Yard Sale Time

It is that time of year hot as you know what. But every weekend I get up and head out first thing in the morning looking for that deal. So that will be my morning cup of coffee in my hand and money in the other.
I am going to hit my favorite shop along the way the Big Red Barn. Yep, you guessed it it is this big red barn that has been divided into little shops. So you can go in there and find anything you need or want.
I am always looking to for decorating items for the house. But I am also looking for that resale bargain. I watch items on Ebay and see what sells and I keep an eye out for it. If I catch a good deal I pick it up and list it on Ebay. I have made some decent money doing this I have found that toys and children's clothes are selling pretty good.
Well I am off to hopefully make some money and find a good deal....

Have you sold items on Ebay what type of success have you had?

Until next time my friends *Amanda*

My thoughts.....

I have been so busy it has been crazy and I just have no idea where to start. Well first off I am getting ready for a yard sale time to get rid of some of this stuff I have accumulated. So right now my house is upside down trying to change my decor. My house is half shabby chic half primitive country.
How do you decorate? Is it ok to not have the same theme throughout your house. I have always been one that has to have it all the same except for the kids room of course. That is a world all into itself. Well that and my bedroom everything under the sun is in there that is the first door I close when someone comes over. Oh and don't act like you don't! (lol)
I have so much left to do but tonight I have everything packed and ready to go to the yard sale and that is all I am doing. I am sitting here sipping some coffee burning a candle and talking to you.
Oh and I promise to post more I have so many ideas hey if you want to see something or suggest a project let me know. I am always looking for new things!

Well....

Ok here I am... well kinda. I have not forgot about you guys just been a little crazy here. Business has really picked up which is a good thing. Of course making money is never bad. But, I have not had time to do little else. So I am going to try this project week again cause I really have a cute table that needs to be done. Now is the time I do my craft shows and outdoor events. I love it cause I get to experiment and trust me I know quick what people like and don't like by what they buy. I am going to be using you guys as a sounding board. I want to know what you guys think so be prepared to be honest. I am going to post pictures of displays and items I have done and you let me know what you think. Well for now I am out of here have to go close a show.....

Crazy Crazy life I live

OK guys well here I am been a week since I posted anything new. Well life kinda got in the way kids got the flu. Then it just went crazy in the house and so far everyone but me has got it. Wow keeping my fingers crossed cause it is going to be a beautiful weekend. I am going out and about today in search of some bargains. So this week will be a project week I am going to find something that needs the crazy lady touch. So I am going to post the before, during and after pictures. So the crazy candle lady is out of here in her shorts and flip flops searching through the endless piles of VHS tapes and old toys for the diamond in the rough. Have a great Saturday my friends until we meet again........

Shabby Chic

Here are some of my favorite finds. Everything here came from a yard sale or flea market. I found it and painted some of them added decorations to the others. I decorated my whole house in the Shabby Chic type decor. Now this worked for me cause the more beat up and old it was the more I wanted it. My husband loved it cause it meant cheap. My kids could not mess it up cause it was already banged up. But, I get bored I gotta change something up so I have started to sell off all my shabby for the primitive country. Now that will last all of a year long enough for me to change the house and I will change again. I will say I am having fun and that is what life is all about. I have made friends with a lot of local mom and pop shops here in town and they always call me when they have a find they know I will like. That is the best way to get the deals get your name out there I'm here to make money first and decorate second. Whats your decorating style or a cool tip you can offer the ever changing decorator?

Candles

Candles are an easy and effective way to change any space. They come in all different sizes and scents. I use them in every room of my house you can change the mood of your home with what you burn. One of my favorites is Gold Canyon Clean Sheets I know shameless plug but hey when I want people to think I have been cleaning all day I burn this. Why? Simple it smells just like Downy fabric softener so people think I have been cleaning and doing laundry all day. The same goes for cooking burn a Oatmeal Raisin Cookie candle and people think I have been cooking all day. Now that one tends to come back and bite me in the end cause they are always looking for the cookies. So OK maybe that one not such a good faker candle but I love it anyway.

Make it your own

One of my favorite quick and easy ways to change a room. I found this saying at Kohl's on sale it's as easy as can be to put on. Just pin it on the wall and smooth it down with the tool they give you. The best part it comes off completely which is great if you rent. The picture I found at Goodwill on one of my many trips. I have found the best time to go is the beginning of the month and right at the end. Why you ask? That's when most people move so you go at the end of the month and get the stuff people don't want to pack up. Go at the beginning of the month to get the stuff they don't have room for. That picture that originally came from Pier One still had the sticker on it for $45 I picked it up for $10. My favorite thing the less I spend the more I get to buy I refuse to pay full price for anything.

Time to go shopping

Now you say how is that on a budget and I will tell you yard sales and flea markets. Some say gross I say woohoo cause that is where I find the best deals. Last year I found this horrible end table that had definitely seen it's better days. I picked it up for $10 and I covered it with a few coats of paint and distressed it for my favorite primitive country look. Now you could easily make this shabby chic by painting it black or white and distress it. Now I dress it up with my favorite candle Gold Canyon that smells the best ever and I have this in my living room now. I decided to keep this table and it cost me under $20 to put together but I could easily sell it for $40 and make double. So always keep your eye out for the ugly stuff that is what can make you the money!

easy centerpiece for your table

This primitive country centerpiece is not only affordable but it's easy to put together. The total amount I spent for this centerpiece was less then 20 bucks. I found the old tool carrier at a flea market for $5 it needed a little elbow grease to clean it and I had some paint left over from another project I had done so I used that to paint it. I thinned the paint out with water to make it more like a stain then paint then I sanded it in spots to make it look old and weathered. I filled with a primitive berry vine I got this vine on clearance last year at Michael's craft store you can then put anything in there you want right now I have the tin stars. But I change it for all seasons I even put signs with different sayings in it. The toolbox can be used for anything i've even used it in the bathroom I roll a set of towels and add the soap and lotion and it makes a great presentation for your guests.

Hi Guys...

Let me start of my introducing myself I'm the candle lady. I love to decorate but I have a budget like many others. So I have decided to share my tips and stories and some of the trash that I have turned into decorating treasures. In the coming posts I will share tips, decorating ideas, craft projects and my favorite products. I want to share and learn new tips so please share your thoughts lets make our house a home together and as always we will do it on a budget but only we will know that......