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the memory of Frankie Knuckles' in front of my door between school books that turned out to be not that old but still out of date.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!