Let's make a different kind of list. Okay?
I promise that this is the last post on this theme for this year. I started to actually make this one my post for the group blog, but decided that it might be better to stay within the boundaries of the given task.
I also toyed with the idea of making this a secondary part of the post I submitted, but ended up cutting it out for length. After I decided that it might be a good idea to include an intro for new visitors, I became concerned about how long the post was. In the end, I was very happy with the way the initial post came out, so I think I made the right call.
But some ideas are too good to let slide away. Truth be told, this is a concept I have been wanting to blog about for a while now. It just took the group blog to spur me into actually doing it.
When I first got my booth, I got asked one question over and over: "What do you sell there?" My answers must have frustrated people because I tended to describe items, rather than naming them. I had one goal in mind when I took my first booth--to have a booth that wasn't like any other space in the mall. To do that, I spent more time thinking about what the stuff I was selling would be like, instead of what it actually was.
Initially, I used to say that I wanted "things that made you think of bongo drums" when you saw them. It worked for me--bongo drums are cool and interesting--but not for other people, who just didn't get what I was trying to say. "You're selling bongo drums?" "What about other instruments?" "Do that many people buy bongo drums?"
In the end, I started thinking in terms of adjectives that best described the things I was looking for. What characteristics do they all have in common? This is the list I created. It was important for me to define those terms, as well, using definitions that relate back to the purpose of looking for those items--the booth.
Unique: Things that are different from the items others are selling. If it is an item that others have in their booths, it still needs to be distinct in some way. For example, others also sell books, but I don't sell the Danielle Steele, Stephen King, harlequin Romance, etc books that you find in so many other booths.
Fun: I want things that make me smile when I find them. More importantly, I want them to make other people smile when they see them in the booth.
Eclectic: I don't want to be one note. I want a range of items, from soup to nuts, that are distinct and different from each other, so that the overall effect of my space is a weird and wonderful menagerie.
Interesting: Something so fascinating that you cannot resist stepping into the booth to check it out.
Oddball: Stuff that is unlike stuff that you've seen before.
As time has gone on, my horizons (and my booths) have expanded quite a bit. I don't hold to this list as hard and fast as I used to. I carry some things that don't really fit onto this list--although it all does add to the eclectic effect. Still, this list does form a key part of my guiding re-selling philosophy. In the end, it's more about knowing how to bend and mold the list, instead of how strictly I adhere to it.
I don't really think I'm proposing anything that new here. Most folks are already doing this sort of thing without realizing it. Go back and re-read Donna's Five Things post. Her opening is a list of adjectives! (And I didn't even have to pay her so she would do it!)
Try it yourself. Think about the things you're looking for at yard sales this summer. It doesn't matter whether you re-sell or buy for yourself. Can you create a list of five adjectives that gives a good overall description of these items? Give it a try!
Feel free to share your own list in comments.
For an added challenge, try to do it without using the words "vintage" "retro" "antique" or "primitive." I know. BLASPHEMY!
Showing posts with label lists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lists. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 04, 2016
Tuesday, May 03, 2016
Top Five Things to Look for at Yard Sales This Summer (REVISITED)
I hope you all had a good time checking out the posts from last Friday's group blog. I know I had more views than I think I have ever had, plus a whole lot of really nice comments. Thanks to everyone who participated and visited this here blog.
When I originally started working on the post, I was going to make two lists--one as a re-seller and one from a more personal point of view. I ended up leaving the second list off, because I felt the post was getting rather long. I didn't want to not use that material, so I decided to do a follow up post and include it.
That's what today is all about.
Before I get into this particular list, I do need to say something important.
It just so happens that great minds think alike. That's all.
Now, onto to the list.
TOP FIVE THINGS THAT I AM LOOKING FOR PERSONALLY AT YARD SALES THIS SUMMER
CLOTHES
We'll start with the most boring one first. I need new (to me) clothes pretty badly. Most of my old stuff is either shot or seems to have....well.....shrunk....just like that....while hanging in the closet. I don't want to go buy new stuff or pay new prices, so I am on the hunt this year to stave off impending nakedity. (And the world is very, very grateful.)
RELIGIOUS MEDALS
While I'll always be on the look out for all kinds of religious articles for my collection, it seems like I have had a lot of luck recently finding cool religious medals that I don't already have. I think it's worth keeping my eyes peeled (ouch!) for more.
OLD ROMANCE AND HORROR COMICS
Comic books are something that I always look for (of course), but my interest in these two eras and genres just keeps growing. These are seriously some of the most wonderful, cheesy classics you can find. And I want to find more.
SUPPLIES
Another boring one. Like Shara (STILL NOT COPYING), I like to get my office supplies, labels, etc. at yard sales. It's just so much cheaper that way. This also includes stuff like jars, lids, screws and nails, finials, handles, etc. And cleaning stuff. And can openers. Keith is obsessed with can openers. Any time we find a Swing A Way can opener, we have to buy it.
ODDBALL DVD'S
Obscure animation. Little known bands. Strange foreign films. Cult classics. Mexican soap operas. Cheesy old movies. Fondly-remembered stuff from my childhood. When Keith goes camping, I like to have my own private oddball film festivals. I have to hunt to find the stuff I want to watch, but I can usually find a few good ones over the course of the summer. It's also usually cheap, since there may only be six people in the city who actually want this stuff.
I resisted the urge to do runners-up on my other list, because I knew that once I got started I would find it hard to stop, but this list is different. So here's a runner-up!
PUZZLE BOOKS/MAGAZINES
I typically go through at least one puzzle magazine a week or so. I am always on the look out for more. I'll take one that's just crosswords, although I prefer a mix of puzzles. I don't like Sudoku.
And, finally, the top item on my Junker Want List.
I've had want lists as long as I've been a comic collector. It's part and partial of collecting, this keeping of records of what you've got and what you need to fill holes in your collection. They've become less important to me in recent years, as I've been down-sizing my collection and focusing my efforts a little more.
As a junker, my list doesn't represent things I would like to own, but instead things I would like to have to sell. One of the things I like about being a re-seller is that I get to temporarily own cool things, but then pass them on to good homes. I'm kind of like a temporary guardian of stuff, which I quite like. I simply don't need more stuff of my own in my life.
So, I keep this little list of things that I would like to be able to provide someone else. Every year, a few more items get crossed off. Last year was a really good year for that. One day, I might do a post about my whole Junker Want List, but for today, I'm settling for my top item.
WOODEN IRONING BOARD
I've wanted one of these in my booth as long as I can, but I can never seem to find one at the right price. Maybe this will be the year. There's just something about them that is so cool.
Okay, so that's the first addendum. First addendum? Yep. There's another one coming. Tune in tomorrow, when I set the whole idea of list-making on its head and spin it around until it burps purple jelly beans.
When I originally started working on the post, I was going to make two lists--one as a re-seller and one from a more personal point of view. I ended up leaving the second list off, because I felt the post was getting rather long. I didn't want to not use that material, so I decided to do a follow up post and include it.
That's what today is all about.
Before I get into this particular list, I do need to say something important.
I REALLY DID HAVE THIS IDEA LAST WEEK WAY BEFORE I READ SHARA'S POST AND I AM NOT COPYING HER IDEA NO WAY NO HOW! SO THERE!
NANNY NANNY BOO BOO!
It just so happens that great minds think alike. That's all.
Now, onto to the list.
TOP FIVE THINGS THAT I AM LOOKING FOR PERSONALLY AT YARD SALES THIS SUMMER
CLOTHES
We'll start with the most boring one first. I need new (to me) clothes pretty badly. Most of my old stuff is either shot or seems to have....well.....shrunk....just like that....while hanging in the closet. I don't want to go buy new stuff or pay new prices, so I am on the hunt this year to stave off impending nakedity. (And the world is very, very grateful.)
RELIGIOUS MEDALS
While I'll always be on the look out for all kinds of religious articles for my collection, it seems like I have had a lot of luck recently finding cool religious medals that I don't already have. I think it's worth keeping my eyes peeled (ouch!) for more.
OLD ROMANCE AND HORROR COMICS
 |
| Comic covers from GCD |
Comic books are something that I always look for (of course), but my interest in these two eras and genres just keeps growing. These are seriously some of the most wonderful, cheesy classics you can find. And I want to find more.
SUPPLIES
Another boring one. Like Shara (STILL NOT COPYING), I like to get my office supplies, labels, etc. at yard sales. It's just so much cheaper that way. This also includes stuff like jars, lids, screws and nails, finials, handles, etc. And cleaning stuff. And can openers. Keith is obsessed with can openers. Any time we find a Swing A Way can opener, we have to buy it.
ODDBALL DVD'S
 |
| One of my favorite movies. Image from Amazon. |
Obscure animation. Little known bands. Strange foreign films. Cult classics. Mexican soap operas. Cheesy old movies. Fondly-remembered stuff from my childhood. When Keith goes camping, I like to have my own private oddball film festivals. I have to hunt to find the stuff I want to watch, but I can usually find a few good ones over the course of the summer. It's also usually cheap, since there may only be six people in the city who actually want this stuff.
I resisted the urge to do runners-up on my other list, because I knew that once I got started I would find it hard to stop, but this list is different. So here's a runner-up!
PUZZLE BOOKS/MAGAZINES
I typically go through at least one puzzle magazine a week or so. I am always on the look out for more. I'll take one that's just crosswords, although I prefer a mix of puzzles. I don't like Sudoku.
And, finally, the top item on my Junker Want List.
I've had want lists as long as I've been a comic collector. It's part and partial of collecting, this keeping of records of what you've got and what you need to fill holes in your collection. They've become less important to me in recent years, as I've been down-sizing my collection and focusing my efforts a little more.
As a junker, my list doesn't represent things I would like to own, but instead things I would like to have to sell. One of the things I like about being a re-seller is that I get to temporarily own cool things, but then pass them on to good homes. I'm kind of like a temporary guardian of stuff, which I quite like. I simply don't need more stuff of my own in my life.
So, I keep this little list of things that I would like to be able to provide someone else. Every year, a few more items get crossed off. Last year was a really good year for that. One day, I might do a post about my whole Junker Want List, but for today, I'm settling for my top item.
WOODEN IRONING BOARD
 |
| Image from the Graphics Fairy |
I've wanted one of these in my booth as long as I can, but I can never seem to find one at the right price. Maybe this will be the year. There's just something about them that is so cool.
Okay, so that's the first addendum. First addendum? Yep. There's another one coming. Tune in tomorrow, when I set the whole idea of list-making on its head and spin it around until it burps purple jelly beans.
Tuesday, August 05, 2014
Overwhelming
How did it get to be August already? I seriously have so much to do before the year is out. Seriously.
I have to:
Do my regular work stuff
Do my regular booth stuff
Have two more cancer center follow ups
Turn 50
Celebrate turning 50
Go camping with Keith
Go to the big flea market on Labor Day
Read comics
Clean out the shed
Clean out the storage
Clean out the junk room
Have lunch with the Hulk
Get the fall/harvest stuff ready to sell
Get the Thanksgiving stuff ready
Get the Halloween stuff ready
Get the Christmas stuff ready
Put all that stuff out at the appropriate times
Go to special training for work
Do a bunch of regular trainings for work
Rearrange the booth
Make more Craigslists
Play poker with Batman and Wonder Woman
Watch Batman carefully, because he cheats
Hope that my class on reselling gets enough people to happen
Prep for that class if it does
Go to some boring-ass meetings
Finish this book
Get ready for the next junk set out
Write blog posts
Keep Facebook up to date
Get back to work on my top secret booth project
Have a yard sale
Have a book sale
Do the Highway 60 sale
Scan stuff
Crochet doileys for the pixies, who are always soiling their doileys
Eat Mexican food
Clean off this damn desk
Ride out the yard sale season
Buy stuff
Sell stuff
Thrift
Buy a new belt
Figure out Thanksgiving plans
Have tea with the Hobbits
Make a doctor's appointment
Make a dermatologist appointment
Find out what you have to do to get married in Chicago
Get married in Chicago
Read blogs
Comment on blogs
Take pictures
Get my bike fixed
And so on
Learn to juggle elves
Or is it elephants? I forget...
And so forth
And etc etc etc
AIEEEEE!
There's only one thing to do. I have to take a nap. Then I'll figure out how to get all this done.
I have to:
Do my regular work stuff
Do my regular booth stuff
Have two more cancer center follow ups
Turn 50
Celebrate turning 50
Go camping with Keith
Go to the big flea market on Labor Day
Read comics
Clean out the shed
Clean out the storage
Clean out the junk room
Have lunch with the Hulk
Get the fall/harvest stuff ready to sell
Get the Thanksgiving stuff ready
Get the Halloween stuff ready
Get the Christmas stuff ready
Put all that stuff out at the appropriate times
Go to special training for work
Do a bunch of regular trainings for work
Rearrange the booth
Make more Craigslists
Play poker with Batman and Wonder Woman
Watch Batman carefully, because he cheats
Hope that my class on reselling gets enough people to happen
Prep for that class if it does
Go to some boring-ass meetings
Finish this book
Get ready for the next junk set out
Write blog posts
Keep Facebook up to date
Get back to work on my top secret booth project
Have a yard sale
Have a book sale
Do the Highway 60 sale
Scan stuff
Crochet doileys for the pixies, who are always soiling their doileys
Eat Mexican food
Clean off this damn desk
Ride out the yard sale season
Buy stuff
Sell stuff
Thrift
Buy a new belt
Figure out Thanksgiving plans
Have tea with the Hobbits
Make a doctor's appointment
Make a dermatologist appointment
Find out what you have to do to get married in Chicago
Get married in Chicago
Read blogs
Comment on blogs
Take pictures
Get my bike fixed
And so on
Learn to juggle elves
Or is it elephants? I forget...
And so forth
And etc etc etc
AIEEEEE!
There's only one thing to do. I have to take a nap. Then I'll figure out how to get all this done.
Friday, February 14, 2014
100 Reasons I Love Being a Junker
Back in the day, there was this thing that went around the comics blogosphere where, at Valentines, folks posted lists of 100 things they loved about comics. I never did this, but always wanted to. I even made notes for a list, but never got around to doing it. I also made notes for a "!00 Things I Love about Living in Louisville" list. I found that one the other day. Probably 20% of the places named on it are now closed. Sigh.
I got to thinking bout those lists a little while ago and decided that it was finally time (nearly a decade after the trend has died) to do one of my own. Not about comics, but about junking. (But there is some junking-related comics content. Never stray too far from your roots, man.)
Of course, being me, I can't just list things. I have to talk about a few of them and share some links. And name-drop a bit. If I didn't mention you on my list, it's not because you're not one of the things I love about junking, but because I ran out of room. Or I forgot. Or something. Remember, there's always next year.
Happy Valentines Day, everyone!
By Michael Edward Mitchell, age 48
1. It's an excuse to shop! C'mon, everyone! Let's be honest about this one!
2. It keeps me from being a hoarder! At least that's the justification...
3. Old comic books. It's where I began.
4. BOOKS! I'll always have way too many.
5. Vintage religious items. I buy 'em. I sell 'em. I collect 'em. I love 'em!
6. Making new friends
7. All the crew at Dixie Peddlers Mall! Y'all rock! Shout-outs to Dianna, Tiffany, Theresa, Elizabeth, Brenda, Richie, Jim and James!
8. Thrifting: My dad took me to my first DAV. It was downhill from there!
9. 50% off day at the ACB thrift: Happens every now and again.
10. 50% off day at Unique: Happens on Monday holidays. The crowds are crazy and it's impossible to get a cart. I love it!
11. 50% off tags at SVDP: Happens every month! They use colored tags and every month a different color is half off!
12. YARD SALES!!!! Counting the minutes until Spring...
13. CHURCH SALES!!!! Keep reading for the ones I never miss.
14. Going through your haul at the end of the day. Bit by bit, it all adds up!
15. Finding the "theme of the day" Some days you see the same oddball item at every sale you hit. Salsa kits. Fondue pots. Porta-Potties. Who knows what you're gonna see?
16. Buying junk from kids
17. Blessed Sacrament Church Sale. It always seems to be held the same weekend that one of the Derby footraces hopelessly tie up traffic in the neighborhood, but it's worth the effort to get there.
18. Big representations of things that are small. I love it when scale is played with and inverted. Makes for interesting things and I like to by and sell interesting things.
19. The Five Guys!
20. All the other Peddlers Malls: Louisville is blessed with an abundance of vendor malls. They provide a nice alternative to the thrifts and the antique malls. I love 'em all!
21. Booths with good stuff cheap. Don't forget to shop your neighbors! I do it all the time.
22. Small city and neighborhood sales. Louisville has dozens of little incorporated cities within its borders. It's a bit of a political and logistical headache, but many of them have their own designated citywide yard sale days! I'm all for that!
23. Vendors who don't take themselves so seriously. We're in this to make some money, sure, but this is supposed to be fun! I can make money in a dozen different ways and be unhappy while doing it.
24. Broadway Baptist Winter Sale: One of my favorites. The last hour is half off and there is always a ton of stuff!
25. Small representations of things that are big
26. Old Hymnals
27. All my peeps at Yard Sale Queen! Holla! Laying aside my lame attempts to sound hip and young, there's not a nicer online forum around! I have learned so much in the few years I've been a member. Just a super great group of people!
28. Dixie Trading Post. Home of my second booth.
29. The Big Flea! The original and still finest. I've spent many a fine junking hour wandering those aisles. When I am old and decrepit, I'll be paying young whippersnappers to push my chair up and down the aisles and carry my bags of stuff.
More list love after the jump!
I got to thinking bout those lists a little while ago and decided that it was finally time (nearly a decade after the trend has died) to do one of my own. Not about comics, but about junking. (But there is some junking-related comics content. Never stray too far from your roots, man.)
Of course, being me, I can't just list things. I have to talk about a few of them and share some links. And name-drop a bit. If I didn't mention you on my list, it's not because you're not one of the things I love about junking, but because I ran out of room. Or I forgot. Or something. Remember, there's always next year.
Happy Valentines Day, everyone!
ONE HUNDRED THINGS I LOVE ABOUT BEING A JUNKER!
By Michael Edward Mitchell, age 48
1. It's an excuse to shop! C'mon, everyone! Let's be honest about this one!
2. It keeps me from being a hoarder! At least that's the justification...
3. Old comic books. It's where I began.
4. BOOKS! I'll always have way too many.
5. Vintage religious items. I buy 'em. I sell 'em. I collect 'em. I love 'em!
6. Making new friends
7. All the crew at Dixie Peddlers Mall! Y'all rock! Shout-outs to Dianna, Tiffany, Theresa, Elizabeth, Brenda, Richie, Jim and James!
8. Thrifting: My dad took me to my first DAV. It was downhill from there!
9. 50% off day at the ACB thrift: Happens every now and again.
10. 50% off day at Unique: Happens on Monday holidays. The crowds are crazy and it's impossible to get a cart. I love it!
11. 50% off tags at SVDP: Happens every month! They use colored tags and every month a different color is half off!
12. YARD SALES!!!! Counting the minutes until Spring...
13. CHURCH SALES!!!! Keep reading for the ones I never miss.
14. Going through your haul at the end of the day. Bit by bit, it all adds up!
15. Finding the "theme of the day" Some days you see the same oddball item at every sale you hit. Salsa kits. Fondue pots. Porta-Potties. Who knows what you're gonna see?
16. Buying junk from kids
17. Blessed Sacrament Church Sale. It always seems to be held the same weekend that one of the Derby footraces hopelessly tie up traffic in the neighborhood, but it's worth the effort to get there.
18. Big representations of things that are small. I love it when scale is played with and inverted. Makes for interesting things and I like to by and sell interesting things.
19. The Five Guys!
20. All the other Peddlers Malls: Louisville is blessed with an abundance of vendor malls. They provide a nice alternative to the thrifts and the antique malls. I love 'em all!
21. Booths with good stuff cheap. Don't forget to shop your neighbors! I do it all the time.
22. Small city and neighborhood sales. Louisville has dozens of little incorporated cities within its borders. It's a bit of a political and logistical headache, but many of them have their own designated citywide yard sale days! I'm all for that!
23. Vendors who don't take themselves so seriously. We're in this to make some money, sure, but this is supposed to be fun! I can make money in a dozen different ways and be unhappy while doing it.
24. Broadway Baptist Winter Sale: One of my favorites. The last hour is half off and there is always a ton of stuff!
25. Small representations of things that are big
26. Old Hymnals
27. All my peeps at Yard Sale Queen! Holla! Laying aside my lame attempts to sound hip and young, there's not a nicer online forum around! I have learned so much in the few years I've been a member. Just a super great group of people!
28. Dixie Trading Post. Home of my second booth.
29. The Big Flea! The original and still finest. I've spent many a fine junking hour wandering those aisles. When I am old and decrepit, I'll be paying young whippersnappers to push my chair up and down the aisles and carry my bags of stuff.
More list love after the jump!
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