Thursday, December 25, 2014

Christmas.

It's Christmas Evening. Logan is relaxing in the other room, we just finished watching "The Interview." I had a great talk with the parents. It's a good time for reflection. This year has been a great one. Lots of adventures both professionally and in my personal life. Lots and Lots of second hand adventures. A bit of a run down:

There were four Pay What You Can Yard Sales. Total amount of money made was about $1000. Not too bad to a yard sale where you make up the price. Over the next couple of days, I'll be sending out a info packet to folks that I think could be interested in doing their own Pay What You Can Yard Sale. If you are interested, please let me know and I'll send you some info! I'm hoping to do at least six next year.









On a side note, I'm doing a Pay What You Can Swap and Drop on Sunday, January 11th. All free stuff for this one. It's chance for me to clean out my storage, and for you to clean out your storage and bring me stuff! Come get stuff from me and drop off things you don't want. There will be a donation box if you'd like to donate to last year's beneficiaries: Show Party!, LBTQ Giving Council, Whiskey Rebellion Theatre and Gear Up Alliance. We'll also have treats! Come on out!

There were other adventures besides PWYCYS.

In April, I tried my hands at selling my buttons. By day, I'm a graphic designer and sometimes I put my skills on buttons. Didn't do too bad. But I think I'll be hanging my button hat for a while. Don't worry though if you never got a button. They are free at Oomph Studios.


In June, Logan and I went to the Antiques Road Show. We got to meet Mark Wahlberg - the host. Also met a very lovely family that came from 300 miles away. Awesome folks.



Our stuff turned out to not have monetary value, but it was still a fun experience. You came in, stood in line. Talked to folks about their stuff. Stood in line again, talked to more folks. Stood in line.

Well, I thought it was fun!

Lots of weddings happened in 2014. One of which were my darling friends Kristin and Anthony, back in September. Such an awesome wedding!

The day after...by good buddies Matt and Nicole and I went to a thrift store...which was surrounded by many thrift stores. Epic times. Here's a picture of us going to Meier at four in the morning.


Also in September, I tried my hands at Wolff's Flea Market. Started the day at 3:00 a.m., to get to the place by 4:00 a.m. I was selling things that I had around the house. Didn't make much, but had a good time. Will be doing that again!

In October, we celebrated the end of an era. Hot Dougs closed down. We were there for the second to last day. And boy was it magical... (this has nothing to do with second hand, but we should honor the Hot Dougs).


That's a good sum up of the past six months. More will be coming in 2015 and I'm very excited. Have a good rest of your year and see you in 2015!

Sunday, June 8, 2014

May and the Sales you Need to Go to

May was very much the busiest of months that Oomphotography had seen since it's beginning. Lot's headshots, performances, a super hero book, all good stuff!

But there was also a fair share of second hand awesomeness!

There was the first Pay What You Can Yard Sale, and it went pretty great. For the first sale, I'm pretty happy about how it went. Show Party! Made $118, and a lot of awesome stuff went to good people.







yep...same picture from before. Scrooge McDuck didn't grow on me. 






The next sale is July 12th. Stay tuned for more details!

The month also brought Chicago's best yardsale, the Ravenswood yardsale. And it did not disappoint. 

Picked up signs, jewelry and some actual useful things. 


Nope, Logan wasn't injured...he likes to buy crunches to make video equipment...


David bought a bunch of Magic Cards.




And then there was Noelle and Rachel's Yardsale. Noelle and Rachel are two very epic folks who are Neo-Futurist Alumni. Some of the best writers I know. 


Walked away with a few books, some jewelry and A COPY OF QUARK! 

Oh Quark, God rest yee soul. I remember when I had to go back and forth between you and Adobe as my wonderful mentor, Susan was a Quark user. I'd choose Adobe any day, but it did handle fonts better.

I got their top of the line for two bucks - there are files at work that are older than dirt that Adobe doesn't dare open. 




This month has slowed down a bit, but there are some sales I'm checking out and you should too:

The Rockwell Yardsale - Next Week

The Andersonville East Yardsale - (Info not up yet, but I saw a banner at MidSommar Fest that it's the last week of June. 

That's all for now!

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

The amazement that was the first Pay What You Can Yard Sale

We came, we sold stuff, we made money. And it was grand...

This weekend was my first ever attempt at a Pay What You Can Yard Sale - the yard sale that helps charities and idea makers out by selling items for what folks want to pay. While the turn out was lower than I wanted - I wanted a million, I got 17, the folks who came were very excited about both Pay What You Can Yard Sale and Show Party - the theatre group that this Yard Sale helped out.

We made $157 - not bad for a sale that wasn't really publicized and was inside a house. I very much want to do this again! If you want to make money for your charity or idea, let me know!

Some pictures of the goods:













I leave you with a Top 12 list of ways that you know you are the thrifty one of the bunch. 

Monday, May 5, 2014

Pay What You Can Yard Sale

Best yardsales in Chicago: 

#2 - Lakewood Yard Sale

Grand prize epic best yard sale ever - Pay What You Can Yardsale



That's right! The sale this Saturday! Buy what you want, pay what you want can. Sales go to the theatre group, Show Party.



And now, something else that's neat:

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Easter Flea




Easter was my first trip to the flea market of the season! I went to do a little shopping, do a little studying - My buddy Matt and I will be vending sometime this summer.

Wolff's flea market is pretty decent in the fact that you can get some quality vintage items, but also the cheapy dollar store items too. I tend to shy away from the cheepy stuff, but it's nice that I can buy a brush or a new tank top there for a dollar, on my way out of the market.

Got some great signs, an apple box and plastic charms - one of my addictions. I love those plastic charms and whenever I find them for less than $5, I grab them.

Go to Wolffs Flea Market - epic!

Also, come to this! 


Saturday, April 19, 2014

The most epic honeymoon ever and Pay What You Can Yard Sale

Come to this, you. Yes. You! Buy a lot of great stuff, Pay What You Want!

_______________________________

Been an awesome couple of weeks! Logan and I got married in 2008, were finally able to go on our honeymoon. We decided to travel route 66 from Illinois to Las Vegas. We tried our best stay on route - sometimes route 66 just stops without warning.

We stopped off in Pontoon Beach, St. Louis, Amarillo, Flagstaff, Vegas, Idaho Springs and ...Richland Utah. It was quite the epic treat.

Palo Duro - the 2nd biggest Canyon in the US. Shot at 3:30 a.m.

Cadillac Ranch - Texas

In New Mexico, we stopped off at Tucumcari Trading Post. Or rather...we drove past and I did an illegal U turn cause I saw pretty signs. Owner Gary Cardwell is trying his best to keep the past and route 66 alive in New Mexico. If you ever get a chance, stop in and ask him about his store. You can spend a day here. 

If you are a sign freak, bring money. You'll spend it. His prices are well priced for what he has. 


...I wanted to buy everything...

The worst photo ever taken at the Grand Canyon.


I didn't take this, but I spent some money here. Next time your in Flagstaff, go. Great shop and good folks.
Prices are fantastic.


Also, we went to In and Out Burger for the first time...oh my god...

That's all for now.