My Top 7 Favorite Thrift Core Blog Posts. Looking Back on 5 Years of Blogging.

I've spent hours of the past week embroiled in a project I suspended in January/February for being too time-consuming; organizing over 1,000 past Thrift Core blog posts into an easy-to-scan archive. One. By. One. I lost count of the hours 24 in. I want the archive so new and old readers alike can access hundreds of useful articles on topics you can't easily access with my current navigation and it will be helpful as I apply for creative writing work. I have 100 posts left to sort through, I can't wait to share this archive with you! (There are so many subjects, more than I realized!)

An unexpected side affect of archiving was a reflection on my writing style and blog history over the years. I'll have more details later, but I worked well over 65 hours between two jobs when I first started this blog and the earliest posts were rushed. There are times were I cranked out filler posts instead of waiting to release something meaningful. Combine that with some stubborn perfectionism/business OCD and there's not a lot in my blog archive I'm proud of. It's weird, but it encourages me to post more quality into the future.

The following are my favorite posts from the past five years. These are the rare posts where I feel like my "real" voice or writing style shines through, posts that I feel have a great visual look the whole way through or advice that really came from the heart. Each one also has a particular "flow" the pleases me. Out of now 995 posts (posts with lost photos were removed, probably 25 or more early ones) these are the ones I truly love.

# 1. The Spring Cleaning Post: I have a particular funny/sarcastic writing style that I can never tap into while blogging. For this ONE blog post, in the wee morning hours, the writing just flowed exactly like it used to when I felt like my writing was its best. After 10PM, by the way, is when our circadian rhythms dictate we should be sleeping and dreaming, this is when some of our best ideas and work-flow comes. It's bad for you but hey, it worked this time serendipitously. I chatted with a writer who described this flow as when the writing just "falls out of your head"- that's what it did here and hasn't done again since. I wish it was always like this. It's a silly non-sequitur post and I hate the rushed photos, but it's my favorite blog post. It's the only one that reads like I used to write before I was trained into a certain style for copywriting. Give it a read, you may notice the difference.

# 2. The Mexican Fisherman Story: A lesson I've experienced and really believe in. I hate how I edited that first illustration, love the second one though. They're from books I thrifted for their illustrations.

# 3. Why I'm So Passionate About Creativity: A Story of High School Craziness: A Story I'd been dying to tell for years. And I still held back A LOT. I reveal a little of my past crazy side with old pervy drawings and comics while telling the story of my F-Rated "ghetto" (fellow student's word, local legend's word, not mine) school and its impact on my creativity.

# 4. Wake Up and Live. A Story From my Marketing Nadir + Indie Business Help For You: A little choppy, but I was glad to reveal another honest part of my work story. I signed a non-disclosure agreement and I can't talk a lot about my old work legally, but I've been dying to show an honest side of the hard part of the best job I ever had besides Thrift Core. I have to write these I'm-Taking-Clients-and-Advertisers reminders and I wanted to try something that came from a very vulnerable, honest place. This is also one of the rare posts where I love the image I took specifically for the post as much as the content. I often run out of time for it but I want every single post to have a photograph or illustration I made specifically for it that not only fits the theme perfectly but is just as good as the words. Something unique, too.

You're noticing a trend of beating myself up over content, aren't you? My OCD grows worse as I age. Moving on...

# 5. Hoarder Prevention and Purging for Thrifters, Creators, Stuff-Lovers, and You Another post where a bit of my real voice and flow came out, though not nearly to the extent of my number one pick. When I started this blog I was a bit of a hoarder and dreamed of being a minimalist. Since then I took a Buy Nothing New Pledge and sold off hundreds of possessions. I'm finally the minimalist I always wanted to be! This post perfectly articulates the lessons I've learned. I do believe this is the post I share the most. So many Americans and Canadians, especially artists and thrifters, struggle with this one.

# 6. Simplify Your Life in 5 Simple Steps: For Thrifters, Creatives, Busy People and YOU! Another post that "flowed" with just the right amount of non-fluff action steps to help streamline your life. + Organized Home Checklist: Transform Your Messy Life into Streamlined Efficiency Another similar one I hold in equal regard. Looks good, easy to read, practical action steps that work. Another post I share a lot. The photos and their placement all really works in this one, too. Even the colors turned out to be natural ones I use often in my brand.

# 7. 5 Ways to Reboot Creativity for When You Just...Can't...Any...More... This post, like the one above, comes from honest experience and I enjoy how it's non-fluff, all-action. I learned these steps the hard way over the years running my own business, taking on too much, and trashing my life emotionally and physically. It has photos a lot of my favorite things, too. (Bike, my neighborhood, nearby indie businesses, healthy food, etc.)

Honorable Mention 1 Being My Mother's Daughter. Creative Genesis, Culture, and Improving From the Past: I'm distant from my family, but trying to get closer. We live in the same city, I can count the times I've seen them on one hand. I'm sorting through physical/mental abuse from the past. (As most of us are. Former-Catholic tradition?) This post was written to help bridge the gap a little, things will get better. For full disclosure my family is very kind/helpful/patient with me now-a-days.

Honorable Mention 2 The Loudmouth Lifestyle and Thrift Core's 10 Tips for Early Entrepreneur Money Pains: This one is just from last week, but I learned a lot from it. I love how it's honest tips from two struggling entrepreneurs with similar pasts (Steph and I spent hours writing on the computer before-it-was-cool during our middle school days). Not everyone agreed with our advice but I like that it started a conversation and discussed something many are afraid too: money problems. A lot of us are struggling right now. From what friends and e-mails are telling me, even those with amazing careers who are gainfully employed are miserable on the money-front. If we all discussed it more, we could help each other. We're not growing when we're putting up a facade of everything being "okay" when it's not.

There needs to be more honesty, and not everyone's opinions are going to align perfectly. Too many bloggers are afraid to be controversial and "real" with their opinions for fear of shaking up the status quo, getting negative feedback or losing advertisements or readers. I've been in that boat more than once, but not anymore. Things are only going to get more Real into the future. I hope everyone will respond with understanding and compassion instead of immediate abandonment of tact when there's an opinion they don't agree with. I fully believe you won't because you're god damned awesome and I love you for being here!

Honorable Mention 3 Cats, Japan, Cats, Japan. Of course this is a favorite post. Two of my favorite things. I also went through hundreds of photos and was careful about the selection so the textures/colors work well and feel like the copy has just enough on the story of each cat. Perhaps nearly a tie with my Miami Vice Confession. Travel is a favorite thing in life and I'm excited to write more about it.

 * * *

I'll have more favorite posts coming sorted by genre (and that sexy new archive, so excited) coming soon.

I highly recommend a scroll through your blog archives, writing, or creative work of any kind, if you haven't already. Choose your favorites. Analyze why these are your favorites. You picked your favorites because this what you love to write about or do the most. It can you help you streamline your goals for the future. This mid-year time is a perfect time for reflection.

Daily thrifting updates, information, & Inspiration: Follow Thrift Core on Twitter and Facebook.

The Loudmouth Lifestyle and Thrift Core's 10 Tips For Early Entrepreneur Money Pains

Choosing the liberated artist's life and striving for true fulfillment requires sacrifice, usually of the financial variety! You can have both, but rarely when you're starting out. I've toyed with my own businesses on and off for years. I'm fresh into a new venture and feeling the financial burn, but I'm still saving and thriving. To help other artists in my boat I've enlisted another perspective (a newbie with fresh ideas) for ideas on keeping afloat (and fed!) as you navigate the tricky waters of starting a new business. Let's start with Stephanie's experience!

Hi everyone!  I'm Stephanie Shar and I blog over at The Loudmouth Lifestyle about eating well and spending less while still living a fun, fashionable life.  I guess you could say that Van and I have a lot in common, but our businesses are very different!  I'm a freelance writer and aspiring model building my portfolios and just starting out on my dream.  Only a few months ago I was still climbing the corporate ladder at my former career.

I've gotten a lot of questions about how I can possibly survive and make money without a 'real' job in a place like LA.  It's a valid point -- Los Angeles is the fifth most expensive city to live in (as a state, California ranks #1).  Although I'm still learning, I'm going to reveal a few things I've done to make ends meet.  Hopefully these tips will help you out, wherever you might be!

1. Plan + Make the decision that you will NOT end up on the street.  Make a plan before you put your two weeks in.  I knew I was going to leave my workplace about six months before I officially quit.  I started saving money right away and planning my exact course. More importantly, be mentally prepared. You need to BELIEVE that you won't end up broke and homeless.  Keeping that determined, positive energy going will prevent you from getting to that point.  

2. Take advantage of the free opportunities available to you. Yes, I'm on food stamps and I have free healthcare through Medi-Cal.  Why?  Because otherwise I'd have to dip into my savings for groceries, and I lost my health insurance after leaving my job.  This isn't 'working the system' -- it's using what I'm allowed to in order to survive!  If you qualify for any type of welfare or aid, there is no reason why you should be ashamed to apply.  You don't have to use it forever, but until you really start making money, you may need it. Don't be embarrassed, that's what it's there for!

3. Communicate with your loved ones. I don't know about your city, but in LA it's all about what you're driving, what you're wearing, or what club you're going to that night.  Everyone wants to look and be rich.  You don't have to be, and you don't have to pretend to be!  If your friends or family are going out somewhere and you can't afford it, just tell them. They might even help you pay for the night out, or change the venue so that everyone can go.  At the very least, you could plan the next outing for a cheaper spot.  You also shouldn't feel pressured to buy something every time you go shopping with a friend, or eat a big meal when you go out to a group dinner -- window shopping and munching on the free bread is completely valid.  Inform your friends of your current situation and if they love you, they will understand.  In fact, they will probably admire your frugality!

4. Set a budget and keep track of EVERYTHING. I didn't start keeping a budget until a few months ago and I'm so glad I started.  I wrote about my budgeting plan in great detail here, but the bottom line is, you need to keep track of every cent you spend.  It may seem tedious, but it will help you decipher patterns and decide where you need to cut back.  I was spending WAY too much on Starbucks and now I only swing through there maybe once a month.  We usually don't notice these things during our busy day-to-day lives.  Hold on to all of your receipts and open up a spreadsheet, old-fashioned ledger or both.  Create goals and hold yourself accountable.  Take control!

5. Use the power of technology. Download VSCO and edit your photos for free.  Get Viber and text/call people without a plan.  Save money on groceries with Ibotta.  Grab a cheaper taxi or hotel with Uber and Airbnb.  And, my favorite -- find the cheapest gas near you with GasBuddy!  (Anyone else dealing with $4.50 prices?  Anyone?)

That's all I've got for now, guys.  Follow me over on my blog, Twitter or Instagram for more tips and ideas for your thrifty but fashionable lifestyle, and feel free to ask me any questions in the comments!  Thanks for reading, and a big thank you to Van for having me over today!

And hey again, Van here. Stephanie has the additional challenge of living in the priciest state in the USA! I'm luckily nestled in Jacksonville, Florida's picturesque Riverside community. Everything's in walking/biking distance and there are plenty of affordable apartments. Rent for business owners, however, is near-impossible to navigate- and without the population to support a local shop to boot! I still have those challenges, but I've got living on less down to a science.

I switched from being a full time marketer to reseller nearly three years ago and now I'm slowly making another transition, this time applying (and sharing!) what I learned from the first time I made this journey. These are my veteran tips:

1. Save + Have Your Business Operating Before You Leap: I had over $14K put away before I left my day job and blogged for over three years before my brand grew enough to become my day job. I didn't leave without a plan. I had savings, customers, and thousands of dollars in merchandise to sell.

2. Think of Ways to Slash Expenses: Call cable/internet/phone/insurance companies to see if you qualify for deals. Move to a lower-cost area and consider a roommate. My roomie and I paid $481.10 each total for cable/internet/rent/electricity this month and we live in a beautiful, super spacious 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment in the middle of a thriving area. (It's got an odd location above a corner store that scared other renters away. Their loss, our gain!)

3. You May Need Part Time Gigs in the Meantime to Survive. That's Okay: Perhaps you'll have to work a flexible part time job to make ends meet, that's normal. I take on different creative writing/design work, I work 2-3 days a week in a raw vegan kitchen and I resell vintage wares; it pays the bills while I transition to making creative writing my biggest income source.

4. Don't Spend Like You Did When You Had Full Time Employment. Don't Worry. It Gets Enjoyable: I'm not saying you can't indulge, but you can't have it all. My "splurge" is delicious, healthy food. I thrift for clothing/essentials. I still find excellent quality and downright beautiful clothing and household wares. (See: Name brand dresses I found for $2.50 each from a yard sale.) Choose a priority and utilize the thrift store, dollar store and bargain bins for everything else. Be creative and make what you can. (I make my own toothpaste / deodorant for example, not only cheap but effective and chemical-free.) Make do. I promise you won't feel deprived for long. Once these habits are incorporated in your life it becomes a fun challenge to make more things instead of "buy" and build up savings along the way.

5. Evaluate Every Single Business and Personal Purchase: Especially when you're starting out, spending wisely is critical. There's very little you need in your personal and business life to be successful so spend judiciously. My rule? I'm extreme. I buy NOTHING until it's absolutely necessary. I recommend you comparison shop, use discount cards/codes/memberships, and ask for freebies and sponsorships. Buy good quality so it lasts and only buy what you absolutely love. It's not just wise for your business, it creates a naturally zen, effortless lifestyle.

I earnestly feel like everyone should minimize and live beneath their means in these uncertain times. This post is for our fellow struggling entrepreneurs, but it's safe to say nearly everyone is feeling the burn and uncertainty right now. I hope these tips help whether you're starting out or you're a veteran looking for ways to save. We promise you won't have to work that corner or that pole to survive! 

Any tips for newbie indie business owners, or tips on saving during tough times? Do share in the comments, let's all help each other out.

*Note: I always appreciate when people share dissenting opinions, but please everyone, use tact when disagreeing. Please, no personal attacks. We're all above that. *

Daily thrifting updates, information, & Inspiration: Follow Thrift Core on Twitter and Facebook.

5 Vintage-Life Lessons: What I've Learned Running a Creative Business + Tips for You

It's The Dream to do exactly what you want for a living, but it seems impossible. I've had many jobs, even more than I revealed in my biker-asks-to-buy-roses-from-"between-my-tits" confession. I'd been making websites for years before my first crap-job, but I sold myself short. I listened to the status quo that demands ingenues start at shitty jobs and "work their way up." I call bullshit. I've been operating outside the norm my whole life and running a business my way for three years. I ran "Thrift Core" on the side as my creative outlet while I worked full time as a copywriter, three years later the blog and vintage selling became my full time work. Here's what I've learned 2.5 years into being fully creatively self-employed:

1) You Don't Need as Much Money as You May Think

I've always challenged myself to live extremely frugally; it's not about deprivation, it's as simple and finding and using all the free resources available to me. I lost sight of that when I started working full time and earning more than I ever thought I would as a copywriter. With less time and more money it was easy to just "buy" things instead of thinking critically about every purchase. When I left that job I naturally went back to my resourceful ways, it was a painless instinctual switch. I changed to healthier eating saving with bulk-bought fruits and veggies, my best friend coincidentally moved in with me and we split expenses, it all worked out beautifully. Think of ways you can cut corners. You don't need as much money as you may think as you transition to making a living full time pursuing your dreams.

Read: My No Cost Start-Up Ideas and My Epic Cheap Bastard Savings List

2) You Don't Need "Stuff"- Be Healthy Instead

We often buy material possessions as a way to fill an immaterial void. When you're healthy and satisfied you're less likely to go on spending binges. I've sold many possessions since becoming self-employed and I'm more satisfied than ever with less in my life. I have little desire to spend. Four years ago when I was still a full-time marketer I wrote this post on my minimalist living dreams, now I'm living and loving it.

Photos from a flea market trip in the Florida heat. Being a full time blogger and maker takes many hours of dedication.

3) Complete Liberation and Flexibility are Paramount in Life

I could be earning so much more if I chose to go back to copywriting and marketing for online businesses. I've turned down several lucrative offers. I don't let ads or paid posts on to my website that I don't approve of. I'm certainly "poor" compared to my days working with The Man, but my days are flexible and I have complete control of my business. The liberation is priceless.

4) A "Job" is not a necessity in life- an "Income" is

A simple but important lesson. We don't all have to have jobs. There's nothing wrong with it if you do or if you want one, but we CAN create income streams for ourselves that run self-sufficiently rather than slave away at a conventional job. We can choose to earn enough to live while spending time doing what matter: enjoying friends and family. Take the lesson from the Mexican Fisherman story to heart.

5) Creative Work Keeps Me Challenged; Always Innovating, Learning

My work is unpredictable, it's taught me to overcome many random challenges. It forces me to innovate all of my favorite skills. The challenges mean I'm never bored and it keeps me sharp, win/win.

It's Not Easy. I'm Struggling: I had to literally cry to a friend about my business frustrations earlier this month. Working for yourself is hard. You work more hours and the perceived failures are personal. Despite the pained places being a full time artist will take you, it's worth the struggle to live up to your full potential. Everything worth doing is a challenge. I'm in a tricky, transitional place; evolving Thrift Core into the creative space I need it to be, but I love it all, despite the growing pains. I'm learning from my #100happydays challenge  (follow here)  that I feel most content with the world when I'm in my work-zone peacefully composing my content.

(Still loving the hell out of working in my new office by the way, check out the free remodel and fun matching office DIY if you missed it.)

Don't wait to accomplish your life goals and dreams. Make time to work towards it every day. 

Entrepreneurs, crafters, indie business owners, unconventional livers please speak up. I'd love to read your stories and tips in the comments below. Did I leave out anything important?

Daily thrifting updates, information, & Inspiration: Follow Thrift Core on Twitter and Facebook.

10 Artists Tips From Boykin Art Studios: Go From Amateur to Pro with Your Business

I pulled up to Christina Boykin's headquarters at 9PM on a Friday night; start-time for nocturnal creative-brains. Known for her photo-realistic oil portraits, Chalk Shop street paintings, cephalopod, and feminist themes, her work has a little of everything I love. Christina has a precise, realistic style inspired by unique people and the fibonacci sequence.

She's a busy woman: art studio owner, single mom and Client Relations Coordinator (aka, Batman!) defending victims of workplace discrimination. Christina's down-to-earth and very eager to help the art community. I completely agree with her helpful advice for artists and indie business owners:

1. Make The Time
'Even if you just stare at your canvas for 15 minutes, make time every day for your art. It's self-perpetuating.'

2. Invest Half of What You Make Back Into Your Business
'Invest in supplies or even something like a new hat for your next show. This is the type of work that just never ends so it's good to have a reward system- it's saving my life!'

3. Take Care of Your Supplies
'Wash your brushes as soon as your done! Also a tech tip for oil painters: Liquin Extra Fine Detail medium! I don't know how I painted without it. I'd pay twice what they ask, it makes your paintings dry fast!'

4. Use Your Resources
'There are so many recourses, hit up Google. Use the Small Business Association and SBDC - they will send someone to your house to examine your business and help you be successful!'

5. You Don't Need Art School: Do What's Right For You
'Art school isn’t necessary to become an artist.  It might help but nowadays a degree doesn’t go as far as it used to, no matter what field it’s in.  Not all artists can school and that’s okay.  Find a community workshop, a mentor, an online tutorial.  The most important part of school is learning how to learn.  If you can do that without going to school, you’re better off and in less debt.'

6. Choose Your Projects Wisely If You're Busy 
'I have to choose my projects wisely (as a mom). There's a lot of projects I'd like to do but don't, I have to make it about making income for my son. I'm discerning, set a schedule and stick to it!'

7. Go To Art Shows! Participate! Communicate!
'If you want to go get into doing art shows- go to them. Talk to they showing artists, they are rarely stuck up, they love it when you ask questions about their process. Network and communicate with your fellow artists.'

8. Respect Your Galleries
'You have to expect your gallery to be able to run their business, the going rate is for them to take 50% of what you sell. They have to keep their lights on. Be respectful, organized, and on-time. Help them promote the show and think of their success as well as your own. Gallery representation isn’t for everyone but if you choose to seek that avenue for your work, find out how to make the relationship mutually beneficial to both you and the gallery.'

9. Do Your Research
'I've been teaching myself since I received my first oil-painting set and instruction booklet at 14 as a Christmas gift. I'm a nerd and did research papers for fun! With the library near me I was in heaven. If you look for it, you will find it!'

Loki the studio dog sits by her mom's side while she paints as the unofficial studio mascot. 

10. Be Proud to Disobey Orders: Forge Your Own Path
'You might make a toxic business connection or get some bad advice from a well-meaning family member but you should always follow your own gut.'

I can't wait to collaborate with Christina and others and on ways to help creatives. Forging a path creatively takes a lot of hard work and dedication, it's soul-sucking work. It's important to foster a supportive community. Check out Boykin Art Studio to more of Christina's work.

What tips do you have to share as artists, creative, resellers, and indie business owners? spill in the comments, let's all continue to help each other.

Daily thrifting updates, information, & Inspiration: Follow Thrift Core on Twitter and Facebook.

What to Do When You Find Yourself Lying on Public Bathroom Floor...Introspection

When you find yourself willingly laying in fetal position on the tawdry, grungy tiles of a public restroom it might be time to step back and analyze where your week went wrong. Let me be your cautionary tale!

Yesterday my blood sugar plummeted while I was waiting in line with a friend at my neighborhood Walgreens: cold sweat, vertigo, ears ringing, vision fading, nausea rising, Timber! I felt the fall coming and rushed to the bathroom to lay on the floor so I wouldn't crash to the floor like a pathetic snapped sapling. My friends Jill and Lea (thanks, guys!) were super helpful and got me water and a ride home. From there The Universe forced me to Think. I couldn't buzz about working on projects. I couldn't make it to my kitchen shift at Shakti. Instead I had to lay motionless on the couch for several hours to keep the dizziness at bay. And ponder. Finally captive to long thoughts. (With kitty.)

I decided to take stock of my current life mess and what lead to the crash. There are a lot of physical things I did wrong (I suspect taking a pain pill for my killer monthly and lots of multivitamins when I've barely had solid food in me for a week was a bad, bad idea). I also blame my fierce attempts to Improve All The Things at once. This was one painful reminder that results are superior when you focus on one project at a time.

I have a fickle creator-brain that wants to do too much. Just in the past few months I've:

• Searched for retail store space for a vintage store plan (abandoned- all bad locations/too much $),
• Worked with counselors and conducted extensive hours-long conversations with grads and students alike on my school path (deciding- thinking Digital Media but my heart cries for Photography even though it's a Fine Arts and not Photojournalism),
• Contacted an artist on making a line of ceramics with me (postponed for a long while...)
• More! So much randomness...

Yet despite all the ideas constantly buzzing in my head and screaming for release, I've found my real life's mission. I love art and creating. It's an inalienable part of my being, but the big mission is:

To change lives with my photos and words while constantly refining my writing and photography skills.

The challenge is finding out exactly how to do this. Contributing to other publications: books, journals, fellow-blogs and magazines and of course- really working hard on the content right here at Thrift Core is my current bet. I think this means my Ultimate Project List Of Crazy needs better planning and a temporary hold. I can't expect to have strict deadlines for everything and keep killing myself, I need to take things one step and a time. This is all common sense to a more pragmatic person, but it took a trip to the bathroom floor for me to get the point. I learn things the hard way.

I won't abandon my love of design, kitsch, pop culture, mid century modern, and all things creative. It can all be refined and combined, like proceeds of sales to charity when my long-dreamed ceramics line is ready. I'm actively shaping my future. It's currently an amorphous lump of clay, but by chipping away at it the vision is slowly emerging.

Universe Hath Spoken! Don't take a pain pill and/or multivitamins if you've only had smoothies and salads to eat for days and you're chemically sensitive like I am! Don't pile up projects and expectations. No more bathroom floors, please!

Daily thrifting updates, information, & Inspiration: Follow Thrift Core on Twitter and Facebook.

Thrift Core and Life Updates + To-Do Lists, Progress, My Big New Antique Mall Booth

The first quarter of 2014 is behind us! How did yours go? My goal with my ultimate to-do list was to initiate as many new experiences as possible: mission accomplished. I've fallen off of goals like my "bike daily" one (turned into bike...weekly?) but overall not a bad first quarter. The next will be hardcore! Here are plans for May and this month's progress:

Phase 1 of my new booth, I rushed a move in, going to perfect it over time. Far from finished! Bad phone photo.

Thrift Core Reselling Updates
Sales were thankfully steady and added up to a good amount this month, which is perfect because I haven't managed my time well or worked very hard on my shops. I rushed and moved into my new booth at Southern Crossing on Tuesday, I only had two hours; will work on perfecting it today.

Thrift Core Blogging Updates

Preview of tomorrow's post, never before seen antique store! Hope you'll check it out, the shop is beautiful.

Decision paralysis and perfectionist streaks continue to hold me back from making the exact content I want, paired with writer's block. I'm working on a new editorial schedule and style, I want more of an emphasis on research, storytelling, activism, and my personal life/experiences. Posts I have scheduled next month include:

- tours of never-before-seen spaces - interviews with indie business owners/artists/makers - gardening/whole living DIYs and informative posts - My Art and DIYS  - home tours and before/afters, -funny and helpful personal stories.

Vanessa Updates

Detox: I let myself get off the wagon with eating and I see and feel the difference so I'm going back on the detox in Ani's Phyo's Book. I wrote about the salads here and posted a review here, it's easy to do, tasty, and I always feel very healthy on it. I'll follow-up with results.

Above: Me right now editing this post enjoying my strawberry smoothie and a weird photo from The Loft, a nearby bar that projects VOLTRON on the walls. Next time I'll take better photos with my SLR, it deserves documentation.

I'm also making new friends and plotting lots of fresh new explorations (so good to maintain a creative state!), plotting work-outs, starting a new writing/marketing job and going through the school re-enrolling process. Still choosing between journalism and photography, my two loves.

Need to Improve

-Scheduling, time management, and organization as always but it's actively improving, at least

To-Do List Update

I made the necessary switches to my master to-do list, here's the latest one's progress with some due-dates to keep me more accountable!

1. Fill eBay store to the brim (they have new seller limits, boo! I'd have it to 500+ now if I could.) - Due Date 5/1/2014
2. Get Every. Single. Vintage. Item in this apartment not yet on Etsy on it! 5/6/2014
3. Deep Purge. Sort every single unwanted/unusable bit into garage sale and donate box.
4. Organize all art supplies then list their locations in a spreadsheet. 5/1/2014
5. Get every single piece of merchandise into my merchandise spreadsheet w/ it's apartment location. 5/1/2014
6. Merchandise Clearance Yard Sale (Will update on the date)
7. Tackle and complete vintage book page ephemera line. Plan. Organize. Scan Pages. Stage. Upload. 5/16/2014
8. Magically stuff all of my merchandise- or close to it- into Southern Crossing. Experiment time!
9. Finish my Indie Business eBook and get it online to help Indie Biz Owners Get Workin'! 5/23/2014 - will try sooner
10. Focus on PROFIT: Get $5K worth of inventory "out" into the world 5/23/2014
11. Re-arrange every single room in the house for inspiration, freshen it up a bit. Project fresh home?
12. Start my fresh home project for my friends/family that need it, too.
13. New biz plan.
14. Talk to School counselor about my grant options. If I can't go for free, I won't go.
15. Apply to 5 writing jobs. Landed a great writing job, yay!
Bonus: Scrub the house top-to-bottom again. Working on this right now

NEW ONES for the rest of May thus far.

16. Re-shoot my oldest/worst photos 5/2/2014
17. Host a mini- clearance to move merchandise IF the interest is there- YOU game for a big fat clearance?  - up in the air, may not do this without demand
18. Order banner and business cards, maybe some nice new labels and freebies to send out to customers 5/1/2014
19. Finish my blog archiving process for easy scanning of past articles, doing this by-hand for years worth of writing, takes a while! 5/1/2014
20. One month ahead on high quality blog content! 5/16/2014
21. Apply for 5 magazine and/or website writing jobs. 5/2/2014
22. Perfect a new schedule and to-do lists that ensure all my work is done on time so I can have more time off to go play and explore! 5/1/2014

And that's life lately! Lots going on but I'm excited for the direction I'm moving in. I don't have everything exactly where it should be, maybe we never will, as life's such an evolving journey, but I feel so much closer on a lot of areas I haven't before. Back to work with me! What have you got planned for May?

Daily thrifting updates, information, & Inspiration: Follow Thrift Core on Twitter and Facebook.

Indie Business Riddle: Which Route to Take, Quantity or Quality? Choose Well.

Inspiration strikes as you look through online shops. "I can do that!" You proclaim as you carve out a cozy niche to hawk your wares. You photograph, list... and wait. Refresh the page. Blink. Rub your eyes. Refresh again. Rinse and Repeat for three days straight. If there were not bites on your freshly hooked merchandise-bait you may have made the common mistake of not listing enough merchandise. HOW MANY should you list, you ask...

All the items forever! Unless you have a strong PR campaign directing the buyers to your store and/or a strong buyer base built-up to allow you to release your items in small, curated batches as a "line" for others to purchase you need as may need hundreds of pieces of merchandise in your online shop!

Likewise, a craftsman, artist, or knowledgeable reseller can sell a smaller amount of items by focusing on keywords, valuable vintage items and demographics, but I think even this type of focused seller can benefit from having lots of items and diversity available.

Here's some advice from long-time online sellers on the subject:

"I think it depends on what you have to sell and the demand for it."  

-Sew Inspired, Blog

"From what I've read regarding etsy... you should list at least 300 items to make sure you're driving enough traffic. Also, you should not do "batch" listings. You should list something everyday. If you do batch listings most of your items just end up unseen. And your keywords are exactly that - KEY! Don't just use the same words from your title.
That's my advice from almost 4 years on etsy (with 2 shops) and 7 (or 8?) on eBay." 

-Melissa, Blog

 "It really depends. For the type of items I like to sell on eBay I can COUNT on making a profit of $1 a month per listing OR MORE. My worst months it is still the same. 250 listings= I can count on clearing $250. Most months it is more than that. I will work on getting my number up to 500 by the end of the year and will really be focusing on this shop more in the coming months. "

-Adrienne, Shop

Each item you list is another way for a shopper to find your shop, think of each one as a low-priced ad. Each item listing has the potential to get eyeballs and potential customers. The more, the better.

Look at your online shop. If sales are not where you want them, list more items. Do it. That is my professional opinion.

This is a numbers game, if you want to earn a lot more you need to get more out there. I'm working on getting $5K worth of merchandise into the world right now!

What do you think? Do you have a certain number of items you like to keep in your online shops whether it's eBay or Etsy, vintage or not? Let's discuss in the comments.

Daily thrifting updates, information, & Inspiration: Follow Thrift Core on Twitter and Facebook.

The Mexican Fisherman and The American Businessman: Your Money Woe Solution

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.

"Not very long," answered the Mexican.
"But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the American.
The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.
The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"
"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs...I have a full life."

The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you!"

"You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat. With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers.

"Instead of selling your fish to a middleman, you can negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge enterprise."

"How long would that take?" asked the Mexican.
"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the American.
"And after that?"
"Afterwards? That's when it gets really interesting," answered the American, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!"
"Millions? Really? And after that?"

"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta, and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends!"

* * * 

It's been a long-term goal to earn more than I did as a full-time marketer with Thrift Core, I'm not there yet. You, too, have your money goals. Yet not having enough money is never a thought on your death bed. You don't bemoan not working harder, you don't think of money. If you were going to die tomorrow, what would you regret? What you didn't do: the abandoned dreams, the untraveled roads, not spending more time with loved ones. When I'm feeling down about making less being self-employed I go back to my Mexican roots with this story and remind myself that life isn't about ruthless earning: it's about experiences, the people we meet and the legacy (hopefully of helping others) that we leave behind. My job with Thrift Core allows me the flexible schedule to travel and the complete liberation of being my own boss while helping others. I'm excited to keep moving in the direction of making positive change in the world and stopping to enjoy living (and yes, earning, I'm pragmatic and want savings for the future) while I'm at it. The fisherman's life sounds perfect to me, how about you? I refuse to trade quality of life for money.

* Illustrations are scans from The Golden Treasury of Knowledge Volume 2, 1961 and Sea Songs, 1986

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Indie Business Pricing: 10 Pricing Strategy Lessons. How Do You Price Your Work?

My introduction to indie business ownership was via selling art. My first line was horrendous and rushed during the night while I was working full-time, but it introduced me art-pals and our local art scene. I'd start selling vintage finds a year into blogging nearly 4 years ago. With both art and vintage selling I made the beginner mistake of low mark-ups, if I bought something for $2.00 I might sell it for $4.00 to $8.00. Now opinions on my prices are a pendulum swinging to two extremes: either my prices are way too high, or too low to the casual viewer or fellow seller.

These are my thoughts on pricing based on four years of selling as an indie business owner and three years in marketing for a multi-million earning company (named the fastest growing biz in my city). I've seen talented workers sell the seemingly impossible at high prices by effectively communicating value.

Lesson 1: Prices Must Cover Expenses and a Basic Wage.

Your retail price must recover expenses on gas, inventory, memberships, supplies and listing fees. They also must pay you an hourly wage for time spent making, hunting, photographing, researching and listing. The rookie mistake is to price too low because you fear no one will buy otherwise; lies! Pay yourself.

Lesson 2. You're Not Getting Rich, But Maybe You Should?

The indie biz lifestyle is selected out of love and passion, but when you count the hours many indie business, myself included, would earn minimum wage or less- even if there are a couple of items priced $100 or above. But what's wrong with getting rich? Buyers/fans feel bitter or exploited if it happens, but they should want the artist they love to improve their station in life. You want to live comfortably and make decent money, too, right? Everyone does. Don't resign yourself to poverty just because it's "the artist's way."

Lesson 3. The Value of What You Sell IS NOT the sum of its parts.

Would you haggle with a known fine artist on the price of his work because the cost of the paint on canvas only amounts to fifty cents? Hell no, you don't because the value comes from the actual piece: the line it belongs to, the message, its connection to you, how it makes you feel, its story, the artist's story. If you find something for $1.00 and it's worth $1,000 don't feel guilty, price at the highest amount someone will pay guilt-free.

Lesson 4. My Personal Pricing Formula.

Many price their items by comparing themselves to the marketplace or googling a specific item. It's better to determine your price point first and go from there. Do you want to be high end, in the middle, low? You can have items across the board. I look up my vintage find's value and price from there and for items that are very unique and beautiful, I'll price a little higher. I still consider myself to be "low-end" in pricing.

Lesson 5. I Feel Cheated When I Sell For Less.

I've marked items down locally only for them to sell for much more online; a specific example, a gorgeous owl embroidered art piece sold locally for $27 and online simultaneously for $100- I paid $10 for it. Pain! When I mark something down just to "move it fast" and it sells for a small amount I feel crushed, absolutely cheated. I refuse to feel like this anymore. I am pricing in a way that sustains me. When it sells at a higher price I am happy and satisfied and feel like my hard work was paid for.

Lesson 6. It's Okay if Something Sits for Months if it Has to.

A common complaint is that items will sit for longer if priced higher, that's fine to me. I feel happy that I stuck to my guns and got what it's worth. I've renewed items, that's fine. I just sold these paint by number pieces (above) for $45, I've had them for at least a year.

Another example, I bought a gorgeous Japanese lamp for myself 3.5 years ago and recently suggested it to a buyer who bought something very similar from my Etsy shop. The $90 price seemed to high to her and first, she asked for less but I told her I couldn't go down. (I paid $35 or so for it. $90 was literally the lowest I could go.) She later got her sister to pay for it as a gift and I was rewarded for staying my ground. Selling vintage and art is very emotional, sometimes it really does take the right personal to resonate with it at the right time.

Lesson 7.  Perceived Value is Everything, and Love Will Find a Way.

Stories abound of people who were struggling to sell their wares until they raised prices- then they flew off the shelves. Raising your prices sounds like an insane thing to do when sales are slow, but try it. It can make a huge difference in sales and how you're perceived in the marketplace. Do you want to be a quality artisan, or WalMart? The answer is individual and there's nothing wrong with either choice, you can have different price points and bargain bin/quality finds in one brand which I'll get to.

Woah my living room has changed so many times since the old photo above. So much better now. Every time my cuttlefish anatomy poster to the far right appears I get e-mails from interested "buyers".

I told my sea beast story before, but to recap: I'm sea creature obsessed and had to have a vintage cuttlefish anatomy poster from a local antique shop. (above) It was $250. I scraped up some funds and requested anyone to just donate to my cuttlefish fund as my gift for Christmas. Now the gorgeous piece is mine the vendor was happily $250.00 richer for it. When buyers want it they will find a way. 

Lesson 8. Release Your Items as a "Line". Curate & Quality.

So if you're going to charge the big bucks it helps to carefully curate what you're selling, like any line of wares released in a catalog. The market you choose to sell in will determine how easy or hard it will be to sell wares at a certain price, it's easier to sell a piece of art for $250.00 online than at a yard sale, for instance. Work to communicate value with your displays, price tags, and descriptions. Tell a story. Create the absolute best quality work you can and you will be rewarded.

And my style has changed since even this 2013 example, I strive to improve branding, composition, and refine my story with each item I list and every photograph I take.

Reminder: I've often see my pieces purchased from me and priced in other antique mall booths across this city for much more! It something to consider- do I want to be the "middle man" or the person at the top earning the most? Top, please!

Lesson 9. Things at Different Price Points, Your Bigs & Smalls.

You don't have to commit to one price point or change everything overnight. You can make/offer lower priced items, these can often help save you when your "bigs" are moving slowly. I have $15.00 art prints in my Etsy shop and I'm going to making low-priced helpful small business eBooks next. I more ideas for smalls behind-the-scenes, like more pouches. I sold out of the set below the first day!

Thank you so much Mary and Sarah! So many more low-priced small like these pouches are on the way and I will of course take any/all suggestions.

Lesson 10. No One Can Do What You Do. On Solidarity.

Every single person in the market place brings their own perspective and that has value. Your story has value, what you sell has that edge just by being yours. When you sell art, it's the sum of you, your time, materials, and overhead. When you sell vintage, you're selling time capsule pieces that are no longer manufactured. This has value, you can price "high" for that and people will pay for it.

I hope this post helps you determine how to price your wares and also provides some understanding. If an artist you enjoy seems to be unfairly raising the prices on their wares remember that the $200 for some item is not just going straight into their bank account. They paid for supplies, gas, their time (no hourly wage), the listing prices/membership prices, cost of the item, time to clean and list--- our current inflated personal prices on rent/utilities/food just to live. We're not being jerks, or trying to rip people off. We're helping the market understand the value of their work with their prices and just trying to make a living.

Artist Venting: Makers are often at the bottom of the artisan-crafted totem pole in the corporate world. Why should we be expected to have to "just scrape by" just to be "fair" and "nice" to others with our prices? Why does our craft continue to have a low perceived value? Because that's the status quo, because we often lack the confidence to demand we get better pay and treatment. I was in that boat starting out, I'm not anymore. You shouldn't be either.

TLDR (TooLongDon'tRead); Do what feels right for YOU. Stick to your mission and make sure you never feel cheated. You deserve to live well, guilt-free.

Would knowing someone paid $2.00 for something you want to buy for $100 keep you from buying? It wouldn't for me.

I personally try to support artist I love the best I can, even if it's a small purchase.  (Hence why my home is filled with framed bits of local art!- as seen in just one of my gallery walls above!) If you enjoy someone or something and want them to stick around, support them. I hope we can have a discussion in the comments that helps everyone! I'll have many more details and formulas on pricing in my upcoming eBook. For anyone who comments, writes-in, buys items, you are so very appreciated! I'm working on freebies and low-priced items for buyers into the future. You are so appreciated.


Let's Discuss: How do you choose to price your art or vintage items? What do you feel about "high" prices, what are "high" prices to you? This convo has been coming up again because I shared what I pay for an item in my haul posts again as was requested after this post. I'm going to stop sharing what I pay for items again into the future for my business because that's what feels right. Do you think it's rude or tacky to do that? You will NOT offend me, I promise.

Daily thrifting updates, information, & Inspiration: Follow Thrift Core on Twitter and Facebook.

My Household and Small Business Accounting Method: How Do You Track Spending?

In a perfect world we'd all have accountants to organize our receipts, paperwork, and spreadsheets, but most of us don't. I refuse if I can do it myself- for now. I love to track every cent I spend for not only my business but my personal life to analyze trends, keep myself accountable, to save and for taxes. Here's how I keep it all organized:

1) Upcycled Manila Envelope(s) to hold business receipts 2) Manila Envelope of Personal Receipts 3) Mini File Organizer 4) Envelopes 5) Small Notebook and Pen 6) Binder Clips

I've seen the same portable organizer at The Dollar Tree, you can try to find one near you for a buck. This is great to carry with you in your purse or car so you organize your receipts properly on-the-go instead of having a receipt pile in your bag or pockets. I carry the little notebook with me to note yard sale/flea market and write down what I pay for finds as I go, the notebook lives in the file folder.

From there I sort my receipts into their respective envelopes within the Manila Envelopes. Yes I'm Old School, I also didn't get a cell phone until I was literally forced to (age: 20) and didn't switch to a smart phone until last year! Above are my personal envelopes. I spend money on more than groceries and a tiny bit of "random" things but the rest of my expenses (cell phone, cable, rent) are scheduled as automated direct-deposits (highly recommend the auto-magical way! So simple, so clean!) so I don't print receipts for those expenses.

These are what my business expense envelopes look like. I write it all in pencil in case I want to use my envelopes for something else later with my cheap self. The business receipts include: supplies, thrifting, southern crossing rent, gas and post office trips (good to keep for tracking numbers, too). I clip them together by month.

Columns: Date (found) | Item (description) | Cost | Estimated Value | Where Found | Condition | Retail (Price) | Date Sold | Profit | Quantity | (Where) Stored | Wholesale | Item #  ------>> Am I leaving anything out?

From there I enter the expenses into a spreadsheet. I use Google Documents, it's free and you can share the spreadsheets with partners to edit together if need be. I keep tabs at the bottom to separate types of merchandise for easy-hunting. My personal spending spreadsheet looks much the same, divided at the bottom by type of expense. I highlight in groups by date with different colors for easier scanning, it really helps the eye find things.

Another step people miss- receipts should be scanned. Not merely to have the files digitally but because they fade completely -sometimes within mere months! I've yet to scan mine, when I do I'm going to sort them in digital folders the same way they're stored in my envelopes. You should keep your receipts for 7 years, that's the IRS audit expiration date.

How do you store/organize your receipts or track expenses? Any tips? I do this an antiquated way but I like the process, it keeps my spending tangible to have so much of it "in-hand". Going through all these steps every time I buy anything definitely discourages me from spending more than absolutely necessary, too!

Daily thrifting updates, information, & Inspiration: Follow Thrift Core on Twitter and Facebook.