Saturday, May 2, 2009

THANK YOU FRIENDS, BOOKCASES, AND A BOOTH AT THE PEDDLER'S MALL

First of all, I want to say thank you to all my wonderful friends in the blogging world for your kind comments, prayers and thoughts while I took this time off. My niece was a very special person and will be truly missed by her family and friends.

Next, I want to tell you about Bob's booth at the Peddler's Mall. He decided he wanted to try making small tables, birdhouses, bird feeders and whatever else he could put together from the scraps of wood in his workshop. Since retiring from mechanical engineering, he has built custom book case units such as the one in the photo he made for my niece on the left and the one he made for me on the right.










So, we gathered up everything we wanted to get rid of or had planned to take to the Goodwill Store and put it in there until he can get some items made. We took the whole first week of April to put stuff in and he and his brother built the booth itself. We still need more shelves and peg board, etc. but we are just getting started. The monthly rent is $120 and we took in $217 in three weeks! I could not believe what people will buy. Some of the things we have sold are magazines, clothing, books, and toys that I thought no one would care about. I had two huge containers of junk left over from a yard sale a couple years ago. It was stored in my outside building. I put it all in there since I never planned on using it again. It did not sell in the yard sale but it is selling in the booth. This mall gets quite a bit of traffic so I guess that helps. What really blows my mind is that it is selling for more than what it was priced in the yard sale!

Once we get it completely stocked with his handmade items we will know what to expect. We are going to give it two or three months and just see what it does. It is more a hobby than anything else. Bob likes to stay busy and I enjoy going to yard sales, etc. I picked up three framed pictures, and two angel statues at a yard sale a couple weeks ago for $6. We sold two of the pictures for $10 in two days.

Here is a picture of the booth as it is today and not yet totally stocked with the handmade stuff he wants to make. He has bought a book on birdhouses and he likes to make tables and has made some really nice tables in the past.
One good thing is that the Goodwill store is across the street and if we decide to give it up, we can just take it all over there very easily and they keep a big dumpster out back of this place, too.
Right now, we are having fun playing with it and seeing what sells or don't sell and what funny things people will buy!

27 comments:

Jamie Dawn said...

Since I've been blogging less frequently, I was late getting the news about your niece. I am so sorry for this loss for you and your family. How devastating it is is lose a loved one, and I've lost several to cancer. I pray for strength and comfort for you all as you deal with this loss.

Your booth is really neat. What fun! I started today selling my cross necklaces at our local farmer's market, and that was fun... as well as disappointing since I got rained out after just a couple of hours. It was still fun, and I plan to continue.
Bob's bookcases are gorgeous! He's quite a craftsman!!! If I lived nearby, I'd be sure to visit your booth and check out the things he's made. Sounds like you are making some great finds to resell. This is a great thing that you're doing together.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

First Judy it's lovely to see you back.
I think you're doing an excellent job, I hope it is a success, as well as giving you something to do.
Good luck with your venture.

Yvonne.

The Muse said...

It sounds like fun! Finding treasures...selling treasures...LOL...

My husband is shaking his head and telling me the objective is NOT to find treasures! LOL
(men!) :) LOL

So happy to hear from you Judy, and sending you loads of love and hugs for all you have gone through of late, my friend!

Linda said...

This sounds like a fun project. Go for it! I wish you well.

Grammyof13 said...

Welcome Back.
My daughter in IA has had a booth for awhile. She inherited two households of furnishing and the best way to get rid of some of the 15+ sets of dishes (You read that right), she rented a booth. I love the book cases. Wish I lived closer.

Blessings,
Grammyof13

Rachel said...

Oh the bookcases are beautiful!! He is talented! The booth would be a fun thing to do and being in a good area really helps! Yard sale season is here so you should be able to get some things to resale, and what a great way to get rid of things you no longer use! I see a potato masher there and a couple of flour sifters!

I wanted to tell you that when I saw a Gee Haw whammy diddler (at a booth!!!) I got it from Jamie Dawn, and I copied part of your blog post telling about it and enclosed it with the gift for her. I thought you might have recognized it on her blog!

Rachel said...

Oops, I got it FOR Jamie Dawn...not from her!!

Maybe Bob could make some of those and sale? They are so simple to make!

Rachel said...

And SELL. Okay...I need to go back to school apparently!!!

Clara....in TN said...

Glad you are back Judy. I hope you are doing O.K. The book cases are beautiful. I know of several people that have done really well by renting a booth to sell "stuff." I wish I lived closer to you. You could have all of my extra things to put in the booth. I see several things there that I would like to have. Have fun!

patsy said...

nice book cases. the store looks great.

Sylvia K said...

Good to see you back! Sounds as though you guys are having a great time and everything looks terrific! Go for it!

Ugich Konitari said...

Judy,

You guys offer shipping to Mumbai on the book cases ? Hmm. Maybe I will send you some books instead...:-)

Wonderful bookcases. And I wish you great success in this new hobby...

Kelly said...

Wow! The bookcases are just gorgeous! What a great idea and you guys are so talented and creative! Wish I even had a slice of your talent!

How about that Kentucky Derby today!!! Wow!!!

Kate said...

Hi Judy, It's so nice to see you back. There's not a lot I can say about your loss except I'm sending Condolences and Hugs ! Cancer is an awful thing to have to watch someone go through.

I love your cupboards they're gorgeous what a talented man he is the best of luck with your latest venture... You'll might end up making a good bit of extra money out of the stall, either way it's a great way to spend your free time.

The news this side of the pond is not good - my sister is still hanging on - but she refuses point blank to attend the Hospice . It's a mental block she has - she feels that if she starts to attend there then there is no turning back..

I spend most of my days with her, ferrying her to the doctor, or hospital or just keeping her company and doing what I can - which isn't much, but she won't accept more. I then go home to Rob in tears for hugs - she has no'one to hug though...

Better stop now, Love Kate x.

Anonymous said...

nice to see you back, good luck with your project

Beth said...

Hi, Judy...it's so nice to have you back. You and your family have been in my thoughts and prayers in the past week.

Those shelves are absolutely gorgeous. My husband, who is a professional carpenter, was very impressed!

I sure do wish I lived closer---I'd certainly stop by your booth at the mall. I think you've got a great idea there, and I predict it will be a resounding success. Best wishes to both of you!

Netts Nook said...

It is always nice to have a CRAFTSMAN in the house you lucky girl. He's a keeper.

Amber Star said...

The booth looks great! My sister used to have a booth at a craft place like the antique places. She did pretty well selling the things she made and I have some of them, too.

The bookcases he made for you are splendid.

It is odd what people will buy. I've given up on having garage sales. People want stuff for nothing and at the same time are checking your house out.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Judy, the bookcases are beautiful.
Your special friend is very talented. At one time I thought of doing something similar with a booth but just seems building houses and creating gardens keeps me busy.
I want some more bird feeders. How far a drive from Nashville to your booth. Take care. Thank you for the ongoing comments on my journey.

Ann said...

Oh I love his bookcases. Wish I had one. $120 rent seems high to me but it would be nice if it was a little cheaper. Hope he does well. Bird house builders around here seem to sell a lot and some are just darling. Some people go all out and have the smallest details on them that are so cute. Good luck

Margie's Musings said...

I've sure missed you, Judy.

The bookcases are lovely! And the antique mall will be great fun for you too.

Margaret Cloud said...

Tell your husband that those bookcases are just lovely, you should do alright on your booth. Glad you are back and thank you for coming by.

The Muse said...

I am bringing you some springtime (rain drenched..LOL) HUGS!

Jeannie said...

I am very happy to see you back, Judy.

Gosh, I wish I knew somebody who could make furniture like that! Those are some gorgeous pieces!!

Lilly said...

Judy, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with your family.

As for the bookcases, whoah! How amazing do they look. And I think the booth is a fabulous idea and what fun you will have. Keep us posted, next you can set up an online shop!!

Leigh said...

Hey Mom,

You and Bob sure do stay busy. Bob does such beautiful work, I absolutley LOVE our bookcases. They make the entire house!!

Love you! And Bob!

Leigh

Grammy said...

Dear Judy,
Wonderful to see you back and those are wonderful pictures of things that Bob makes. I cannot imagine having that kind of talent. How wonderful to be able to create things from wood. I would certainly be buying some of them if I lived near you.
Love,
Ruby