My most recent creation using recycled denim. The quilt measures 60" x 64" and has a colorful backing of polished cotton fabric. The size is limited for selling on Poshmark due to a 5lb. shipping limit. This quilt weighs 4.5 lbs. and with wrappings will just stay under the 5 lbs. limit. I have sold 10 quilts on Poshmark within the last 3 months. I am selling as quickly as I can make them. As my readers to this blog know, I have saved recycled blue jeans for many years and used in a variety of ways. My sources are (1) free, when pals give me their jeans, (2) bag sales--when i can buy jeans for 30 cents to 50 cents per pair, and (3) $1 jeans when i can find jeans for sale at yard sales. I never cut up jeans when anyone I know can use them. I also use dresses, shirts, and skirts in my creations. 
 

denim chair covered in recycled jeans

My latest denim creation. Using recycled jeans and shirts to cover a rocking chair. 
 

Denim quilts made from recycled blue jeans are selling on my Poshmark closet. YAY

  As a part of my business reselling on Poshmark, I decided to list one of the denim quilts I make from recycled blue jeans, shirts, dresses and/or vests. This was a great decision as i have made and sold 8 quilts in 4 months and have orders for 2 more. I get the denim for free or buy very cheaply at yard sales in bag sales for 25 to 50 cents per pair. I search for the larger sizes, of course.

  Folks who buy my quilts tell me they are perfect for farmhouse, cabin, porch, patio, man cave, or camping. 

  My quilts are made to be rustic using primitive quilt making methods. 

  I have to limit the sizes of the quilts because there is a 5 lb. limit as to what can be shipped using the Poshmark app. Any poundage over 5 lbs. costs more and the reseller pays that extra. A quilt measuring about 66" x 68" weighs about 4 lbs. with wrapping or boxing it will be right at 5 lbs. 
 

I've sold 8 denim quilts on-line in 4 months.

 

My experiences selling on Poshmark for 3 months, so far.

Several things converged to cause me to decide to try my hand at selling on Poshmark. (1) A friend gives me loads of yard sale items after she has huge sales. I haul things away to make it easier on her to get new items. Over the last 4 years, she has give me tons and tons of great things.   My son and I, along with friends, sort through each load and choose what we want to keep. We are always left with a huge amount of more items. All free. 

  My son grabs tools for himself and any metal for a pal who recycles. He also chooses clothing such as blue jeans (he got 13 pairs last week from our latest haul), shirts, kitchen wares, and some furniture such as footstools or chairs. 

    I save anything denim because I enjoy designing dresses for myself, making pillow covers, and, mainly, making quilts. I also save clothes for myself and friends as each person has styles, colors, and sizes they enjoy. Other items I enjoy keeping are sheets, pillows, fabric, crafting supplies, household products,  art work, kitchen gear, bags and purses, containers of all sorts, and thread or anything to do with sewing. I never have to shop for clothing as I have more than I could ever use. 

After my son and I have taken what we want, I donate various types of items to  local agencies. 

Vases and small baskets go to an area non-profit organization, Random Acts of Flowers, a place that takes in used flowers and regifts to folks in hospitals, sick at home, or in nursing homes. Toys go to friends who have kids. Education supplies go to local schools. Some jeans go to a handyman who is our pal. Any item new in a box is saved to be given as a gift to pals and friends. Some small items are donated to other area agencies who give as stocking stuffers at Christmas.

All in all, it has been a fun arrangement.

(2)As you might assume, I watch videos on YouTube about thrift shopping which has led me to watch videos about reselling on-line. After years of receiving these great items, the thought hit me that I should try my hand at reselling.

(3) I had heard about the web site Poshmark and decided to learn about it and determine if I could use it. After studying and preparing I began listing clothing items to resell August 2020. Today is November 28, and I have profited about $1,200 or just over $300 a month. I had set a goal of earning $1,000 by the end of the year and I have met that with time to spare.

(4) The time to do this seemed perfect since we were sheltered at home because of the virus. 

WHAT HAVE I LEARNED:

l. Reselling takes a lot of time and space. I list 100 items before I made a sale.

2. Learning the rules and regulations of the web site is wildly important. 

3. Setting prices is key to success. Poshmark gets the first $2.95 up to $15 and 20% above that and the buyer pays the postage. Most sales are under $15.

4. I am sure I would not have made profits if I had to buy the clothing first.

5. Men are easier to please as customers and, therefore, make better customers than women.

6. Some customers are great. They find clothing they like and buy it. Some customers want you to give it to them. I've even had offers for which I would have to pay the site if I sold it for that low price. 

7. Some people try to scam newbies by using rules against us. It is sad to think that people sit at home looking for ways to cheat a person out of a few bucks.

8. I would strongly advise anyone thinking about trying your hand at reselling to sell what you own and do NOT go shopping or spend any money until you have some experience. When you shop, you will probably buy the wrong things and spend way too much.

It is very difficult to earn profits if you spend money for your items. You may see resellers on-line who shop for items to resell, but you are not ready for that yet. Ask family and friends for their leftovers and try selling those. Again, do NOT spend money on reselling. You do not know what to buy and you will buy the wrong things. For example: Items from Old Navy, Gap, former K-Mart, and Wal-mart won't bring you profits and you should never buy them. Why? There are so many copies out there, no one wants them used. 

9. The absolute best sellers on Poshmark are sports clothing such as athletic shorts and tops. Large sizes sell better. Small sizes rarely sell because most folks move up a size and are larger these days.

10. Shoes and bags are hard to sell. Shoes come in sizes and that limits your customer base. Jewelry is also hard to sell. There is a lot of fake stuff out there.

11. Stick with men's sports clothing to begin with and you'll have a better chance at success.

12. Again, pay attention to the rules. Read and reread what you can sell and what you can't. You will get kicked off the sight for selling knock-offs, so check labels carefully. Do not list tee shirts will profanity on the front, again, you'll get kicked off the site. 

13. Unless you have a source for free or really cheap clothing, you can't make this into a business. You need to build up 300 to 1,000 items in your listings. Remember, you may sell between none and 10% for any given week. You constantly need to be listing to replace what you sell.

14. Shipping is very important. You have 3 days from the date of sell to get to the post office. You must figure out what will work from your site. The buyer pays shipping and you will be sent a label via e mail. You MUST own a printer that works. That label has to be on the package. It will begin tracking when it is scanned at the post office. Free mailers and boxes are available at the post office, but you have to wrap and ship in a timely fashion. 

15. You must be able to take and upload several photos per item. Photos make or break your sales. 

16. Get ready for returns. It is a part of the job. Even if the customer is wrong, you have to keep your mouth shut. 

17. You will need storage space that you can get to in a timely fashion. You'll have to develop a plan and system to use to locate items as they sell. You may need to wash clothing or sew up tears or rips. Clothing has to be clean and pressed or steamed. 

18. Each buyer will rate you-1 to 5, 5 being best,  and you need to keep a good rating. Buyers rule on Poshmark. You want to keep good relations and a great reputation.

19. You are paid after the buyers get the merchandise and rate you. You will need a bank account and an e mail address in order to get paid. Even if you use a phone, you must have an email and printer. 

20. Do NOT quit your job and try this. It could take you 3 to 4 years to work into a full-time basis. This income is not dependable. You might earn $500 this week and $100 next week. Be careful and do not be foolish. 21. Do not depend on the word of resellers who have channels on line. They may not even be telling the truth. Do not spend a lot of money on this business venture. Take your time and ease into each step once you know what you are doing. Some resellers give bad information and guide you in the wrong directions. Be careful. Make decisions for your life not because of what some stranger has said. 22. Nothing is as easy as it seems. Do not get swept up in the emotions of it all. Reselling is hard work. You MUST have a plan, room for storage, computer skills, work ethic, time for shipping, free or very low cost sources for clothing, and communication skills. Remember, when you work for yourself, you never get a day off. You can't go on a week's vacation without planning for your business. 

 

Selling on Poshmark: what you need to know.

 

 Dress for sale on Poshmark

  Our grandmothers sold eggs or took in ironing, our dads fixed cars under shade trees for extra cash. The current trend is to call this sort of thing a “side hustle.” The most popular “side hust
le” for thousands of people, world-wide, is reselling used goods on web sites like eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, Facebook Market Place, Offer Up, Craigslist, and others.

   Motivation for these “side hussles” is, of course, the need for money. However, many say they also want to reduce solid waste, recycled used goods, and reuse items that continue to be in good condition.

   Anyone who lost a job or can’t return to work due to the virus can start a business from home with some relatively simple tools and some specific computer skills without spending much money.

   How does reselling work? What do you need to know in order to start your own business and resell used goods on-line? How much are you likely to earn? What are the costs? What are the risks?

   There is a short list of “Must Have” before you can resell on-line. You MUST: (1) Have a certain level of computer skills. (2) Own a computer—desk top or lap top or use a cell phone that has Internet access. (3) Have access to a printer that has Internet access. (4) Have a source of goods to resell. (5) Have packing/shipping supplies on hand. (6) Be prepared to mail/ship items in a timely fashion—every 2 to 3 days. (7) Have an e mail address and access so you can send and receive e mails.

   Assuming you are prepared, here are the steps to operating a reselling business over the Internet: Study the web site of the company you plan to use in your business. Learn how to use this web site. Set up a page with your e mail, password, and photo of yourself or an image you choose. Determine a source for the goods you plan to sell. (Everyone says to begin reselling by taking things from your own home. DO NOT shop and spend money on items to resell until you know what you are doing.) Make photos of the goods you plan to sell. Research each item to learn the original price. Decide on a price you want to set for each item. Prepare and write a description of each item including the designer or producer, color, size, condition, and any other details that need to be given. Begin to build a “closet” or your own section of the web site by uploading between 3 and 16 photos of each item you list.    

  List as many as 100 items for a good start. (It is estimated you will sell 10% of the number of items you have listed. In order to sell 10 items, you need to list 100).

   If you plan to make reselling a permanent part-time job, you will need to continue to add to this number. Many resellers have as many as 8,000 items in their “closets,” most have well over 3,000. You might begin to earn profit after you have listed 30 to 50 items; having more listed in your closet will bring more sales.

   You may need to clean, wash, or repair goods you want to sell. Problems will arise you will need to handle. You will need to develop a good relationship with your local United States Post Office and your local carrier. They can be of great help. The USPS will provide you with free envelopes large enough to hold up to 3 articles of clothing. You will need to research more about this by going on line to their web site and it is always a good idea to discuss your plans with the local workers.

  How much you earn is dependent on the goods you have to sell and the demand for those goods as well as the price you set and the price someone is willing to pay you. Example: You might set the price of a jacket at $50, but the only offers you get are $20. If you decide to hang on to the jacket until you get $50 or something nearer to that price, you are known as a “long tail” flipper. Most resellers will take the $20, clear that item out of their life, and move on. You can’t make any money if you aren’t accepting offers.

  Remember: Nothing is as easy as it appears to the folks who do not have to do it.

   

Denim Quilts Big hit on Poshmark

    This quilt was made from recycled blue jeans, skirts, shirts, and or blouses for the purpose of selling on Poshmark. I have sold 4 other quilts like this one and am getting bids on this one. It is a fun hobby and I earn about $40 profit for each quilt I sell. The one measures 68" x 72" with a backing of light blue 100% cotton. Each square is about 9".

4 years of weight loss success...keeping weight off and being weight stable.

Each month that goes by I continue to keep the weight I lost over 4 years ago off. I have learned how to eat for my body's needs and deal with my food allergies. I am allergic to carbohydrates. So long as I limit carbs to total of 20 or under a day, I keep the weight off. I also have to use portion control. I eat mostly meat with a few vegetables. Fashion fun is one thing that continues to keep me motivated.

 

   4 years ago I began the Ketogeic Diet Plan. In 6 months I lost 50 pounds and went on to lose 23 more for a total of 73 pounds lost. I have kept those pounds off for 3 years and 1 month. YAY

   IF you will follow this menu, you will lose weight. The Keto plan is not limited to these menus; these are presented to teach you how to get started.

   You will need to gauge the amounts according to how much you weigh. Anyone weighing over 300 can eat larger portions.

   The nearer you get to your goal, the more you will need to lower your portions, but do not starve or go below 1,200 calories a day. You only teach your body to live on less and that is not good.

   Breakfast: 2 to 4 eggs cooked any style and use real butter; 2 to 5 pieces of bacon, coffee or tea or diet soda, ONLY one cream or 1 TEASPOON of whipped cream per coffee cup. Cream is limited each day to ONLY 2 TABLESPOONS--that goes quickly.

   Lunch: 1 can tuna, 1 boiled egg, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, 1 green onion or slice of other style onion, 1/4 cup celery, toss into 1 cup salad mix, add 1 medium size dill pickle. Beverage from your choice of what is allowed.

   Dinner: 5 to 7 ounces of baked or broiled chicken. You can eat l thigh, 1 wing, 1 leg, and 1 breast. 1 cup of allowed vegetable such as green beans, broccoli, turnip greens or tossed salad. Beverage as desired.
   At some point in the day, you can eat 1 all beef hot dog with mustard as a snack. You choose the time.
   You can also prepare a coconut pudding by using 1 tablespoon of non-sweetened coconut, 1 cup sprayed whipped cream from a can, 1 sweetener; mix well and let it stand a few minutes to let the coconut absorb the moisture. Eat slowly as the coconut is chewy and will be a great dessert.

  NO food after 8 p.m.

  Just like a football team prepares a line of defense, you need to develop several steps to use when you feel the urge to eat. You got overweight by giving in to these urges and you will need to change this habit or you will relapse.
  Here are some suggestions you can follow. Most folks find that they get over the urge by the 2nd or 3rd step, but keep going if you need to. Remember, each time you succeed, you are teaching your brain to succeed the next time.

   It is all in your mind. You have stinkin' thinkin'. Sit down and write a list of the reasons WHY you want to lose weight. Read your list out loudly to yourself. Circle the ones you think are the most important.

                         I went from size 16-18 to size 6. YAY  Fashion reentered my life.

  When you feel an urge to eat, yell out loudly, "Stop!" This let's your mind know it cannot go down that road.
   Next, say in your head or out loudly, "Remember tomorrow." You will have to face the scales at some point. "Remember tomorrow" keeps you in focus for your overall goals.
   3. Tell yourself if you had to go in for a test tomorrow, and they told you not to eat or drink after midnight, you would cooperate. Same thing...cooperate with your own goal.
   4. Do not go near food.
   5. Drink l/8 or 2 spoons full of dill pickle juice. The salty mixture quells hunger.
   6. Drink a cup of broth prepared from beef or chicken cubes. Again, the salt quells hunger.
   7. Eat one spoon of pure yellow mustard. This will quell leg cramps.
   8. Try on some clothes and note how many sizes you have already changed or if you are just beginning, pick a piece of clothing the next size down and hold it up to yourself. DREAM of when you will be wearing it.
   9. IF all these do not work, call a friend and tell them to talk you down from your crash.

   10. IF you do eat, do not punish yourself with bad self talk. Make the next meal a 100% Keto meal and the next meal and the next meal. Best wishes.

 Celebrating 4 years of keeping the weight off I lost in 2016. This means I have learned to live with an eating obsession. I continue to enjoy the Ketogenic Food Plan/high fats/ low carbs. It is a lifestyle, not a diet. It works for some and not for others. Each person must find his/her own path to weight loss and then keeping the weight off. It is a daily struggle.

  The dress in this photo is a size 8. I used to wear size 18 when I weighed 73 pounds more than I do today.

   I set up some rules for myself and I keep following the plan. Some days I allow myself to eat foods not on the plan, and I gain a few pounds. This is a strategy for me and it helps me to know I can eat anything I want; just not every day. 

    The dress and hat were given to me. The pet dogs are helping. They like to be in photos. Achilles is the black one and Pumpkin is watching.

Crochet Projects

   I have spent a lot of time crocheting during the lock down. I decided to use the yarn I had been gifted to make a bedspread. My bed is queen-size and I have completed 44 rows which makes the cover large enough to fit the top of my bed. I have more yarn and plan to continue until all the yarn is used. I am using double-crochet/granny square pattern.

 I crocheted 2 pillow tops and sewed these on to one pillow. I made another pillow and gave it away. 

I also made this bag.

Keto Food Plan...what NOT to eat

Saved $44 on napkins, plates, and table covers at Dollar General

  Found a great bargain at Dollar General in Clinton, TN. I prefer to use paper plates and always need napkins and table covers. Dollar General had a display for 50% off on packages of 16 plates and 20 napkins. I assumed the price had been $1, but instead it had been 75 cents, but wait, the items had been on sale for several weeks. Dollar General has a policy that items on sale are marked down every Tuesday until the items sell. Although the items I bought were not marked, I asked the price and it came up as 17 cents per item. I spent $13.79 and bought 77 items. YAY!!!!  A year's supply or more!!!!

Millions and Billions of Watermelons New book

This is a great time for you to order this book and use the fun activity about watermelon with you family. It teaches tons of math skills and will delight your family. 

Ralph Lauren hat for $2. Styling

Just had to share my thrift finds. Ralph Lauren hat $2, skirt was given to me, red top $2.50, shoes $3, belt free, scarf free--total outfit $$7.50. 

My Hat Collection....in part...

I purchase hats at thrift stores for $2.50 to $2.99. Please watch my video Talking About Hats and subscribe to my channel Tennessee Thrifter.

Use a pair of blue jeans to make a bag.

Sewing With Denim--Repurposing blue jeans

One of the things I enjoy is designing fabric and dresses using old blue jeans.

Fresh lettuce I grew in raised beds

   I planted this in April 2020 when I read that lettuce grows the fastest. It got to this size in 5 l/2 weeks. We are picking it daily and eating in salads and with bacon, tomato, and mayonnaise. Yum!

  This much was the amount that came from 2 packages of seeds bought at Dollar General for $.50.

3 Quilts Completed for Quilts of Valor, One Top and Backing, and Donated

This pattern is "Tossed 9 Patch." Someone else pieced the blocks and I joined them into the top and had it quilted. 

I designed and sewed this quilt from left over pieces from other quilts and fabric I had on hand during the shut down. I paid for it to be quilted and donated to Quilts of Valor to be given to a veteran.

I cut the pieces, sewed them together to form the top, and provided a backing. It has not been quilted yet, but I did donate it already.

  This pattern is a 9 Patch using checkerboard to design the top. I had it quilted, too.

Millions and Billions of Watermelons

 During this time at home, I wrote a new book for children. It is about the life cycle of watermelons, how to grow them, where to buy them, and what it is like to eat the delicious fruit. My books are for sale at www.amazon.com

Sewing quilt tops for Quilts of Valor Organization

As a member of QOV, I sew a group of quilt blocks into quilt tops which are then quilted and donated to veterans who have been touched by war. 

Sewed a new skirt

I love this skirt pattern. It is gathered and has elastic waist band. The fabric is a panel with a panther or some kind of big cat on it, but that does not show in this photo.

Sweet thank you note.

Scott works at the Karns Senior Center where I attend a

Crafting Social. This is their first child. We gave them a baby

shower a few weeks before the craziness began. 

Nashville, TN mug/cup

Want to buy a Nashville, TN mug/cup?

If you want to buy this cup, send me your e mail address and you can pay through Pay Pal. $5 plus shipping; I live in Tennessee.

Covered shoes with denim pieces using Mod Podge

I used a pair of black leather shoes and pieces of denim to make these shoes. Challenge was to make each shoe look the same.

Designing Denim Dress and Changing shoes to denim