Bamboo Chest Of Drawers II

After this post about the chest that replaced my hallway table, I put words into action and pulled out the way older one from the corner of my living room.

First I couldn't believe the amount of dust on it... Then looking in the drawers I found: handkerchiefs that I had believed were lost for years. They can go with and add up to where I keep the current lot. A load of sunglasses, found in trash, forgotten not used in years. To be washed and sorted, some to keep because I like to have a choice fitting with my mood or purpose, cycling or sitting in a car, the rest for thrift shop. Scarfs and shawls, perhaps kept for markets but forgotten, all in a bag for recycling shop now. Gloves, unmatched all black thin ones in various materials, at least six pairs. Once I've paired them good for recycle shop as well. Last but not least, one complete drawer full of electric cables. Total surplus replacement wires that I have enough of already. Partly cashed in at kilo price already.

Fourth drawer below is missing and can't be replaced because the support is broken. Therefore the complete structure is somewhat less stable. Drawers have holes. For now good enough to keep the wrapping and plastic bags that were in the other one.

So I listed the newer chest and sold it today at €10. For the two weeks it took there was enough place in my hallway to have them side by side. Now there is place for a bamboo and wicker mirror waiting for a buyer.

What I like is the top of the one I kept is just a bit nicer. And it has the decorative circles on the sides there that the sold one don't have.

Artificial Intelligence

My friend found this pet bed in October last year on a Friday morning and an hour later had a very happy cat. I had seen it on the Wednesday before, my working day in the shop. So she  asked me why I didn't take it. Answer: this 15 year old cat of mine is stubborn and prefers places in mess in weird corners. And changes every day.

Just a week later I found the same thing, different colour in front of my door. Took in to sell, but it needs washing. Left in a corner and stayed there for months. Stuff piled up on it. Then shortly when moving out things to make place for the 1960's chair I relocated it. Then only some empty plastic bags on top. I think somehow this afternoon those attracted his attention an he went to sleep on top. Later on when he woke up and wanted to eat I removed those and some stuff that was still underneath. And then after his usual hour of sitting on me when it was time to move upstairs I gently placed Mister in the bed and he was happy to stay there.

For as long as it lasts. We can always sell later.

The point of this little story is: Normally I look up products that I want to sell on internet by brand if possible. I never did any research about this kind of pet beds before I made a post about my friend's find on the Facebook page of the thriftshop. Still the next day I started to see advertisings as a washable dog bed available in various sizes about the product.

So just based on a photo. Not any text I typed. See here if you read Dutch. I do not like. AI should be your choice to use. This is forcing it on me where I don't want it.

Buddhist Woodcut

Three days ago late at night I found a 1960's retro egg shaped plastic rattan chair in front of my door. Too cute to leave, though obviously an imition and not even vintage. Looking it up I found they sell them currently as garden furniture which explains the rust on the frame that I have. But way cheaper than I had hoped for.

Never mind now it's in my house it's in. Hopefully I'll make around €10. But to make place I had to throw things out and I made random quick picks.

The chair looks like this. Though my frame is slightly different. And the colour is a blueish light grey. Pics to come.

First off the pink basket. It was in the way and started to show signs of wear.

Then a damaged wooden Buddhist woodcut. Found by my neighbour, in my house for years, finally listed 2024, found no interest whatsoever. I wanted to donate it to thrift shop, but it was too heavy and clumsy to bring it over by myself and I didn't want to ask them to come and get it if it would stay there forever. Back to the street it went. 

Third a close to one by one meter hocker tray with compartments. It was still usable but needed some TLC. Therefore never listed. Only used once, in 2020, to lock off the cat cradle for Marie and kittens.

You can't see it here but imagine. This my chair. Marie wasn't even my cat but decided to give birth in my place and it was a last minute choice where to let it happen. The chair seemed to be the safest place as actually she wanted to sit on me there. I hauled over my bed blanket because overnight she had been sleeping on in. Then closed the open front with the tray to prevent any kitten falling out. Next day mama and babies went to cat shelter, then to a foster home. Marie came back nurtured to decide by herself where she wanted to go. As of today she's still with us but lives upstairs with the Chef now.

It wasn't even bulk trash day but there was other stuff out already and then next morning I didn't look if anything was taken. The big truck must have passed by later on after all because all was cleared in he evening, so I'll never know what happened to the things but it's ok. I'm glad they are gone.

Hackman Cast Iron Pan II

Late December I was doing some cleaning in the upstairs apartment and on the floor, hidden under a low shelf behind my armchair I found our second Hackman cast iron pan. Same width, different model. Totally forgot about it. Most likely sold by the same supermarket at discount, discarded by someone who didn't need it after all, but really I can't remember finding it or when. So I asked the Chef what he wanted with it. Answer: don't need it. Because he prefers enamel inside and has a better alternative, that we bought. Equally around €30.

So I immediately took snapshots and listed it. They are not great but I thought whatever. Last Friday finally someone showed interest and I accepted the minimum bid of €10.

Fair enough because obviously the pan has been used and possibly the stains on the bottom are from times when we still had the gas oven. And that is over ten years ago. Unless it came like this. 

Glad to have another piece of history out of the way though space isn't really the issue upstairs. And most of all it will be used again.

Bamboo Chest Of Drawers

Today I put this in place of the sold hallway table. Taken years ago from in front of my door and ever since it has been holding book wrappings, it's good to have that organised, but the whole thing was taking place that I didn't really have. Happy to have it removed from my actual living space and in my tiny hallway it leaves enough space to pass and can be easily moved if needed to pass larger objects to take in or out. 

Scratches on the wall caused by an old chair out and a new one in late at night without having enough space... To show sooner or later. Well I must have some of that paint still. And hope it will be the last time to have to fix it.Today I put this in place of the sold hallway table. Taken years ago from in front of my door and ever since it has been holding book wrappings, it was good to have that organised, but the whole thing was taking place that I didn't really have. Happy to have it removed from my actual living space and in my tiny hallway it leaves enough space to pass and can be easily moved if needed to pass larger objects to take in or out. 

Painting in the back cheap mass product for thrift shop.

The thing is I have another one of the same chest but higher, having place for four drawers but one is missing. This is now hidden behind a chair I don't even use except for piling up mess and more 'stuff' in between, and I don't even know for sure what's in it. It must have been there for twenty years or more, so next step is attacking that situation, make empty and move it to the hallway instead and sell the better one. I'll still have the same three drawers for the materials.

The Amsterdam Dance Event

The Amsterdam Dance Event is a yearly leading music festival that attracts visitors from all over the world. Also our Dutch DJ's are famous worldwide and an appreciated 'export product'. Obviously the two things are connected.

Not being into this world at all, one because of age, two because I have a non-mainstream taste of music, I can't say I have anything against this form of entertainment and I'm proud of our success. If it's culture for who like it, it's culture that matters.

I found the book, published by ADE 'dedicated to the memory of Frankie Knuckles' in front of my door between school books that turned out to be not that old but still out of date. Even though new editions may not have (too important) changes, they wouldn't sell. They went to our big LFL.

Not having an ISBN or any other registration I couldn't list it on my book accounts, and I didn't find much at all on the internet either. No date of print or how or where sold. Or was it maybe a hand out to VIP's? Not known doesn't mean unwanted so I gave it a try on Ebay.

I listed it at totally free bidding. Big surprise yesterday, within three weeks someone ordered it as a birthday present for a die-hard visitor of the festival and offered €8. That's a good book price for me. If it was a collector's item for sure I would have found more info or a higher bid. 

I hope birthday boy will have a big smile on his face this Saturday.

Half A Table

I don't remember when I found this three-legged table but it was not so long after I moved the chest of drawers from my hallway to my kitchen to support my electric oven and cooking device. And it stayed there until I sold it this morning. Most likely designed as a hallway table anyway. It was waiting for me across the street and it served me well as a place to keep mail to be looked at later or to use as a counter for sold books or other smaller items for pick-up. I would have liked to keep it. Don't you love those turning drawers? But downsizing is a bigger priority now and I have another chest of drawers to put there that will serve the same function. On top that holds my shipping materials for books. Will show later when it's in place and out of my living room. For now a huge box is there waiting for trash night. Would love to bring it to paper collection but it's too much. Sorry Nature...

The customer also wanted this basket. Dragged home years ago as well, walking with it on the back of my bike. I wanted to use it at the thrift shop as a display for my unsold leftover handmade earwarmers that I donated. But bringing it home was so clumsy that I decided to not want the same hassle to get it to the shop. Sat in my storage for years until listed early this year.

It was a bit difficult to set a pick-up date with the bidder and it took two weeks but the wait was worth it. The friendliest happy young couple showed up, apologized more than once for the delay and left with a big smile. Apart from the €20 added to my account, that's what I do it for too.

Big Red Vase

This pretty huge thing was a find of my friend who brought it to me after we stopped the markets. Years ago. I forgot when. All his time it was sitting in an even huger protective box in my kitchen, that I kind of used as an extra table surface. I just didn't get around photographing and listing it. Now that I'm back into the flow of that it was one of the things to attack recently. Listed less than three weeks ago it was picked up yesterday. I only got €10, half of my minimum, but I gladly let it go. Happy with the regained space. It was of most likely Chinese make having traces of glass chipping at the bottom so not to worry about greater value.

Clearing Out

Three things listed less than two weeks ago out tomorrow!

Today, I had to pack these two bulky items in a box of limited size, partly because of shipping costs but also transportability for me. Actually I started late last night and I remained sleepless until I managed to get it done basically. Finally with not perfect, but good enough result I felt it was ok to send out payment request to buyer in th morning who paid tonight. 

I only have to finish it off now with some extra duct tape, as box doesn't completely close. I don't know if the anti-allergy quality was why it was ordered. But this is one of the duvets I wrote about here. 

And with 85 % feathers it's thicker than the other one. You'll see the difference with photo lower down.

But to finish this sale story, I sold that same basket, made of banana leaves in 2016 but it's somehow not in my admin, also never showed here before. This one brand new with tag 'Jinx' still on. There is record of one the same brand but in a square model.

    

I listed the 50% down German blanket earlier and had an offer from a local quickly. Only due to snow and icy roads pick up was delayed. We now have an appointment for tomorrow. From the contact we had I'm confident this person will show up.

To sum up: basket €5, one duvet €35, other duvet €40, €80 in two days. I'm a happy bunny. Plus place in my storage where things currently clogging my living space will move into asap.

But what are your thoughts on goose down duvets? I heard they take it from live animals who suffer terrible pain. I don't want them anymore. Currently I have a wool filled one, also from across the street and I like it.

Cradle To Cradle

I had a copy of the book, Dutch translation, listed since somewhere 2024 at only €1,75, following market prices as the number offered is large and demand seems to be low these days. As it was some kind of hype at the time and everybody had to have it. And the writers have been over here for lectures, bringing copies maybe as well. Now I wonder what has become of the revolutionary ideas of Braungart/MacDonough. Are there still followers? I didn't read the book but I recycle and reuse my own way. A couple of days ago it was ordered by a local who wanted to come pick it up at the door even though he had to come from across town. Save shipping and wrapping in accordance to the message of the book he said. I agree!

Due to the snow our appointment was delayed till this afternoon. Young handsome guy threw €3 in my hands remarking 'it's peanuts!'. Naturally with shipping costs it would be almost €4 extra so he had a great deal. It happens more often that people don't ask for little change. But I never count on it (and people also pay on line at the door) and this was the biggest 'tip' so far.

Winter In Amsterdam

For once in a long time we already have over two days of snow and it's sticking. Makes lovely pictures and happy children, but at my age I struggle walking with groceries and then on top I had to go to the thrift shop for my shift today. My bike stays where it is until I feel safe to ride it again. Do you spot it? Bottom middle half behind a bush, seat and bag covered in snow.

I planned to list another down duvet today but I felt too wasted. Luckily book sales were good. Two orders today! 

To wrap the books of course I don't buy flat boxes or envelopes. Any strong kind of paper I can find is good. From old posters to even suspension files. Large paper grocery bags are great because the paper is a bit more flexible. I cut them apart to make a sheet that is usually good for two books.

When making space for the central heating maintenance I also found a shopper full of luxury smaller customer bags. Probably collected by some neighbour for years, then left on the curb. I took them years ago to use at the markets, but since my friend and I stopped it had been sitting there. And now this is how I use them up.

 

They happen to be just the perfect size for pocket books or the not too thick paperbacks. Just shove in the book leaving bottom flat on one side. Cut off handles. Staple open side, cover with tape for security and protect fingers of postal workers.

Back side tape over flat lying bottom.

I don't mind doing the extra work of folding around flat sheets of paper, but this is really quick and easy while I have this stock and it looks slick!

Bath Towels

Whenever I find good clean undamaged towels of whatever kind, tea towels, big or small bath towels, the happiness hormone starts working in me. That sounds opposite of who I want to be, a simple living person. But hey, we can't completely change where we came from, and my artistic mother taught me to appreciate good fabrics.

This set of five came together with two down duvets. Three huge bags of textiles in front of the door late at night, in the dark hard to see what all exactly was but I smelled freshness. Where the reason in me said 'no place', the real me said 'don't leave great textiles'.

I managed to push the duvets into my little storage. One listed by now and in negotiation with buyer.

But I unpacked the towels next morning. And found a pretty matching set of five, washed but still in good as new shape. An unusual mirrored design in dark and light grey. 'Oh, for me' said the I want voice. 'You've got bath towels you don't even use', said reason. I want replied, 'we'll get rid of some of the older'. Then we looked together and couldn't decide. Because there are no bad ones there. Even though it's mainly a mishmatch there are some pairs of two. But not good enough to sell but yet a pity to bring at kilo price to the recycling center. And recently I had already sent two or three less favourites upstairs, to replace some of the really torn up ones of the Chef there. I added my loot to the pile, ending conversation with myself with 'we'll see later on'. 

Three months after I had not used one of the new and had to move pile (on top of my washing machine) for central heating boiler maintenance. So many days later not even moved back. Then, with my self imposed obligation to list new items for sale at least every other day I was looking at it and decision was made.

It went fast! Today, in less than two weeks someone offered under my price, but I decided to let go. It means I sold even under what I would price for at thrift shop, but it was an experiment on this kind of product, and I also wanted to have my sale of the day and get rid of the load. 

This morning I dug up a new tea towel from a box that had been sitting in my hallway for a week. To keep! I can never have too many of those, because they do wear out. And ones with little holes go upstairs, since Chef uses them as dishcloths as well.

Bad Trash Behaviour

This electric or convection heater looks brand new. It was not out on trash night but in broad day light on a corner with a glass container nest to to regular trash underground bin. Comparables sold at Dutch shop (but owned by A.S. Watson) Kruidvat but with brand names like Auronic or Tristar depending on size from €31,50 (mine) to €18,00 for the smaller one. Would have been a pretty good thing to sell this time of the year even if without a brand. But the thing is dead. A Monday morning product. Maybe it's just a little contact somewhere but I don't know how to fix it. I do the inventories for Kruidvat and see the stuff in backrooms brought back. Every one in so many of such (Chinese) cheap makes is useless.

Just puzzles me. If I pay for something that is not working, it goes back to the shop. But otherwise, if I'd have too much money, I'd cut the cable off at least to make clear it's broken. 

Never mind for me this is still e-waste money, but the weight is minimal it won't make me much. But apart from that it will prevent someone else's disappointment.

Crocs Boots

I sold a pair of Crocs as long ago as May 2017. Looking back now maybe I didn't ask enough, on the other hand prices but also minimum wages have gone up a lot in the past three years. 

Anyway when I pulled this pair out of a bag I thought let's see and go for max first and asked €20. When someone offered 15 yesterday morning I was happy to say yes. Deal was closed during the day and box is packed ready to ship tomorrow. Nice way to close the year!

Happy and wonderful 2026 to whoever reads my blog!

Downsizing On Dress Dummies II

Here she goes, the one to many not even to try to resell.

I left her just before midnight in bulk trash across the street. I woke up too late this morning to check if she was taken before the big truck came. Never mind. She had weather spots from standing outdoors years ago, and the beaded fringes had kind of yellowed from standing inside uncovered for too long. There was no way of cleaning that up.

I'm happy with the empty space.

Minimalist Cooking

This is my current cooking equipment.

Bottom to top: Chest of drawers formerly lining my hallway. Contents, mainly shoes partly retrashed, brought to thrift shop, otherwise found other places. Still needs that paint job. 

Mini oven. Found months before I needed it across the street and was waiting on top of the chest still in the hallway. I didn't test it but somehow it looked good. It's not a beauty but turned out to work fine! Stains on top are paint damage. Great to warm up sausage rolls and other small things that before I wouldn't heat up the gas oven for.

An electrical two-burner camping or table cooker. I bought it as an emergency in 2015. Chef's brand new state of the art electric stove arrived on a Friday, him and neighbour Freek enthousiastically brought his old totally unsafe of cheap Chinese make gas stove (given to him by a neighbour 2006 or so) to the street already. But to connect the new one adaptations in the house had to be done and I couldn't get the technician until Monday. The light weight device was cheap and good enough to warm up things for us over the week-end and make coffee. I spent the money with this in mind that my own old 1960's Etna was still working well enough, but it had a 'user maual', and badly needed a new gas hose, but I was reluctant investing in that. In the end getting tired of always turning on and off the main gas switch I took the new two-burner down and put it on top of the shut lid of the stove. Oven only for storage.

Until one morning, and I don't know how this happened overnight, my Etna had sunk through its front legs. Never thought about fixing it, I wheeled it out on my dolly (also see chest in my hallway here) first trash night, installed my mini oven and this is all I need.

Pan on top a recent find. A bit higher than my regular 20 cms, great for half liter soups that need mashing. Lid is a separate find that came by itself, turns out to be more practical than the original one.

Chest now stores more frying and other small pans than my oven did. And space for all my cutting boards!

Our Free Library II

Before the mysterious disappearing of one of the racks of the most social free libraries in my neighbourhood, early April this year one morning the shelves were almost completely empty.

I didn't show the other location yet, double sized under a historic bridge shelter and it had big empty spaces. And I heard even books had been taken from other neighbourhoods.

To this day nobody knows who or why. Speculations were it could be for selling on King's Day market. Formerly Queen's Day. Possible, but my idea is that the amount taken was too big for that. Even if they had managed to sell a third, what have they done with the leftovers? More plausible is that someone needed a quick supply of books to fill up a market stall or shop. But what a lame way to do so.

Sure I take books there for my internet shop. But never more than five at once, normally one to three, and not every day. And I pick out the titles that are really scientific or otherwise not interesting for the passer by. Chicklits and thrillers don't go anyway. But I make students and young managers across the country happy with what they look for at a reasonable price. Sometimes titles are rare and not available new. My profit is the fee for passing them through.

Both free libraries filled up fairly quickly again, partly with the help of the thrift shop.

The bridge location even made it to the national newspapers! Well, with six racks covered from rain it could be the largest one int the country. And I have that at 300 meters from my front door.