I sold something!

So, every now and then I get a wild hair and decide to sell somethings on Ebay or Amazon.com and then I get frustrated when I have to package things and then run to the post office. It always ends up being more of a pain in the you know what than it is worth. Well, I have done it again! I started a shop on Etsy: "Living Simply by Design" and decided to start by listing some of the excess vintage jewelry (which I shared in my last blog).

Well, not more than 4 days into my new venture did I actually SELL something!! (HOORAY!) It was my vintage Tiffany & Co. silver bracelet. Well, I did have to go about packaging the thing and take it to the post office, but luckily the postage cost was less than I estimated! Anyhow, now that I have completed my first sale, I am feeling pretty good about this.

What I like about Etsy is that the listing only costs 20 cents to post and is active for 4 months! So, if the item doesn't sell in that time period then you really aren't out a whole lot. Another plus is that Etsy is almost like a social gathering place for people who love similar things-- unlike Ebay where there are tons and tons of different things. Etsy is only for handmade items (like crafts, jewelry, custom clothing, etc), vintage items of all sorts and then materials for making handmade items. So, it is a really great place to check out great accessories, fashion, home accessories, baby items, wedding decor and apparel, etc. Can you tell I am an instant fan? Also, if you aren't in the market for an item (because it's too rich for your blood or whatnot), then you can always click the little heart button and add it to your favorites. I love looking back on my favorites because it is a unique compilation of the many facets of my personal style (which are quite varied, depending on my mood).

What I am hoping to get from all of this is selling some of my forgotten treasures in order for me to afford some new ones! (I guess that is a pretty good goal, don't you think). I am not unrealistic in thinking that I am going to suddenly become some successful internet entrepreneur. Although, I have always wanted to have a little shop and this is a way that I can get my feet wet while not having to quit my day job.

So, anyhow, check out my shop and favorite some of my items if you would!

Inspired to Etsy

A snowy Christmas Eve turned into an "Etsy Adventure". I was catching up with some of my Facebook friends I stumbled upon a friend's Etsy shop "Dirty Bakers Dozen". (For those of you who don't know what Etsy is, it is a web community of "shop owners" who sell handmade or vintage items). Well, the wheels started turning in my head that perhaps I could set up shop of my own!
So, several hours later here I am with my very own shop entitled: "Live Simply by Design". I really wanted to do the same name as my blog "Our Life Without Instructions", but it was too long! Anyhow, I was inspired to share some of the little treasures I have decided to put up for sale!
I decided to list:

• Vintage ring box with an Art Deco style that has been hiding in a drawer for quite a while
• Sterling silver spoon ring
• Tiffany & Co. sterling silver bracelet with a "hook" design
• Pair of vintage red plastic post back earrings
• Rhinestone costume jewelry necklace

I know with a little more hunting (and perhaps a visit to my inlaw's house) I can find some more things to list. I am pretty sure this isn't going to become a career for me and it might be a horrible failure, but it has given me a reason to hunt down some of my forgotten treasures that someone else might enjoy give a good home!!