A Trip to the URM (Union Rescue Mission) and Gifts from my Grandmother...

It all started with my grandmother's bells...  I usually donate at the Goodwill, they're close and have convenient hours.  However, I remembered that at the Union Rescue Mission, a women's and children's shelter in downtown Los Angeles, they have a gift shop where they let the children pick out gifts for their loved ones.  I decided that would be the perfect place to donate the bells, well, the ones I didn't keep...

Next thing you know, I'd set aside some new teddy bears, children's books, and various other items to donate there.  I filled up my trunk and the middle of my car last week and headed off with my friend to downtown L.A..  It's always a difficult place to visit because there are so many people in need, but I was glad to be able to drop off some things that I hope will bring joy this holiday season.

This little Santa I'm keeping though.  My grandmother would hand make ornaments each year to give to us.  Although one of my goals is to have less stuff, the ornaments she made for us with so much love are a collection which I think will always have a place in my home.

Happy holidays!

These Little Things and a Trip to Donate...

In addition to going through the boxes in my room, I'm also going through some of the ones in the garage.  I found this box of bells and thimbles that my grandmother collected.  I've put some of them on auction here (as well as a couple of other items), am donating some of them directly, and had my mother choose one.  I think I will also choose one of the ones that don't sell for myself.  It's kind of emotional going through old boxes and finding things that were loved by a person I loved so dearly.  I hope they will all find their way to places where they will be loved and appreciated.

I took a small trip to the Goodwill and donated a few things, it's actually a little more than it looks like because the entire section is full, but I still need to do better!

Halloween Costumes and a Trip to the Goodwill...

I have some new listings up on ebay of some items from my Halloween costume box stash.  If you're interested in seeing them, they're here.  They'll only be up until tomorrow though.  It took me so long to get the listings done that I couldn't run the auctions for very long because Halloween is just around the corner and if anyone bids, I'd very much like them to get there on time!  

I did make a trip to the goodwill and donated all of the clothing that didn't sell, plus some other things!  I also picked up some frames for my art while I was there, so I came home with less than I brought, but not entirely empty handed...  I don't think I'll do as well with my costumes, I'll probably keep some of the ones that I have sentimental attachments that don't sell and possibly try again next year.  They might have a better chance if I list them earlier in the season and for a longer than three day total listing time...

A Late Arrival, a Covered Roseville Raymor Terra Cotta Butter Dish...

I just listed this on eBay here.  I didn't manage to finish the auction on time to list it yesterday and somehow felt it deserved its own post.  It's one of those things that I love, but almost never use.  I am hoping that if it sells, it will go to someone who will both love it and use it.  If it doesn't sell, well, I'm keeping it!  At least for a while.

I can't remember where or when it became mine, I've had it for as long as I can remember.  In perfect condition, these can go for more than $200 USD.  Mine isn't in perfect condition though, it has plenty of, ahem, character.  I took so many photographs, it was difficult to winnow it down to the seven I included in the auction listing.

If you're an avid yard sale visitor and thrift store shopper, I'd keep an eye out for Roseville Raymor pieces, some of them are quite collectable...  Obviously some are more rare than others.  The butter dishes with the covers seem to be fairly rare.  Even more of a find would be the bun warmers...

These days with my overabundance of possessions, I fight the good fight against stopping in at yard sales and thrift stores, but sometimes I find myself shopping.  I try to only pick up things I love myself, since space is at such a premium, but from having done research for my little butter dish (that's actually quite substantial in size for a butter dish), I think there are some Roseville Raymor pieces that I might buy with the intent to resell...  They really are quite lovely, so if I ended up keeping them, I don't think I'd be all that upset...

Edit:  I was thinking about this post.  I'm supposed to be getting rid of things, and yet, I find myself considering collecting Roseville Raymor pieces...  Sigh, I think I might be a bit hopeless ;)...

One drawer full of clothing...

Or more accurately, a file cabinet drawer full of clothing...

It looked like it was impossible, or at least extremely unlikely, but I've actually started to work on my goal of reducing my stuff...  I took a truckload of stuff to the Goodwill last week but forgot to take a photograph...

This is some clothing I decided to try to sell on eBay first, I have so much though, so whatever doesn't sell will be added to my next trip to the Goodwill.  If you're wondering why the clothing is hanging out in the file cabinet, it's because it's the only place I could think of to put them to keep them separate from the unsorted masses of stuff I have yet to go through...  The link to my smattering of clothing is here.

A new home, a shed, and too many possessions...

I have moved and I have found that my possessions far outweigh my available space...  Even with the shed you see in my backyard, I am overwhelmed by the clutter and lack of space.  My room has my bed in one corner and a small footpath around it.  The rest is boxes.  It looks more like a storage space than a bedroom!  I have decided to try and reduce the amount of stuff I own that I no longer need or use.

As an artist and a lover of art, books, and clothing, I have no illusions that I will ever have a home that is sparse with content, but I feel compelled to make the attempt to do better then I am currently doing!  I hope to make updates to this blog as I progress...

I've also created a twitter account which will be linked in content and theme here.