Sometimes when you think you have failed or something seems like a hindrance, only for it to later turn out to be a blessing in disguise—that is God working for you. This happens to me quite frequently, and when it does, I am reminded that worrying has never changed anything! Despite what others may think of me, I really don't worry much, even though I talk about the issues or problems I am facing. This helps my mind come up with solutions, and it helps me to stay calm in the throws of a crisis—mental or otherwise. It is a complicated process that isn't easily explained, but it works for me.
I spent the past week preparing everything I wanted to sell at Brown's Junk in the Trunk Sale that was to take place on the Sunday before Christmas. During the previous month, I had a good experience at the sale and it really helped me financially, but I was still undecided if I wanted to participate in this one for a few reasons.
I wondered if I could at least break even with the items I had left to sell considering there was a small charge of $15. I could not afford to lose $15 in cash.
The weather was predicted to be very cold, near 40º F in the morning, but rising to the mid 60º F range by mid morning. There was a slight chance of rain.
It was just before Christmas, on a Sunday which is not their typical flea market day, and I wasn't sure there would be enough shoppers interested in my items.
Thankfully, I didn't have to make a decision until 7:00 AM on the day of the sale. I considered how I was going to pay for the upcoming bills and for food. The items listed on Marketplace would surely help cover those costs, if they sold in time. It was possible someone in the world would see my GoFundMe and donate. Neither was guaranteed, so I really had to focus and do everything I could to be prepared to go. I was able to find more items to sell in the bins that are still waiting to be unpacked. I felt accomplished with each bin I emptied, even if I wasn't going to sell all of the items I had uncovered. I decided to sell most of my jewelry, including my jewelry box. Here is where it got interesting, and a bit confusing. I am thankful I will be talking with my therapist in a couple of weeks. Some of the jewelry I didn't recognize, nor was it my style. I also found a small box of ammunition, but I have never, with good reason, owned a gun. I don't recall buying so much Premier Designs jewelry! I counted at least fifteen pieces! Premier Designs sold high fashion jewelry through independent distributors across America from 1985 until closing at the end of 2020. Buying Premier jewelry was similar to buying Avon, Home Interior or Tupperware back in the day—through direct sale parties! I am sure the jewelry I bought was only to show support. I think I remember the hostess' name, but not how I knew her, where we met, or even where the party was held. I had zero attachment to the pieces, so listed them on Marketplace. I had to figure out how I could display them if I decided to participate in the flea market. Within a short time, I remembered my bulletin board that I had leaned up against the wall. There was a variety of items attached with push pins that I no longer needed for inspiration. I wanted to remove the items for years, but couldn't—they were that special. I was ready now, and I made the jewelry display from the cork board, blind slats, and my business cards.
I had it in my mind that I had to make enough money to pay two bills due a few days after Christmas. With this in mind, I loaded my car on Saturday night to go to the sale on Sunday. I was down to four small potatoes and one ramen pack to eat with no way to buy more until 26 December. God was providing a way for me to meet my obligations. This was a pop-up sale date voted on by sellers and buyers, and I wasn't about to miss the only other chance of making the money I needed. I also noted to myself, if it is God's will that I not attend the sale, money will come in prior to my early morning departure.
I arrived at the sale, paid my fee, and was happily surprised that not arriving at 6:00 AM and instead arriving closer to 7:30 AM turned out to be an advantage. The land where the sale is held is on a farm. The sellers are typically setup on the lower back forty, and the buyers park in the field closer to the road. The first sellers to arrive are normally parked closest to buyer parking with later arrivals further away. That is how it was setup for the first sale I attended. However, this time sellers and buyers were all together on the upper field which they did announce, I just didn't know what it meant. They filled up the furthest rows first and worked their way back towards the road. This would make sure all sellers had a spot on the upper field before opening the rest of the field closest to the road to buyers for parking. I was set up right next to the buyers parking lot!
During set-up time, venders walk around for first dibs on items. I set up my table and had to put my clothes rack and shoe rack together. The wind began to whip, so when the clothes rack was blown over, I had to reposition it. I was so appreciative a passerby offered his help to move it next to the table for support and suggested I put a heavy item on it's base! As I was unloading, I was thinking about prices. I had in mind what I wanted to get for each item, and I was willing to negotiate on some of the items. The jewelry I hadn't yet offered to the public, so I knew I wanted to stick to my prices for the most part. I put up a sign near the jewelry display about my engagement ring being available, but I kept it in the car, and pulled it out if someone asked to see it—there would be many compliments on its beauty starting with my first customer.
A guy walked up right when I put my jewelry display out. I was really excited when he bought two pieces, and also gave me some solicited information on some of the other pieces that I had in my possession, but not in my memory. Another man, Mike, came buy and purchased one of the rings I had no recollection of owning. He offered a lower amount, and I told him truthfully that I needed the money to buy food. He offered some advice about a place I could get food, and paid me the price I was asking for the ring. With my seller fee already recouped before the event even opened to the public, I thought, "Today is already a victory—if I sell nothing else, that is okay!"
Once the sale opened at 9:00 AM, I had people steadily stopping to browse for the first couple of hours, but then it slowed down quite a bit. I didn't hand out many cards because it didn't seem like the right crowd for the most part. A few times, long after the person moved on, I would remember I had my blog cards to hand out. I was grateful to be able to sell some things that were seasonal, since the season is nearly over! Many people looked at the jewelry, but mistakenly thought I was the dollar store. I had many genuine positive comments on many of the items I had at my spot, but it would take the right buyer to make a sale! A few people had looked at the GorillaLine I was selling, but the line wasn't long enough for their needs. It worked out in the end when one of the market workers stopped by making her rounds, and while thanking me for coming, spotted the GorillaLine! I gave her a deeply discounted price on it—a tip of sorts.
A wonderful man named Jose stopped by towards the end of the sale and only five minutes after I remembered I wanted to sell a watch with no band, but left it in the car. I had found it in my jewelry box. It was a man's quartz watch that was not working, I knew nothing about it, and I had never seen it before. The face was black and it appeared to have a small diamond at the top. Jose was 84 years old, and came to America as a young adult in 1965. His Dad was born in 1914 and served in World War II, but lost his Dad about twenty years ago. Jose lived in California for the better part of his life, but he and his daughter now live in Florida. He was married for 50 years until his wife passed away. He also has quite a few family members that served in the military. I appreciate their sacrifice for my freedom. I really enjoyed our chat.
Let me tell you about the nice people I had on either side of me! The person to my left made 3D printer items. What he did with a 3D printer looked amazing and really cool, even though I couldn't fully appreciate the items—they were for the younger Pokémon generation. He may have had other pieces, but I didn't look close because I knew I had no money to spend! I went over and talked to him for a moment. He anticipated making back the cost of the purchase of the 3D printer in about a year. I hope he continues to prosper because he is very talented and all the customers raved about his creations! I wish I was more of a raver, but internally I was really in awe. He mentioned that he commissions custom pieces, too. Check out his Instagram — fascinating stuff, Daniel!
To the right was a guy that was full of energy, a bit sarcastic, and even snarky at times. He had a lot of bright yellow and red 'All Prices Negotiable...' signs and many catch phrases like, "There may be a price on there, but you are NOT going to pay full price, I won't let you!" or this exchange, "How are you?" "Not very good, I'm still here!" He was selling a lot of workshop or home improvement tools, ladders, a door, a hand-truck etcetera. He started packing up at 1:00 PM, even though sellers weren't allowed to leave until 2:00 PM. I think he had enough room to pull out at two, but waited until I finished packing up about five minutes later. I was able to load everything up without too much trouble. I was thinking as I was placing each piece in my car as if it was a puzzle to be solved, "Wow, all those moves over the years have really prepared me for this moment right here!" Before I left, I told him I appreciated him being next to me and goodbye.
The weather turned out to be quite breezy, but beautiful! I got a bit of sun on my face and opposite arm from last time—it is all evened out now! When I got home, I counted all the money I made, and was thankful I was only about $5.00 short for the bills, but still had no money for food. I went up to Marketplace and immediately discounted many of the prices—especially on the jewelry. I signed into my bank, and the balance was larger than expected. Apparently, I had already accounted for one of the bills due right after Christmas! I am not totally convinced, but I can't think of any thing else outstanding that hasn't come back! Instead, the figure I had in my head before the sale included three bills and two automatic withdrawals due after the first of the month, but a week before I receive my check. This means I had made enough cash for those bills and withdrawals and had money for food for about a week! I thank God for everything working out!
This morning, after I went to pick up my groceries, and went to the bank to deposit the cash, I received a message about the jewelry box I had listed. Sara was out of town, and asked if I could hold it for over a week because she wanted to purchase it for a young girl. I first explained I really couldn't because I needed it for bills and food—which I will in two weeks. She said she understood, but then one of those Godly whispers urged me to reconsider. God provided for me this week. I have food and my bills will be paid. I should not worry about tomorrow, and this jewelry box may be just what this woman and young girl need. I was hesitant to even sell it as I have had over half of my life. I messaged her back almost immediately, told her I would hold it, and mark it pending.
This flea market turned out to be more than just a means to make money. It is the catalyst that is needed to propel me into 2025 with a new outlook on life. This is a time of letting go—of things and of people. Removing the items from sight on the bulletin board was a good start. Whether it was little notes from colleagues, artwork created for me, small gifts that had significant meaning, or a reminder of awards I had won and the son I had lost, all held great importance at one time. Items, once a source of inspiration and a visual reminder, now hold a place in my heart, stored away in a box.
The jewelry box—it was just storage for jewelry I never wore, and had been packed away in a bin for the last four years. The previous ten years, I kept it in my closet. The few pieces of jewelry that are important to me or I wear, I keep in a separate place. The jewelry box has been a part of my life, even when hidden in a bin, or on a shelf, traveling from address to new address. Yes, it was beautiful, and served a purpose, but in the end, despite its beauty—it is only a piece of wood, if it isn't cherished as it should be. Letting go of this jewelry box is symbolic of letting go of people who no longer cherish me or see my worth. It is ironic that the sale will take place on December 31. Goodbye 2024.
Isaiah 58:11
"The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."
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