Treasure hunting is a thrill like no other...am I right!? Come along with me as I attempt to develop my first vintage re-selling business on Etsy derived from my beloved hobby of searching and securing vintage treasures. We'll go sourcing, have huge hauls, and a great time doing it. Subscribe today to join the hunt!
'm a part-time reseller, and I live in a small 2 bedroom house with not much storage space. It's so much fun sourcing, but I recently gave myself a reminder to slow down. I have stacks of clear bins in my closets labeled by category, brass, glass, wood,, etc. After a while of too much sourcing, I needed to refine the sorting. For example brass candlesticks, wood candlesticks, glass candlesticks...you get the idea. It really helps me find things quickly and keeps my inventory out of sight. Hope that helps.
I put my “recycled” packaging in big trash bags. One for bubble wrap and one for paper. I put my “boxes” inside each other. Its working for now 😉 I like watching your channel! Congrats on your new channel and your precious babies!!!
Hi Steph- I’ve only been reselling on Etsy about 3 months, and I’m adapting an inventory system @JustinResells uses with bankers boxes. They’re smaller and things are less likely to get lost/broken. I’d definitely recommend it! I also try to list my items as soon as I get home… or at least in the next few days 😂, so stuff doesn’t pile up.
It took me a while to get to where I am currently! My husband and I did something unconventional.. we gave up our room. We turned our room into my storage room for all my vintage finds I list on Etsy and Ebay. We bought 3 large storage racks for storage and set up a table with everything needed for the packaging and shipping with under the table storing my packing supplies and then my free wall I have a table set up for taking pictures and measuring etc. Even with this set up it gets unorganized and crazy with all the thrifting and auctions we do lol
Is the NB Goodwill the only store you thrift at? I'm a Skokie reseller & before the opening of the Evanston, Skokie & Glenview GW stores, the NB store was the only one...the church on the corner on Dundee & Sanders used to have occasional sales, too. I only sell smalls on eBay or Marketplace or Next Door. I subscribed! 🎉🛍🌠🛍🛒🖼🎨
Hi neighbor! Thank you for subscribing! Fun to “meet” someone local! I’ve tried all of those too actually, but in my experience, I’ve always had the best luck at the Northbrook location. It’s the closest to my home as well, so that’s another HUGE plus. I’ve never seen that church having a sale…I’m going to take a closer look though! Thank you for sharing! If you have extra good luck at any of the other GWs please let me know and I’ll give them a shot. Cheers! 😃
@@TinyFindsTreasures I honestly have the best luck at the Glenview location! My closest location is Evanston but its touch & go for finds. The Skokie Flea Market is this Sunday, 9-4 at Oakton Park, FYI.
Hi Steph, I just started reselling this past January and I, like you LOVE the sourcing part! The listing, packing and shipping is a necessary evil. I've taken over our garage with similar storage closets like you, but bursting out of those and have gone to storage bins that I stack. Keep up the good work, you're doing amazing! Can't believe all you do with three kids, twins especially! ~ Kris
Hi Kris! lol 😂 the listing kills me! Thank you! I definitely think I’m going to need more bins for sure! Thank you! We have a lot of help with our kids, so I’m very lucky. Gives me some extra time to try and launch this! Best of luck to you in this journey as well! 😀
Steph, I'm enjoying your videos! I personally hate when I'm rushed at thrifting. I always find more and pick more thoroughly when I am not in a time crunch. I will also say, the more you do it, the better you get at zeroing in on the stuff you like.
Thank you, Kris! I completely agree. It does feel like my eye is gradually getting better like you’re describing as well. So glad you’re here and enjoying my videos! 😃
I'm hoping to start too, but was waiting till 2025 so I dont have to mess with taxes this year, but running into the same issue with space. So far putting it in bins and stacking in garage, but once I start selling I don't know how I'll manage. I think I'll need to do a lot of purging of clutter first 😂
Because I’m retired and disabled I watch a lot of utube videos. I prefer reselling videos and love watching you buy great items. Especially unique finds. I would recommend you watch a couple other utube sellers to see how they handle the storage issues. Lavender Clothesline is so organized. Karen takes us to her basement where she pulls her items for shipping. She sells hard goods mostly but does sell clothes also. Karen’s husband is also a reseller. They met at Goodwill and married a couple years ago. Fun to watch them. The other is The Homeschooling Picker. She and her husband both resell. They take you to pull items for shipping on every video. These two utube channels are the most organized I’ve seen. Of course you’ll need shelves and something to cover the shelves to keep your items clean. You don’t have time to wash items twice. Karen puts plastic over the entire rack of hanging clothes. She usually folds fresh clothes and places them in plastic bags and then into labeled tubs. Homeschooling has remodeled her garage for a huge space with shelves and shipping area. It has an entrance from outside to make unloading easy. They put hard goods on those metal shelves. Clothes going into plastic bags and then in boxes on the shelves. Both of these resellers to this full time. Both have been doing this for years and are very successful. You showed all of your spaces in your basement. I would get rid of anything you don’t need or want. Your storage things should go in your laundry area closet. Then you can use the shelves for your inventory. It would be best if you put plastic over the front of the shelves either by making a roman shade like cover or a rod with curtains on it. You’ll have to keep this entire area clean. Karen mops the floor weekly. Then place a banquet table near your inventory so you’ll have a place items for shipping. You’ll also need good lighting in the area. You want to be sure you’re shipping the correct item. Probably most of your inventory time will be at night when your kids are asleep. Karen pulls shipping at 9:30 at night sometimes. I can’t remember any other resellers showing how they store the inventory. Several have antique booths also. The Antique Nomad is George who is the most knowledgeable reseller about antique glass. Laura Caldwell of Leftcoastrevival rents a small warehouse but she doesn’t have kids. I hope everything works out for you. I understand that you want to give this a try. You seem to have what it takes to have a utube channel. Best of luck.
Hi Jan! Thank you for all the info. I’ve never seen Homeschooling picker…I’ll have to do some searching online. Love watching Laura Caldwell and my new(er) favorite is Andi with All Put Together, but I’ve never seen how either of them store things. People have been giving some great advice here though, so I’m soaking it up! Cheers!
I LOVE using the hanging shoe organizers as my storage for my listed items like smalls, fabric lots, shoes, candlestick holders, etc. I bought a bunch at Daiso for $5.00 Each. They can hang right on your rods I see you have in that closet space. Clear totes underneath for larger/ heavier inventory. However, I am on the struggle bus to expand this solution. I too have piles everywhere.
😂😳 Believe me, I will NOT let it get there, but an inventory system sounds like a great idea…such a newbie here, so what does this mean? Like labeling so I know where everything is or a computer program? Etsy will be my main mode of selling. THANK YOU for your insight, Annette!
So I’ve heard! 😂 That’s a good idea. I wish I had one more garage spot so I could park in the garage; however, I think I could make this work in the basement! Thank you! 😊
I'm a reseller and I can hit 6 to 8 thrift shops on sourcing days. I know exactly what I'm looking for that's on brand for my booth and etsy. I scan with a very sharp eye and then thoroughly work certain aisles, like metals, because that's my specialty. You get faster with experience 😊
After researching more, I’m certain it’s Chinese silk embroidery and definitely valuable…I’m really kicking myself for that frame damage. It’s still worth it, but would be worth more in better condition as I found it. Lessons learned!
😂 lol I knooow… it was hard to explain in the store without causing a scene how things were just popping out left and right at me… And I didn’t even get through the whole store!
High five!! I also had a good day thrifting (for myself) this Friday. I try to go in the mornings. I'm a SAHM now, so I can go any day. I was most excited to score a little tykes basketball hoop and a rubbermaid container that matches 3 I already have (for my flours and sugar). I've been looking for both items!
Hi Emily! Woot woot! Having flexibility on when to go is a major bonus for sure. Working only part time and for myself lends itself to thrift trips often. It’s the best when you find what you were specifically looking for, right?! Love that for you too.
Wow! I'm totally amazed at the things you find. The blue dishes are awesome. The thread holder. I know exactly where it's going. That is if I can find someone to hang it for me. Great video
I like how you get excited. I used to do that. Found so much stuff. Awweee. But I paid to learn what is or is not worth the hassle. I suggest doing a cart review. I just subscribed.
Love the vibe of your video...good balance of describing items, info about how you are experiencing the adventure, why you pick up certain things, leave others. Perfect pronunciation of giclée. I have seen other resellers use food safe mineral oil to recondition dry wooden items. It doen't leave a waxy finish. I have seen many of those crafting items do well on Etsy, in small bundles. Wishing you well! I have subscribed.
Thank you so much! 😊 You’re reassuring me I can do this! 👍 That’s a great idea about bundling the vintage craft supplies! I never thought of that. Thank you for subscribing…happy to have you here!
Looking back in the video it said “craft displays” so maybe it was for showing off crafts…I’m not sure but it certainly would work for either of those!
I too have found your channel, greetings from the UK🇬🇧. I’m following your journey with interest as I am thinking about starting my own Etsy shop for my treasures, looking for tips and advice from a Newbie 😊
Hello hello! Omg, between “seeing” all the flea markets, gardens, and the GBB in the UK, I’m past due for my first trip over there! When I go, I want the inside scoop on where to visit! 😃 From this newbie I can say there is for SURE a learning curve, but I’ve decided it’s a marathon and not a sprint. I have made my first sale though and am LOVING that feeling, especially since the person loved their item. Will try to put a video together about what I’ve learned once I have more experience under my belt!
Hi there. Like your videos. Your editing is wonderful. Just a few things...I'm a long time antiques dealer. Please don't be tempted to 'shine or polish things up'. When you're talking vintage, it will often devalue the piece. Remember people are paying for vintage pieces. Also, I know you didn't like the color of the mat on the tiger print but that's a personal preference...there are probably as many people who would love the yellow and if they don't, they can pay to have it re-matted. Replacing it will eat up your profits. Remember it's nor for your house. You just want it to sell for as much profit as poss. Last thing..bring bubble wrap, not paper to wrap. Paper doesn't really do much to cushion. My mother always told me put the breakables on the floor of the car and then they have no where to fall! Anyway speech over from a million year old dealer! Lol. It's a learning experience. Your video skills are SO much better than most You Tubers! I wish you the best. Have fun.
Oh my goodness, thank you for your sweet compliments and valuable advice! I’m soaking everything up, so I really appreciate your feedback from years of experience! DEFINITELY taking your mother’s advice too about breakables on the floor because that’s already happened to me! Glad you’re here! Thank you again for the compliments on the video and editing…it encourages me to keep going (it does take a LOT of time, so I’m happy to hear it’s worth it). ☺️
Nice trip again! Thrifting in Germany is different. Mostly fleemarkets… Have a great day. Greetings to Chicago from the surroundings of Hamburg again, Julia
I love your enthusiasm! And you have a great sense of humor! I sold on eBay for several months 20 years ago. I really kept my buy in low. I did estate sales and garage sales as our thrift stores stink in Dallas. After 2 months my husband asked me to quit. He said I couldn’t make any money at this. At the time I wasn’t working outside the home and we were very well off. So I quit. He boxed up my stuff and put it on a shelf in the garage. It’s still there after 20 years. Keep things under $20. Don’t buy a stamp collection book. Buy things you would have in your house. I kept some really nice stuff. Unique things. Like the wood fruit. Really check things over for damage. Always go to the last day of a sale. I bought a folding chair made of rope from Yugoslavia for $12. Estate Sale people thought it’d be the first thing out the door. It’s beautiful. Now my grown daughters love the stuff I bought back then. I also bought a complete set of the World Book of Knowledge 1915 excellent shape for $5.00. The sales ladies made a joke out of it offering to carry it to my car. I finally gave in. My kids loved them. Teaches everything from milking a cow to crocheting. Have fun doing this but don’t let it interfere with your family. Good luck, Jan
Thank you, Jan! I’m sure your daughters are in heaven! You’re 100% right…part of why I’m doing it is in hopes to still have a business, but be able to stay home near my babies (I have a 4 year old and twin girls who are 4 months). Right now I drive into the city a couple times a week for my actual job (my own business), but the idea of transitioning to being close to home all the time is so appealing! Thanks for sharing all this info! 😀
Hi, enjoyed your video! I’m in the western suburbs and I agree, not as much studio pottery in the Midwest, and of course being on the North Shore, everything is more sophisticated and European vs what I see in the western burbs estate sales. But it’s expensive here as well. I’m starting to expand To Rockford and DeKalb areas because it’s more “country” and I’m a cottagecore girl at heart.
Oh Karen, you are preaching to the choir! I grew up surrounded by cornfields (literally - besides the road that ran in front of our house), so though I have eclectic style, I'm much more cottage core and farmhouse than MCM actually. I'm now going to have to look in those areas. Thank you for sharing!
Wow I thought estate sales in PNW were expensive. But the ones you went to were so high. Beautiful stuff but big price tags. Thanks for taking us with you
@@jwb3136 yes for sure… The North Shore of Chicago is highly priced. I’m really trying to narrow in on getting better deals with higher margins, but it can be tricky!
@@TinyFindsTreasures I agree. I opened an Etsy shop a few months ago and because I do free shipping it’s hard to get margins when items keep going up. Best of luck to you
@@jwb3136 I hear you. Same situation over here. Best of luck to you and your new shop! Pulling for you! Let me know your shop name, so I can favorite it and people can see it here! ☺️
