View Full Version : Second hand market
I am in the process of downsizing and trying to sell a lot of my stuff. I am discovering that so many baby boomers are unloading their stuff too that the market is saturated. Some resale shops are no longer even taking Waterford and Lennox!
I used to be able to sell just about anything on eBay. Now I can hardly give the stuff away. I took a lot of things to an auction house - sold about half and didn't make much, but it was better than nothing.
I had a few Longaberger baskets. Those were hot items in the 80s and 90s. I didn't get much for them. So I searched eBay to see how many of them are listed and as of today there were over 17,000!
Has anyone experienced something similar? When we were clearing out my MIL's house a few years ago, we couldn't sell much of her stuff either. And she had a lot of nice vintage and antique items.
iris lilies
7-6-17, 9:57pm
We have had many, many conversations about this exact topic. There is no market for "old brown furniture" meaning antiques that people my age and older once collected. Formal dinnerwareis not popular at all.
One time in recent months I surreptitiously followed a young couple around an antique mall because I wanted to see what they were looking at. They were such odd birds, everyone else in the antique mall is my age. Young people like industrial items, things like metal shelving.
I don't mind it because I don't have tons of collectible stuff that I plan to sell, and if there is something I like now it's reasonably priced. I have said many times Here that now even I can afford 18th century furniture. It's unlikely I will go out and buy a chest of drawers from the 1780s, but I could if I wanted to because it is now affordable.
Longaberger items are manufactured collectibles and there is never much of a market for that kind of thing.
mschrisgo2
7-6-17, 10:16pm
Yes!
I have been steadily downsizing for about a dozen years. I've gone from a 1200 sq ft 3/2 house, to a 750 sq ft 1/1 apt, to a small house -> about 550 sq ft, plus wrap around deck and nice sized yard (this one I own! and Not "with the bank" lol).
I gave up on trying to sell furniture, and focused instead on finding people who can use it, for free, and last 2 pieces are finally gone.
My cupboards and shelves are too full, so I am in the process of culling; that stuff will go to "Circulation Day" at my church in a couple of weeks.
I have china that I would love to sell, but there is absolutely NO market for it so it sits in boxes in the corner of my bedroom.
And, I have way too many books! I was happy to have them to read in the long rainy winter this past year and I know I wont read them again, but! I'm finding I can't even give them away!! I was routinely donating books to the library for their semi-annual used book sales. Now they say they had so many left over that they aren't accepting any more!
And the great children's literature that I was hoping to donate to my school/district as I was retiring last month -- they didn't want any more books!! The district librarian told me, "No, thank you. I've just finished throwing away half of what was in each library."
Yes, disposal of excess stuff is a huge problem, especially if you try to do it responsibly. And forget about selling anything.
A year ago, I spent a lot of time trying to sell furniture and stuff before we moved. No one wanted a lot of it. I ended up handing over what I couldn't sell to my neighbor who ran estate sales since the house sold and we had to empty it out. I will never know what he did with all that stuff but he sent me a nice check afterwards. You can only grieve so much over all the things that once had value. Now, we are just replacing what we need using craigslist, i.e. buying used except for a new mattress. I no longer feel attachment to stuff after going through that ordeal.
ToomuchStuff
7-7-17, 1:19am
Yes.
Dust catchers sold as collectibles (the baskets, hummels, precious moments, etc. etc. etc.). As well as the old china, crystal, duncan phyif (or however it is spelled) furniture and in the last decade or so, the oak furniture.
Antiques seem to be something that the younger generations have about as much interest in, as they do getting a car at 16.
if there is something I like now it's reasonably priced. I have said many times Here that now even I can afford 18th century furniture.
Iris lilies - I know exactly what you mean. As I look through second hand stores, I see so many items I longed for when I was younger and couldn't afford them. Wedgwood, Waterford, Lennox, Ethan Allen furniture, etc. It is cheap and plentiful now, but I no longer desire them.
I see this trend, and I have almost always lived in small spaces so the appeal was not there. I do have some antiques, they are small sized pieces that make me happy and I have had for a very long time. But people have been trying to pass down formal dishes to me for years and I have been saying no, thank goodness.
We got mom set up with Ethan Allen arrangable room plan units for probably less than $30 a piece. Her whole apartment was less than $800 and it looks great. Will outlast her and me.
Used auctions, estate sales and craigslist.
I told hubby for 30 years that mass manufactured stuff would not be "rare" and would only hold value thru the speculation cycle. Even stamps and rare coins went thru a huge speculative bubble. Much like real estate. So our motto is "when others think they will make a lot of money, get out."
I grew up surrounded by antiques, and have zero interest in them. Most of the stuff I have "too much" of consists of clothing and art supplies. Most of the books I've hung on to are arts/crafts books, for which there's still a market, I bet. You can find sellers' groups on Facebook--and probably other places--where people report on what sells and what doesn't. Fascinating stuff. Look for old $axophone$ in good condition.
The really nice antique and flea market I was in last year sold out...it's being remodeled to be a huge dollar general store.
I walked through a new flea market yesterday...noticed there were a lot of metal fake'tiques with made in china tags.
A guy came in asking about selling his wife's china. Guy behind the counter said there was no interest in China.
I did find a "weathered" shelf I was interested in for $10 its probably fake "weathered".
iris lilies
7-7-17, 10:37am
The really nice antique and flea market I was in last year sold out...it's being remodeled to be a huge dollar general store.
I walked through a new flea market yesterday...noticed there were a lot of metal fake'tiques with made in china tags.
A guy came in asking about selling his wife's china. Guy behind the counter said there was no interest in China.
I continue to be surprised at the number of people who think their "good china" is worth something. Why dont thet just use it?
Well, my modern fine china dinnerware has a gold edge that will be ruined in multiple washes in the dishwasher, so thats why I wont use mine dailey. But I still like it for special occasions.
My antique flow blue pieces are fun, I love them, and who knows maybe I will start using them daily some day. Rigth now I feel obligated to kind of preserve them because they are 100+ years old and fragile, but my collection is made up of random patterns that I find attractive so that kind of collection is not "valuable" even back when flow blue was hot. If it were a complete set of one pattern, that is the sort of thing that should be preserved for generations, one has an obligation to preserve something that rare.
Shabby Chic weddings in a barn are still a thing, and I think one can get rid of flowery china to brides who want to mix and match vintage chona. But you cant charge them much for it.
There are thousands of sets of "Haviland" ( I use the term loosely) sitting in basements all over the country be ause people are paralyzed at rhe thought of jettisoning them for no money.
Keep in mind that our children dont want our stuff but the grandchildren may find the stuff attractive. I guess thats what is happening with mid century modern items, grandchildren of people in their 80's are finding this stuff attractive.
My mom has a set of French Haviland that was her wedding present. I used to love that china. I keep thinking that maybe my granddaughter will find this stuff irresistible. I have primed her tastes with the Buffalo china Kenmore patternI just sent her parents:
https://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.eX-Trv3Nbw2mKvWUGfTYQAEsD5&w=229&h=190&c=7&qlt=90&o=4&dpr=1.25&pid=1.7
We shall see. . .
Absolutely. Who do you know who wants Lenox figurines, Lladro, Royal Doulton, Waterford, Hummel? None of my kids, that's for sure. We have boxes of it from my mother and MIL, and we don't know what to do with it. Seems a shame to when you can't even give it away. What do you do, trash it? The value of it was in the thousands of dollars at one point. Do you keep it in hopes that it fetches a fortune in the 2050 edition of Antiques Roadshow? I doubt that they will. None of these things will be rare enough.
Books are also hard to sell in the used book market. I posted a ton of them on Amazon and sold maybe two--for less than what it probably cost me in the time it took to package and send them.
Absolutely. Who do you know who wants Lenox figurines, Lladro, Royal Doulton, Waterford, Hummel? None of my kids, that's for sure. We have boxes of it from my mother and MIL, and we don't know what to do with it. Seems a shame to when you can't even give it away. What do you do, trash it? The value of it was in the thousands of dollars at one point. Do you keep it in hopes that it fetches a fortune in the 2050 edition of Antiques Roadshow? I doubt that they will. None of these things will be rare enough.
Books are also hard to sell in the used book market. I posted a ton of them on Amazon and sold maybe two--for less than what it probably cost me in the time it took to package and send them.
It is so interesting what our kids want and don't want. I am so surprised by what they spend on baby paraphinalia (sp) for example, like the jogging strollers, but then they got a dining room table on craigslist that is so darned ugly-- seriously, there are so many beautiful antiques and non antiques right now, and they got this ugly table with captains chairs, like something out of--I don't know, I was going to say the old West, but that's not right, either. And my dil does not own a tablecloth. So they definitely have different ideas than I did at that age. I wonder if it is the influence of video on people--it's all just a surface for a computer? I don't know; they are fantastic cooks and entertain, so it's funny they don't seem to care how things look.
This is an amazing coincidence, but after reading this thread I went online and googled "how to get rid of china" and there was a poster who said etsy has china on it. So I went to etsy and just searched for "china" and the FIRST thing that came up was MY Lenox pattern! At least I know I can get $40 for a few cups and saucers! https://www.etsy.com/listing/516876437/lenox-morning-blossom-set-of-five-footed?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=Lenox%20china&ref=sc_gallery_1&plkey=cf700189f4dc9628d0b9ec59f88767d0c07e0723:516 876437
1782
I think the pattern's pretty enough, but it's really more of a pattern that looks better in a hutch than on the table (and I don't have a hutch). My DH, the amateur chef, hates it because you can't present food nicely on it. The pattern detracts from the food presentation.
it's funny they don't seem to care how things look.
Tybee, I think their aesthetic is simply less formal and ornate. But it's true that they don't have the "hope chest" mentality that we did. I remember it being a real pre-wedding ritual picking out your china pattern. I think another cultural reason for that is, some come from having lived with each other so they either blended all their stuff already and don't feel they need it; they don't see any real need because they have "good enough" stuff and have earmarked money for other things like travel.
Good point, Catherine, about a different aesthetic, and travel as having very high importance. You're right about already having a household established, too.
I think I am going to concentrate on amassing jewelry to leave my dil and granddaughter. No one ever complained about inheriting jewelry, and it's fun to wear it in the mean time. Very small and portable. I was thinking about Old Indian Pawn bracelets as my next interest.
It is so interesting what our kids want and don't want. I am so surprised by what they spend on baby paraphinalia (sp) for example, like the jogging strollers, but then they got a dining room table on craigslist that is so darned ugly-- seriously, there are so many beautiful antiques and non antiques right now, and they got this ugly table with captains chairs, like something out of--I don't know, I was going to say the old West, but that's not right, either. And my dil does not own a tablecloth. So they definitely have different ideas than I did at that age. I wonder if it is the influence of video on people--it's all just a surface for a computer? I don't know; they are fantastic cooks and entertain, so it's funny they don't seem to care how things look.
I'm 50 and do not own a tablecloth. I do however make a lot of napkins (it's my therapy). I haven't bought paper napkins since '92.
Do you have placemats, Float, or just put the dishes right on the table?
I think it was the ugliness of their table that made me think about the tablecloth.
But I remember readingthis wonderful biography of a girl who was born in America and grew up in Nazi Germany and she said every day, after they were bombed the night before, their mother made them go upstairs and clean off the dust and debris and put a tablecloth on the table for that night's dinner.
I was thinking about Old Indian Pawn bracelets as my next interest.
Tybee - Can you tell me more about this? I was doing research on ebay before listing some of my Southwest jewelry and came upon that term recently. What is Old Indian Pawn?
BTW, my Southwest pieces sold quickly, so apparently there is a market.
We have an auction house nearby that holds sales every two weeks. They often have really beautiful things in excellent condition that doesn't sell. E.g. a beautiful wood table with 6 lovely chairs didn't get any takers even at $30. And LOTS of beautiful china with hundreds of pieces that nobody wants. Such a shame. I've gotten some wonderful wooden furniture there, well made and in excellent condition.
But I've also bought stuff at Ikea because it serves a very specific function and space and is light and easy to move.
Currently, I'm in the market for a round pedestal table for my very small dining nook. I'd like to buy something at the auction house before they go out of business (!) but the sets are just too big. I'm thinking of going with the Ikea Docksta instead: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40063632/ and I can buy some beautiful chairs at auction for it. I haven't seen any pedestals at the auction house, though I don't go very often.
We had a large Ethan Allen dresser and just took it to Goodwill and let them sell it. It was big, heavy, ornate and dark. I didn't like it. I think it was from the 80's. I do like the pieces from the 50's (I think?), they are the ones with very clean lines and simple design in lightweight wood. The color is usually brown but I just strip it and paint it a pretty light color.
iris lilies
7-7-17, 12:57pm
This is an amazing coincidence, but after reading this thread I went online and googled "how to get rid of china" and there was a poster who said etsy has china on it. So I went to etsy and just searched for "china" and the FIRST thing that came up was MY Lenox pattern! At least I know I can get $40 for a few cups and saucers! https://www.etsy.com/listing/516876437/lenox-morning-blossom-set-of-five-footed?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=Lenox%20china&ref=sc_gallery_1&plkey=cf700189f4dc9628d0b9ec59f88767d0c07e0723:516 876437
http://www.simplelivingforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1782&stc=1
I think the pattern's pretty enough, but it's really more of a pattern that looks better in a hutch than on the table (and I don't have a hutch). My DH, the amateur chef, hates it because you can't present food nicely on it. The pattern detracts from the food presentation.
Tybee, I think their aesthetic is simply less formal and ornate. But it's true that they don't have the "hope chest" mentality that we did. I remember it being a real pre-wedding ritual picking out your china pattern. I think another cultural reason for that is, some come from having lived with each other so they either blended all their stuff already and don't feel they need it; they don't see any real need because they have "good enough" stuff and have earmarked money for other things like travel.
Before you get too excited sister, find out if they are actually selling. That is a listed price.
Williamsmith
7-7-17, 1:09pm
Certain Pyrex pieces including primary colors nesting bowls, butter print Cinderella casseroles and glass percolators are bringing decent money. There are some niche categories like vintage Japanese made radios, 70's stereos with turntables and 35mm film cameras.....are also improving. China and large furniture is weak due to the weight and transport factors. In my area anyway.
Yes, I have noticed this. Glad I have never owned a set of china. I do have a few pieces of it that was MY grandmother's--and I use it! Use your stuff now, and wear it out. Don't worry if you break it. Cuz, what the heck, seems no one else cares.
My mom just passed away in May and her big overstuffed furniture (like new) is still sitting in her empty house. We couldn't sell it and none of us wants it.
As for the big brown furniture, I notice a trend among the millenials is to buy this stuff cheap, sand it down, paint it white then distress it. You might market it to them that way.
ApatheticNoMore
7-7-17, 1:17pm
Those are really beautiful green and white dishes Tybee. Beautiful. However, my actual dishes are Correlle :laff:, so I am not the market I'm afraid!
I haven't always cared what things look like either (though I don't mind my dishes). I call it simple living. I also don't travel much. I call it simple living :~)
Haha, IL. Yes, I realize that. I was pretty much joking
Teacher Terry
7-7-17, 1:49pm
The thrift stores here won't even take china cabinets because no one wants them. A friend of mine ended up giving away old china to a thrift store because it was so cheap on ebay not worth the effort. I ended up selling my curio cabinet that looked like new for 50 and I paid 200 20 years ago. I gave all the antique glassware and hummels to a husky rescue that has a thrift store. In my son's home they have 2 candles, a vase and a bowl as decorations and that is it. About 6 years ago we had a huge garage sale before downsizing and we had 40 boxes of books. 2 book dealers came and bought many of them. What did not sell went to a thrift store. I have had good luck selling furniture and appliances on Craig's list but it must be cheap. I also used offer up last time and I sold stuff that I was unable to sell on CL.
Good point, Catherine, about a different aesthetic, and travel as having very high importance. You're right about already having a household established, too.
I think I am going to concentrate on amassing jewelry to leave my dil and granddaughter. No one ever complained about inheriting jewelry, and it's fun to wear it in the mean time. Very small and portable. I was thinking about Old Indian Pawn bracelets as my next interest.
Along with antiques, we had a lot of old pawn pieces, too. Some of it reposes in my safe deposit box.
iris lilies
7-7-17, 2:02pm
We have an auction house nearby that holds sales every two weeks. They often have really beautiful things in excellent condition that doesn't sell. E.g. a beautiful wood table with 6 lovely chairs didn't get any takers even at $30. And LOTS of beautiful china with hundreds of pieces that nobody wants. Such a shame. I've gotten some wonderful wooden furniture there, well made and in excellent condition.
But I've also bought stuff at Ikea because it serves a very specific function and space and is light and easy to move.
Currently, I'm in the market for a round pedestal table for my very small dining nook. I'd like to buy something at the auction house before they go out of business (!) but the sets are just too big. I'm thinking of going with the Ikea Docksta instead: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40063632/ and I can buy some beautiful chairs at auction for it. I haven't seen any pedestals at the auction house, though I don't go very often.
We had a large Ethan Allen dresser and just took it to Goodwill and let them sell it. It was big, heavy, ornate and dark. I didn't like it. I think it was from the 80's. I do like the pieces from the 50's (I think?), they are the ones with very clean lines and simple design in lightweight wood. The color is usually brown but I just strip it and paint it a pretty light color.
Please consider buying a old round pedestal table, an antique. Save it feom the landfill! And then buy chairs separately, perhaps modern ones.
I am not sure what "too big" means but you can find 100 year old tables that are 40"ish in diameter that are beautiful.
I love my civil war era table so much, I get veeklempt when I think about it. It is, at its basic layput, about 42" in diameter, and then it has many leaves that expand it out to seat 10 people. It has a beautiful skirt that prevents very tall people from sitting comfortably because it was made for small mid-Vctorian people, but DH and I are short, so that is ok.
Teacher Terry
7-7-17, 2:04pm
when we were young and our kitchen was small all the round oak dr tables were too big. Then we found a bar table that was perfect. It was round, oak etc but just smaller in size.
I mix my 1927 oak table with my 3 dollar plastic school chairs, which I spraypainted gloss white, which now look kind of like this:
https://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.RUjgZn1cyCjWKD9K5ch2XwEsEs&w=207&h=207&c=7&qlt=90&o=4&dpr=1.25&pid=1.7
So you can certainly mix these elements very handily, but I too would go for the oak 20's pedestal table, which are lovely.
Okay, I just looked up the docsta materials, which are as follows:
Table top: Fiberboard, Acrylic paint
Leg: Reinforced polyamide
Mounting plate/ Inside leg: Steel, Pigmented epoxy/polyester powder coating
So I think recycling a 20's table--you can paint it white--might be the environmental winner? Only problem is it is heavy!!!!!
I mix my 1927 oak table with my 3 dollar plastic school chairs, which I spraypainted gloss white, which now look kind of like this:
https://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.RUjgZn1cyCjWKD9K5ch2XwEsEs&w=207&h=207&c=7&qlt=90&o=4&dpr=1.25&pid=1.7
So you can certainly mix these elements very handily, but I too would go for the oak 20's pedestal table, which are lovely.
Okay, I just looked up the docsta materials, which are as follows:
Table top: Fiberboard, Acrylic paint
Leg: Reinforced polyamide
Mounting plate/ Inside leg: Steel, Pigmented epoxy/polyester powder coating
So I think recycling a 20's table--you can paint it white--might be the environmental winner? Only problem is it is heavy!!!!!
I LOVE that style chair. When my son got his apartment I tried to talk him into buying that style but he said it wasn't for him.
It is so humorous to me how young people flock to anything labeled mid-century modern. I grew up with it - a Jetson's purple vinyl swivel chair, curtains with an atomic ring design, Scandinavian teak, triangle shaped coffee tables, rya rugs etc. Since we are mostly starting over with furniture as older people now, I am sticking to solid wood - old or new. I recall how hard it was to sell our 90s entertainment center after having paid what we did for it. Some guy finally gave us $35 for it and said he was reusing the wood in it for a project.
ApatheticNoMore
7-7-17, 3:32pm
I recall how hard it was to sell our 90s entertainment center after having paid what we did for it. Some guy finally gave us $35 for it and said he was reusing the wood in it for a project.
hmm seems to me it might make decent storage for books and other things one might store (although it depends on the layout, if it's meant to highlight a t.v. less so ... big painting in the middle instead?). Yea it assumes one owns paper books. Storage per se is often of some use though, and some entertainment centers are really just storage.
Teacher Terry
7-7-17, 3:36pm
WE have our armoire that used to hold our tv in our bedroom filled with other stuff now. We kept it as it matches our bedroom set and provides storage space.
Entertainment centers are usually a problem because of depth. They are far deeper than regular storage requires and stick out into the room taking up a lot of floor space. However, if shelves can be added inside or rolling drawers, they can be useful.
I'd be happy to buy a wood pedestal table but haven't seen much available. The weight is a factor though. We will need to be able to move the table to accommodate more than 2-4 people and to paint walls, clean, etc. Pedestal is pretty popular, even Pottery Barn has it and it's expensive so I don't think I'll find much in the bargain pricing. Most of the tables at auction are oval or rectangular. Now, most ovals can be downsized to a round but they don't have the pedestal base. The auction house has gorgeous chairs though! All kinds of styles. My dining nook is small and kind of dark so I want very light furniture (visually and physically) to avoid giving the space a heavy gloomy look.
I do find that older pieces are not as easy to live with. E.g. the dressers have lots of useless little drawers. But the new pine ones at Ikea are big and roomy to hold everything you need in one unit. And they are light! Easy to move, etc. I have this one and I love it. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/hemnes-drawer-chest-yellow__0395086_PE563705_S4.JPG
Dh and I each have our own and it holds everything!
It is so humorous to me how young people flock to anything labeled mid-century modern. I grew up with it - a Jetson's purple vinyl swivel chair, curtains with an atomic ring design, Scandinavian teak, triangle shaped coffee tables, rya rugs etc.
Very true. The Danish/Scandi stuff at auction sells for big money.
Geila - Wow! I never thought I'd ever buy anything from Ikea, but I love the idea of lightweight pieces with clean lines.
Funny but we have never owned dresser drawers. Just some foot wide wire drawers inside the closet for socks and undies. Frees up a lot of space in the bedroom.
I recall how hard it was to sell our 90s entertainment center after having paid what we did for it. Some guy finally gave us $35 for it and said he was reusing the wood in it for a project.
How long ago was this? Don't most people just hang the tv on the wall now. Or just need a big flat surface to set it on? People on Househunters routinely gripe when they walk into a home that was built back in the 90's and has a designed in tv space because the space isn't big enough for the size tv's most people today want.
iris lilies
7-8-17, 10:47am
How long ago was this? Don't most people just hang the tv on the wall now. Or just need a big flat surface to set it on? People on Househunters routinely gripe when they walk into a home that was built back in the 90's and has a designed in tv space because the space isn't big enough for the size tv's most people today want.
Thats why I didnt cut a hole in the back of my 130 year old Victorian walnut secretary. Today is it wide enought to hold my flat screen tv, but at a point n the future it will be too narrow, and the cut in the back would Be for nought.
It is too bad, too because it would sit well in the perfect viewing space.
I loved that trend because you could just shut the damn doors and not look at the tv sitting there.
iris lilies
7-8-17, 11:50am
I loved that trend because you could just shut the damn doors and not look at the tv sitting there.
I suppose it is eye blindness, but I am now accustomed to our smallish 32 inch TV sitting on a pretty mid Victorian chest of drawers. I like the juxtaposition of streamlined black electronics and rich wood. We dont have many black box acutremonts such as sound bars and etc, so it is just the tv and a slim dvd player there. It is not cluttered with electronic crap, and this is the happiest I have ever beem with tv display.
Today's TVs are pretty unobtrusive.
So glad CRTs went the way of the dodo!
Today's TVs are pretty unobtrusive.
Some of them even look like art (Samsung "The Frame" TV (http://www.samsung.com/us/explore/frame-tv/)).
This whole thread reminds me of my first boyfriend when I was about two years out of college. He was very into all these grandmotherish dishes and clutter that all of you seem to be into. And even went into credit card debt for a big tv armoir thing that would probably not even hold a 32 inch flat panel tv, so would be totally useless in a home today. He managed to fill that armoire with about enough china to run a restaurant with seating for 400 people.
When we first started dating it was long before I had inherited my mother's starburst pattern Franciscan dishes that I love so much and use everyday. At the time I was still using a random assortment of dishes that I'd used all through college. (in my mind they still held food and were therefore perfectly fine...) I reluctantly agreed to go with him to the Pfaltzgraf seconds store and purchase myself some legitimate dishes. We got there and after wandering around for 20 minutes I settled on a fairly plain style and we set about looking over the stacks of plates and bowls in that pattern to pick the individual pieces that were the least imperfect. Since I lived in a small studio apartment in manhattan I only wanted 4 plates, 4 little bowls and 4 bigger bowls. Fifteen minutes latter I was satisfied with what we'd picked out and ready to leave less than an hour after we'd arrived. Apparently he had anticipated an all day excursion to the Pfaltzgraf store where we could bond over staring at dishes. In hindsight I probably should have taken that as a sign of our incompatibility...
mschrisgo2
7-8-17, 11:10pm
Geila, I have that same Ikea dresser (different color) and I love it, too! Lightweight but solid wood, the drawers have full height sides, and roll sooo nicely!
I advertised used, empty banker's boxes on NextDoor. The woman who came to get them this morning is the president of Friends of the Library! Apparently I got bad information from the library clerk. They ARE accepting books and she is staging them in her garage until sale time. She will be back Monday morning to pick up my boxes of books. How cool is that!
She also gave me the name and number of a local school administrator, so I am hopeful that my children's books can be distributed through her.
Plus I see that Amazon will buy 35mm film cameras, not for a lot, and its Amazon gift card, not cash, but I am seriously thinking about it.
Finally, I don't use the china because it is heavy, and I hate the very formal pattern. My parents gave it to me for a wedding present; my mother bought what she thought I should have, not what I liked.
(edited to add: I SO wish I had sold it 10 years ago when there was still a market for it!)
We have a 19" TV that is one of the old thick ones and is still going strong. Those babies were built to last! I'll be sorry when it dies because I don't think newer TVs are designed to last 30 years.
We never had china because we don't even have a dining room and we don't do formal entertaining. We have an eclectic mix of stuff I find attractive, including some old pieces from my grandmother's china set. This is our "primary" set of dishes. I'm a big fan of blue and white:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ROYAL-STAFFORD-England-TULIPA-Blue-Rim-SALAD-PLATE-3-Av-XLNT-Flower-Earthenware-/172748054763?hash=item28389620eb:g:7WkAAOSwImRYNym 3
iris lilies
7-9-17, 9:16am
Geila, I have that same Ikea dresser (different color) and I love it, too! Lightweight but solid wood, the drawers have full height sides, and roll sooo nicely!
I advertised used, empty banker's boxes on NextDoor. The woman who came to get them this morning is the president of Friends of the Library! Apparently I got bad information from the library clerk. They ARE accepting books and she is staging them in her garage until sale time. She will be back Monday morning to pick up my boxes of books. How cool is that!
She also gave me the name and number of a local school administrator, so I am hopeful that my children's books can be distributed through her.
Plus I see that Amazon will buy 35mm film cameras, not for a lot, and its Amazon gift card, not cash, but I am seriously thinking about it.
Finally, I don't use the china because it is heavy, and I hate the very formal pattern. My parents gave it to me for a wedding present; my mother bought what she thought I should have, not what I liked.
(edited to add: I SO wish I had sold it 10 years ago when there was still a market for it!)
Wow, great cooincidence in meeting up with the sorter and storer of library sale books. I just can't with that concept, in her own garage, dedicating that space, but good for her.
iris lilies
7-9-17, 9:17am
We have a 19" TV that is one of the old thick ones and is still going strong. Those babies were built to last! I'll be sorry when it dies because I don't think newer TVs are designed to last 30 years.
We never had china because we don't even have a dining room and we don't do formal entertaining. We have an eclectic mix of stuff I find attractive, including some old pieces from my grandmother's china set. This is our "primary" set of dishes. I'm a big fan of blue and white:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ROYAL-STAFFORD-England-TULIPA-Blue-Rim-SALAD-PLATE-3-Av-XLNT-Flower-Earthenware-/172748054763?hash=item28389620eb:g:7WkAAOSwImRYNym 3
I love your main china pattern. Blue and white, always a winner with me, and floral botanicals is a big score.
If you like blue and white china, you'll love Calamityware. I do.
Not for the faint of heart, or the frugal, either one.
https://calamityware.com/collections/plates
Closeups here: https://www.pinterest.com/calamityware/calamityware/?lp=true
iris lilies
7-9-17, 11:09am
If you like blue and white china, you'll love Calamityware. I do.
Not for the faint of heart, or the frugal, either one.
https://calamityware.com/collections/plates
Closeups here: https://www.pinterest.com/calamityware/calamityware/?lp=true
Omg, that is funny! I may just have to buy a serving piece.
edited to add: apparently no serving pieces. Just as well, a platter would be $175 ish
rosarugosa
7-9-17, 12:46pm
Oh no Jane, why did you show me those? I'm in lust!
At first I just thought, ho hum, nice, looks kind of like blue willow, but then the word "pirates" caught my eye for some reason and I took a closer look. That stuff is just absolutely wonderful!
Oh no Jane, why did you show me those? I'm in lust!
At first I just thought, ho hum, nice, looks kind of like blue willow, but then the word "pirates" caught my eye for some reason and I took a closer look. That stuff is just absolutely wonderful!
I love clever people...
rosarugosa
7-9-17, 12:59pm
Especially the delightfully quirky ones!
Teacher Terry
7-9-17, 3:11pm
Rosa: that china is beautiful. I love Polish pottery but it is too expensive here. It is cheap in Poland but then super expensive to ship. I bought a few accent pieces but that is it. I have good dishes that I like and got on sale super cheap a number of years ago. I also was able to pick up additional plates and bowls at goodwill really cheap.
I used to love, love, love Wedgwood in my 20s & 30s, but could not justify the cost. Now it is cheap and plentiful and I can have all the Wedgwood I want, but I no longer want it. I am selling the last piece I have (I picked up a few piece on ebay many years ago).
I feel like camping is a metaphor for my life now. I want to travel light and without breakables.
happystuff
8-5-17, 10:20am
Wonderful thread! I know it's older, but it is very timely for me. I've been decluttering and downsizing the house contents for many years now. Last huge accomplishment was a year ago when the attic got emptied... and it is STILL empty!!!
I've got several furniture pieces listed on the local Letgo and managed to sell the big, clunky This End Up Furniture. It wasn't for a lot, but it went to a good home and I feel "free" of it. Just replaced the couch with a smaller love seat and am looking for other seating, but am in no rush.
Kitchen table is next on my list as, I too am looking for a smaller, round, pedastal table for the kitchen. Also trying to repurpose various furniture we already have for other uses. i.e. get rid of tv stand and use corner shelving instead (need to work out measurements - lol)
Anyway, love the ideas and comments. Thanks for sharing.
iris lilies
8-5-17, 12:23pm
Wonderful thread! I know it's older, but it is very timely for me. I've been decluttering and downsizing the house contents for many years now. Last huge accomplishment was a year ago when the attic got emptied... and it is STILL empty!!!
I've got several furniture pieces listed on the local Letgo and managed to sell the big, clunky This End Up Furniture. It wasn't for a lot, but it went to a good home and I feel "free" of it. Just replaced the couch with a smaller love seat and am looking for other seating, but am in no rush.
Kitchen table is next on my list as, I too am looking for a smaller, round, pedastal table for the kitchen. Also trying to repurpose various furniture we already have for other uses. i.e. get rid of tv stand and use corner shelving instead (need to work out measurements - lol)
Anyway, love the ideas and comments. Thanks for sharing.
damn straight that empty attic a year later is a BIG deal! Good for you.
For 20 years most of our basement had a dirt floor. I kept little down there, dH piled lumber amd metals to the ceiling. It was a wreck. Then, we poured a cement floor, spent $$$ on industrial shelving, and became clean and organized basement homeowners! That lasted about two year until I adopted a hobby that uses lots objects (floral designs.) If it is free and unusual, the object is even better. I had resisted this hobby for years because I knew how quickly it would fill my basement. Well, now I am there.
IL , You made me laugh. We just cleared out space under a porch next to the basement...wood and wire. The garbage people took it all!
Happy Stuff, Congratulations on the empty attic. Ours is much improved from several years ago when I did 15 minutes at a time, then lots of trips to Goodwill. Now...filling slowly. We had the rooms in the house painted and I removed many things-to the attic. It's been almost 2 years and I've only gone up to get a few things, so I think it's time for another set of 15 minute Goodwill hunting!
damn straight that empty attic a year later is a BIG deal! Good for you.
For 20 years most of our basement had a dirt floor. I kept little down there, dH piled lumber amd metals to the ceiling. It was a wreck. Then, we poured a cement floor, spent $$$ on industrial shelving, and became clean and organized basement homeowners! That lasted about two year until I adopted a hobby that uses lots objects (floral designs.) If it is free and unusual, the object is even better. I had resisted this hobby for years because I knew how quickly it would fill my basement. Well, now I am there.
We also have an old stone wall and dirt floor basement. I pretty much refuse to go down there - lol. Dh and ds have workout equipment down there, so they go down, but I can only imagine what it looks like! I'm still concentrating on the rest of the house. We have lived here for over 27 years, so I keep reminding myself that I have at least that long to declutter it. LOL. Slow and steady wins the race - I just wish the stuff I'm ready to part with would sell... even for a few bucks. We do have another donation pick up scheduled for this coming week, so more stuff WILL leave the house. Just really would like some of the bigger things to go.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.