Wednesday, December 31, 2014

UPDATE: Fortune Fish for Carnival Theme Wedding: The Destiny of Things, Story #266

UPDATE:  Fortune Fish for Carnival Theme Wedding:  The Destiny of Things, Story #266

So inspiring to be remembered five months later!

photo via VintageToGoEasy 
Fortune Fish available here

An Etsy buyer bought these in July and sent me an update story with photo a couple of days ago!  Such a nice surprise in my email!

Hi, just wanted to say thank you again for my purchase, and I thought that you might like to see how I used them in my wedding. We had a vintage carnival themed wedding, so the fortune fish were just perfect to put with our favors, and everyone absolutely loved them! I have attached an image for you :) Also the little envelope full of treasures that came with them was brilliant!! was super neat opening it, what an awesome touch.
  
I never thought this item would be so popular as wedding favors, but I can imagine how fun and entertaining it would be for each guest, young or old!  And even more fun at a vintage carnival themed wedding!

Here's the photo I received!  So fun!

photo via kind Etsy buyer
Fortune Fish available here

How cool is that place setting!  Such visual fun!  I love the vinyl record place mat and caramel popcorn to snack on while waiting... and it looks like there are more fun surprises in the goodie bag!  

Another Etsy buyer let me know they were a hit at their wedding too, especially while guests were waiting to be served their food.  

I hope others get some good ideas from all those who have shared past and present. 

Saying Goodbye:  I am always happy to hear good news and am beyond surprised at how popular one of my favorite childhood fortune penny toys has become again.  It has become a staple at our Etsy shops.

What I Learned:

1.  Maybe it is possible to turn hoarding into a business.  It is an idea I toyed with when I first started my Hoarder Rehab from an Etsy blog article I had read that may have planted a seed, but right now I am only half way through my hoard and would rather see that to the end.

2.  As a recovering hoarder, it is very inspiring for me to receive stories and photos of how things are being used because as a recovering hoarder, I am obviously very attached and sentimental to things and hearing and seeing them outside of myself helps restructure my attachment and sentiment in a new way.

3.  I've learned a lot about myself and my hoarding habits this year and I am much more hopeful than when I started this journey two years ago.  My insights about my hoarding ways and how to improve them are strewn about on this blog and my journey has been a backward and forward roller coaster ride, but it is progress and not perfection that I will continue to focus on.

photo via VintageToGoEasy 
Fortune Fish available here

Thank you Etsy buyer for sending me an update and photo and especially for letting me know that the envelope of treasures was something fun for you to open because lately I've been discouraged with complaints about them.  Your "thank you" came at a time when I really needed it.

Thanks to all Etsy buyers this year and last, who have shared your stories with me because without them my Hoarder Rehab would not have been grounded, nor as insightful for me.

Thank you Etsy for the opportunity to share my hoard and to learn so much about managing an online business.  I knew close to nothing about running a business and am quite techless, however I am still working on becoming more techful.

Thank you readers from all over the world for your visits.  Positive support from just seeing a visit has been much appreciated. 

Related Stories:




4.  Fortune Fish:  The Destiny of Things, Story 238, other wedding themed ideas

"The end of the beginning" ---Winston Churchill, November 9, 1942

Happy New Year to you and yours this 2015!

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Christmas Stacking Crayons Replacement Story: The Destiny of Things, Story 265

Christmas Stacking Crayons Replacement Story:  The Destiny of Things, Story 265

I hadn't received a "replacement" story in quite awhile til the other day! So nice to see one!

 7 color stacking crayons, available here
photo via Hoarder Rehab


Here it is:

Hi. I read your thank you note. Our story :)
My daughter got this same exact crayon as a gift from her teacher for the holidays. She wanted to bring it to school so badly today and I told her no. She them told me that her friends all brought theirs in (she's in Kindergarten). So of course I went against my better judgement I let her take it. Well it fell while she was walking home from school and broke and she lost many pieces. She was upset. And she was worried I would be mad. I'm not of course but felt bad because I knew how much she loved this gift. So I searched for it online. And finally found it at your etsy store. Thank you!


I love that story!  Thank you to the Etsy buyer who took the time to send it to me.  Perfect timing too, just as I was getting bogged down in the hustle and bustle of the holidays.  This note of kindness lifted my heart and returned to me some happy holiday spirits!

As a retired teacher, I do know how my students loved stacking crayons and pencils and remember how fun it is to be with your friends using like things and how upsetting it can be when they get lost, so I always tried to keep some extras on hand. 

7 color stacking crayons, available here.
photo via Hoarder Rehab

Saying Goodbye:  I have my own set of these for coloring fun and originally bought them as an Advent Calendar surprise gifts since they unstack and fit nicely into the containers I was using and of course, I kept some extras in case, some little ones should lose theirs!

What I Learned:

1.  The winter holidays are the most stressful time of year for me and I'm doing much better than last year.  I am grateful for friends, the many insights I've gained from Etsy buyers sharing their stories with me and from those insights the experiments I've tried and new habits I've practiced to find other ways to cope with stress.

2.  I've learned so much these past two years about my myself and how it relates to my own Hoarder Rehab and have made progress in leaps and bounds, baby steps and even backwards steps.  Next year, I hope to be able to better compile my progress, changed habits, and write about what has helped me and what did not.

3.  It has taken more time than I thought to dehoard and find new ways to reach my Hoarder Rehab goals, but I have found some other creative alternatives to hoarding as a way to relieve stress by experimenting and it does feel good to find other ways to destress besides retail therapy hoarding!

I hope to start sharing these creative outlets on a regular basis for the 2015 New Year too!

Advent Calendar Starter Kits are available at JunkDrawerAndMore here
and The Destiny of Things here
 
Thank you Etsy and Etsy buyers for your continued support and inspiring stories that keep me going and that give me insight into my hoarding ways!
 
Thank you readers from all over the world for supporting my  HoarderRehab and The Destiny of Things with your visits!
 
Click on the shop names to visit hoard listed: HoarderRehab with 188 items, The Destiny of Things- 183 items , VintageToGoEasy - 186 items and now JunkDrawerAndMore - 126 items!  Maybe you'll find something to take home and share your story too!  Thanks for looking!  
 
 Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Related Stories:


 
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Friday, December 12, 2014

Two Lost Spaghetti Head Poodles: The Destiny of Things, Story 264

Two Lost Spaghetti Head Poodles:  The Destiny of Things, Story 264

New lives and home found for two lost poodles!

photo via VintageToGoEasy
more vintage animal figurines, here and here

I received a note letting me know that someone is excited that these two lost poodles are going to find new lives with a poodle collector this Christmas!

Always happy to hear such good news!  I just love these two with their little spaghetti dos!

photo via VintageToGoEasy
more vintage animal figurines, here and here

Saying Goodbye: So happy these have found a new home with a poodle collector! How fun it is to get something to add to a collection!  It's taken countless times of saying "goodbye" to my hoard of items to make it less painless and begin a healing process that may never be over, but I do know now that the journey does get easier and better.

What I Learned:

1.  I've learned a lot about being an Etsy seller and running an online business these past two years and I've learned a lot about myself as a recovering hoarder also.  I would say that I'm about half way through my hoard and hope it doesn't take another two years to find new lives and homes for them all.  I think I might be ready to move on...... only time will tell.

2.  As a recovering hoarder, I've been thinking about major and minor activities and habits that have helped me change my hoarding ways and want to share them soon in hopes they might help others, especially for 2015.

 Adopt a dog here
photo via Hoarder Rehab

Thank you Etsy and Etsy buyers for your continued support and fun stories that keep me going and that give me insight into my hoarding ways!
Thank you readers from all over the world for supporting my  HoarderRehab and The Destiny of Things with your visits! 
  

I almost reached my goal to list at least 200 items from my hoard on each shop until December 1st!  I reached that goal at three shops!  So now I'm taking a breather and taking time to reflect over my Hoarder Rehab journey and thinking of some new Hoarder Rehab goals and strategies for 2015!



Click on the shop names to visit hoard listed: HoarderRehab with 201 items, The Destiny of Things- 191 items , VintageToGoEasy - 193 items and now JunkDrawerAndMore - 129 items!  Maybe you'll find something to take home and share your story too!  Thanks for looking!
 Two more lost dogs looking for a good home, available here 
photo via VintageToGoEasy

"It's never too late to be who I might have been."---anonymous

Monday, December 8, 2014

Christmas Fortune Teller Fish: The Destiny of Things: Story 264

Christmas Fortune Teller Fish:  The Destiny of Things: Story 264

I love it when things bring back old memories and also make new ones!

photo via Hoarder Rehab
Fortune Fish, available at The Destiny of Things, here in amounts of 10, 20 or 30
At Hoarder Rehab, in larger amounts of 50, 100 or 150 here

I received an email in October from the Netherlands that two office friends are sending these in their Christmas cards this December.  Recently, I received similar words in "note to buyer" saying:

Great find. A childhood favorite. Fits right in the ol' Christmas card. Thanks for having them

So reassuring, fun and nice to receive random acts of kindness!

Fortune Fish, available at The Destiny of Things, here in amounts of 10, 20 or 30
At Hoarder Rehab, in larger amounts of 50, 100 or 150 here

Lastly, I received a story from a Mum who's had her fortune fish since childhood and how her daughter loved to play with it too, but it finally stopped telling fortunes after all these years, so she was happy to find new ones.

How cool, is that?  I remember these from my childhood, but I didn't save a single one from that time.  I do still have many things from my childhood, like my box of worry dolls, favorite hopscotch throw bracelet, my lucky Zuni sungod pendant, and miniature collection.  Most of it have found new lives and homes, but some are still available here.

Fortune Fish, available at The Destiny of Things, here in amounts of 10, 20 or 30
At Hoarder Rehab, in larger amounts of 50, 100 or 150 here

Saying Goodbye:  I am so thankful that many others love these as much as I do!  And best of all, I love it when Etsy buyers let me know about it!

What I Learned:

1.  Many of my favorite things from childhood are becoming popular again!  I love it when things from the past bring back nostalgic memories for some while making new memories for others.  I've had several Etsy buyers tell me these were hit at their weddings, as table confetti while guests waited for their dinner to arrive.

I've had others tell me they use in making their surprise balls and others have used it as party decor.  They've told me it makes great party favors for all kinds of themed wedding and birthday parties from a Vintage Carnival themed wedding, Halloween favors, instead of candy to a bass birthday party!  So much fun1

Thank you Ety and Etsy buyers for your continued support and fun stories that keep me going and that give me insight into my hoarding ways!

Thank you readers from all over the world for supporting my  HoarderRehab and The Destiny of Things with your visits! 
  
My goal is to list at least 200 items from my hoard on each shop until December 1st!  I reached that goal at three shops!  So now I'm taking a breather and taking time to reflect over my Hoarder Rehab journey and perhaps think of some new Hoarder Rehab goals!

Click on the shop names to visit hoard listed on most days: HoarderRehab with 200 items, The Destiny of Things- 194 items , VintageToGoEasy - 196 items and now JunkDrawerAndMore - 128 items!  Maybe you'll find something to take home and share your story too!  Thanks for looking!

Fortune Fish, available at The Destiny of Things, here in amounts of 10, 20 or 30
At Hoarder Rehab, in larger amounts of 50, 100 or 150 here

Related Stories: 
1.  An Etsy buyer from NY sharing Fortune Fish with her college classmates as they study, Fortune Teller Miracle Fish by Cathryn Hankla:  The Destiny of Things, Story 152.  I also included some of my favorite passages, read it here 

2.  Fortune Teller Miracle Fish:  The Destiny of Things, Story LXXXII, here used as party favors!

3.  Miracle Fish Fortune Teller Surprise Balls:  The Destiny of Things, Story XCII, here

5.  UPDATE on A Little Girl and her Miracle Fish:  The Destiny of Things, Story #112, Part 2,here

6.  As Underwater theme decor, see update photos and story here

7.  Fortune Fish at a quilting bee where old memories made new ones! Read it here!

8.  Teachable Moments with  Fortune Fish Tellers:  The Destiny of Things, Story 180

9.  With an updated photo from an Etsy buyer using some of my items from the "Thank you" package, here 

10.  Fortune Fish:  The Destiny of Things, Story 238:  Various ways they've been used in themed parties.

Thank you for stopping by!

Monday, December 1, 2014

Authentic Vintage Bal a Versailles Perfume by Jean Desprez: The Destiny of Things, Story 263

Authentic Vintage Bal a Versailles Perfume by Jean Desprez:  The Destiny of Things, Story 263

How to tell if a vintage bottle of Bal of Versailles is authentic or not?

 photo via The Destiny of Things
The last of my perfume collection from childhood to college, here

Unfortunately,  I didn't collect miniature perfume for their scents, but for their bottles!  So I don't know much about perfumes, cologne, eau de toilette and their scents.  All I know is I fell in love with the mini sized bottles that looked exactly like the ones every female relative had on their vanity or left in the bathroom.

Do people still have vanity tables?  I would collect those too, but.....

However, since listing my childhood mini perfume samples I've learned more about perfume than I have ever wished to learn!  And this perfume is a good example of it!

In the beginning of listing my perfume collection, I was diligent about researching some aspects of them, like in the case with this bottle, it does not say if it's perfume, cologne or eau de toilette, so I spent hours on line trying to find out, but didn't find much.

However, I am techless and can spend hours researching something and then mr oz who is techful usually finds the information I'm looking for in less than five minutes! So go figure!

Usually when I'm researching an item, I find other information and it's most likely something that intrigues me.  For instance, this was Michael Jackson's favorite perfume and he kept his favorite perfume in his pocket.

 photo via The Destiny of Things
The last of my perfume collection from childhood to college, here

Anyways, if you want to know what I found interesting about this perfume, you can read about it here.  The Etsy buyer who ordered this perfume or cologne or eau de toilette because I never did find out after days of searching wrote me this:

Hi, last night I received the two minis of Bal a Versaille I ordered and here's a pic of them. Your bottle is on the right, unmarked with the name of the perfume house. It smells different from the other mini and the sample EdC I have. I've never seen a bottle, even a mini, that carries no identification of who made the perfume. Unless you can point me to a source that says Jean Desprez issued unmarked mini, I can only conclude this isn't authentic.

 photo via Etsy buyer
Now I can thank you, but at the time this photo sent me into a panic!

Like I've mentioned before, I didn't collect perfume for their scents, only for their bottles, so I don't know much about authenticity, except where I got my collection!

So when I got this email I first felt like I did something wrong and secondly, panicked because who likes bad feedback!  And lastly had no information on how to defend my little bottle of Bal a Versaille, except that I most likely had it from childhood and that most of my collection were direct sample bottles from Bullock's in California or gifts because everyone in my family helped me collect them! 

My Aunt's best friend's mother who worked at the cosmetic counter at Bullock's would save them for me in the cutest little Bullock's bags.  The bag would get passed on til I eventually got them or a couple of times my Mom or Aunt drive me there for a visit at the department store, so I could personally thank her.  And she would end up giving me more!  It was a dream come true for a little miniature collector!

Alas, all that information was already in the listing description!  So I went back to researching and found this as my own shred of information in my defense:

I have researched this perfume several times in the past to find out if this bottle held perfume, cologne or eau de toilette, but never found anything substantial and again this morning about it's authenticity I found this comment from this site on Aug. 31, 2010, www.basenotes.net/threads/257881-Bal-a-Versailles:

"BAV has been through many permutations and a truly confusing array of bottles. The license for it has changed hands quite a few times, probably more. Right now it's held by a small Florida marketing company. With each licensing, bottles and formulations have changed. Any "EDP" is certainly modern. The big round EDT bottles with the plastic lyre top are modern. It's utterly confusing. To be safe, if you want the vintage EDT, look for a rectangular bottle with a white shield-shaped label with gold trim, and white box with the same shield -- these were made in the 70's. Cologne the same, except the label and box can be blue. (For obvious reasons, all splash bottles should be full and unopened.) For vintage perfume, 1/4 oz size, make sure the top of the little round bottle is spherical, real metal (brass I believe) and the neck has several "crimps." Any other packaging types are more likely to hold modern reformulations.

But even if you get a modern reformulation, it's a damned sight better than a lot of the dreck that's out there now. Nevertheless, all Bal lovers owe it to themselves to track down the vintage. It's gorgeous, beyond lush. "

According to my email, this information is already over four years old and I had passed it on to the buyer about a year ago and had forgotten about this perfume I didn't hear back from the Etsy buyer until 5 days ago, in which she thanked me for the reply and wished me the best!  I am so relieved!  Thank you! and thank you for this story!

So in defense of this bottles authenticity, the bottle is rounded and the top of the bottle is metal with the crimps, however I don't know if this is the 1/4 oz size, like the article says, "utterly confusing!"

photo via The Destiny of Things
The last of my perfume collection from childhood to college, here
 
Saying Goodbye:   I stopped collecting mini perfumes when samples changed from looking like their counterparts in miniature and instead came in those little glass tubes with a plastic closure!  
 
I don't have many samples left, except the ones list here, however my Mom does have the other half of my perfume collection! 

I don't mind saying good bye to these at all because although I still love the little bottles, I am so allergic to perfume now, it's difficult to be near someone who is wearing any.

What I Learned:

1.  I need to develop thicker skin!  I need to realize that no matter how much I describe a listing not everyone is going to be happy with their order!  I need to realize that bad feedback is just a part of life, even if I never give bad feedback!  
 
Yes, I do not give bad feedback, but I've never had a problem with ordering things online until this year.  And I only responded to one of them because what the photo showed was different than what I received.

I believe that everyone has bad busy days and despite this they still do their best.

2.  The year is almost over and I'm starting to check and revisit old goals, so I can dream up the next ones for the New Year.

Any suggestions on how to research online faster and more effectively?  Of course, I took a few minutes to research this perfume's authenticity again, but all I found was this interesting review on it's fragrance.  Makes me want to try it!

The only real way to know if BAV is authentic is with a rectangular bottle with matching box?
photo via Google images
 
Random review I found researching, which reminds me of my Louis Vuitton story:
 
The first time I met Bal a Versailles I was 16. On my way through Nordstroms I saw it sitting on the perfume counter, in the middle of the shiny modern 80's bottles, looking very out of place. I'd never even heard of BaV before but I rather recklessly spritzed it on both wrists (hey, I was young, lol).

The next 20 minutes were miserable. BaV was completely out of left field. I wanted to wash it off! But then something changed and it became quietly perfect. At the end of the day it was so warm and delicious and that I knew I had to try it again.

Every time I wear this fragrance, I am still uneasy for the first 20 minutes. During that time I am 90% certain that I've made a mistake. But after that, it is simply one of the best fragrances that humanity has ever managed to formulate. It is warm and deep and delicious and sensual.

I've read that there are over 300 different ingredients in this masterpiece. I can't smell them all, but I always feel like I'm wearing a work of art when I put it on.

It's not a fragrance for everyone. It's a fragrance that lasts, but it doesn't zing across the room like some perfumes do. It has very rounded, full, soft edges.

This is not a fragrance for a girl. This is a fragrance for a woman.

If you're tired of the soapy, piercing, headache-inducing "clean clean clean" laundry perfumes, if you'd rather smell like a goddess than a lollipop, if you'd like to make people nervous at church, give Bal a Versailles a try. :)

25 February, 2014

I love that part that says, "if you'd like to make people nervous at church!"  All that in a fragrance?  SOLD!  If I weren't highly allergic to perfumes, I'd be tempted to try Bal a Versaille!

I kept my perfume collection in the box above and brass glass
display boxes from Mexico.  Remember those?  I loved the doors and the hinged clasp closures.

Related Stories:

1.  The above Bal a Versailles perfume review reminds me of how I started collecting Louis Vuitton, read about it,  here


"As a recovering hoarder, I do believe that some scents do bring back stronger memories, but for me most of my things unlock a secret."

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Native American Sand Cast Sterling Bracelet: The Destiny of Things, Story 262

Native American Sand Cast Sterling Bracelet:  The Destiny of Things, Story 262

Native American sand cast sterling silver bracelets are one of my favorite kinds!

I have had several of these to wear stacked, available here
The one shown in the photo was 16 grams and the one listed is 31 grams
I also have another sand cast one with coral, here
photo via Hoarder Rehab

I have or had many in my collections over the years and loved to wear them stacked.  I really liked the sounds they made when I wore them together.  Pleasant clinking, a little like soft bells.  

I counted my Native American collection once and stopped counting at around 50 and I keep finding more because I know I have a couple of fetish necklaces and a milagro cross necklace some where still lost in my hoard and I go looking for them every once in awhile!

I have had several of these to wear stacked, available here
The one shown in the photo was 16 grams and the one listed is 31 grams
I also have another sand cast one with coral, here
photo via Hoarder Rehab

Anyways, on with this story!  Here is the note I received:

Hi! New to Etsy...this is my first purchase. Just received silver sand cast bracelet. Wow was that fast!! I have been looking for this specific silver bracelet for some time now. I have seen it on E-bay twice but never won. Well, now I have it and it fits perfect! Thanks so much

I am so happy for this Etsy buyer.  I so know what it is like to try and buy something on ebay and not get it over and over!  And for me, as a recovering hoarder, it feels like a crisis of panic and sadness!  Such overwhelming loss!  Well, it's happened so many times now, it's getting easier!

So speaking of ebay, I bought this bracelet back in the 80s, back when I was on a hoard rolling buying spree!  I was going through a dreadful stressful situation that went on for three years and during those three years, I made sure I had something from the mail waiting for me when I got home from work!

Everyday I opened a little package, even on Sundays! because I made sure at least two arrived on Saturday or one of the other week days!  I know crazy, but it was a coping mechanism that worked for me, albeit expensive!  

I'll be brave and add up how many items I accumulated through that dreadful time!  365 days multiplied by 3 is 1, 095!  OH MY!  and that doesn't even include when I went thrifting!

Okay, time to change the subject!  I've had all I can endure at the moment!

I have had several of these to wear stacked, one available here
I also have another sand cast one with coral, here
Most of my Native American jewelry is listed here
photo via Hoarder Rehab

Saying Goodbye:  It used to be difficult to let go of my jewelry, even though I can't wear sterling or gold anymore since I've been allergic to it over 5 years.  I can touch it for a short time, but not wear it past 15 minutes before I start having a reaction.  

Some days are better than others, but I haven't worn jewelry in so long now that it doesn't feel right to wear any kind, so I don't, but I still like to make it and think I'll wear beaded jewelry!  We'll see, if I can't used to wearing jewelry again.

What I Learned:

1.  Hoarding or retail therapy is an expensive coping mechanism to destress, but I must say, it does work for me and I suppose in some ways, it's a lot healthier than social drinking or recreational drugs.  However, now that I'm on this journey to dehoard and figure out why I hoard and find other ways to cope with stress, I find it's not that easy.

2.  My next favorite coping mechanism is food and not healthy foods either, but foods I call, "happy food!"  and since childhood it's been fried foods, especially potato chips, french fries and fried chicken.  Luckily potato chips can be found organic and so are baked french fries, but I haven't found a fried chicken yet, so we bake ours rolled in organic potato starch, like Japanese chicken karaage or tempura, but I still miss the quickness, convenience and deliciousness of fast food!  In that order too!

3.  So glad Thanksgiving is tomorrow!  Lots of yummy foods, relaxing, napping, some playing, then more snacking and then repeat!

What is your favorite Thanksgiving yummy?  Mine is easy to guess, the crispiest turkey skin I can find!

My favorite sand cast pieces are the ones where I can see the sand on the inside!
I think this piece is very old, available here
 photo via Hoarder Rehab

Thank you Etsy buyer for sending me your story!  I had totally forgot about my ebay buying days from that dreadful time!  Also thank you for all the insight that I got from your story!

Thank you Etsy for making it possible to enjoy dehoarding by meeting such kind Etsy buyers who take the time to help a recovering hoarder!

Thank you US, China, Taiwan, Germany, Spain, UK, Jordan, NZ, Philippines, Poland and many others for coming to visit and taking part in my  HoarderRehab and The Destiny of Things!
  
My goal is to list at least 200 items from my hoard on each shop until December 1st!  I've already met that goal at Hoarder Rehab, The Destiny of Things and VintageToGoEasy!  I'm going to list new hoard daily, until I've met my goal at each shop and then keep at least 200 items listed on three shops!   

Click on the shop names to visit my new hoard listed daily: HoarderRehab with 204 items, The Destiny of Things- 201 items , VintageToGoEasy - 204 items and now JunkDrawerLoveEtsy - 195 items!  Maybe you'll find something to take home and share your story too!  Thanks for looking!

The turquoise bracelets were both sand cast and are long gone.
The open diamond sand cast bracelet is from my mom and a keeper.
The coral sand cast bracelet, available here
The carinated bracelet that looks like a rising sun, available here
The rows of corn Tahe bracelet is long gone too!
 photo via Hoarder Rehab

Related Stories:

1.  Story about the rows of corn Tahe bracelet:  Cloud 9 to Corn from Heaven:  a small Native American bracelet I never received and forgot because I had bought so much and came later with a bigger surprise!

2.  Updated with photo from Etsy buyer:  New Home for Turquoise:  The Destiny of Things, Story XXXI 



5.  This was my last Native American bracelet story that has 10 more related stories!  What a collection of stories I have!  Native American Sterling Watchband by Marie Dale: The Destiny of Things, Story 232


"Harmony.  It's not what's lasting or permanent.  It is about individual voices coming together for a moment.  And that moment lasts a length of a breath, or in my instance a transaction.  That's what I think about my time here."---Frank Underwood from House of Cards or in my case, I think it's "destiny, as well as harmony."   See the quote in one of my collages, here 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Monday, November 24, 2014

Glassine Transparent Wax Like Bag Envelopes: The Destiny of Things, Story 261

Glassine Transparent Wax Like Bag Envelopes:  The Destiny of Things, Story 261

Remember these?!!  I use mine all the time and have many different sizes!

 This 6x3 size has SOLD OUT.  I like the
7x3 glassine bags with side gussets better, available here
photo via VintageToGoeasy

The size shown in the photo is not easy to find and out of all the different glassine bags, these seem to be the most expensive too!  

I'm not prone to change when something I like and use often is practical and looks good, but I ordered a new batch of these thinking they were the these, but they weren't!  I ordered not only the wrong size, but the wrong kind!  These were an 7 x 3 and had the gusset folds on the sides!

I was in dismay, but had to use the new size anyway, because I only had about 70 left of the size I was using and an Etsy buyer had  ordered 30 and then another 30 were ordered on VintageToGoEasy!

Here is what the new size with gusset folds look like:

7x3 glassine bags with side expanding sides gusset folds, available here
photo via VintageToGoeasy

I use these for my "thank you" packaging that goes out with every order from any of the shops.  You can see the red Fortune Fish over to your left. 

It took me awhile, but I like these better now because the gusset sides expand by folding out and these bags can actually hold more, so sometimes I can put the order in it too!  I love these because of the old fashioned look and also because they are more eco friendly than plastic.

I do try and be as eco friendly as possible however I do ship almost all my packages wrapped in plastic due to one Etsy buyer leaving their package in the rain all weekend and complaining that although the item was slightly damp, it was not damaged.

Anyways, back to this story!

 This 6x3 size has SOLD OUT.  I like the
7x3 glassine bags with side gussets better now, available here
photo via VintageToGoeasy

Here is the note I received:

Super-fast shipping and secure packaging. Seller also included a really fun surprise grab-bag of goodies, including a lovely note and a brand-new penny for my thoughts!^) I'll be using these extremely affordable and durable bags to package individual gifts of pecans and dates for the holidays. Great seller and great shop! Thanks so much! 

Yummy!  I just love dates and pecans and they'll look great in these! and it's always so nice to get a note full of compliments!  Thank you!


These larger bags hold more too!
About 2 cups of popcorn or 4-5 ounces of small candies or beads!
7x3 glassine bags with side gussets, available here
photo via VintageToGoeasy

Saying Goodbye:  I saved the last 10 or so of the old smaller sized bag and am enjoying using the larger ones now, even though it did take getting some used to.

What I Learned:

1.  I need to be adaptable and more open to change.  I was more than slightly upset with myself for ordering the wrong glassine bags and now that I look back on it, it was just wasted negative energy because now they are just fine!

I can also see why I'm so attached to my hoarding ways!  It sounds funny now, but it wasn't a couple years ago!  Least today, I can see how inspiring and motivating it is to be able to roll with the punches and change my ways!

I remember reading some where that life is soft and yielding and death is stiff and rigid.  I better understand those words now....



Samples of my "thank you" package that goes out with almost every order.  
Sometimes,I don't have time to make one for "rush"orders, etc.
Sample pack can be ordered here without purchase

Notice the penny in this photo is not new!  Brand new shiny pennies are hard to come by too, even harder to find than the "right" sized glassine bags!  My bank doesn't have them and I ask each time!  They probably know me now as the "penny" lady!

I've always loved pennies and I do collect special ones!  They come in handy for good luck, wishing fountains, penny for someone's thoughts, penny loafers and taking penny adventures!  Take a walk and at every corner, flip a penny!   Heads go right and tails go left and see where you end up!

How do you use your pennies?  I've even used mine in my mixed media art.  I had a display box with 8 dollars of pennies glued to the front and back!  The front showed all the heads and the back showed all the tails.  It had a place to take a penny for good luck, to share your thoughts and a little fountain to make a wish.

Oh and it was right next to the penny gumball machine which held peanut M&Ms. Unfortunately, it was so heavy it fell off the wall countless times and finally I think it fell into a trash can! I do have a photo of it some where lost in the hoard!

This one is a little different, but with a newer penny
Each shop has one, but the items vary slightly, available here

Thank you Etsy buyer for taking the time to send me a note with your story and so many wonderful compliments.  So nice of you to take the time and look how much I gleaned from your story to help with mine!

Thank you Etsy for another grand win win happy transaction that goes deeper than scratching the surface!

Thank you US, Malaysia, China, Ukraine, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Spain, UK, Hong Kong and many others for your for taking the time to support my  HoarderRehab and The Destiny of Things!  Your visits are greatly appreciated.

 photo via Hoarder Rehab, available here

"Do not break, bend." ---Aesop's Fable:  The Oak and the Reed

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

MetallicTinsel Pom Pom Puff Balls for Cats: The Destiny of Things, Story 260

Metallic Tinsel Pom Pom Puff Balls for Cats:  The Destiny of Things, Story 260

Do kittens have favorite play toys?

Metallic Tinsel Pom Pom Puff Balls, available here

An Etsy buyer sent me an email that definitely answers that question!  Here it is:

Greetings!

I thought I'd give you a bit of back story concerning my
recent order of the 55+ tinsel puffballs.

I had recently fostered some kittens, one of whom, by virtue
of getting sick and requiring extra care, ended up becoming
a permanent member of my family.

A sweeter, more personable cat can't exist, I don't think.
He sleeps on my face at night and purrs any time he's
handled.

He had a favorite toy, a certain single white tinsel puffball 
from an earring of my sister's, of which I had no duplicates.
So when my kitten lost the puffball, he seemed sad without
any of his favorite toys. I tried buying him regular puffballs
(the kind without the tinsel) but they just could not keep his
interest.

I managed to find more --thankfully!!-- on your Etsy site, and 
how gratifying it was to see my kitten's face light up as soon
as he laid eyes on the tinsel puffball!
I'd had no clue that cats could be so preferential to toys.

With this purchase, I've ensured what I hope are years of happiness
for my kitten. Thank you so much for making this possible.

I've added a picture of him, just so you can see his excitement too!

Best,
B
Metallic Tinsel Pom Pom Puff Balls, available here

Is that the cutest kitten story ever?  and how fun and interesting to find out that cats have favorite play toys! and how cool to meet someone who fosters orphaned kittens!  All I can say is the cat's got my tongue with this super cute story!  On to the photo she sent me!

photo via Etsy buyer, who fosters orphaned kittens
 and her adorable kitten with his favorite play toy, a metallic tinsel puff ball!

Can you imagine how fun this kitten would have with a garland of these puff balls?  And to think the original play toy came from her sister's earrings!  I've seen them glued to tooth picks for New Year's party appetizers and I used mine for the tops of a forest of trees for Advent Calendar gifts last year.

Metallic Tinsel Pom Pom Puff Balls, available here

Saying Goodbye:  I had my fill of these metallic tinsel pom poms around the same time last year when I made over 25 geometric trees for an Advent Calendar forest.  It was fun once I made my own patterns to fit the different gifts correctly and I even finished in time.

What I Learned:

1.  I never know what interesting and fun lessons I will learn from day to day!  Who knew that animals have favorite things too! I did hear the other day that octopi love to decorate the outside of their homes with colorful shells, rocks and what not and that it just wasn't camouflage, but pleasing and special to themselves.

2.  And here's another ideas for tinsel puff balls!  They are not just for earrings, garlands, appetizer toothpicks, table confetti for parties or Advent Calendar embellishment, but for kitten play toys too!  Perhaps their favorites!

How would you use them?    Well, for someone like me as a recovering hoarder that tends to "over do" things, I'd like to string many puffs like a garland and pull them out of a box, like little mice out of a mouse hole!

I added the tinsel puffs to all the tops
 to give it a fairy forest look for the girls and a Dr. Seuss look for the boys!
photo via last year's posting here

Thank you Etsy buyer for taking the time to send me such cute, fun and interesting email!  I love it all, especially the photo of your kitten with his favorite tinsel puff ball toy!  

Thank you Etsy for another amazing transaction all from the kindness of strangers!

Thank you US, Ukraine, France, UK, Germany, and others for taking the time to support my  HoarderRehab and The Destiny of Things with your visits! 

Advent Calendar Starter Kits are available at JunkDrawerLoveEtsy here
and The Destiny of Things here

My goal is to list at least 200 items from my hoard on each shop until December 1st!  I've already met that goal at Hoarder Rehab and VintageToGoEasy!  I'm going to list new hoard daily, until I've met my goal at each shop and then keep at least 200 items listed on three shops!  

Click on the shop names to visit my new hoard listed daily: HoarderRehab with 205 items, The Destiny of Things- 199 items , VintageToGoEasy - 200 items and now JunkDrawerLoveEtsy - 192 items!  Maybe you'll find something to take home and share your story too!  Thanks for looking!


 The forest started to grow and with it all the ideas and fun! Many of the days build on to the next one
with teachable moments and short little activities, like a wish list using the Just Say No memo pad turn from a pre write to a letter to Santa!

Related Stories:  



3.  Geometric Trees Advent Calendar Forest: Creative Outlets, Story #2, Part 3 

 Etsy blog directions to make the smaller trees for this Advent Calendar, here
Go straight to the templates here

This year I am making Christmas Surprise Balls!