Sunday, January 9, 2011

Market Days,Reflecting Accurately, and Junk

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Pictures from our booth.

One of the things I emphasize in training beginning teachers

is how to

reflect accurately.

This is not an easy task.

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What does that have to do with

selling at a local Market Days?

I did some of my own reflecting this weekend,

and this is what I discovered.

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I like to sit and watch people.

(You will never find that on a list of successful selling tips.)

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I like to sit and watch people while having

a

little snack…

Although I brought something healthy,

I really wanted a funnel cake…

and a bowl of nachos…

Oh well.

I’ve had my share.

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As I’ve shared before,

I am a better shopper than seller,

but this time I held back.

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I could write an entire post about

what many people in the outside world

call ‘stuff’.

It is like saying

physician heal thyself’

when you tell someone who likes to explore,

find treasures,

and do something with them

to NOT do that.

If someone in blog land said

‘I love good junk’,

I would nod and say

‘I do too.’

But if someone else said

Why do you like all of that junk?’,

I would have to turn off the

hot lava button in my big toe.

Does this make sense to anyone else?

 

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My mother, who was a great

explorer and finder

(our family words for junking),

always said she regretted getting rid of things,

almost as soon as they’d left.

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She was a very smart lady.

19 comments:

Connie in Hartwood said...

I really identify with your observation that you are a better shopper than seller ... I feel that way, too. When my nursery is open, I would much rather lead garden tours and answer rose care questions. At markets and plant sales, it is great to watch people and talk roses with customers and other vendors. Recommending roses to customers can stressful at times, especially if the customer is a novice, and the actual 'selling' makes me uncomfortable. My hope is that the roses sell themselves, but this isn't always the case.

TexWisGirl said...

That last photo of the religious bracelets - my mother-in-law had several of these (she passed 2 1/2 yrs ago). We gave them to some of her Catholic friends. :) Treasures, indeed.

Theresa said...

I am a better shopper too but SERIOUSLY need to get rid of some of many many treasures! I don't want to sell my goods! I have been thinking about giving the things I don't want or need to some of my younger family members! Have a blessed day my friend! Funnel cake sounds mighty tasty:) HUGS!

Olive said...

I would be an awful seller. I do enjoy watching people just like you and I love to talk...but you knew that. I hold my treasures too closely and do need to let some go. I would buy from you♥

Sarah said...

Definitely a better shopper than seller here. I did however work on editing my clothes closet today. Made great headway! 2011 is off to a good start.
Fun post ~ Sarah

Pondside said...

I love to people-watch and to browse at markets. I don't know how good I'd be at letting things go, though.....I have a feeling that it would be hard!

Donna @ The House on the Corner said...

The last time I was at Round Top I was hemming and hawing over a late 19th century cupboard - it looked like a precursor to a Hoosier cabinet. I was reluctant to spend the $400 - I wasn't really sure where I would put it - but I loved it instantly. The lady who was selling it told me, I've never heard of anyone who regretted spending the money but she had met several people who regretting not buying something when they saw it. Needless to say, the cupboard came home with me and I found the perfect place for it :-)

Jojo said...

People watching is the best. I love it most at the airport. Over the holidays I made several trips to wait on family in the arrival lobby and found myself crying and laughing at times at some of the many things that happen at arrival.

Some has to buy in order for someone to sell. Your buying talents will always be needed and wanted!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

I also am a better shopper than seller. I always said I could not sell my way out of a paper bag. I am also a big "people watcher".
Hope you have a great week!

Deb said...

I love "people watching" also...I love that milkware...I always enjoy your posts so much..

Karen said...

I am practically hyperventilating over that peacock!! AND the silver!!
Karen
Ladybug Creek

CHERI said...

I've never sold stuff but do love to SHOP!!! I wish so much we had something like Market Days around here. I love to look and hopefully find a small treasure or two...or three...or.... I like to call it junqueing! So French, don't you think???

D.B. said...

I think my Etsy shop says it all. Way better shopper than seller and would much rather observe people than haggle or market myself. Drooling over the pair of white foo dogs!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I can certainly identify with this entire post, Laura! I'm a lover of the hunt. And while I can give things away, I have a terrible time trying to sell my treasures at a garage sale. I used to be able to give them to a big charity auction that was held in the community, but when they stopped that, my treasures have sat around and multiplied exponentially. ;-)

What I want to know is this... did you come away with something wonderful???

XO,

Sheila :-)

Anonymous said...

You said it way better than I and it all makes perfect sense to me! I am a people watcher too. While waiting at the airport for my flight I never crack my magazine or book open....just people watch instead. :) I recently found a thing that I think is part of a farm grain shoot or something like that. It is zinc or metal and for all the world looks exactly like a mannequin. she stands about 5 feet tall. I want it! I have absolutely no where to put it but I want it real bad. No rhyme or reason for it but I want it. LOL

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Oh, I would definitely be a better buyer than seller too. A truth my husband would attest to also. :o) But, I do love to get rid of stuff to and have been doing a lot of that in recent years. No one would know it by looking around our attic and closets, but.........

Happy week!

Marguerite said...

My house is packed to the gills, right now, and my storage unit is overflowing, so yes, I understand. But it's gotten to the point where there is NO more room, not even for one more thing. So, I'm purging. "Less is more" is my new motto for 2011! And check out the nachos at my place, when you have time, cher! Happy New Year!

Diane said...

I do understand that completely! I love good stuff, and it is NEVER junk to me =)

Pamela said...

I have had regret on many occassions so now I am very careful abt what I give up. Where are market days here??

 

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