UPDATE PHOTOS for DIY Lock and Key Box to Practice Using Lock Picking Set: The Destiny of Things, Story 574

UPDATE PHOTOS for DIY Lock and Key Box to Practice Using Lock Picking Set:  The Destiny of Things, Story 574

How fun is this going to be?  Where is the jealous button?  BEFORE:

These have sold out.  Photo via Hoarder Rehab

Here is their story:

What a cool story behind your Etsy store! Here's what I'm doing with the cute padlock I bought:
My boyfriend loves burr puzzles (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burr_puzzle) and things like that, so his dad gave him a lock picking set for his birthday (no worries, he would never actually do anything illegal, it's just the challenge). However he says he needs motivation to open a lock, so he's asked me to make him a box with padlocks and something inside. So I did (see image). There are three 'real' locks on the box, and I was looking for one that would be easier to open, which is where yours comes in. I also dressed up the box as if it were a house that's itself padlocked (the other picture) :-).
Oh, and inside is some chocolate and a few unicorn related gifts, since that's how unlikely I think it is he will manage to open the box. Fortunately I do have the keys, for when he gives up....
Good luck with de-hoarding and saying goodbye to all your stuff. This lock has found a good home.

Inside of box in a box.  Love how the webbing looks like bricks!  

Photo via Etsy buyer from Hoarder Rehab

 

 

The house is so cute and love the black brick webbing peeking out on the sides of the house!

Photo via Etsy buyer

How cool is that?  Want, want!  Here is what I wrote back:

Hi Marijke! Thank you so much for your email and fun story! I just love it! Thank you for giving that lock a "forever" home! It has brought me the long lost motivation and inspiration I need, it has been so busy on Etsy that I have not had time to blog lately, but your story really interests me, so I hope I can use it and start writing it, just to get more insight on my hoarding ways!
I love your box of locks and the cute little house you made! Thank you for sharing your pix! Looks so fun!
If your bf loves Burr puzzles, he might like the Japanese wood ones too, I have a set, but I'm not puzzle expert and could not put it back together after I took it a part, but my hubs did! I couldn't even put if back together with the instructions, I think I'm not patient enough. Example below:
I've always wanted to learn to pick locks too and I've tried using paper clips on easy locks, but alas no patience there either!
Thanks again for your story and I appreciate you being a willing participant in my Hoarder Rehab! I hope you and yours have Happy Holidays as this crazy year ends to a much better one! Kennedy

 

I have this set, mine came in a cool box! Alas, I could only take them a part, I could not but them back together!  Thank goodness the box came with instructions with pictures and the Mr likes putting things back together!  I don't think I'll be trying any lock picking soon!  They make it look so easy in the movies!   Photo via Google

Saying Goodbye:  I am so thankful all the locks went to "forever" homes!  This was part of my hoarding without hoarding experiment.  I bought the same multiple items to resell, except I usually keep one of them.  It's easier that way on Etsy because all one has to do is change the photos and not the description.

I love locks!  And had quite the collection!  Don't know why, maybe that's my hoarder rehab insight for the day!  My favorite lock was a red Hello Kitty knock off lock.  It was more cute than Hello Kitty and reminded me a really cute cat shaped fire hydrant and the key was cat shaped too!  Can't find a photo of it.  I had two of them and they both sold.  Now I kinda wish I had saved one!  Photo via JunkDrawerAndMore.

What I Learned:

1.  I've collected a lot of lock and key and padlocks over the years and have just realized I never use them!  So thankful they've all sold.  The only lock and key I still own goes to my penny gumball machine.  I wonder why I love to collect locks yet never use them!  Guess it doesn't really matter now, as long as I don't collect anymore!

And I've always wanted to learn to pick locks too, but I think I'm over it, since that's a skill I'd never use.  There are other skills I'd rather learn, like martial arts, h*ll, how about just getting back into shape!

2.  Talk about getting into shape!  I have gained several covid pounds and I was doing Buns of Steel 3 by Tamie Lee Webb, I have the CD and VHS.  I had been doing it daily since the end of July and then late November my sciatica and bursitis returned and I stopped for the entire month of December.  So guess what's on my New Year's Resolutions?  Oh, I just found it on youtube here!   Have fun!

3.  My creative slump has taken a turn for the better and I've been mending again!  Yesterday I mended a sheet all day long!  I didn't want to stop and it felt so good!  I hope I can keep stitching on it today, while watching Quantico on Netflix.  It didn't get good til Season 2 because I guess that's how long it took for me to start caring about the characters.  That's okay, since I mainly just listen to it and have it going in the background.

4.  Still writing my Resolutions for 2021.  It looks like I'll be doing less Etsy and more outside activities, like gardening and hiking.  I'd like a wild vegetable and flower garden, meaning nothing fancy or organized, just seed dropping, watering and weeding to see what happens.  There is a nature park down the street with hills and trails to explore and at the top of one of the hills, I can see Dodger Stadium, downtown and on a really clear day, Catalina.  

Of course, I want to continue stitching.  I'd like to start making some junk journals or glue books to get back into paper collage and mixed media art.  With all the new things I want to start, something is going to have to give time wise and the only thing I can think of is Etsy.  That is going to b hard to give up, even just a little!

Also I need to keep on cleaning and organizing.  My creative slump's silver lining is that I started looking at all my textiles!  What a hoard of boro, antique and vintage fabrics I have now!  Not sure how to organize them.  I've been organizing the boro by type, solids, katazome, kasuri, stripes, children's novelty, cotton, silk and wool, but I tend to choose by color, so maybe sub types too?  I don't know if I can get that organized!

 

Maybe make use limp cloth book binding with boro and some old crochet buttons and wax seals!  The photo above is inspiring for that!  Photo via google, but I've seen the entire series on someone's flicker.  Found it here.  It's worth a looksie, if you like the photo above!  Vadstena observance. Sweden, 1451-1452.  Medieval limp cloth binding of linen with three seals.

Thank you Etsy buyer for sharing your fun wonderful story!  I wish I could be a fly on the wall when he opens all the locks and sees the treasures inside!  He must be super patient!  I love how the box and home are handmade!

Sales have finally slowed down and Etsy is having a site wide sale, but we won't be joining it this year because I need a break!  Due USPS being overwhelmed, I've stopped buying things, until things get back to normal for them, hopefully that is possible soon.  Which is good for me, since I have a couple of lifetimes worth of textiles now!  I've started to list my Japanese silk destash on Mending Ways because i don't think I'll be using much silk for anything.

We will still honor the Etsy's $35 free shipping guarantee for DOMESTIC orders only, if you request it though Etsy email, even though we are no longer signed up for it.  Unfortunately, right now due to the pandemic Internationally shipping may have restrictions depending on your countries covid regulations.

Click on the shop names to visit my hoard: HoarderRehab with 179 items, The Destiny of Things- 172 items, VintageToGoEasy - 164 items and JunkDrawerAndMore - 177 items.   And now, Mending Ways with 64 items!    Many of my textile art patches have found new "forever" homes. I need to make more, but I'm in a creative slump at the moment, so I'm listing a lot of fabric destash.  I am immensely grateful, thank you all who are supporting my alternative to hoarding!

Maybe you'll find something and give it new life and a new home!  All pleasant lookieloos are appreciated!

 

 This is my favorite, it's a shibori sampler in black silk, it's folded in half.  It's 45x15 inches, available here.  Photo via Mending Ways.

Happy New Year 2021!  Thank you readers from all over the world who continue to support my Hoarder Rehab and The Destiny of Things by taking part with your visits!

PHOTO UPDATE Tiny People Shaped Shank Buttons aka Micro Weebles: The Destiny of Things, Story 573

PHOTO UPDATE Tiny People Shaped Shank Buttons aka Micro Weebles:  The Destiny of Things, Story 573

These cute children's clothes buttons went to a doll collector!  BEFORE: 

NOS shank buttons VTG cute pair hand painted wood Japan marked mini people shape tiny doll figurine collectible novelty quilter gift.  Available here, photo via Mending Ways

Here is the fun note I received:

they are adorable! perfect little painted dollhouse people, like micro weebles. love them. and seller sent a bunch of cutesy things that reminded me of prizes at playland at the beach, a wonderful sf amusement part that was sadly demolished decades ago. boo, hiss! anyway, this all is fun. packed creatively and shipped fast. 5 little people stars. thank you. :) edit. dec 22. in photo by house.

I had to google micro weebles and they are little roly poly toy people!  I wish these were roly poly, but they make the cutest buttons!  I have a couple saved for myself to use as needle book or childhoos journal closures.  Thank you Sillhouette aka Catlady for sharing your fun story, more of her story below!

UPDATE PHOTO:

Love her doll collection!  All are ready for Christmas!  You can see the wee doll buttons over by the colorful homes!

Here is more of her story:

i'm an artist so you do understand. i'm collecting kitsch, both retro and real vintage, to decorate with this year. ornaments and dolls don't die of covid. i lost a close friend in may and i'm focusing on doll repairing and crafting now. i miss my 60's childhood very much. sillhouette   ps. if any don't stand but look good i can find a way to prop them if i need to.

And here is what I wrote back:

Hi again, We have added the photos you requested to the listing. Kindly reminder that button set #3, the girl does not have a shank to use as a button and they are tiny, see photo 6 with rulers for size reference. My condolences on the loss of your friend and missing your 60s childhood. I'm a 60s child too and we also take care of feral cats. I hope repairing dolls and crafting help you on your healing journey. Let me know if you have any other questions, Kennedy
www.etsy.com/listing/745968856/nos-shank-buttons-vtg-cute-pair 

Here is how wee tiny these doll shaped buttons are!

These are about 1 inch tall by 1/2 inch wide! and have a shank on the back, available here, photo via Mending Ways 

Saying Goodbye:   I ordered a large supply of these because it was less expensive per button.  I have put mine aside to use as needle book and journal closures.  Also I have a couple of children's clothes or doll clothes that need mending and buttons!  Lots of fun projects to start for 2021!

In case, anyone wants to see their shank on the back, available here, photo via Mending Ways 

What I Learned:

1.  I have too many projects rolling around in my head and not enough time or inclination to even start them!  But I do have enough time and energy to buy all the supplies for them!  I guess that's my insight to hoarding for the day!  I wonder what that means and how I can channel it into something more productive!  Time to put on my thinking cap!

2.  I'm still in a creative rut, but at least last weekend I started to mend again.  I mended my Roxy tank top, a sheet bedding and my white gauze summer shirt.  I've been mending my gauze summer shirt for 7 years or so now and our coral sheet for the past 2 years.  I'll be working on the sheet for the rest of the week.

3.  Been writing down my 2021 New Year's Resolutions too!  I want to start gardening, which means less Etsy shop stuff and enjoying the sun and soil more.  I've been cleaning and organizing all my mixed media collage and textile art supplies and it's another hoard's worth!  And I'm still patiently waiting for some of my retail therapy to arrive from the beginning of December!

Since the winter holidays are almost over, I think my buying spree is over or has lessened too.  Besides the postal service is on overload, I think everyone can use a break, especially them.  Christmas barely felt like Christmas with all the lock downs, gifts through the mail, instead of giving in person, etc!  

Many last minute Etsy Christmas buyers must have been stressed due to very, well, I don't really want to say.....And just when I thought the Christmas spirit had died of covid on Etsy, I received two emails wishing me Happy Holidays with kind undemanding words full of the Christmas spirit!  This is one of them!  I am so thankful that Christmas spirit is alive and well!

Anyone out there want to share their 2021 New Year's Resolutions? Do people even write them down anymore?  I kinda feel like I'm the only one because no one I know does anymore!

Doll buttons available here, photo via Mending Ways, but not the chair or the pink tree.

Thank you kind Etsy buyers for letting me know that the Christmas spirit is still alive and well!  Thank you Sillouhette aka Catlady for sending a photo of Christmas cheer!  During a much needed time!  I'd love to see more of your art and doll refurbishing!

The two days before Christmas and after til today, sales were crazy!  I could barely keep up with them.  I'm going to relax and de stress from Etsy for awhile now, I have never been so happy to take a break!  It's raining over here, so I think I'll mend and listen to the rain falling for the rest of the day, unless I feel like doing something else!

Click on the shop names to visit my hoard: HoarderRehab with 177 items, The Destiny of Things- 170 items, VintageToGoEasy - 163 items and JunkDrawerAndMore - 172 items.   And now, Mending Ways with 64 items!    Many of my textile art patches have found new "forever" homes. I need to make so many more.  I am immensely grateful, thank you all who are supporting my alternative to hoarding! 

Keep in mind, we ship out promptly every Mon, Wed and Fri, unless it's a holiday, and get orders ready the day before around 1pm, PST, after payment has cleared.  Due to USPS being overloaded with packages and less availability of postal workers due to the impact of covid, please check your local postal service because every state and country seem to have different and changing covid regulations.

Maybe you'll find something and give it new life and a new home!  All pleasant lookieloos are appreciated!

 The two cuties will arrive in a plastic capsule, just like they just came out of a toy gumball machine!  Available here, photo via Mending Ways

Happy New Year 2021!  Thank you readers from all over the world who continue to support my Hoarder Rehab and The Destiny of Things by taking part with your visits!

Mini Porcelain Doe Eyed Baby Deer for Yearly Christmas Winter Scenes, The Destiny of Things, Story 572

Mini Porcelain Baby Deer for Yearly Christmas Winter Scenes, The Destiny of Things, Story 572

I'd like to do something like that every year!

She's the deer on the left with the sticker on it and I'm going to call her Queenie for now.  I used to have a hoard/herd of deer like these, but I think they all sold or all I have left are the plastic ones like these.  I'll have to go hoard diving again!  Photo via HoarderRehab.

If it wasn't for my old school monthly pocket calendar, I would have completely forgotten this story because she was ordered around last July! for this month, December.

Here is the note I received:

Thank you for this sweet little deer! I love it💕 I will be using him in my Christmas village scene every December. It was exactly what I was looking for. Thank you for the sweet personal note, I am keeping it. Good luck in any endeavors! 

I am so thankful little queenie has found a "forever" home and will be displayed every year in a Christmas village scene!  I wish I was organized enough to do that!  I'll make it one of my New Year's Resolutions for 2021!  Thank you Etsy buyer for the motivation and inspiration!

Here is Queenie and her sister, I think they might be twins and Queenie is the older one, since her sister, Princess isn't up and walking quite yet!  Both have found "forever" homes!  Thank you Etsy buyers!

Here is the story from Princess's buyer:

Sweet as can be vintage ceramic fawn deer arrived quickly, packaged with care, just as described, a perfect addition to our growing deer family, awesome e-mail communication related to delivery dates, will visit again.

Happy to hear she went to a growing deer family collection!

Photo via HoarderRehab

 

Saying Goodbye:  Much of my hoard used to be so painful, stressful and emotional to let go of, but not anymore!  It took over 5 years of hundreds of items finding "forever" homes and facing and exploring the pain, stress and upheaval of emotions to finally change my thinking to being thankful.  And find other things to hoard!

What I Learned:

1.  I'm hoarding a lot less, but during times of stress, I do pick up the pace!  I've always gotten what I call the "dreads" during the winter holidays and I end up hoarding tons to release the stress of it.  This year is different, I haven't had the "dreads" at all and I'm still hoarding during this time, but I'm hoarding less.

I used to buy a lot of boro from Japan and antique fabrics and lace from the UK and Canada, but since shipping regulations and higher shipping rates have changed for many countries due to covid, I don't buy from International anymore.  This has really helped me change and realize how much I order!

I have a new interest in antique fabrics and quilts and have been hoarding that now!  However, I'm in a creative slump, it's been over a month and counting.  I was buying stuff left and right hoping it would spark and inspire me back into stitching, but it did not.  

Textiles were piling up with no where to go, so I've been doing my best to really think about what I buy.  I have learned I have true remarkable difficulties passing up a bargain, if it's a bargain I can instantly think of some way to use it and it goes in my cart.  If something sings joy in my heart, I usually can't pass it up and most of time, I get fixated on it and even though it may take weeks or months, it will end up in my cart!  And if it's sold to someone else, I experience out of control FOMO, fear of missing out!  And hunt down the next best thing or sometimes better and it ends up in my cart!  STOP all that craziness, I say!

These deers in resin are cute and larger than the porcelain ones, but they did come with a bunch of other porcelain animal families!  Available here.  Photo via VintageToGoEasy 

 2.  To stop or at least slow myself down, I've been gently pounding in my head to "clean and organize," but this only works for some time because I am motivated by rewards, so after a set point of time, only my body knows, it will tell me, it's time for a reward and buy something! or eat something special, so it's back to stuffing my face or stuffing my house!  Guess which ones wins!  Sometimes, both!

Well, at least I'm more conscious of what I'm doing and why I'm doing it.  I've tried other rewards, but they don't work YET, and my other motivating factors are team work and support groups.  I wish I knew another hoarder or someone else who needs to clean up or could go to a support group near me, but I haven't found either and with covid, I think I might be on my own for awhile longer.  Honestly, I haven't been very active in finding a support group, so maybe I'll put that on my list for New Year's Resolutions!

3.  I'm thinking of moving any new Hoarder Rehab and The Destiny of Things stories to instagram, maybe that's easier to use than this new blog format and then I won't write so much, I guess I'll explore and see if I can navigate through that too!  Add that to my NYR 2021!

What's on your list of New Year's Resolutions for 2021?  I'm still writing mine, which is a great start for me, since I usually don't get them done til March, I'm early this year!  Yipee!  Plus this new year has GOT to better than 2020, right?  Knock on wood, liar liar pants on fire, cross my heart, saved by hair of my chinny chin chin!  Please excuse my OCD tendencies!

Leo the Lion Family, available here.  Photo via Hoarder Rehab. 

Thank you Etsy buyers for your "forever" home stories!  I just love them, they keep me on track with my own Hoarder Rehab and give me insight to my hoarder ways!  I can't thank you enough, in a BIG way, you are my support group! 

I expected sales to slow down after our Christmas cut off date of December 15, 2020, but we are still getting sales daily and even today, have 6-7 sales going out this Monday!  I hope they don't expect to get them for Christmas!  With covid, the USPS service must be so excessively overloaded with gifts to deliver, since no one in California is supposed to go out this holiday season and hopefully most of the other states are playing it safe and mailing their gifts instead of gathering to exchange them.

I know in our area, the postal service is working overtime because I feed the feral cats in the front yard at 8-9pm and usually every morning I find packages on our porch!  Thank you USPS and our postal person, you are so dedicated!  I need to put out hot cocoa and cookies for them, since Christmas feels so weird this year!

Etsy has been busy since March, the beginning of covid, sales have been pouring in and our old average of 24 sales a week soared to 36+ sales a week!  So much so, I've had to package everyday to keep up with shipments, instead of 3x week.  That's where I've been, instead of blogging.  

Then I began my journey of my alternative to hoarding, which was/is textile rag art and opened our fifth shop, Mending Ways and now I'm in a creative block and am just destashing any fabrics I will most likely not use or miss, which is really difficult for a recovering hoarder!

Click on the shop names to visit my hoard: HoarderRehab with 177 items, The Destiny of Things- 168 items, VintageToGoEasy - 161 items and JunkDrawerAndMore - 174 items.   And now, Mending Ways with 62 items!    Many of my textile art patches have found new "forever" homes. I need to make somany more.  I am immensely grateful, thank you all who are supporting my alternative to hoarding!

Maybe you'll find something and give it new life and a new home!  All pleasant lookieloos are appreciated!

 

This lively made in Japan, Wales brand, happy kitten is available here.  Photo via Hoarder Rehab

Let's make 2021 as happy, smart and sweet as we can! like the kitten and spotted pony!

Sweet spotted pony has escaped from the circus, available here.  Photo via The Destiny of Thing

Happy Holidays, Feliz Navidad, and Happy New Year 2021!  Thank you readers from all over the world who continue to support my Hoarder Rehab and The Destiny of Things by taking part with your visits!

Advent Calendar & Gumball Capsules for Christmas Fun! The Destiny of Things, Story 571

Advent Calendar & Gumball Capsules for Christmas Fun!  The Destiny of Things, Story 571

I love this idea, so sentimental and heartfelt!  Good for next year, Advent 2021!  

20, 25, or 30 small 1.25" gumball capsules in mixed colors for surprise balls, holiday birthday cracker snaps, bath bomb surprises, pinata filler prizes, like trinkets and money,  These work wonderfully for small things that might get lost in a larger gift package, like rings and other jewelry.  Available here, photo via The Destiny of Things.

Here is the story I received:

For Christmas, my friend and i made each other Advent calendars for December! I made a cardboard capsule machine (like at an arcade or grocery store), and put various charms and stickers in these bad boys that each represent a memory we share together! These were the perfect size, and just what i was looking for to make an amazing gift! Thanks!

That is so cool!  I'd love to be a fly on the wall and see the handmade gumball machine and the happy look on the receiver!  And of course, I'd love to see all the memories and trinkets, but that might be too personal.  I totally agree, what an amazing gift to give and receive!

Thank you for sharing!  I hope it's given others useful ideas and the inspiration they need, as it has done for me!  Many thanks again!

We usually have 8-9 colors available and they will be the same colors shown, but some may be different shades, as some maybe lighter or darker in color.  Available here, photo via The Destiny of Things.

Saying Goodbye:  These used to be our best selling item, but I guess they have lost their novelty goodness for awhile.  Just like life, things go in cycles and I hope others will find creative and inspirational uses for them again.  Are bath bombs not trending anymore?  We used to get a lot of capsule orders from bath bomb shop on Etsy, but not so much anymore.

Photo via Etsy buyer.  I'd add their shop name, but it's no longer on Etsy. 

 

What I've Learned:

 

1.  This new blog format is driving me crazy.  It's very difficult to use, for example switching from center alignment to left align takes not several tries, but many!  So switching from writing captions for the photos to the rest is very time consuming.  Okay, this probably shouldn't be the #1 thing I've learned today, but I'm afraid to try and change it because I've already lost the photos once and had to begin this post all over again because when I got it back, it was all in a funk!

 

2.  So #2 is really my #1 and I was going to talk about how life and sales trends go in cycles, just like the seasons.  I feel fortunate that many of the staples we have to offer at our shops from my hoarding days are flexible and we can keep selling them, which I call rehoard items.

 

Some of them are these gumball capsules, there is a story to that, but later.  Others are the fortune fish, rotary date stamp, jax sets, tooth lockets and mini treasure chests.  All of these are tools I used when I was teaching.

 

3.  For teaching, the fortune fish, I used for introducing MAGIC, this was back in the day, when theme teaching across the curriculum was popular.  I included magic into everything, but mostly to show that most magic is not only an illusion, but has to do with mainly math and science, especially chemistry, like how the fortune fish work, which is in another post.

 

Mr Happy Gnome is holding the magic fish, which is basically a love meter, you hold the fish in the palm of your hand and it will most likely move, unless your a dead fish!  And how it moves determines what kind of love you are experiencing at the moment.  We sell these in small amounts for birthday holiday cracker snaps and surprise balls.  We also sell them in larger amounts for Holiday card inserts and passing out during Halloween.  Available here via VintageToGoEasy.

 

The rotary date stamp, I used all the time and had many sets in the classroom.  They come in handy for large amount of paper work, like filling out field trip slips.  Also good to use at the beginning of the year for third graders to get used to writing their name and dates on all their papers, but I guess those days have changed now due to Covid 19.

 

The jax sets were a good way to teach, counting, adding and multiplication.  And it boosted fine and gross motor skills, rule following and it's always fun to teach pigs in the blanket, around the world, etc.

 

The tooth locket necklaces and mini tooth treasure chests were a great way to start of Dental Hygiene week and of course I gave them out, like candy to any student whose tooth fell out during school time.

 

4.  That was so off topic, but oh well, not sure how to change or save it with this new format, so I'll just keep moving on....

 

5.  I just love the idea of Advent Calendars, but I've only made them once because they do take a lot of time, depending on how you do it.  I did the one from the Etsy blog a long time ago, and it took me a lot more time than I thought it would and should have started it in November so I wouldn't have to rush and pull an all nighter to get it shipped off to some little ones by December 1.  

 

I think next year, I'll try again with this gumball capsule idea!  Which I wrote down in my Oct calendar for 2021, to get started on collecting all the memories, trinket and souvenirs to go with it!  Some I can collect through the year as we make memories and use the souvenirs as reminders.

 

This is our best seller and even has a best seller label from Etsy.  In one out of 157 reviews for this item, in one of our last reviews, the buyer said her ink pad was dry.  She must have gotten a dud one because these sell out so fast, we get a new supply weekly.  

So I've started to check each ink pad that goes out, the sticker closure I use on the packaging will be from your ink pad, so you know I've tested it to make sure it's in good shape for you to start stamping as soon as you get it!  

Back in the day, I had about a half dozen of these in the classroom and gave them out as teacher and student helper gifts, available here.  Photo via Hoarder Rehab.

 

Thank you Etsy buyer for your fun inspirational stories.  I'm sure it gave others ideas for birthday count down calendars and Valentine's gift ideas, at least it did for me!

Christmas sales were busy as usual this year and much of my hoard sold as well as rehoard.  I do feel for the postpeople out there, due to covid, most aren't meeting for Christmas this year and are sending all their gifts through the USPS postal service, so they are slammed right now.  I can see why they upped the price on some of the holiday shipping options!

We had to stop using Etsy's $35 free shipping guarantees because for some reason it started to apply for International shipping too and we could not figure out a way to keep the
Etsy's $35 free shipping guarantee on for Domestic shipping and turn if off for International shipping.  We've been using Etsy's $35 free shipping guarantee, since they offered it and it didn't include International shipping back then, but now it does.  

Mini tooth saver treasure chests, will hold up to 2-3 tiny baby teeth, or one large molar, perfect for your baby or toddler shadow box keepsake.  Available here, photo via JunkDrawerAndMore.  (Center align not working, bummer.)

Global shipping is too crazy now with Covid, for example depending on the country and it's covid count and regulations shipping can change at a drop of a hat.  Someone wanted to order a textile art patch from Mending Ways, but due to covid, Singapore would only accept USPS International Priority Mail, which was over $40 USD, for a $35 USD worth of textile art patches because it said it should ship free! And I could not change "just" the International shipping at all our shops!  I read many of Etsy's articles and so did the Mr, who is much more techful than me and could not find a way to change it, so we had to turn it off.

We will still honor the Etsy's $35 free shipping guarantee for DOMESTIC orders only, if you request it though Etsy email, even though we are no longer signed up for it.

Click on the shop names to visit my hoard: HoarderRehab with 179 items, The Destiny of Things- 172 items, VintageToGoEasy - 164 items and JunkDrawerAndMore - 177 items.   And now, Mending Ways with 64 items!    Many of my textile art patches have found new "forever" homes. I need to make more, but I'm in a creative slump at the moment, so I'm listing a lot of fabric destash.  I am immensely grateful, thank you all who are supporting my alternative to hoarding!

Maybe you'll find something and give it new life and a new home!  All pleasant lookieloos are appreciated!

 

My students loved to play jax, when we were memorizing multiplication facts, it's fun to count by 2s, 3s and 4s, etc, when playing!  Jax sets available here, photo via The Destiny of Things.

 

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad!  Thank you readers from all over the world who continue to support my Hoarder Rehab and The Destiny of Things by taking part with your visits!

 

PS.  Mark your calendars now, I have because I won't remember until next year!  Next year's, 2021 advent begins on  November 28, 2021.

Halloween Day of the Dead Penny Doll Frozen Charlotte in a Coffin: The Destiny of Things, Story 570

Halloween Day of the Dead Penny Doll Frozen Charlotte in a Coffin:  The Destiny of Things, Story 570

Spooky or cute?  My vote is cute!

Coffin doll with spider and web, available here.

 

 

 

                                                      Photo via The Destiny of Things. 

Here is the email I received last March!

Just as pictured, thank you. Will save this Frozen Charlotte for my granddaughter Charlotte for Halloween this year. Thank you for listing it.

Not sure, if I could wait that long or remember to save it for Halloween, but I'm sure this Grandmother has!  Wish I could be a fly on the wall, when it's opened!

Saying Goodbye:  I used to have a lot of these plastic coffins and a collection of penny dolls or Frozen Charlotte dolls! Not sure which term is correct.  Seems appropriate for a Frozen Charlotte to end up in a coffin!

Coffin doll with spider and web, available here.

 

 

 

  Photo via The Destiny of Things.

What I Learned:

1.  Having a difficult time in blogland again, still not used to how any of the new format works, see above caption to photos! and my computer has been acting up with several major keys that stick, like: e, o, h and n.  They have to be hit with great force to be seen.  Feels like piano exercises!  Going to get this done despite the trivial annoyances!

2.  I only have a couple of coffin boxes left.  I found them several years ago as candy boxes and have not been able to find anymore.  They hold most penny dolls quite well, along with beads and buttons!

3.  I took a somewhat of an Etsy vacation.  I kept all the shops open, but just did packaging and relisting and nothing else.  Instead I got to sleep in as late as I wanted, read all I wanted, caught up with a couple of shows and movies I wanted to binge watch and got all my Christmas shopping done.  I feel so much better, almost human and am ready to get back to Etsyland!

4.  These would also be good for November 1 for Day of the Dead or dia de muertos or All Souls Day, which is the celebration of ancestors.   The annual Mexican celebration, Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), is a time when families gather to honor and remember deceased loved ones. It is believed that the souls of the dead return to visit the living families in homes, businesses and cemeteries.  This is a joyful festivity for families and the community and lasts from Nov 1 to Nov 2.

Are the coffin dolls cute or scary to you?  One buyer said she love hers because she took hers to work as a desk ornament and no one bothered here all day!  I think they cuteness overload for Halloween.  I love to spread the cotton webbing around the doll like shroud, while the doll looks on clutching her cute pet surrounded by spiders!  What a fun little vignette!

More coffin dolls with moveable arms.  I have since found more spiders and cotton webs in my hoard of hoards, so let me know if you want that included and I will for you!  Available here.  Photo via The Destiny of Things.
 
Thank you Etsy buyer for sharing your story and I would love to know how your granddaughter loved her coffin penny doll for Halloween!  I hope you are both happy and having a booeatiful All Hallow's Evening!

Maybe you'd prefer a cute rodeo girl with a red cowgirl hat!  Available here.  Photo via The Destiny of Things. 

As I said before, I've enjoyed my Etsy vacation, so I'm ready to start new listing again and to get ready for the winter holiday crowds this year!  I spent most of yesterday sorting cocktail animal and mermaids by color and by figurine, so I'm ready!

Sales are still holding at our old average, which is a nicer speed for me because I don't need to package up orders everyday to keep up with Mon, Wed and Fri shipments.  It should be interesting to see what the Thanksgiving to Christmas crowds will do this year!  

 Parties do seem to be down to about 30.  When we first started to sell cocktail drink toppers we would sell them in the 100s and beyond, but now we are lucky to get an order of 50.  Actually our largest orders for party favor type stuff is from 10-30, so the celebrations are smaller.  I hope everyone is keeping safe and well!

Click on the shop names to visit my hoard: HoarderRehab with 183 items, The Destiny of Things- 171 items, VintageToGoEasy - 160 items and JunkDrawerAndMore - 184 items.   And now, Mending Ways with 62 items!    Many of my textile art patches have found new "forever" homes. I need to make somany more.  I am immensely grateful, thank you all who are supporting my alternative to hoarding!

Maybe you'll find something and give it new life and a new home!  All pleasant lookieloos are appreciated!

 

A sample of cocktail drink toppers of animals and mermaids, available here.  Photo via
VintageToGoEasy.

 

Happy Halloween and Feliz de Day of the Dead!  Thank you readers from all over the world who continue to support my Hoarder Rehab and The Destiny of Things by taking part with your visits!