Randomness AND some Free Books!

FREE BOOKS?  Ummm not from me, Sorry. You will have to wait until the end of this blog (or rudely scroll down) to find more info about free books and free enlightenment about the importance and perseverance of literature.

But until then, more about me. As I mentioned the last week or two, the thrift stores have been high and dry lately. I have managed to get some random decent things, but it is like searching for a needle in a hay stack.
In about 2 weeks I will be hitting up Spring Hill to do a little shopping. Spring Hill is about 1 hour away from me, its where my inlaws live. Totally full of old people and snow birds. In fact, my inlaws were telling me that half of their community are snow birds and will be heading back home over the next couple of weeks. (Half of their community literally means thousands!) I think that may be a good time to hit the thrift stores over there. Perhaps some of these elderly people drop off items to the local thrift store before they head back home. I'll soon find out!

One surprisingly cool thing I came across this week:

 

 

Fun little squirrel fella hanging out atop a giant walnut. Of course I couldn't resist!

Available-------->HERE!



This next beauty was discovered on fate. I found it in some random area in between a pile of electronics. I swiftly snatched it up and I rushed over to the glass/collectibles to see if there were any others from this set. Nope. Oh well. Vintage Pyrex Butterprint collection is very desirable. I have had a whole set before and it flew out the door within days of listing it! This one wont hang around too long either.

 

 

As I was checking out, the lady in front of me said, "Oh, you are getting that? So funny, because I was going to buy that and as I wandered around, I changed my mind and I just shoved it on a shelf in some weird section." Of course I asked her if she shoved anymore around the store that I should look out for? Nope, this is the only one. Well, I am thrilled I was able to grab this one before anyone else did!

 

Loving Butterprint too? Get it-------->HERE!

 

 

The cool thing about the next item is that they ended up being free to me. And I didn't even have to steal them. The lady ringing me up for all of my other items forgot to add these. As I was paying and she was bagging up stuff, she looked at these plates and said, "Oops, I forgot to ring these up, Oh well, you can just have them, they are a freebie from me!" and she puts them with the rest of my stuff!

 

And the best part is that as soon as I listed them, they sold. I am not sure about the story that my buyer told me (She is a fellow Etsy seller), she said something about her buying them for a customer that she sold to earlier and the items arrived broken. I think she was trying to replace this order to her customer, or something like that (?) She wanted me to pack these in a small priority box, to save money. I didn't feel comfortable shipping them that way. I told her that they would have a pretty good chance of breaking and if she insisted that I ship them that way, I will assume no responsibility with the condition upon arrival. She was a sweet girl and she admitted that may be why the dishes she sent arrived broken. She told me to ship them however I felt best. So whatever that whole story is, I don't know or care. I'm always ecstatic when something sells so quickly!


This lonely little guy:

I promised myself that I wouldn't buy any more mugs. Especially single mugs. Apparently I lied. I just thought this was too cute to pass up! I perused the rest of the place to see if there was an apple or banana mug...somewhere else tucked away, but no, just this solo fella. Research has shown it to be Fire King, but there is no marking on the bottom. No matter, me likey regardless!

You likey too? Available-------->HERE!


I can't go anywhere without picking up some books of course!


Typically I try to only list books that are in decent condition. However, every once in a while it is okay to list a book in so-so condition if it is a very desirable book. I probably have done it 6-7 times before. Of course I always describe in great detail the condition so there are no surprises or disappointments upon arrival. And I never list something that is completely unreadable. This book is fabulous inside, but the cover is a little yuck. Probably can't tell from the pic, but just below my normal wear standards.








The Animal Frolic by Toba Sojo. This is a fabulous book full of ancient Japanese art. It has been interpreted into a child's story. Just gorgeous pics! Yep, the cover has some extra loving, but the pages are divine!

Check it out---------HERE!




I usually stay away from music books. For two reasons: One, they are typically filled with writing and lesson notes. And two, they don't particularly sell very well for me. However once in a while I just cant resist the cover, and I end up buying the book. This book is pristine inside. No writing. In fact, I have to assume that this was never used in any sort of lesson or perhaps never used at all. But it's the 70's! How in hell could I pass this up? So I didn't.







Are you loving the 70's too?
Available-------->HERE!



This book is so lovely and sweet, I had to have her in my shop!

Mud pie recipe book. Recipes with all sorts of things found in nature. Of course this isn't a real cookbook, God forbid! But a fun activity....I can imagine a group of young girls searching around their backyard, gathering ingredients, and putting together a fun feast for their dolls. Served with a little tea and that is one helluva luncheon!

 

 

This would be such a great gift for a little girl. Along with a tea set, too stinkin' cute!

 

Mud Pies and Other Recipes available------>HERE!

 

 

For mature audiences only. Actually this book is pretty degrading to women, if you ask me. Talk about some bizarrely outdated information! Yow-za! However, this book is still a most entertaining read! I had fun perusing this book, got a good laugh...and thanked my lucky stars that I was not alive while this information was considered valid. So thankful!

 

 

 

 

The Ideal Sex Life (actually, not ideal whatsoever)

Humorous wedding/Engagement gift!

Available---------------------->HERE!

 

You know I love illustrations that are psychedelic and trippy! Here is a good example:

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth's Shopping Spree. Every page is a different color, not the illustrations, which remains black, but the pages. Each page is a different bright color. Quite a fabulous look that I have not seen in other books. Probably expensive to have printed?

 

Available----------->HERE!

 

 

Now you have come to the part where I talk to you about those free books! FREE! Because everyone should have a book to read. An actual book. Not any of that kindle-crap stuff. A book with pages made of paper and illustrations that you can touch. Books that you can use a pretty bookmark and set on your nightstand. A book with a beautiful cover....

 

 

                                                  BLUEBIRD BUS

 

 

 

 

Perhaps you have seen this magical bus around the markets and other events. Perhaps you have even been lucky enough to pop in and take a look. If not, you should check out their schedule and pay them a visit. Or drop off some donations. You know you have a box of unread books in your garage somewhere.......

 

 

This is Mitzi. She is the top bluebird who got this thing rolling. She is also one of those people that are so multi talented, full of ideas and energy that it puts the rest of us lazy asses to shame! One great lady here!

 

 

Be on the look out for this blue bus! Keeping literature alive and well. Promoting the joy of reading. No kindles or nooks in here!

 

 

Have you seen one of these around town? There are several. Open Book Exchange. You take a book, you leave a book. Old fashion honor system. Mitzi has several, but would like to have more in the Tampa Bay area. She is working with donations and volunteers to help spread the importance of books! Feel you can offer something? Contact her for details.

From her website:

We believe in celebrating the art of the book in all its forms!

Bluebird Books is a project housed in a converted short bus – part bookshop, part art house.

Through events and exhibitions, workshops and publishing efforts, we nurture a community-wide passion for books as treasures of art and literature. ...

Hop on! We're taking words to the street.

How can you not love this kind of spirit?

For more information click on the link above and LIKE her facebook page:

                                      BLUEBIRD BOOK BUS



Look for the Bluebird bus next at Seminole Heights Market on April 13th. While you are there, don't forget to check out Evan's Art!

He has lots of new stuff ready to go home with you.

Evan's Art show schedule:

Seminole Heights-4/13   10-2p

Whole Foods South Tampa- 4/27   2-5p

Tampa Bay Roller Derby-May 17    6-10p


Also, don't forget to use your coupon code: Randomgoods to save 10% off your total at either of my stores. Expires the end of April.
Links on the side bars, Circa Company and Vintage Book Market.

I would love to hear from you. Leave me a comment!

 



 

Scared?

I thought I would feature some books this week that may just give you the heebie-jeebies. What freaks me out? Spiders...just bugs in general, but mostly spiders. I could handle a mouse in the house, before I could handle a spider or cockroach. Thankfully we have neither of those creatures roaming around the house at this moment. I don't care for antique dolls. They really freak me out. My mom used to collect them and had a cabinet full of them inside her bedroom. Ever see the movie "Dolls"? All these old creepy dolls kill people. Scary ass movie, I tell ya! I don't like clowns, but they don't scare me. I think most of them are drunk and would be pretty easy for me to take down in a fight. So, I don't consider them a threat.  I like the Cirque du Soleil clowns though. They are a different, more acceptable breed of clown. Also on my fear list is  playing sports with balls that can hit my face. I suffer from Marsha Brady syndrome. "Ohh my nose! Ohhh my nose!" Remember that scene where the football hits Marsha in the nose and breaks it? No bueno!

A lot of people are afraid of the dentist. My husband is one of them. I can't say I am afraid of the dentist, I just do not enjoy going to them.  I guess I am scared of the dentist bill.


Teeth scraping....

Yea, I guess teeth scraping is kinda nasty. Pokey things they put in your mouth aren't too fun either....
My Beavis and Butthead comics haven't been listed as of yet. Still enjoying their company around the house and listening to my husband imitate the Butthead laugh. Because, apparently he thinks that me hearing him do that for the past 20 years, I might still think it's funny. He was wrong over 19 years ago...

Clowns. The sad bum clown...my personal least favorite. When the clowns are in clown school, deciding which clown to be, is the person that picks the short straw the one that ends up being sad bum clown? I think so.

 

 

((imagine some spooky music here, as I zoom in...))

 

 

 

My head practically exploded when I saw this book! I had to have it. My son and I sat in the car afterwards, flipping the pages and laughing ourselves to tears.

 

Spooky clown book available------>HERE!

 

 

Dragons...I don't know..... I'm kinda cool with them. I saw "How to Train Your Dragon" last week, and I pretty much fell in love with dragons. (Except that big, bad mean one at the end). Such a great movie. It is on my top ten kids movie list.

 

 

 

Dragons Hate to be Discreet. Great illustrations by Edward Koren.

 

Cool dragon book available------>HERE!

 

 

 

Monsters! My favorite creatures!

 

 

 

 

 

13 Monsters is a phenomenal book full of great spooky monster stories. 13 of them, in fact. This book will probably not be listed in my store. There is damage on the first blank page, its been ripped out, actually. There is a name in sharpie right on the cover and there are a few discoloration spots on some of the pages. I don't know, I really prefer my books in pretty decent shape for me to list them, and I wasn't comfortable putting this one online. If you are interested, feel free to message me on Etsy or the comments.

 

 

I am a sucker for anything Mercer Mayer that is not Little Critter. Look at these creatures. Creepy and creative, but not scary:

 

 

 

I liked his older stuff so much better than his newer stuff.

 

Do you agree? Available------>HERE!

 

 

 

Aliens? UFOs? Ya scared? Nah, me neither.

 

 

 

Is There Life in Outer Space? Well, is there? If there is, I hope they are colorful psychedelic creatures like this one^.

 

Available------->HERE!

 

 

Okay, now this next one is personal. I hate monkeys, apes, gorillas... all of them. I don't like primates. I think they are ugly, mean, gross and scary. I always quickly pass that section at the zoo. I remember as a child, going to the zoo, and a monkey throwing poo at my mom. And another time doing some other gross sexual thing at my mom. Different zoo, different primate. They had it out for my mom. I want nothing to do with them. Yea, yea, yea, I know we share a whole lot of DNA with them. Whatever. My DNA does not make me want to throw poo at people.  There are some people I want to throw rocks at...but not poo.

 

Look how ugly they are:

 

 

 

 

What's up with that hair do, bald top monkey? Just nasty!

 

 

Oh it gets better.....

 

 

 

Yea, let's pick bugs off each other! They like to refer to it as "grooming", but then they eat it! They EAT the bugs they pick off each other! They are not "grooming", they are looking for a snack.

 

Sorry, I know there are a lot of primate lovers out there, I am not one of them. I remember them on the Johnny Carson Show, climbing on the desk, wearing diapers, and smooshing bananas between their teeth. The audience would all "oooh and Ahhhh". I bet if I jumped on Johnny Carson's desk wearing a diaper and smooshing a banana between my teeth, no one would think that was so cute, and someone would probably call the cops.

 

If you would like to rid me of this book, this book that I did a very poor job of convincing you how great it is...maybe you want it anyhow.

Get it away from me-------->HERE!

 

Now on to something a lot more pleasant! In addition to the Independent Business of the week I normally do, I would like to start featuring an Artist of the Week!

 

 

ARTIST OF THE WEEK!

 

 

Nicolas Caesar

 

Scary-Art



 

 

This guy is a wealth of talent and creativity! Check out him out! Check out his Bio....man, this guy has done a lot of cool stuff in his career!

 

 

 



 

 

 

Check out his "sculpture/dolls" section! Really great stuff!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clearly, he does not stick to one medium. Multi talented! I just love his work!

 

Seriously, check him out!----->SCARY-ART

 

 

 

What are you afraid of? Do tell!

 

 

 

 

I Will Never Have Another Garage Sale Again!

I will never have another garage sale again! If you would like to know why, read my Indie Biz of the Week at the end of my blog. With that being said, I still love attending garage sales, and I have no desire to stop.

I haven't been to a garage sale in quite some time, I really do need to go, but here in Florida, the garage sales are totally lame compared to up north. The garage sales in Florida go from 8-12 usually for one day only. The garage sales up north go from 9-5, and are almost always a Saturday AND a Sunday, even neighborhood garage sales are for the whole weekend! On Saturdays, when I should be hitting the garage sales, is the day I like to sleep in, slowly drag my lazy ass outta bed, read the newspaper, slowly get into the shower, spend a few minutes extra blow drying my hair....Hell, it's lunchtime by then and the garage sales are over with. But honestly, the majority of garage sales around here aren't that great, so I guess that's why I am rarely motivated to go.

I managed to do okay at the thrift stores and flea market this past week. So all is good!

 

 

 

 

Remy Charlip is one crazy ass man! His illustrations are usually quite psychedelic and trippy. Which I totally love! (Click on the picture to get a more detailed view) This book, Arm in Arm will be listed later tonight...look for it!

 

 

 

 

Another psychedelic trippy book. I can't get enough of these types of illustrations. School for Sillies by Jay Williams, illustrated by Friso Henstra....I wish there were more books by this illustrator, but there are only just a few...

 

 

School for Sillies available----->HERE!

 

 

Another goody for your brain to absorb:

 

 

 

 

 

The Man Who Had No Dream, by Adelaide Holl, illustrated by Kjell Ringi. Like all good books from the 60's, this book is total mind candy!

The Man Who Had No Dream is available------HERE!


I was oh so excited when I came across this book:

 

 

Ronald Searle seriously rocks my cat lovin' world! Searle's Cats! This guy draws cats in a neurotic mess of fur with adult like issues. The girl cat on the cover has boobs! Haha, nice touch, Ronald Searle!

Look for this book to be listed in the next couple of days
in my store------>VINTAGE BOOK MARKET


Those books are all for your brain, and now you need a little something for your stomach!

There is this one particular thrift store that is so junky that it is almost below my tolerance level. Almost, but not quite. The store doesn't particularly smell too great. Most of the items are broken and just thrown in piles. The store is completely filthy and all of the 3 shopping carts they have are broken. The wheels don't move, so you have to drag the cart around, which isn't too easy and does not make for a pleasant shopping experience. So why do I even go? For some extremely odd reason, I usually find the needle in the haystack there. Amongst the piles of dirty crap, there is usually that one really awesome find just waiting for me to rescue it. Seriously, every single time I muster up the urge to go there I end up with one awesome thing, such as:

These are just so delightful to me! No chips and no wear and bargain priced! Of course they were totally filthy with wax crayon prices on every single item, but they cleaned up just fine!

Available------>HERE!



This next item was found at another place I frequent, where everything is usually way over priced, but every so often I find something pretty cool that is marked at a more reasonable price. I have a feeling that there is one really cool person who prices items lower than the other people. I like who ever that person is.

I just love this kitchen scale, and I was delighted to have found her priced by the mystery low price fairy.

Like her too? Available------->HERE!


You know how my son always convinces me to buy stuff that I am unsure of? Well apparently my daughter has started the same shenanigans of also talking me into buying stuff that I am undecided about. And I usually let them convince me, (and oddly enough it has usually turned into a good choice.). I don't even know why I let them have a say so, but perhaps it is because if it ends up being a lousy decision, I can blame them instead of myself. ("But you TOLD me to buy it!"). This next item is one that I picked up, put back down, picked up, put back down....until eventually, my daughter Avery said, "Just put it in the cart already, you know you want to. And I really like the colors!" and that was all I had to hear.....

 

 

I have to admit, they are pretty damn cool! Great colors, great condition, great price....

 

Interested? Available-------->HERE!

 

 

So now you have a little something for your brain, your belly and now a little something for your budget....brings us to the Independent business of the week as well as the answer to why I will never have another garage sale again....(drum roll......)

 

 

 

Indie biz of the week

 

 

--->RHEA LANA<---

 

 

Okay, so what the hell is that? Seriously, it is so genius, it will make your head explode.

 

Here is the gist of it:

you take all of your kids stuff (baby through teen) and you price them online through their system they got going. Then you bring it to them and they sell it for you. Here are some of the reasons why it is so genius. They have just a few big blow out events a year (spring and fall) so a gazillion people rush to get there! Then after a few days of the big sale, the last few days are half off days, so again more people go. Then they give you a check for what you have sold and you get to keep 70%! Most consignment shops only give you 40-50%. They also have all sorts of cool incentives, refer people and make up to 80% of your sales, they have special private presale events for people that consign or volunteer with them (first dibs!) and they even have all these cool prizes that you could win while entering your items online. Guess who won last week? Yep, me!

 

How cool is this prize?

 

 

A collapsible wagon! These things aren't cheap! I can load it up when we go to the beach, use it when we are loading up for Evan's art shows, I can use it when loading up a cooler of beer to head to a neighborhood party....I am totally excited to have won this! Nice and collapsible.

 

Last year I brought about 80 items to Rhea Lanas and everything sold except 4 items (which they donate if you choose to). This year, I brought almost 300 items.

 

Sure beats having a garage sale and bickering over a 25 cent shirt ("will you take a dime for this?").

Seriously?

So back in garage sale days, I would spend a week pricing things in my garage, sorting, lifting heavy crap...then I would have to wake up super early on a Saturday, lug all that crap outside, have my money to make change, have bags, sit out in the sun all day, to haggle over 25 cents and then when its over, have to deal with a driveway full of leftover items where at that point I have to load up to donate and sort through pricier items I want to keep.

At Rhea Lanas, I do none of that, AND I make about 10 times more than I make at a garage sale!!!

You would be completely nuts not to do this! AND you would be even more nuts not to shop there and get super awesome stuff without paying retail! While I was there dropping off my goods, I saw tons of awesomeness. Even lots of brand new stuff with tags still attached!

The big sale event starts this week! Get there and get some deals.

The link above is the main Rhea Lana's website to locate the one nearest to you. I go to the Tampa Bay one which is actually in Brandon and St Petersburg.

 

Facebook like them HERE!

 

Brandon isn't particularly close to me (about 30-40 minutes), but seriously, still a gazillion times better than having a garage sale!

 

Okay, so maybe this isn't a "small business". It is a franchise and it is owned by 2 of the super nicest ladies you could imagine (My Tampa location). They will go out of their way to help you. You can call them anytime with questions. They have only been doing this for a few years and they are trying really hard to grow their business.

 

Check 'em out!

You will thank me later!

 

 

Okay, now back to me:-)

Use coupon code: Randomgoods to save 10% off of both of my stores! Expires the end of April.

 

CIRCA COMPANY

 

And

 

VINTAGE BOOK MARKET

 

Evan's art show schedule

 

April 13th-Seminole Heights Market 10-2pm

 

May 17th-Tampa Roller Derby 6-10pm

 

Hope to see you there!

 

What's new in your world? Do you have a garage sale horror story to share? Do tell!

 

 

 



 

Time for the Dogs

Last week I featured cats in my blog. Yes, I am still a cat person, nothing has changed, but I felt it was important to show you that I am an equal opportunity blog. So, now it's the dogs turn to be showcased.



 

 

How Fletcher Was Hatched, by Wende and Harry Devlin. This is a desirable book. I have had it once before and it flew out the door. Wende and Harry Devlin are also the authors and illustrators of Cranberry Thanksgiving, another much loved book.

 

This book will be listed in a matter of days. Check for it here:

                                      Vintage Book Market

 

 

Ski Pup, by Don Freeman and White Ruff by Glenn Balch
Anything by Don Freeman is pretty much a classic must have.
White Ruff is for the Collie lover in you when Lassie is no longer an option.

Available here----->SKI PUP

And here---------->WHITE RUFF

 

 

 

 

 

Benjy and the Barking Bird and Benjy and his Friend Fifi. Both by Margaret Bloy Graham. Author and illustrator of the Harry the Dog books. I just love her and her sweet illustrations. I still have all my original Harry the Dog books and I just sent out a Plant Sitter book earlier today.

 

Available here----------->BENJY AND THE BARKING BIRD

and here---------------->BENJY AND HIS FRIEND FIFI

 

 

 

 

 

Nic of the Woods by Lynd Ward and Two Dogs and a Horse by Jim Kjelgaard. Nic of the Woods has fabulous black and white(with hints of blue) illustrations, Lynd Ward is a Caldecott honor recipient.

 

Jim Kjelgaard has a long list of books that he has authored. Majority are about dogs and horses.

Check them out here----->NIC OF THE WOODS
and here------------------>TWO DOGS AND A HORSE

 

 

Any Friend of Owney's by Carl Biemiller and Dog Wash by Lenore Freeman.

Any Friend of Owney's is about the true story of a famous dog who was adopted by the postal service in the 18th century. At one point he was actually kidnapped and held for ransom.  His body has since been preserved and exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution.

 

Dog wash is a super fun book full of vintage black and white photography of dogs at their...well...wettest.

 

Available here----->ANY FRIEND OF OWNEY'S

And here---------->DOG WASH

 

 

Next week, no cats, no dogs...what shall it be? Check back for the mystery animal to be revealed!

 

Any dog books I should be on the look out for? Let me know in the comments.

 

INDIE BUSINESSES OF THE WEEK

 

(yep, there are two)

 

 

Keep with the pet theme, I thought you should check out this incredibly talented artist on Etsy:

 

 

PETS BY MATEA

 

 

Sick talent, I tell ya!

 

 

I am so in love with the colorful and whimsical way she illustrates animals.

 

 

Seriously, how freakin' cool is this? Love it!

 

 

Also a facebook page to like. Supporting the arts is oh so important to me!

 

FACEBOOK PAGE FOR MATEA

 

 

Now this next independent business, had me do a second take. I stumbled across her Etsy shop and poo poo'd it because I think pretty much anything to do with pipe cleaner (chenille) is a hobby for bored grandmas. For some reason, I went back to check this shop out. And boy, was a wrong! True creative talent. Fun, whimsical, charming, creative, unique, silly....oh I could go on and on. Her craftsmanship is no easy task! Check out this shop and see what I mean!

 

 

STANLEY AND STEWART

 

 

 

Vintage cats photographs and chenille bodies with so much detail and charm your head will explode! Fabulous gift for any holiday!

 

 

 

I cannot begin to tell you how charming and fun I think these are! LOVE!

 

And furthermore, the artist/owner of Stanley and Stewart has a real seriously impressive resume of creative awesomeness. Check it out, when you check out her kick ass shop! 

 

 

 

_______________________________________________________

 

 

EVAN'S UPCOMING ART SHOW SCHEDULE:

 

(This blog has been the only way that I have been able to keep his followers updated, until he gets his own Facebook page this summer. Since he is only 10 years old, I have to pace things a bit, ya know?)

 

April 13th-Seminole Heights Market 10-2pm

 

May 17th-Tampa Roller Derby 6-10pm

 

 

 

 

Lots of good stuff! If you are in Seminole Heights or Tampa Roller Derby, look for Evan's Art!

 

 

That's all for now folks!

 

I'd love to hear from you! What do you think of those Etsy shops?

Any shops you recommend I give a looksee to?

Share the love!