Booth Update

Were you wondering when I was going tell you all about my adventures in reselling like I promised I would? Well, I have been avoiding it, because to be honest, I'm not doing well. BUT why shouldn't I share the bad along with the good? So here we go. 

I have been selling at the Tennessee Antique Mall for two months so far. While I have at least made my rent both months, the first month my profit was only $1.75 and the second month I owed 58 cents, which they graciously called even. Not exactly what I was hoping for. Especially when two of my favorite items sold for pretty great prices and all of that money went to rent. Blarg.

I talked it over with the owners of the mall, who are great and confirmed what I was thinking. I think that choosing a case instead of a booth was my mistake. Several of you expressed the same concern. I am an avid antique mall shopper and I have very very rarely asked for a case to be opened. It feels like a lot of trouble for something small, and if the mall is even a little busy I won't usually bother. I chose a case because it was a cheaper space, but I think it is hurting me in the long run.

The mall owners think I would do better in a booth space too. They told me that certain kinds of collectors aren't put off by locked cases, like jewelry collectors. I'm more of a kitsch vendor. So they are going to let me know when a booth opens up, though who knows how long that will be, and if it will be one of the smaller ones (some of their spaces are HUGE and I couldn't fill one of those up). In the meantime, they are going to see if they can take the door off my case so that people can browse more easily. So we'll see.

I would be lying if I said I'm not disappointed. I don't like to fail, and I can be really hard on myself. I have been working on this post for a few hours today, because it has been so hard for me to write. But you know what? This is a learning experience for me, and I am going to give myself more time to figure things out. 

Booth Update!

It hasn't been a full month yet since I started reselling at the Tennessee Antique Mall, but we went by today so I could add a few more items so I thought I would update you.
So far I have sold 5 things. A vintage brooch, an 8mm reel, some crewel work, a vintage book called "This Is Our Parish", and something else that I can't remember now, haha! I'm pretty happy with that, especially since the summer is supposed to be slow. There is about a week until the end of the month and I'm not that far from making my rent at least, so we'll see how it goes. I'm wondering if the fact they my case is locked will affect sales. i went with a case because the smaller space seemed easier to start out with, but I know when I'm antiquing i will rarely ask for a case to be opened. It just seems like too much trouble. We'll see I guess. 

My Booth: The Beginning

How is that for a dramatic title? Haha. I'm really excited for this new project, and I hope I do well. I'm keeping in mind that the summer is traditionally slow, and it is a learning experience. I'm giving myself a year to get it together! I'll try to be good at documenting it here so we can all learn together! I love reading Thriftcore about her adventures in reselling. Poppy is setting up a booth this month and I hope she'll document it too!

My booth is at the Tennessee Antique Mall! I chose this spot because not only is it close to my house, Jamie from Owl Really has a booth here and likes it. There are always a few people browsing whenever I go in, AND they have two boston terriers behind the counter. 

Here is a before shot of my case! Number 912!

And after! I was so worried I wouldn't have enough stuff ready to go, but I actually had a few too many things to fit! Great! And I still have stuff to go through.

All of this stuff is stuff that I bought because I love it! But I really don't have room so I'm having to edit and keep only the things I really love. And I figure if I only buy stuff for it I love, then I won't be bummed if it doesn't sell. And I know there are some other weirdos like me who will like what I've got.

Look at that cute red microscope!

Those paint by numbers! I've been trying to find a spot for them since I bought them but they just don't work anywhere in my house. I priced them a little high because I like how they look in the back.

So there it is! Let me know what you think. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out and I already have some plans to improve. My biggest challenge was pricing. I think that will be something I have to learn through trial and error. So here is hoping I make some sales and at least make my booth rent back for the first month!

Prepping for my booth!

Things have been a little quiet around here, since I've been getting ready to set up my booth! I'm been cleaning and pricing and going through my bins of vintage to pull out the things that I could live without. It has been so hard! But I know I have to do it, because I don't have room to display and use all the stuff I have, much less bring home more!Messes everywhere!

I even put this ledger I found a while ago to use! As much as I love computers, I'm not a big fan of spread sheets and such. I like hand writing stuff out. This ledger is perfect! And my favorite colors!

I don't think I ever took pictures of this awesome costume! it is from the 70's and in perfect condition! I hope someone gives it a good home!

And a little inspiration while I price.
I went and set up my case a little while ago. I'm pretty happy with how it came out! I will show you pictures soon!