’t be that woman.