Hard work, little return.....is this crazy or what?!?!?

    

     A good friend of mine recently made a comment that really struck home with me.  He just couldn't understand why is it I put sooooooo much effort into a resale business when there is such little return right now.  His comment went something like this:  "Why do you work so hard on getting things just right at your shop when it doesn't seem to pay out very well?  I just don't understand, it doesn't make sense!" 

     And he's right---it doesn't make sense to work full-time at a 'real' job, to use your free weekends' to work yourself into the ground trying to get a side business going.   It doesn't make sense to get up super early on your days off just so you can beat your competition to the garage sales/estate sales to find 'treasures' for resale.  And it doesn't make sense to try and figure out WHAT in the world the buying public wants this week which is ALWAYS different from what they wanted LAST week!!!

     None of this makes sense and yet, so many of us resalers continue doing all of the above--why?!?

     Is it the thrill of the hunt?  Is it the thought that the next treasure we find for $1 could make us millionaires?!  Or is it something else?

     Well, I can't answer for anyone else, but I can tell you how I feel---its the hunt for me!!  There is just something about digging through box after box of junk, looking for that one item that will help you retire in total luxury.  That one elusive treasure has kept me digging through old barns full of petrified raccoon poop (true story), trash piles sitting outside a remodeled house and again, tons and tons of boxes full of everything from vintage dinnerware to broken worthless children's toys!! Picking, as we resellers call it, is very addictive.

     There is great joy in seeing value in an item that everyone else seems to have overlooked.  And it doesn't hurt to make some money off your investment too!

     So, back to the issue of 'working hard with little return'.   I wish I could come up with some deep, meaningful reason for what we 'pickers' do with our lives, but the truth is.......I just don't know.  Perhaps it is all based on hope--the hope that all our efforts will someday bring us financial security--the hope that we are making a difference in someone's life--the hope that the things from old that brought us joy will do the same for the next generation.  Yes, I think that's it---Hope--I like that answer.

My booth at a recent trade show

The goal is to NOT take everything home!

A little bit of this and a little bit of that

God Bless all and any who read this,

Pat, A Remade Life

Lake Houston Trade Days tomorrow!!

And here we go again!! Tomorrow is one of my local shows, the Lake Houston Trade Days. It is a great show that is just 5-minutes down the street from where I live--awesome, right?!? The gentleman who hosts it does a pretty decent job AND it's one of the shows I use to coordinate with the city, however the city no longer hosts it, sooooooooo--I am just a vendor! I must say, I really like that. Coordinating and running a trade show is NOT easy and can be very trying--after all, you know how we vendors are!! (hehehe). I will be setting up tonight till 'dark-30' as we use to say since I had to work today, but I've pretty well got it down and should be able to get it done quickly. Well, that is, after I visit with my fellow vendors and we all look at each others 'treasures' then visit a little more----ok, so I'm going to be there late! But that's ok, I love my fellow vendors and look forward to see them at each show. If you find yourself in the Humble, TX area tomorrow, come and visit me at the Lake Houston Trade Days at 8133 Will Clayton Pkwy, Humble, TX 77338. I'll be the one with all the cool treasures for sale!! ;)

Not my booth contents but just a sample of some of the good stuff you might find!!

God Bless All and Any who read this!!
Pat, A Remade Life
www.aremadelife.etsy.com
www.lovethatvintagestyle.etsy.com
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Best Customers in the World!!

This past weekend was the Winnie Trade Days show and what a good show it was!  Although we didn't make as much money as we did last month we did ok-- but the real joy came in meeting some of the greatest customers in the world!!

I had the great pleasure of meeting many new customers as well as seeing some long-time returning ones. What fun it was to visiting with people, make new friends and 'share' the love of God with so many!!  I felt truly blessed to meet each and every one that came into my shop.

There was the lovely mom-in-law and daughter-in-law who came in with the cutest of babies (don't worry Brayden, grandma still loves you the best!).   The young ladies husband was in the military and had been deployed.  She was part of a military group that was raising money for the troops by creating a calendar of military wives dressed in vintage clothing---which just happens to be one of my specialties.  We talked and shared thoughts about vintage clothing, she checked out all the different vintage styles I had and even purchased some.  I gave her my contact info and hope we will stay in touch with each other.

Then there was the young girl (17 yrs old) who came in with her mom to look for and buy vintage clothing, not for any party or event but just because she LOVES vintage clothing!!  It just thrills my heart to see young people enjoying great things from the past.  And her mom was the best--she bought her daughter a complete outfit, dress and matching hat.  This young lady is a definite individual, one who knows who she is and not likely to fall into the 'status quo'!

And remember my little buddy Zack, the one who won the American Pickers youth contest, a $10,000 scholarship and a trip to the Smithsonian?  Well, my little buddy ain't so little anymore!!  I saw him walking down the hall and almost didn't recognize him!!  He's grown a foot and it now taller than me and has 'leaned-down' and lost his baby fat.  And even though he's a young teenager, he stopped to visit and we had a good hugging session!!  That kid definitely has a place in my heart!!

Well, that's pretty much how our weekend went.  We only had one minor issue that was our 'fly in the ointment'.  I was cleaning off one of our glass shelf units when one of the shelves collapsed and all the glassware on that shelf broke.  But I count my blessings cause I could have been hurt/cut my the flying glass however, I came away without a scratch!  Thank you Lord for your protecting hand!

So, here are a few pictures for you to enjoy, unfortunately none of our customers--it was just too busy to stop to take pictures.

My 'little' buddy Zack in a 'before' picture---he's NOT this little now!!

The top shelf is the one that collasped--pretty much everything on it broke

And of course, the most beautiful baby in the world, my Brayden!

I had to include this pic of Brayden in NOT one of his finer moments--that's not chocolate he's covered in--ughhh!

Here is he all cleaned up and happy again

He's full of McNuggets, french fries and a smoothie--not his usual diet but ok once in a while

And that's it for now, thanks for stopping by and taking a peepie-poo (sorry, didn't mean to mention 'poo' again!).  God Bless all and any who read this,

Pat, A Remade Life

Canton TX First Monday Trade Days

You would think that living in the state that has one of the largest flea markets in the united states would mean that you go there as often as possible--wouldn't you?!  Well, it ain't necessarily so!!!  I've lived here since I was three yrs. old (a very, very long time) and I went there for the first time just a few months ago!!

The Canton 'First Monday' Flea Market is absolutely HUGH--acres and acres of nothing but 'treasures'!  It is a pickin' paradise.  My son Jonathan and I plus my sweet grandson Brayden went there a few months ago and had the best of times!  Even Brayden got in on the fun---he shopped and shopped with us until he just couldn't shop anymore.  He was such a little trooper--and didn't even get fussy until he fell and hurt his nose.  Poor baby--but it didn't take him long to get over it and shop some more!

If you ever find yourself wanting to take a pickin' trip, consider going to Canton, Tx's First Monday Trade Show--I quarantee you'll enjoy yourself AND come away with lots and lots of goodies!!

We saw this imitation 'Mater' on the way to Canton--really cool

Jonathan showing Brayden how to spot a good deal

Jonathan taking a second to pose in front of  one of the thousands of vendor booths

Me trying to shop till I drop--I had been sick the week before we went and was still not  well

'STOP, I think I see something I want"!!

"Hey, is that a vintage Mickey Mouse Club Hat"?!

'You know I'd look good in that'!

Uncle Jonathan is a good teacher

This is a really cool seat from an old bowling alley--wish I'd had room in my van!

Guess we have to go now--no more room!

Trying to stay hydrated!

"I think I'm ready to go now, grandma"!

AND he's out!!!!

We had soooo much fun and we can't wait to go back soon---but not till after the summer heat----this is Texas after all!!!

God Bless All and Any who read this,
Pat, A Remade Life

Good Stuff!!

Last weekend was great---when to a church sale first thing in the morning and then found another one right in my own neighborhood!!  Then went to work on my shop in Winnie on Sunday and stopped to visit with an old friend on the way back home.  She told me about a great estate sale right down the road and, even though it was very late in the afternoon, I took a chance and went to see if they were still open, and they WERE!  Picked up this great, handmade rocking horse and a few other great items.  Can't figure out why the word 'GAS' is painted on the side of the horse---anyone got any suggestions?

I think this is an old wooden flour bin--cool right!?

A wooden drawer liner and a vintage frame

What a cool, handmade rocking horse

GAS?!

These cool items are going to my shop in Winnie this weekend.  The next show will be the following weekend, May 10th-12th.  If you don't have anything to do that weekend and find yourself in the mood for some really good shopping, make your way out to Winnie Texas to the Winnie Trade Days---- and be sure to come by and say Hello!

God Bless all and any who read this,

Pat, A Remade Life
www.remadelifeemporium.blogspot.com