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“I’m a collector of broken laser pointers”

Reduce, Reuse Recycle. Got it. They have been drilling that mantra into our heads since we were in short pants…I mean, my short pants were more like homemade one-piece cotton rompers, but you get the picture.

My favorite idiom is “One man’s garbage is another man’s treasure.” It brings to mind the Weird Al Yankoviv song referencing ebay as the “worldwide garage sale,” which I think is a spot on description. In fact, in my opinion this is truer now than ever before. As I can google an array of webpages filled with “How to turn junk into gold on ebay” instructions. It goes both ways too. I remember a time before ebay’s numerous acquisitions and mergers, I could get a Lot (meaning multiple) of 5 wedding dresses for $25 and then turn around and resell them in a consignment shop for $60 each. Now this is a little tougher to do, everyone has their own paypal account and can purchase their wares in the same manner from ebay direct.

To the same extent Craigslist has taken hold as the localized re-sale outlet of choice. If you have the time, patients to hunt the site and you’re not afraid of weirdos and can venture into someone else’s domain to obtain the treasures you seek then you’re good to go. I’m an advocate of “buy at junk prices, sell at market value.” I’m not going to go into the pro’s and con’s of either ebay or Craigslist but both can be used as a means to increase your income through Reselling items that may have hidden value.

Since we’re starting the subject of “Re-ing,” I’ll throw in my love-hate relationship with “Refinishing.” Refinishing can both put me in awe of a piece and in horror. I love when you can take a derelict piece of furniture and transform it through hard work and loving care to its original grandeur, not to mention increase it’s worth. I adore wood. I like the color and I like the texture. With that said I also have a pet-peeve. I hate Shabby Chic! Okay, I’ll relent, if you have something that is cheap (not in price, in build) or cannot be refinished then yes, go ahead. But Don’t take a mid-century modern piece that is beautiful and paint it pail blue and then sand spots down to the primer and wood. I cringe at the thought, knowing now how my parents felt when I cut holes into my jeans when I was younger.

A work shirt turned Bulletin Board

Re-purposing seems to be a new fad, not that people didn’t do it before. I was always amazed at craft shows and street fairs as to what people could come up with and how they could create something totally different using regular household items. The bad thing is, you can now find re-purposed items sold on the mass market. Which brings to question…is this re-purposed or what my friends would refer to as a “fake-fake.”

However, if you are one with the crafty ability to re-purpose and you don’t have the time to hang your shingle at a craft fair Etsy.com would be your purveyor of choice, which will allow you to sell your crafts from the safe confines of your home.

Another word you will find on Etsy that seems to be popping up all over the place now is “Refashion.” Again, I don’t think this is a new concept only a “Re-nommer.” I have been refashioning items found in my mom’s closet since I was a kid. I used to refashion dryer sheets into ball gowns for my barbies. I don’t think my early attempts at fashion could ever rival any Trashion/Refashion show though; they seem to be the hot new thing in fundraising ideas.

Anyway you want to do it, I say jump on in. These days making an extra buck is always a welcome thought for most people. Really it doesn’t take a whole lot of work to get started. Start with the stuff in your house that you would like to get rid of and you’re too lazy to take to Goodwill or have a garage sale. Take some pictures and post them on Craigslist*. The listing is free. After that use your new income to invest in items outside your house; that chair left on the corner that needs some paint and screws, the vintage clothes that you came across in a yard sale and yes, even that desk you saw on Craigslist that is defiantly worth at least $100 more.

Good luck & have fun.

*Craigslist advice – always, always post a picture, give a description that includes measurements and use a title other that “random junk.” Believe me you will get a lot more interest. Be patient and use descriptive words that people can search. If they are looking for what you have then they will hunt you out.

Random Facts – Did you know that the title to this blog is actually what the man who bought the first item off of ebay said to Pierre Omidyar, the developer, when Pierre contacted him to ask why he would buy a laser pointer if he knew it was broken. Also, just for inquiring minds. Did you know that Ebay actually bought 25% of Craigslist back in 2004. They have had a turbulent relationship to say the least so far, it’s like watching The Real Housewives of Wikipedia.