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Sunday, April 29, 2018

A Little News...

I know - I missed my "usual" Thursday night post, but I swear I've been working! I'll post some progress photos in the next couple of days on the Storybook - I got it primed and papered this week...


But for today I'm mainly just here with a little news.

I decided that I would like a little mini money in order to buy a couple special pieces for the Storybook Cottage. So, I have listed five of the vanities on eBay, with plans to list an additional five next week and again the week after. I have no idea what to ask, so I gave a ballpark Buy It Now in case there is a soul out there who just loves a particular one, and then the option to bid with an opening of $.99 in case my ballpark was way out in left field! ; o)

Here's the listings link:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?item=123106878822&ssPageName=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT&_ssn=tiny-little-smithy&_sop=1

And here are the first ones going up...






And if anyone wants to share where I might find some good artisan teapots, I'd appreciate the scoop. Seems like everyone took everything to Chicago, so they'll be thin pickin's for a while.

Back soon! Promise!

xo xo,
Jodi

38 comments:

  1. Oh my! You're going to make some good money for the cottage. And I love the wallpaper. It looks beautiful!

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    1. I hope so! There are so many amazing things I'd like to put in there, but I need to assuage the guilt a little! ;O)

      I'm happy you like the wallpaper! It spurred on the entire project!

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  2. Nice wallpaper! I look forward to seeing what special pieces you will add :-).

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    1. Me too, MAF! I have found a couple really neat things, but am still searching for THE ONE!
      Glad you like the paper, too!

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  3. Yay! Great idea Jodi! These will find happy homes! And I love the wallpaper and interior decor you've picked so pretty :)

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    1. Thanks Kristine! I hope they do find a better place to live than in my hutch!
      Glad you like the paper, too!

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  4. Your idea of forwarding the surplus sinks to new homes is a good one Jodi, and I KNOW that you'll be reaping the benefits from their sale Very Soon! :D
    Meanwhile, your Storybook Cottage is going to be a Stunner! because the papers you've selected for the Walls are ALL SOOOOOOOO PRETTY-
    even when in a pile! ;D

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    1. Thanks Elizabeth! I hope the buyers will be thrilled with them, then all of the labor will have been worth it!
      I am so glad you like the papers too! They make my little heart swoon! :O)

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  5. me encantan tus muebles lavabo

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    1. Gracias Carmen! ¡Estoy feliz de que te gusten! : O)

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  6. I love your pile of papered pieces!
    And I hope it goes really well with the EBay auctions.
    Can you tell me what kind of teapot(s) you are looking for?

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    1. Thanks Megan! Nine sheets was just enough with some scraps left over to accessorize!
      I hope the auctions go well, too! I am a sensitive one, and if they don't do well it may crush me - yikes! Be brave, Jodi!
      I found three srtisan pieces at The Little Dollhouse Company. Unfortunately, after I ordered them, they contacted me to say they were no longer available and had packed the entirety of their stock to take to Chicago. They are going to email me with a list of leftovers in about a month.
      I'd like something whimsical, like birdhouse teapots, animal teapots etc. Pastels in color, soft green, pink or coral especially. I may have a go at making some, we'll see what I am able to find or afford! :O)

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    2. Love your choice of wallpaper. For teapots, you could try here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtisticSpirit I just got a little pitcher from her, and was very pleased.

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    3. Thanks Deborah! What a fun Etsy shop! I just love her adorable items! I did find a little teapot there I'd love to have - put it in my cart! :O)

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  7. Me encantan como han quedado los armarios con sus lavabos. Son fantásticos.
    Un abrazo

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    1. Muchas gracias Marian! ¡Estoy feliz de que te gusten! : O)

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  8. Hello Jodi,
    I am liking the wallpapers you chose for the house. It will be lovely! I am glad you are selling your sink units because I know people will be very happy to have them grace their mini bathrooms. I think they will sell out quite fast and will go for more then you thought.
    Big hug
    Giac

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    1. Oh Giac you are such an amazing and encouraging friend! Thank you for your kind words! I hope they are well received and that the buyers will be happy with their purchase! It would be such a happy ending if making them allowed me to acquire pieces that I'd otherwise feel guilty about spending money on!

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  9. I am not sure if my comment went through, so apologies for a repeat. The little vanities are beyond cute. I would like to ask where you found the plumbing for them? Or did you make it? I like the idea of selling them on eBay. I'd say that with all of the unique little accessories $40. Or you could double the price of the material. MIL who sewed for craft shows always that you can't charge for your time because people couldn't afford to pay for time. But we love what we do, so do it for free. Good luck. PS love watching you work.

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    1. Hi Ann,
      It seems like the comment came through just fine - thank you for the lovely sentiments and for the good advice!
      Of the 16, some faucets were purchased through HBS and Minimum World, and some I made from cup holders, earring backs and spacer beads. The drains were made from either brads or washers, and the drain pipes are unfinished metal pieces I purchased from T & S Craft on eBay.
      I love the idea of just covering the cost of materials, as my intention when I made them was just to gain the experience. Because some of the pieces are Bespaq, I do have more than $40 in materials, but others are likely under $20. It will be interesting to see what folks seem to like and what sells. The best thing is knowing that they'll get to live in someone's creative space and being a part of that! :O)

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  10. Hi, Jodi - Your choice of wallpapers for the Storybook Cottage make my heart swoon too! I really love the combination of the floral and stripe patterns - and those soft pastel colors are beautiful. There is no doubt at all in my mind that the vanities you've listed on eBay will sell fast, and that there will be great demand for more. What a good idea to sell a few minis in order to buy more minis!
    Marjorie

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    1. Thanks Marjorie! I am happy you like the papers, and that I am not the only one who appropriates a little pastel now and again! :O) I am also a sucker for floral and stripe, and will have to find a way to get a little gingham in there, too!
      Thanks so much for the vote of confidence on the vanities! I find perspective a bit difficult when judging my own things. It would be such a blessing if someone out there liked them enough to give up a little of their mini money for them - then I could support another mini creator with mine! ;O)

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  11. Has hecho un buen trabajo con el empapelado. Los tonos son muy alegres.

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    1. Gracias Isabel! ¡Estoy disfrutando de lo suave y dulce de ellos también!

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  12. If you are thinking of making more things you could try Etsy where you can set your price. You might wait longer there to sell them but will get what you want. I think the best bet on EBay is to put them in at 99cents because it catches people up in the bidding process but put in a reserve at the lowest price you can bear to part with them, then you won't lose them for a silly amount. They are worth good money, beautifully made and presented. I think if you put in a buy it now some people are put off if they think its too much but would probably end up spending that or more if they get in a bidding war with someone. Lots of luck whatever you do and there is no doubt they will be treasured by their next lucky owner.

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    1. That is very good and thoughtful advice, Marilyn - thank you! And thanks for the vote of confidence on the vanities!
      I guess after the first few sell, I will have a better idea of what they are worth. I love a good $.99 auction myself, so I hope they do create some excitement!
      I have made many purchases from Etsy, but never sold anything. I wonder if it receives the same traffic? I find searching for things there a little hit or miss. The search does not seem to pull in as much as an eBay search, so you'd really have to be good at describing things, the title and the tags. Something to think about...

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  13. Oooh.. Ooohh.. Bidding! :D
    Miniature cottage have a mix of artisan and non - artisan stuff try here. https://miniaturecottage.com/shop/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=teapot&inc_subcat=0&sort=20a&page=5&zenid=04ef3f2eee7884d03ae6eab99a7b136f

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    1. You crack me up! Us eBay addicts get it! In 1999 when I first discovered eBay, my MIL collected Elsie The Borden Cow stuff. She had one heck of a Birthday load in October, and I had a ton of adorable gingerbread kitchen stuff that Christmas. Then I realized if I kept that up I'd need more money so I started working full time again! :O) Oh eBay can be so dangerous!
      Thank you so much for the link to Miniature Cottage! I have a few things in the shopping cart now! :O)
      I've also been to Miniature Designs, Swan House, S&P and The Little Dollhouse Company. I found nothing good on Etsy, so far, but I have had issues with the search not bringing up items from people that I know have the things. I need more practice!

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    2. Haha.. tell me about it! I stayed off for a few months because I can't help myself.. but I've been bidding again, quite a bit lately.. lol.. I'm just sticking my head in the sand about my CC at the moment, then when I see the bill I'll be putting my hand up for a couple of overtime shifts to pay for it all.. :0 Hubby just shakes his head when he sees another package at the door.. hehehe...

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    3. I was really good and didn't shop much for the first few months of 2018 too, but now that I am on a new project...
      Have fun and have no regrets buying things that make you excited - you only live once! It is a blessing that you can work some OT! The last 30 months at my Corporate Job were 60 to 78 hour weeks while I covered for the other coordinator who was on medical leave. It just about killed me, but the paychecks were sweet!
      Good thing most husbands believe that minis are small and therefore inexpensive! ;O)

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  14. Very lovely wallpapers. (I often wonder how people manage to wallpaper a ready assembled dollhouse or a renovated one.)
    I'm sure your vanities will be snapped up. Good luck and happy new purchases.
    Hugs, Drora

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    1. Thanks Drora! Glad you like them!

      I have done the wallpaper both ways, though I do prefer applying with the walls individually - I seem to do a better job. Of course, this always means more trim is needed in the end, but there's always a compromise.

      I make templates from printer paper when I apply the paper to an already assembled dollhouse. Here's a video that demonstrates how to do that:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMgzXMlX1lA

      Thanks for the well wishes on the vanities and purchases! :O)

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  15. Fantásticos tus muebles, seguro que pronto se agotarán. Precioso el papel que has elegido.Besos:-)

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  16. Hi Jodi! It's fun to see the Cottage decoration taking shape! I have never done paper this way.... but I usually paint the walls before assembling.... and then have gaps that need filling! I look forward to seeing the rooms all attached!

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    1. Thanks Betsy! It's always fun when the color, pattern and textures start to come into play!
      I have done the papering both before and after assembly depending on what seems to make the most sense for the design plan. For this build, I am planning a lot of built in features, and as I thought about trying to reach in and SEE the measurements I needed, I decided doing as much of the wall construction before assembly as possible might be the best way forward. I predict I will have a lot of trim work to do where the joins are, but we shall see. It is always an adventure in problem solving, and always a question of "did I do things the simplest way?"! Keep your fingers crossed with me!

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  17. Oh Jodi, I love the colour scheme you have chosen, cannot wait to see the house all put together and what you do with it :). I wish you good luck in your ebay adventures, those vanities deserve to be sold for good money. With regards the teapots, why don´t you make them? I love making teapots and I am not offering myself just because I am not that good and don´t make fancy models, but I am sure with your talent, imagination and clay you can make just what you want. Good luck :)

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    1. Hi Alex - I am happy that you like the color scheme, too! It is very feminine and sweet, isn't it?
      It is funny that you mention your amazing teapots! I was thinking of them exactly and wondered if I should try to make some. I am okay with Fimo, and with practice maybe I could make something decent enough. We shall see when it comes time to fill up all the little spaces. Thank you for the suggestion!

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