RSI Original Starter Roller Skates

I found this pair of roller skates November last year neatly placed on the curb on my way to somewhere, obviously meant to be picked up.

With really everything in not totally new but really good condition I thought I could get at least get a third of new price (around €180) and listed them even below at €50. But I already saw lower priced comparables then. But it was for a first try.

As you never know, but no chance. A few days ago after non response the ad had expired and I gave it a second try at €20. This morning someone offered €15 and I gladly accepted.

Pricing quality products like this is trial and error. At the thrift shop we have a big shelf full of skeelers, roller skates, and ice skates that in general go for not much more than €5. The demand for second hand seems to be low, people who can afford it buy new. And for short use? I think I'm lucky with what I got and happily boxed them tonight. And another big box out of my house! 

Last Dress Dummy Sold

This morning I finally managed to sell my probably 100 year old dummy, that was in a corner of my room for so many years displaying a fake fur coat that I sold at kilo price last year. But things weren't sure.

Here she is in full 'glory'.

Unfortnunately, late last night, stupid me broke off the already fragile part of the tripod, knocking the doll over coming home holding laptop and more, while I had placed her in my tiny hallway thinking that would be handy. Not...

These three pictures highlight the damage, but also the special shape and age of the body. They don't make them like this anymore and a European 44 can hardly be this slim. Obviously the model is 'corsetted'.

Luckily buyer still wanted to have the body. She was sure to find an alternative stand or base. With discount of course, but she didn't play difficult and still payed more than I would have accepted.

My impression somehow was that the woman, with a Dutch name, but veiled moslem style, needed it for a one time occasion showing a special dress. I would have loved to give the antique piece a longer future, but if after this it will land in the trash so be it.

Two others. one  trashed, one sold, I'm down with one, the best of all, and all I need for the occasional sale of clothing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Downsizing On Dress Dummies

In the past I've been thrilled to get curb found dress dummies or displays, but though I retrashed some I have too many. Time to sell.

I made an overview for myself. If you care look back with me.

2007: Card board male torso and a front part lady model. The latter a street market stall thing. I gave both back to the curb. I aleady have a sturdier male torso for the Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfigger polo's that I found earlier this year. Just can't find them. Stored away somewhere to keep clean...

2008: The first thing coming close to a real mannequin.

2009: I found a way to make it stand up on a pole. Somehow I only used it for my handmade scarves and didn't start selling clothing on line until 2016.

2009 earlier: A baby mannequin without hands. I really wonder if I should keep it. But the idea is to start on kid's clothes once I pick up knitting again. 

2016: The antique dummy, found by my neighbour Freek, probably had just come in then. In one piece easier to drag to the yard. There is an issue with the tripod though, so I had to be careful with that. I listed it, but had no reactions yet.

2017: The complete and intact version of the one found in 2008 also found by Freek. So far the one I used most to sell clothes and with fair success. But being the same construction I know the post could break off by dragging it around to much. But looking most attractive, second one to list, it sold quickly.

Strong iron foot!

The thing is Freek also found me an even better alternative. A more professional sturdy model on a wooden pole with an intact tripod. I forgot when but I had it for years. Just started using it now and I prefer the neutral cover over the blue decorated satin.

Next thing to do is to retrash the white satin dummy, including fan foot and rod. It won't be easy but selling is a no go. I have to continue downsizing.

Some Lamps And A New Market Season - And Clearing Out A Bit

Well you must think I’m a terrible blogger! It’s been months again. Now I’ve got some time left as my friend canceled our market plans for today. With two boys moving out she’s got other things on her mind. I wonder what her house is going to look like when they take out all the 'trash' she's collected for them over the years. I hope to clear out a bit more too. Sales are a bit slow as I've been lazy with listing, but I haul in selectively now and less than goes out. 

Here are some lamps I was happy to sell recently and earlier on:

A while ago I woke up to a message about this little lamp foot. Less than two hours later it was picked up. I like it when things go smoothly like that!

But it took almost a year, and not being very big I stored it on a shelf in my lounge where it really started to get in my way.

I had even more trouble getting rid of this retro ceiling lamp.

The oil lamp model is popular with vintage lovers, but I’m afraid the Seventies colours just didn’t appeal to anybody. Listed October 2015, sold June 2017… That was one big box out of my storage.

On the other hand this chandelier was out, early last year, within two months. To my surprise because it wasn’t in great condition. First, it was really left for trash, covered in dust and cobwebs with broken bulbs still in the sockets. I took it home because the model is sought after.

After cleaning it I found rusty bits, the yellowed plastic candles were crumbling at the edges and most of the gold plate shine was off the brass. Somehow it appealed to a young lady who paid a very decent price. Thank god, as the clumsy shape didn't fit anywhere and I had to keep it in my bedroom!

Talking markets again here are some items that didn’t go out on line over winter but sold in April at our first event this year:

A diet recipe book in Dutch translation.

Incomplete set of wooden bricks. Practically gave them away to a six-year old who paid from her pocket money for her three-year old brother.

One straw party hat in our flag's colours. Days before the national Holiday I thought it would be a good idea to bring them along.

A dull French Seventies salad bowl.

Plus all the things I never deemed worthy of photographing. 

So though it was sad we couldn't go today, I filled the one nearly empty market bag with random picks from shelves, cupboards, the yard and even my floor. Restored away I'm ready for the next market and the mess alreay out of sight. Then I had time to list a recent find, and to make an appointment for a sale at the door:

As I woke up to the message I could pull this large candle tray straight out of the market bag, then after my friend's call I made the appointment and it was gone before noon. Not a bad day after all!

My Sewing Box

The Man brought this home for me around the millennium change, after I had announced that I was going to work less and craft more. Found somewhere along his route to a shop. I remember seeing the square fold-out boxes in the Seventies, but we never had one at home. I think my mom hated them. I have to say I agree, but those were possibly copies and this one is almost antique and I did like the legs. They are in the same style as my vintage dresser.

I sold the thing in 2015. I knit and crochet more than I sew and it got in my way. The contents easily fit in a drawer. It hurt a bit to sell a gift that at the time meant to say he accepted the change to living with less money, but I haven’t missed the object once. I’ve got so many pretty curb finds to keep!