Summer Cleanup

Over the past year I have successfully completed 4 quarters at the Art Institute of Indianapolis. Somewhere along the way I felt like I had entered some unreal world where life is suspended and all that matters is "making the grade." It is like the life I had been leading prior to this was what was unreal!!!

As mentioned before, in spite of the fact that I have basically neglected my online stores, there have been slow but steady sales. Finally, week 2 into this quarter I had enough and began an inventory of my Cabin Fever quilt products. The oddest thing happened...I began to feel like I had returned to my REAL life!!! This is what matters! Not that I am going to jetison my homework, but geesh, what I am doing online and what stems from it is what matters!

So... here's to reclaiming my real life and to more sales as I begin to list products once more on Bonanzle!

[Spending so much time in the fabrics makes me want to go make quilts for Christmas gifts!!!!]

Jan Sales were my best!

I am not sure what was going on with Jan. but sales picked up for my sites! The biggest sale happened on my Itzagiftshop site when one of the gold charms sold. However, selling one of my Thimbleberries quilt bundles on Cabin Fever was also a highlight since I talked with the buyer and received great feedback from her.

Being in college, I have not been working my online businesses, but what is out there is selling, so that works for me!

Sales do happen

I have not been able to give much percentage of my time to my online sales because of college; however, some sales are happening! I find this encouraging and would love to be able to spend more time building an online business.

For those of you doing your business this holiday season, enjoy and I wish you all well!

If you want to know what I am up to instead of selling, check out my college blog. I have photos of the projects I am working on these days.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Changes...

It has been around 6 weeks since I have written anything concerning Cabin Fever, but never fear, we are still here and sales are actually picking up! Lets hope that is a good indication of a wonderful holiday season ahead!!!

Actually, what has happened in my life (besides a new niece and a new puppy) is college! 6 weeks ago I re-entered the world of college learning with a pack of high school kids and a few "older folks" such as myself who are re-inventing themselves or just adding onto what they already have. It is an art school mixed with practical application, which is why I chose it.

I am blogging about it on Wordpress, if anyone wants to follow along.

In the meantime, I have continued to list on my Itzagiftshop ID and have been selling on all 3 booths. I love Bonanzle!!!

Old Board Games

I love old games. I grew up in a large family without tv, that is what you did of an evening. Now kids play electronic games, but back then...a good old card game like Old Maid, Authors, or Hearts. Or a board game like Life, Clue, or Candy Land. They still have these games, but they have changed and don't seem quite the same somehow as those built in the 60s and 70s.

Recently I began listing some of the vintage games we got in Itza Gift Shop. We have about 15-20 games that I need to list. Next thing you know, I had to go build a handpicked list just to see what was out there. Fun stuff and some are worth some money!!! And yep...I had to buy one (Animal Rummy) from Mendozam's booth (she has a lot of fun books too.)

Give the list a look-see and take a trip down memory lane with me!

Itza Gift Shop

Organizing like crazy, researching like a nut...and then getting cold feet and only listing some of the inexpensive items.



Well...except for this one purse that was sooooo fun to learn about! I have been fascinated with this little number and it took a lot of research to find one like it online. It is a Whiting and Davis mesh purse.

Then there is a book that is a first edition 1912 Organic Chemistry book that belonged to my friend's father. He used it when he was a pharmacist in WWII. The only thing I could find about it was 2 on Amazon that were listed for over $470.00 Somehow I can't believe that, but I do know that some of these books are worth something!

I am having sooooo much fun! And even though we did not plan on listing $4 items, the Girl Scouts and Brownies pins were irresistable and then the Old Maid game took me back to my childhood. Who can resist that?!

What I am having the hardest time with are the rings and gold bracelets. There is just so much you need to know about gem grading, types of gold, etc. My head is spinning. And then organizing all of this...one thing about it, I am not bored!

A Never Ending Learning Experience

One of the things I love the most about selling online is the fact that you can dip into so many different subjects! The problem is...learning all about each and every one of those before you make a serious gaffe and sell off a million dollar find for ten bucks!

A friend recently asked me to help her start a Bonanzle store to sell some of her vintage items. We have not yet begun to fill her booth as we are in the "organizing" phase. It is fascinating! On the other hand...it can be a bit of a scary and humbling experience because I know so little, so we have been doing a lot of online research.

Do you like old coins? There is sooooo much to know! I was reading where certain 1995 pennies are worth $25!!! Yipes! How many of those may have passed through my hands over the past 14 years??? (That is a side-trail, because my friend does not have any of those either, but it was interesting to learn!)

How about old hats? And then there are the books from 1908 that may be worth nothing, but are fascinating in their leather binding. Old violins? How about vintage jewelry? And the German steins were a lot of fun to research. The list goes on and I think what we are going to do is start out with something from each of the categories in order to get her booth rolling.

And if any of my Bonanzle buddies who hang out at estate sales or resell old items have suggestions on how to do this, please let me know! I have suggested she take some of her items to get them assessed because I am afraid I might miss something online and give bad advice. On the other hand...we are having a lot of fun together!