Vacuum Cleaners

Having the recycle center in the neighbourhood brings trash picking to a new dimension for me. Where before I looked for saleables, or stuff I need for me, now I can pick up a lot more and get rid of it straight away for cash, allbeit not much. And get rid of unsold stuff without much effort.

So today I went with two bags of textiles, cleared out of banana boxes in my bedroom. Most were cloths and I'm not even sure any more where from. Only two I remember buying at a discount over 30 years ago and if I hadn't used them by now I am not going to anymore. Pity, but.

The rest were mainly curtain coupons. Most likely my friend gave them to me and if she did, she found them on the curbs in her part of town. A few forgotten pieces of clothing I didn't care to keep.

The fun is that on the way to the shop, at a 100 yards or so, I found a (cordless) stick vacuum cleaner, of which the interesting electric part just fitted in my back bicycle bag, together wit a media box (digital tv-receiver). But there was also a printer that I couldn't take, so I decided to come back for it. Then I was in the shop and after cashing the textiles, before doing the e-waste I said, wait, I'm going for the printer around the corner, can you hold my stuff for a moment? As they tend to round down the weight it's more lucrative to have it all together and pay out at once. They are all very nice there so no problem.

So on top of €0,95 fot the textiles I had an additional 0,89 for trash that had never even seen my house!

Here's another vacuum cleaner that is going there soon. Found across the street years ago. It's a bagless model and it works, so I wanted to keep it as an extra to my still perfectly working AEG that was given to me. However, though being a Philips it may be an early model or so, getting any dust in I need to turn it to full power, which makes a terrible noise and scares me of the thing exploding or cause a power short cut. Otherwise dust seems to not want to pass the filter. I could take that out but then? To say simply I don't like it and maybe the previous owners for the same reason.

Fixing My Curb Found Jeans Over Again

Please note this is not a real tutorial, just showing some basic technique and if you're handy you get how I do it. I used to do this the same way by machine, which is quicker but harder to avoid folds and of course a home device doesn't go sideways which is sometimes needed. Workarounds possible but not easy. I now do this all by hand in front of tv to keep the Man company but spend my time usefully while he watches what I don't care about. I also found that the repairs last as long as. Pics from phone, so not the usual quality.

Pair of jeans here that I most likely found in 2015, but I don't remember exactly which lot. Vaguely remember a suitcase with four or more pairs that were a perfect fit, and being my tiny size that is special. I think this is one of them. I just love it so much I keep mending it. Others as well, but one of them, a stretchy one had to go because cuts in the bum area so wide they were beyond repair. Otherwise it's hard to find affordable pairs second hand that fit so well, and new ones I really can't afford.

Patches go on the back or inside with me and often in a different colour. Kind of creates a look of fashionable pre-cuts worn with dark stockings underneath.

Old patch over the knee has a whole in the middle and there's a new cut below. First action roughly put stitches over the new cut to keep it straight together. Instead of the arm of sewing machine I slide a large glass bottle into the leg.

Roughly cut new patch to fit over cut. Sew from bottom alongside seam, then left and right. And then cut off surplus fabric to fit on top side and stitch close to seam other side. Turn pants over and stitch alongside the cut to fix fabric onto the patch below.

Final result, with a smaller patch to fill the hole in the middle of the first patch. Barely visible! Left side below the fixing of the new cut.

This is the other already mended knee that is still okay. Cuts may become bigger and show more fabric underneath. If needed I will reattach.

Now who wants to spend over €200 for a Hugo Boss pre-cut?

Philips D 5420 Direct Drive Turntable

I found this over a year ago in front of my door, still looking for a working record player to replace my other, found in front of door, but that has a broken belt. Which I sewed together with some stitches! Image that, it works but it's not ideal. 

However, this machine, which is a direct drive, has a hick-up, the disk kind of jumps up every second or so. Besides that it's some special system that has an amplifier inside and I never tried out if that would work for me. End of story tried to sell it for parts or repair, but after 16 weeks no success. At the time I found one for sale on line in mint condition abroad. Probably the model has never been a big success. I decided it will go to recycling. Now that we have the Droppie shop in my neighbourhood it will make me a 20 cents or so. Still better than retrash it.

Brandnew Cat Litter Box

Don't look at the dirty floor: it's the Man's apartment upstairs. But the litter box is clean. So clean our Marie wanted to show her gratitude by sleeping almost a whole day in it!

Found in front of the door not long after Man's darling Pepe passed away. Pepe hated the roof so we got rid of that. But my new girls, coming upstairs more often after that spreaded the stones from the open box all over the kitchen floor. Soon I found this practically unused luxury model in front of the door. It even had a sort of grid on the bottom but we don't need it because we use the clump-forming litter. They don't even mind the door and I like the flip open half top. Helps to see quickly if cleaning is needed.

For reference here's Pepe, proudly sitting on the cat stairs from years ago. By now retrashed. The wood had become too rotten. You can see one step is outt already. My darlihgs of the time, Oskar and Cézar, long gone. But this brings back good memories. In the background here on the shed roof, Thomas, now 14 but still around.

Leonard Cohen Poems

 

Somewhere late 2017 I was lazy to take photo's and or wheather was too bad to go outside for it. I scanned the covers and backs or title pages of books conveniently at my desk that because of age could't be listed on the books website I used at the time.

Here's one example, there are more but currently I can't find the photo's as they are not in the normal camera list. Dear Leonard, I love his music, and I was happy to be able to save this old old copy for another fan at €2,50.

Isabel Marant 'Bobby' Sneakers

Only three weeks ago or so I came cycling home from an errand I saw a pair of shoes, not even in the trash, but neatly placed on the edge of the sidewalk a few streets away from home saying take us! I passed at first thinking, selling shoes can be iffy, but stopped in my tracks, went back and just dropped them in my bag for further inspection at home. Because they did look nice and could always be good for the thrift shop.

Big surprise to find Isabel Marant printed inside. A luxury shop that I work for sometimes to do their stocktake.

I found the model, still available in other colours easily by searching for heeled sneakers. My colour in limited sizes only available by a reseller at new price. And that is... €475! Only sign of wear on my pair was on one of the shoelaces.

I listed them €100, got 90 and quickly. I'm quite happy. What do you think? Mind you, the first owner could have bought them outlet which can be up to 40 % discount.

Anyway in all my years of selling curb find this is my best ever. After the lamp foot at €75 years ago.

Hema Christmas Tree

I posted about the box a while ago, decided to sell the content, a small christmas tree, after all. Because this time of year sure fire money for me. Listed November 10, sold today €5, quarter of new price. Forgot when I found it, but it was in front of my door somewhere earlier this year. See new product here.

Ordex Magazine Basket

This is a brand sold by Lidl, and it all costs next to nothing. Poor chance selling it on line. Couldn't find out how I lost it but finally found out on old paper admin I sold it on the last market I did with my friend, August 2018. Before in 2019 she had a hernia and burned herself holding a pan of boiling water. Then 2020 Covid came and there were no markets. Then she finally got retirement money from the government. And I was working almost full time again. And that's why I don't do markets anymore.

Got €1, good enough for what it is.

Foldable Storage Box

I still have this. Unsold after trying for a short period in 2018. The box is intact, but the surface shows wear. Possibly a cheap Action or other 'one dollar' store product and people expect perfection or will otherwise buy new for not much more.

Holding stuff now I didn't look at for years.  Decided to send it over to thrift shop this week. Too bad because I like it, but I shouldn't be needing extra strorage boxes taking place anyway. Will be a challenge to empty it, but transport will be easy as I can undo the poppers and make it flat.

Danish Silver Spoons

I found these early 2016 in a bag with other small kitchen utensils. Had them for sale for a short while but quickly gave up. Because the the chances of finding a buyer who'd take them for another guy named Luc were neglectable. They rested in my kitchen drawer ever since until earlier this year. When I found out that a collegue at the thrift store gets money for silver plate at a jeweller's if brought in larger quantities, I donated my set for the shop. Being hardly used and of heavy quality it must have made us a couple of euros.

1960's Rattan Table And Chair Set

I'm soon running out of things to show from the past. Something I can't find the photo's of, something I can't find how it sold. It will maybe come back along the way.

For now I dive deeper into the past. 1984, my first tiny attic apartment of my own in Amsterdam. I was a curb shopper at heart already, but still hesitant. Coming home from parents one Sunday night I couldn't resist this. I had seen the same in classmates rooms in my childhood. My room was left side of a narrow hallway. On the right there was storage for people from other floors downstairs. But at the end of the hallway there was a wider place by the front window. Where on sunny summer days in the afternoon I could sit in the sun. I placed my set there and then called it my 'terrace'. Of course this picture is an example, but I'm surprised it can still be found sometimes and is of Dutch make!

The set went with the Man and me to the next apartment, but after that I don't remember. But sure had it for years.

IKEA 365+ Mysa Duvet / Synthetic Quilt

I didn't really expect to sell this on line, and then with it wrinkled on the photo's, but I gave it a try. Quilts like these are fairly inexpensive but it turns out there's always the one person who can't afford the new price or for another reason doesn't care to choose for new, what you'd expect from most people if it comes to bedding. 

I was happy to sell mine €5 after four months. Surprised to find one almost the same (difference only the warming quality) currently on Vinted over €26. I wish them luck!

1970's TV Or Table Base

I found this in Fall 2016 in front of my door and despite the wear on the paint I thought it should have some value. The plank mounted on top was obviously done later. What was originally there is unsure, but I was convinced it must have been as special thing for a TV because I have seen those in my childhood, though a coffee table top could have been a possibility. It took almost a year but then it made me €22.

Little Tikes Yellow Toy Dump Truck

If I remember well I picked this sturdy toy up a few blocks away while cycling around in broad daylight. And it was still full of sand after being used on the beach. Easy to clean and one little boy happy I hope. Sold within weeks after listing €5.

The Other Painting By Erik Q.

In 2018 I blogged about three paintings, found by my neighbour in 2016, finally sold at a market two years later. Find the post here, photo's at the bottom. I thought I included this picture but I didn't. It's different, but clearly made by the same hand. And the only one fully signed! Alas I could't find out anything about Erik Q. from Almere in the Netherlands. 

So though I brought this 'Boeddha' to that market as well it didn't go. Finally over a year ago I left it at the thrift shop where it rested for a long time until one day I didn't see it anymore. I think I stuck €5 on it. If really sold that's my contribution to better social life in my neighbourhood.

IKEA Marius Stools

Sold today €4 the set. Cheap stools from IKEA. Not even comfortable to sit on, because of the holes. They look cute though and are practical for parties. Second hand available all over the place. New at the shop only €4,99 each. Taken from in front of the door two years ago or more, finally listed them early August. There were some people interested who I then never heard back from but never mind, I just had to wait for the right person who wanted to come over within hours and at a time I was home as well. Quite happy with this sale and a tiny bit more space in my house. Mind you picked up trash this afternoon...

Wilson Tennis Racket

Tennis rackets come in bunches at thrift shops. Even in our small one you cane surely find one at all times. Even though most are quality brand prices vary between €4 and 5. Perhaps professionals or skilled amateurs buy new ever so often. Looking up Wilson I see new from €50 to 150. I think I was lucky to find someone who needed a good racket for a clinic or try out lesson ready to pay €5 even if it was in seemingly perfect condition.

Found September 2016, sold within a month.

Winter Cap With Earflaps/Neckwarmer

Very nice but brandless cap, fairly good as new, with not only earflaps but neckwarmer 'built in'. But to be folded inwards for nicer temperatures. Label showing size, so not being a one size, it can't have been a too cheap thing. Elderly guy came for it. For cycling I think as I remember what he told me. €3. Found november 2016, sold January 2017.

Gero Zilmeta Stainless Steel Coffee Pot

I can't remember the find but admin says August 2016, and likely in front of the door. I saw one similar on Etsy that was sold €55. Claiming to be Art Deco. Mine was vintage for sure. It had some marks. I think €7,50 was a good deal. Sold March 2017.

Systyle Red Bag

Looking up Systyle bags it looks like they are on line only available wholesale, or at least you have to have an account to see prices. What I found on Amazon, Ebay or the likes are all very special shapes like mine. Like this one, bt that is not available anymore. From other things this shop sells I conclude the brand is not too expensive. So happy to be able to let it go €5. For my friend who picked it up in her part of town October 2016. Took a while, it went April 2017. By the way brandnew, unused.