2 months of Retirement

Can't believe 2 months out of the rat race and I'm still trying to learn to relax. Of course I've been on the road to the market at Elkhorn WI, the Blue Water Yard Sale Trail, Springfield OH Sept extravaganza and TriState Market in Indiana.
For 2010 the spring extravaganza at Springfield was better that the fall. Blue Water was reduced in size and road construction didn't help. Elkhorn was forecast for 30% chance of afternoon thunderstorms--It rained for almost 3 straight hours in the morning so the majority of dealers were wrapped up!
TriState was small but good variety and some dealers were exceptionally reasonable--of course overcast and temp in low 50's after a full day's rain on Saturday made the browsing unpleasant especially for the dealers.
I did get some "good" stock and hit several new to me antique malls.
I happened upon Volo IL --prices so-so, interesting setup with park, retail bldgs and museum. I visited Miami Valley Antique Mall just off 275 near I-75 north of Cincinnati--lots of great small booths with pricing at all levels. Heart of Ohio off I-70 just near Springfield was an experience--lots of floor help and multi sales stations, also a snack bar!
Now I have to inventory, price, wrap and pack stuff to get my house into shape for Thanksgiving dinner in NOV. Yes it will take me that long. Just keeping the kitchen table clear is on going battle. I managed to get pantry door painted and all but 1 kitchen cupboard repainted with new knobs etc.
Have to keep busy so I don't regret retiring early.

New life!

Wow 2 months since my last post. It's been somewhat of a whirlwind as I have submitted my retirement application and will be a person of leisure as of August 1. What will I do with my time? Well to start: more time at the booth, more auctions to attend, more estate sales and right now planning on more yard sales and flea markets. The World's Longest Garage Sale starts August 5th and I plan to hit the road for part of that or hit a flea market. Can't let that grass grow while the travel weather is great.
The booth is doing better even with the tight times and I need fresh stock.
The glass half empty people are saying how could you retire in these times, the glass half-full people say isn't it great to be able to spend more time pursuing a dream.
I think life is too short to not move forward, the economy will always be unstable and wishing for investment growth just stifles mine. So adios, adieux, and goodbye to the regulated work world and HELLO to my time!

Dance mob

http://videos.mlive.com/kzgazette/2010/05/dance_flash_mob.html
Ran across this cute item while surfing for something else. Maybe new excitement can be brought to all shopping venues by energetic young dancers.

Spring sprang! Now it's napping

Feb was so-so in the booth and March was downright dismal. Forget beware the ides of march--just beware!

April has started strong with a 25% off sale and rent plus has been made.

Only small items sold--but they add up quickly. I need to get out and purchase low price stock so I can get a 3x or 4x return. This weekend has promise--one auction and a dozen garage sales/estate sales to visits.

I know sales have been down for many but what are the larger ticket items that sell? There is no rhyme or reason on the smalls. Seems like any vintage camera or globe sells eventually but most other items it's hit or miss. If there's a booth sale things go that sat last month collecting dust. I try to rotate out every 3 months.

Looking forward to retirement when I can take this on full time to hit more sales and auctions and perhaps work on framing items and creating themed displays with more stock rotation. Still want a 2nd booth in a 2nd location to rotate between but time is a problem now. Are malls off expressway exits best or a booth in smaller shop in a small city where there several shops?

EBay has gone flat--those shipping costs eat into profit too much if offer free shipping (as part of initial pricing) or once packaged and distance adds up. The 1 box 1 price doesn't work well for the variety of shapes and sizes. What about dolls--what really sells a particular brand--or age-- or composition? So many out there and the last few auctions have had large collections. I never liked dolls and wouldn't have any affection to "KEEP" one but the jaded attitude doesn't help when looking at them to know what will sell at a profit. Seems it's mostly collectors bidding.

Winter can go says the groundhog

I hope that rodent is correct. Though as I look out the window those pesky white flakes are swirling down!

These photos are from January and today. Then we had a decent snow cover but the river was clear. Today very little snow but the river is jammed with ice flowing down.

January at the antiques mall was BAD! Another dealer confided to me that she was nowhere close to rent by the 19th. Our neighbor across the aisle moved out and on. A new dealer was moving in yesterday, busy constructing shelving units and bringing in tubs of stuff. Another dealer working yesterday was chatting about the unknown of what a customer wants. There's just no rhyme nor reason. Everyone has that special someone they are seeking whether they are articulate it or just know it when I see it. As I went over my inventory listing I realized we are in need of fresh stock. Of course this weekend's auction listings don't show much promise for the box lot bonanzas. I'll have to check out any estate sales nearby. Last weekend I attended 2 in the high real estate areas and was amazed at the firm prices half way though the 2nd sale day. Needless to say not much was brought home!

The last few auctions had many newcomers and as one of the dealers who's been around awhile noted: this is so high "I can't even get in the game!" A banjo went for $800 that was only worth $500 retail!

2010 may become the straw that broke the camel's back. Thinking of looking for space elsewhere, but this mall is clean, well lit and appears to have traffic. I've identified a few I will not go to and others have closed down or have reduced floor space.