Friday, April 30, 2010

Sorry I've been AWOL this week




Life does sometimes get in the way of blogging.

But I have had a little time to junk and wanted to share a few fun finds with you.


Above, the pic is not any good, but I got this wonderful metal rusty retro cabinet with shelves inside, and a great old green chippy sewing machine base. I usually pass on those, but this one was a beautiful chippy green.
Below, Now what am I going to do with 2 red tiller blades???? I've got no idea.



Below, this is a tree someone made out of old rebar and nuts and bolts
It'll be great for christmas ornaments


I had this item at the Gresham Sale, It's old rusty metal fencing made into some sort of garden art, maybe for a trellis. I just loved it.


This is agreat old base to a bird bath, boy is that sucker heavy. And 2 metal things, not sure what they are for.

DH wants to keep this bird house, needs a little repair, but it's great.


Today I found this box of old medicine viles painted by the lady having the sale. I'm going to make them into necklace pendants. More perfume bottles and a few other trinket items. An old clock vase and some junk jewelry.

Closer look at those glass viles. I love finds like this.

DH has me busy this week staining our deck and power washing pollen off of everything. So off to work I go.


Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Margo's Stuff 20% off at Our Little Corner (with red dot)



I'm Back, don't call out the national guard just yet!!!!!
It does feel good to be missed.

Announcing the first ever RoboJunker Red Dot sale at Our Little Corner

Everything in my OLC booth with a red dot, is 20%off (cash or check only)

Red dot items throughout

time to make room for new, old stuff

Through the end of April

So come on in and see what's on sale

Many other dealers have discounts and sales too, so get ready to shop.
See side bar for directions

Top picture is one of my etched mirrors, I love my new camera and the shots I can get.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Ode To Color....



It seems like every year at this time, the "color" gene gets turned on in my mind and I get on the search for brightly colored happy items to use and display.

Thanks to everyone who helped me identify the bag in the post below that I'm loving, but it is a bit too pricey for my frugal nature. I think Robelyn may have a solution for me, we'll see. In the mean time, here is some affordable color I've brought into my house this Spring.

Into the cupboard went most of my black and white items from my winter hutch display and out came the color.
Dishes above are from a retired Rosanna Inc Collection

Love these re-purposed soda glasses I got from Bachman's and behind them are retro dot glasses from Target

Gotta have a little junk so,vintage soda bottles fit the bill with their colorful retro graphics

Fun color for working, Pencils and glasses from Michael's. Glasses are only 2.50ea and I need a pair everywhere.

Love this bag I picked up at a garage sale yesterday, Perfect for keeping my booth price marking stuff in

Love these fun oilcloth bags from Michael's only 2.00 ea

Outside there is no shortage of color, a vintage croquet set waits patiently for players.

Choleus ready to be planted. Perfect color for a shady area.

And this colorful display purchased as you see it from the nursery this morning.

Hope you have a little color in your world as we go from Winter to Spring.
Blessings,
Margo

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Another Gresham Barn Sale Find


In addition to the wonderful basket I found in the post below, the rant below. I also found this wonderful laundry cart at the barn sale.

I wasn't sure how I'd use it, and for now it's in my guest fun junk room, holding extra pillows and blankets.
I can think of many purposes for these wonderful canvas baskets on wheels.
Jodi always finds the coolest stuff.
*************************

Wow, I was so touched by all of your comments regarding my Ebay rant below. It's so sad that so many of us have had similar experiences. Ebay is a great idea, but something is wrong in wonderland and someone needs to fix it. Oh how I long for the good ole' Ebay days.

*****************************

One more thing, I'm in love with this bag from page 76 of the May BHG I just got in the mail. Anyone know where I can find it????

LMK if you have any info, thx, Margo
Bag identified as "Orla Kiely" by anonymous reader. Thank you.
Wow these bags are expensive!!!!!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

E B A Y is ruining my life-time for a rant




I've been selling on E*bay for over 10 years. Mostly with no problems. Yes the fees are getting higher, but I can live with that. Some things just sell better on E*bay so I'm willing to pay the fees.
But lately there must be something in the water because some of my
buyers have gotten very nasty.

I bend over backwards to make people happy. I work very hard to be fair in all business practices. I pack things carefully, ship quickly, and am willing to work with folks if they need time to pay. I spell out my policies clearly in my listing and follow set payment and listing rules.

Even with all of this, I've had a rash of neg and neutral feedback over the past month. Mostly with no communication from the buyer. Just boom- it suddenly shows up in my feedback.

Now E*bay says they've reduced my seller rating!
mind you, Most of my feedback is good, but these 2 negs and 4 neutrals out of over
1000 feedbacks have brought my rating down to
"below performance standards".

I think the reason for this is the new policy that sellers cannot leave neg for buyers. Only buyers can leave neg.

I'm usually pretty easy going, but this really hacks me off. I figure if I'm getting a low rating, with all I do to "make it right" then the ratings mean nothing. What they do mean, is that buyers are getting high and mighty, not reading listings and not understanding policies that need to be in place so that we sellers
actually get paid for our items.

A few things to consider when buying on E*bay
1) It does cost money to ship an item, The post office and other freight carriers have steadily raised their rates over the past years and we have no choice but to pass these costs on to buyers. If you want to return the item fine, but we cannot be expected to refund shipping charges that we've paid to a 3rd party.
2)If you are buying used old items, expect them to be less than perfect. Especially if the listing says they are.
3) If something is damaged during transit, give me time to make it right, before leaving feedback or making threats.
4) Handling charges include cost of packaging, cost of paypal fees, and listing/selling fees. We sellers are nickle and dimed to death.
5)Communication, communication, communication is essential to a smooth transaction.
6)Read the listing fully, many issues are covered there. ie how long to pay, shipping charges etc. Ask questions before bidding.
7)If you feel you've paid too much for an item, you should not have bid that amount. It was your choice, nobody twisted your arm. Don't, just not pay for it.
8) Remember this is a business for the seller. It's not personal, just business.
9)Negative feedback hurts. For me it hurts not only my business but my feelings as well. I loose sleep, and time when I get negative. As a people pleaser by nature, it goes against everything that keeps me going. Makes me want to hang my hat and give up.
10) there are bad sellers out there, but I'm not one of them. I promise.

I will continue using e*bay and holding my nose while doing so. I guess I've got to put on the nice nice gloves when trying to collect payments and deal with folks who don't like what they bid on, so that I protect my feedback rating.

Oh and in addition, they've raised their selling fees to 10% across the board. Ouch!!!!!

Getting down from soap box now.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

When is a basket a table??????




This is one of the items I got at the Gresham Barn Sale, I loved this basket's shape, and the part that folds out and in at the top. I think it was a ball basket for sports, but I'm not sure.

Now it's a side table. Old sign letters look great inside.

If you haven't yet, pop over to Ki's blog and see a great project for old wooden Hangers. This one has to go in my top 10.

Fun Soda Bottles



OK Break's over!!!!!

Even though I've been busy busy this past week, I always have time to stop by my favorite picker's places to see what they have found for me. This week I got this great lot of vintage soda bottles.

I love the graphics, so very retro
Cool! makes me thirsty for an old fashioned cold soda pop.

I'm still working on cleaning them, and I have a project in mind if I can make it work.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Taking a Little Break



But I'll be back soon. I've got to play catch up
Margo

Image from Deb & Dan's booth at Winnie & Tulula's

Thursday, April 15, 2010

This Ain't No Ordinary Barn!!!!!



Here are a few pictures from the Gresham Barn Sale. Sale started last night and will continue through Saturday. Ya'll come on out, there is lots left.

Beautiful display greeted you as you walked in, and realized,
This ain't no ordinary Barn.




The wicker chair and table above are sold
Jodi's got several of these bed spring wreaths.


The glider above is still available
as is the wonderful old sign below.


Many of these items are still there



Lots of outdoor stuff under the tent

Anyone need a saddle????
If you haven't made it out yet, you've got 2 more days.
Hurry, Hurry, Hurry

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

The Place to be Wednesday Night-Gresham Barn Sale


Updated info added to the bottom of this post

There is no better place to be tonight than the Gresham Barn Sale.
Preview party starts at 5:00

Here are few pictures to tease you, remember these were taken during set up
It will be Beau-ti-ful when you arrive tonight.



Isn't his a beautiful garden table
I


Home made soaps, great for Mother's day


Love the white this Spring

The Gresham Barn Sale Blog is having a contest, go to their site for more info
And...


This year, Jodi's daughter is getting started as the little entrepreneur with her very first lemonade stand , so come thirsty! Janie's cake served until their gone! Cookies from Cookiecrumbsyum, Jodi's sweet aunt's book for sale with her available to autograph it, soaps and candles from Essentially Naked, Margo's type letter pendants and TONS of other great treasures!
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