Another Venture

Just wanted to share with you another site I'm trying that I really like so far. It's called eHow. I've added the widget to the side of my blog. Basically, you write short how-to articles and you can earn money from people clicking on the ads that appear around your article.
I've read about other people making $200-$300 a month just from articles they've written. You can write the articles and then sit back while they make a modest amount of money. Spending some time promoting the articles also helps.
So far I've made less than $10..but it's working!! And the more articles you write, the more you have the potential of making. Obviously.
I need to add some pictures to my articles..but you can take a look at them and the site here.

Collecting Bakelite

As you can see from some of my recent posts, collecting buttons has become somewhat of an interest. Okay, that's putting it too mildly. I'll bump that up to an obsession.
When I come across a button stash and make it my own, my first thought is, are there any Bakelite buttons in here? Bakelite is an early plastic and highly collectible in its many forms.
Bakelite was used widely for game pieces, billiard balls, phones, jewelry, buttons and more. The later development of other plastics makes it sometimes hard to tell at first glance if an object is made from Bakelite or not.
However there is a fairly simple test and I wrote about it here:

How to Tell if Your Vintage Buttons are Genuine Bakelite

This test should work on any Bakelite item, not just buttons!

My First Swagbucks Reward!

I really thought I had written about Swagbucks before, but I guess not. You may have seen the Swagbucks search engine on the side bar of this blog and wondered what Swagbucks is all about.
Basically, if you search the web through their search engine, you can earn Swagbucks. Earn enough, and you can redeem them for prizes.
I'd heard from enough people who'd actually received their prizes, that I was willing to give it a try.
The results of the Swagbucks search engine are good, because they are by Google and Ask. The more searching you do, the more bucks you earn, sometimes 2SB or 3SB at a time!
And there's other ways to earn, recycling your cell phones or old video games, which I still want to try.
Today I made it to my goal(130 Swagbucks)so I could redeem my first prize, a $10 Starbucks card!! Pretty sweet, for just doing what I'm normally doing, searching the web. I'll let you know when I get it, to see how long it takes.
There are lots of other prizes and different gift cards. You can even get $5 into your Paypal account for 70SB.
Anyway, it's worth a shot. I've installed the toolbars on both my computers and have trained my husband to use it as well!!

Selling Buttons on Ebay

Well, as my button supply overfloweth, I thought I would also try to sell a few of my more collectible button finds on Ebay. And I learned a few things.
First, there are many button sellers on Ebay. Second, many/most of them are successful. This could definitely be a great niche.
However, my cool buttons didn't sell that well. I had a great blue celluloid button in the shape of a mum (see above) ...An identical one went for $12. Mine sold for $3. With one bid.
Another great buffed celluloid button. Didn't sell at all.

Here's what I think. I think button buyers on ebay are button collectors. You need to earn their trust. I'm selling all sorts of odds n ends on ebay. Knife blocks, kids books, silverware..etc..etc..Who am I? The button buyers will go back to the professional button stores/sellers who have shown they know what they're doing.
Well, I'm learning. And I've got lots of odds n ends I need to clear out and sell on Ebay. So I'm filing away the button niche idea. Maybe for the future. For now, I'll hang on to the Satsuma vintage buttons that I think are valuable...and sell my buttons slowly but surely on Etsy.

The Organizing Continues!

I managed to scrounge another organizer from my carpenter husband's workshop. This one I labeled by material. So now my vintage buttons are separated by color and what they are made of.
I've got MOP, leather, wood, glass and more!

Getting Organized

Ok, well my button collection is really taking over. My husband is threatening...well, things if I don't sell some. No, actually he's very nice. But the hints do get dropped. "You bought....more buttons?"
But I need to get organized so I know how to destash and how to share my extras with others!
So I found this handy-dandy organizer at the thrift store. And I used my handy-dandy little vintage label maker (also a thrift store find) to make my labels. Sorted a fraction of my buttons by color.
When a little bin fills up, or gets close, I can throw together a listing. Sounds like a plan.
I figure I only need about 14 more organizers like this. Well, it's a start.

Auctiva Changes Its Mind

The Only Free Auction Tools for eBay Sellers

So, I still do occasionally sell on Ebay. I do consignments for friends and sometimes there are items I need to move quickly. Not completely thrilled with the rise in fees and such, but what can you do?
I had been using Auctiva to list my items. Free photos, nice templates, a scrolling gallery and a way to track my consignors. Or is that consignees? I never remember.
Well they recently lost some affiliate income they were receiving from Ebay, so could no longer offer their services for free. They introduced a very complex fee structure that got everyone up in arms. (they better change their logo above!!)
I went ahead and switched to Seller Sourcebook. They were offering a 10% discount to "Auctiva Refugees". They had a flat fee per month. Sounded great. It was okay, I'm sure I just needed to get used to it. It was pretty slow..but I was starting all over.
Then I read today that Auctiva changed its mind!! They decided to go with a flat rate system!! YAY!
You can read what Jeff Schlicht, CEO of the Auctiva Corporation wrote here.
I switched back over, hoping to give them another chance...and hoping fees won't go up in a year or sooner! I like my fast listing.
You can sign up for faster and cheaper ebay listing here

A Trip to See the Tulips

Last week my family together with some friends hit the Skagit County Tulip Festival in Washington State.

I got some great pictures which I'll make into greeting cards. I usually just share my cards with friends and family, but I also sell them online in my etsy store: fishboneimages.

Speaking of this store, I don't give it enough attention. I don't know why I have a hard time promoting my creations...but have no problem talking about the supplies I sell. Lack of confidence I guess. I'll have to work on that!

So, enjoy some tulips and think spring!

Grocery Game Update

Ok..so I got the bad news that Albertson's will no longer be accepting other store coupons. (see previous post) Hmmm. This may affect my Grocery Game playing. I have a toddler and I love to only have to go to one store. *Sighs*.
Well the idea behind the game is still sound. Layer your coupons with sale prices!!
I'll keep you posted.

The Grocery Game

So I'm beginning to see the direction this blog is taking...not just gabbing about my online selling but sharing tips and thoughts on different ways to save money! And make money. (hopefully)
Today I went grocery shopping. Not my favorite thing in the world. But recently I discovered The Grocery Game.
Yes it involves clipping coupons and making lists. But the great thing...all the brainwork is done for you!! And I need all the help I can get.
The thought behind this site is to stock up on items when you can get them dirt cheap...and then you'll have them when you really need them. The Grocery Game provides a list of items every Sunday for a store in your area. (and the areas are growing) For me, that store is Albertsons. I have until Tuesday to get the best deals. That's because Albertson's flyer goes from Tues to Tues. But another store may work differently.
The list tells you what items are a good price and which are a fantastic price and probably the lowest you'll find for a few months. It has you combine store sales, store coupons and manufacturers coupons so some things even end up being close to free!! But the list tells you where to find the coupons..so start saving your Sunday paper inserts! And I discovered that Albertson's takes other store's coupons, so I can clip coupons from Safeway and Fred Meyer and use them all in one place!! Saves gas!
Yes the list costs money. But you can do a 4 week trial for $1. After that (for me anyway) it's $10 every 3 months. You easily earn that back in one week's shopping.
You can even add on a list for a drug store like Walgreens or Rite Aid and get cosmetics super cheap!
Just be careful to buy only what you normally use no matter how cheap something is!! Stocking up on canned garbanzo beans because they're $.19 a can is useless unless you're gonna use them!
So how did I do today? Well I spent $68.26 but I saved...$72.29. Awesome. And I bought name brands..Starbucks, Woolite, Cottonelle, Birds Eye, Nabisco...
Shopping has never been so fun.

A Great Site for Book Collectors

Someone just directed me to a great site called "Fantastic Fiction". It's a great source of bibliographies and book information.

If you're looking to fill out a collection and need some titles this site is a great one for that! If you sell books..you can't miss this site too.

For example, I sometimes sell lots of Nancy Drew books. Fantastic Fiction has the entire list of titles. What that will save me in typing!! I wish I had found it sooner!

Anyway, just a great tip for you!

Ephemera...Not for the Faint of Heart

So, I'm new to the world of vintage/antique ephemera. But I believe my new-est vintage addiction could have been foretold. I've always loved keeping papers. Souvenir postcards, tickets, photos..and more!!
I love vintage photos. It's anonymous..but the people are real! They really lived. Who were they? What kinds of jobs did they have? Who was their best friend? How long did it take them to pick out the clothes they are wearing in the snap?

Another popular vintage ephemera item is color plates from vintage books. Color illustrations of plants, botanical prints, encyclopedia images, and more!
One surprising collectible is medical ephemera. People seem to love the framable pictures from old medical books, depicting brains, hearts....and more. Great pictures for your favorite doctor's office!!
All of this ephemera is great for framing! Or some collect images for their stash to use in collages or altered art pieces. Vintage children's book pages are great for this.
Recently someone in the Etsy forums called my new condition.."ephemer-itis". There's no known cure..and it's catchy! So look out!!

New Vintage Hardware at Etsy

Hello everyone, yes I know it's been awhile. I am the saddest blogger ever. Thanks to all who have stuck with me.

But in other news, I've added and will be adding some more vintage hardware to my etsy store, Vyeshi.

I mostly have cabinet pulls or escutcheons. Lots of artists use these for altered art or assemblage art. Or possibly just need a unique touch for their furniture.

It's a great way to stay green and recycle items that would normally go to the landfill.

My husband is a carpenter as is his father. They often remodel kitchens and replace cabinets and hardware. Fortunately my FIL is a hoarder and physically cannot throw away anything. We found all sorts of dusty goodies laying around his shop. We asked if we could have them...he said "Of course! What am I going to do with them?"

Which naturally leads to the question "why did you keep them in the first place???" Oh well. We don't go there.

So his hoarding is everyone's gain. 40 years worth of reclaimed hardware. Find it in my Etsy store, Vyeshi or in my husband's Bonanzle booth, Salvage Hardware.

New Bonanzle Items!!

So, this year has started off busy, to say the least. One of the things I've been doing lately is adding items to my booth at Bonanzle.com. My booth there doesn't really have a theme..more of an ongoing garage sale. I have books, collectible state plates, vintage stuff, toddler boy clothing...you name it. With lots more to add!

So if you have a minute, take a look! It may be cold here for real garage sales, but i've found some pretty good deals at Bonanzle at some online ones. You can make offers on items, just like at a garage sale...and mine have always been accepted!

And each booth has online chatting, so if I'm there, say hi! If not, leave me a message!

I'll blog next time about my husband's booth there...(the one i'm running) It's called Salvage Hardware and it's got tools, and really cool vintage hardware. Got some more stuff to list there too.

See you around!

Is Anyone Else as Overwhelmed As I Am?

A new year. Fresh starts. New beginnings. I love it. In theory, that is. But evaluating last year, figuring out which direction to go this year...my brain hurts already. I've opened new shops at Artfire and Shop Handmade. I have my stuff at Etsy and my mother-in-law's shop there too. I have a Bonanzle shop also to sell the garage sale type stuff I used to sell at Ebay. I still sell at Ebay sometimes. My husband just opened a shop at Bonanzle to help get rid of construction related items, old hardware, etc... that are too good for the landfill. He doesn't have time for that...so I do that too.
And then Auctiva is opening stores in January. Should I do one of those? If so, which other shop should I give up? Have I given them enough of a chance?
Well, I'm just rambling. I haven't blogged in sooooo long and wasn't sure what to write about. My head is so full. So I need some concrete goals to put down here.
1) Blog more often.
2) Blog more meaningfully.
3)Focus efforts. Work smarter, not harder!
4) Promote.
5) Focus on great customer service! Get repeat customers.
6) Clear out clutter!
7) Go to bed earlier.
Good night!!

Half Off OWLS!!

In the spirit of cleaning out some inventory..I'm offering 50% off on all owl items in my etsy shop. http://www.vyeshi.etsy.com/
Do you need some owl playing cards? Or a vintage wall plaque? (i have two).
What about a nice Lefton figurine?

Come check it out!! Great prices!!

Diversify, Diversify

So I've been spending a few days brainstorming and trying to figure out how to grow my business(es). I've pretty much decided that it is smart not to put all your eggs in one basket as they say. Going back and forth between ShopHandmade.com and Artfire.com is giving me a headache. Feedback on both of these sites is both positive and negative. I guess the same can be said for Etsy. And Ebay for that matter.
So the only way to figure out what to do is to try them out! So today I opened on Artfire.
http://vyeshi.artfire.com/
I only have two items there so far. I intend to add more. I love their one-page listing format. It's great! They are a little buggy...but they're still in Beta so that's to be expected. But everyone raves about the stats. Next to try ShopHandmade and see how that goes! I'll be blogging about it!

A new selling option

So I was introduced to Bonanzle.com today. It seems to be a viable option to Fee-bay or Greed-bay or whatever. I checked it out and it seems like it may be a good thing. It's new but growing quickly.

I haven't added any items to my booth yet. Maybe this week.

It has a good feel to it, and people have actually made sales on it. There are local options with it so it's a nice combination of Ebay and Craigslist.

Check it out if you get a chance!

Like My Treasury?

Like my treasury? It's titled "Reflections". My very first time trying to snag a Treasury, and it worked! I just happened to be on Twitter and someone tweeted that the Treasury was opening soon. I wandered over there just out of curiosity...then decided to try for one. You know, just to see what it looked like. Had my title ready, as was suggested and BAM! got it. I also had my Treasury laid out in Poster Sketch..so that helped too.
Let me know what you all think!

Conquer the Clutter!

A few days back, I started a thread on the Etsy forums asking for organizing tips! I am in sore need of them! I was supposed to be cleaning, weeding, etc...but I was procrastinating...as I am now. I got some great suggestions! I thought I would share them with you!

First, JoyfulAbode wrote: "My best tip is get rid of junk before you start. You can't organize clutter; you can only move it around. It's a fact!" That is a true statement. Others on the forum loved that one!

I also heard from CreationsAnew. They wrote: "My best tip!!!! I clean up my office/workspace every day after I'm finished working in it!and...I close my books every month!!!! Great advice for when tax time rolls around!" If only I could be so organized! Something to strive for.

I totally agree with TheCandlesmith who said: "The hardest for me is putting things back where they belong the first time..........." That is why I'm in the mess I'm in! No pun intended.

Oh and here's a good one! lrichmond3 writes: "oh, oh, I have a great one but it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with organizing your work space but I suppose it would work anywhere. Dump the contents of a drawer in a box. For one month, every time you use something from that box, you place it back in the drawer. At the end of the month, whatever you haven't used from the box, goes in the trash. I've done this with kitchen drawers and man, it really works!"

And here's another system that works for jewelsbyfaith. "If were talking house stuff, I like to walk around with a basket, one room at a time and if there is something that's in room, and doesn't belong, it goes in the basket...then I carry the basket around and put everything back. I do this every now and then for each room, and it helps. When it gets REALLY bad, I get out the laundry basket, make the entire household sweep, set it in the middle of the floor and tell everyone they have 10 min.s to put it away..what's left over gets tossed! The kids mover really quickly when I do that! especially if it's nintendo games, etc,...in the basket!"

And when I'm overwhelmed...I remember what cherrybounces wrote: "Baby steps!"

The ideas I wasn't able to include can be found on this thread. Thanks everyone!