I never got around to making the announcement that I’ve ventured into the antique booth world! I’ve been incarcerated there 1-1/2 months, so I’m still trying to figure out my niche, what sells best, and how to style everything for an attractive cohesive look.
Styling is not my strong suit, so it’s a constant effort. Oh, how I’d love to have that decorating flair!
So far I’ve managed to break even.
I’ve been in a booth twice before, and I said “never again” last time, LOL. Somehow I developed amnesia about how much work it is, not to mention the hauling of furniture. I’m managing with 79 year old hubby’s help, (I tell him at least we’re getting off our derrieres) and on days we have to move really big furniture, our yard guy helps.
For more realism about what it’s like to be in a booth, check out a popular post on what I learned about being in a booth.
But on to what sold for me on Etsy this month.
September Etsy Sales for
VintageSouthernPicks Etsy Shop
Sales were slow, but they usually are for September.
Leather bound Holy Bible, large print, KJV
Sold: $30.79 with free shipping
Vintage Padlock, made in Italy
Sold: $18
Vintage Sewing Machine Drawer, which I painted & glazed. I believe I bought it for $3.
Sold: $44 with free shipping
My dad’s last US Army blanket, 100% wool from the World War 2 era. There’s still big interest in that era. I’ve sold everything from his blankets, to his dog tags, to old yellowed papers, to phrase books. It all sells.
Sold: $53
Vintage Silver Plate Sugar Creamer set
Sold: $20
Cutter quilt. Paid $5
Sold: $18 (I usually sell cutters for $20, but this was not in great shape, even for a cutter.)
Old Merthiolate Bottle, practically full. These always sell.
Sold: $20.22 with free shipping
Crystal Perfume Bottle…paid $2.50
Sold (to a man for his collection) $29.25 with free shipping.
Really long handled spoon I found in a sack of swizzle sticks.
Sold: $8.75 with free shipping.
Vintage Food Warmer, shipped to California to be in a TV show.
Sold: $17.99
Sales for SquareDanceNWestern Etsy shop
Silver conch chain belt
Paid: $2
Sold: $18.22 with free shipping
Red Ruffle Blouse, selling for friend
Sold: $20
Red Stretch Belt
Sold: $16.75 with free shipping
Red Christmas Apron, selling for friend.
Sold: $18
Booth Sales
For all my local readers, my booth is The Paisley Pig in Bessemer on 2nd Avenue. If you haven’t been there yet, it’s a darling place, with lots of nooks and crannies, & easy to walk around in an afternoon.
My booth rent is $160/month & it’s been a struggle to break even, but again, I’ve only been there a month and a half.
Here’s one photo of my booth. It’s still in the setting up stage.
2 Things that Sold this month:
The dresser sold for $135 (net)
The white lamp sold for $26.98 (net)
3 other items not pictured that sold were:
- an old quilt…one I had on hand/Sold for $22.50 (net)
- a small wooden stool…paid $2/Sold for $13.60 (net)
- a faux pumpkin…one I bought this season/Sold for $5.35 (net)
I consider these sales a great month!
I’m working my hiney off, but that’s good!
Florence
Latest posts by Florence (see all)
- The Latest Vintage Hauls - February 10, 2020
- A Vintage Fall Haul - November 3, 2019
- September Sales on Etsy and My New Antique Booth - September 30, 2019
- Camping Trip Thrift Store Haul - August 2, 2019
I had that silver belt in the 90s!!
I’ve missed your posts. 🙂
Good to hear from you Kari! Do you still have a blog? Somehow I’m not getting your posts anymore & I really enjoyed yours too.
That padlock. Who’d-a thunk it?! I think I have one, complete with some keys, not as interesting as those, that keeps getting in my way that I keep shuffling around. Things like that make me want to get busy online again but there’s just not enough time in the day/week/month….. So I just go with the flow. Whatever I’m in the mood to do.
I’m glad you showed a picture of the booth. As I was reading the beginning of the post, I thought to myself that I wished you would show a picture. And you did! Yay! And *that* made me realize I don’t show a picture of my booth when I’m doing a sales report. So I’ll have to start including that from now on. How it looked at the beginning of the month.
Congrats on selling the dresser! As far as figuring out what sells? Good luck. It’s so all over the place.
You didn’t ask but…. I know it’s early, you haven’t had time yet, but I think you need to get a lot more stuff in that booth. Not so much that people can’t see anything or move around but it looks to me like you need about 3-4 times more stuff (or more) in there than what you have. Pack it in, girl! Remember that you have a money wall. The wall most people see when they first see your booth. Make it interesting. Could the bird cage go in the back corner? The two tiered, round table. Could it go on top of something? Hopefully they have sold already, though. Get varying heights and don’t be afraid to go up. Then again, I don’t often sell things that are up high or down low. Still, it all adds interest. It’s always fun to work on someone else’s booth and stuff. LOL I’m looking forward to seeing more of what you sell and pictures of the booth as it progresses!
Oh I definitely needed to add more stuff in the booth! I was still setting up when that photo was taken, but it’s a struggle getting enough in there & I thought I had so much! I do but sometimes I don’t think it’s the right stuff. You’re right about stacking & I’m trying to do that. I need you to come help me Wanda. Wish I had you there standing over my shoulder. When I go to estate sales, I’m still of the mindset of focusing on buying smalls for Etsy. Gotta get a new mindset.
It’s funny how we wonder how we’ll ever get so much stuff in the booth and even have a hard time finding a place for it, then stand back and think, “I need more stuff!” LOL
I’m still in that “buying smalls for Etsy” mindset! It’s so much easier – and more fun – to find those odd things most people overlook. Some of the things will sell in the booth, only not for as much. (The opposite can be true for more common items.) I have a couple of sets of old keys. About 15 keys on a keychain for $4 each set. They’ve been sitting there for several months. A lady even asked the other day if they were my keys. As in, “Did you leave your keys lying here?” They might not have sold quickly on Etsy but it’s more likely they would sell there and for more than $4.00.
To shop for the booth, you can still look for the odd, overlooked things. For me, I try to focus on home decor, overlooked but not too, too odd. Guy stuff sells really well everywhere. I just don’t know enough about it. MCM? Not here. It’s dead in the water in east central Alabama. Everybody is still into white, chippy, rusty, crusty….. Or classic antiques. As long as they’re cheap. Sigh.
I’m looking forward to seeing more Booth Adventures With Florence!
Thank you, Wanda, for all your encouragement! I’m going to be on the lookout for the odd thing at estate & yard sales. I always see them when I’m not looking. I almost took my old jar of keys over today when I went to rearrange my booth.
You got that right that everyone down here still wants white distressed furniture. Getting kind of tired of it myself. I haven’t noticed whether MCM is doing anything here, but I don’t think it is.
I just got my first check today! Woo hoo! Only $25, but still.
Hi Florence, So you took the plunge again…. I totally understand. I have rented my booth for over 10 years and every time I think I want out, I dismiss the thought because I truly enjoy it. I had a great summer and a slow Sept. I love everything about it but my husband can’t understand. To him it is junk, to me it is about the wonderful treasures that have survived.
I wish you the best, keep showing us your pictures, I love to see what you stock.
Why thank you Ann! It’s good to hear from another fellow junker who understands me! Wow, to have a booth 10 years! I’m really impressed! I could learn a lot from you too. I would love to see your booth. Where do you have it?
Hi Florence,
I have an 8×10 booth in Phoenix, AZ. I work full time and play in my booth on weekends. The idea was for me to get experience in antiques and that is what I will be doing when I retire. Your are fortunate you can devote full time to your booth, Etsy and Ebay. I love your energy and creativity.
Let me know if I can answer any questions on your booth. One thing for sure is to freshen your booth as often as possible. Restock or move things around and try to make it look beautiful. Have focal points and use decoy’s (attention getters). I try to use red and yellow items for decoys. I had a bright yellow duck planter as a decoy which I didn’t think would sell. But it sold so I kept replacing that space with more yellow items. Then I switch to red or pink decoys for summer so colors can be seasonal. Best of luck but most of all enjoy!
Ann, thank you for the good wishes! I love your idea of the decoys! I found a small yellow mirror at a yard sale this weekend. I’ll find a strategic place in my booth to display that, and it’ll be my first decoy! Thanks for sharing that idea. My store (where my booth resides) is such a cute place overall & I’m honored to be there. The manager is a great people person and knows how to merchandise the shop, which makes our job easier. Any other ideas you have, please share them anytime!
Florence that sewing machine drawer is a real beauty and you did a great job bringing out all the lovely details. I also think you did a great job with the styling. Just keep at it and you will be fine. You sort of train your eye as to what looks better. Love that dresser you sold. What a beauty. Keep up the selling, you know Christmas is coming.
Thank you Mary. Appreciate those kind & encouraging comments! I just got my first check today where I actually made a little, LOL. Hope Christmas season really jumps!
Hey, Florence! Fun post! I’m a junker and thrifter, too! Imagine my surprise when I got to the end of your post and saw Bessemer! I’m in Jacksonville. My sister loves the Paisley Pig but I’ve never been. I’ll have to check it out one day! I had an Etsy Shop and a booth for a couple of months but didn’t stick with it. Both did well but it was bad timing for me. You’ve inspired me so maybe I’ll jump in again!
Hi Stacy! I’m glad your sister likes Paisley Pig & yes, you must go there one day! It’s worth a visit! I’m glad to know I inspired you, but I certainly understand when things like the booth & Etsy can be wrong timing. Both takes lots of work as you know. Good luck in whatever you’re up to!