Kristin's Knit Crochet & More Week In Review Sept 21, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 12:15PM Hi everyone, this week I'll be on location in Charlotte, North Carolina for the Southern Womens Show. I'm working with Bijou Basin Ranch promoting my book and kits with them for the "Complements Collection. Next week's blog post will document all the ins and outs of the show. It's supposed to be a big one, and this is the first time they opened their doors to craft exhibitors. Keep your fingers crossed for me, ok? Thanks :)
Click here for the knit and crochet book Complements Collection, print or ebook
And Click here for the yarn and knit and crochet book kits for Complements Collection
Wrapture will begin shipping soon!! I'm SO excited. I should have it in stock next week. When I do, I have a HUGE contest beginning. You won't want to miss it. And my next sample sale starts next week, too. Time to stock up on holiday gifts!
Everyone likes getting compliments, right? But I have a backward way of accepting them. I often get compliments on the way I dress at shows, and I try very hard to look my best, but on a tight budget. I often tell people my secrets in person and thought maybe it would be a good idea to share them here on the blog. I mean, it IS called knit crochet & MORE, right? :) Are you ready? I buy my clothes on eBay. That's right. eBay. Sometimes they are new with tags, and most of the time they are in Excellent Used Condition (EUC). If you are not familiar with shopping on eBay, I would describe it as a thrift store on steroids. I shop for the brands I know and love, the styles that flatter my body shape, and I take some chances. The more I do it, the better I get, but you always run the risk of getting a dud. However, I am usually paying 50-75% off retail, so I'm willing to take that chance. AND, here is the best part. I wear them a couple of times, and because I try to buy brands that have a good resale value, I re-sell them on eBay once or twice a year to clear out my closet.
This week is the week I re-listed a bunch of dresses. Some are listed because I never wore them (price tags still on them), some I wore once or twice, and some don't fit me anymore. But my loss could be your gain! If you are someone you know is looking for excellent quality, slightly used dresses, all my auctions are starting under $10. Here is a link to my eBay store: Kristin's eBay Store
I think the part of this that makes me the happiest, is that in some way I am circumventing consumerism. I don't have time to look for nuggets of gold in the sea of crap in thrift stores, but if I word my searches just right, I can look for the specific things I love on eBay once or twice a month.
For example, I like brands like Donna Morgan for jersey knit dresses (they travel so well without needing ironing), and generally know which styles and sizes work for me. Sometimes, people take poorly lit photos or incorrectly describe their items, so it can be hit or miss.
So, rule #1: keep your cool.
Rule #2: Know your seller.
You can click on a seller to learn quite a bit about their reputation on eBay. There is a rating number, a percentage based on reviews, and number of transactions. You can even read some of the other customers' reviews. Notice where they are located and make sure you are comfortable if they live outside of your country. Ask them questions if you want more information about the item listed. And, make sure you read the shipping charges and return policy BEFORE bidding.
Rule #3: Have your maximum bid decided BEFORE your first bid.
I bid low, and never get caught up in the bidding war. You have to promise yourself you won't go past your limit. Ebaying can be an emotional experience, and if you let your emotions get involved, you will ALWAYS pay too much because you will compete with others when you HAVE to HAVE that dress. And don't forget to mentally add the shipping cost when determining what that final price will be.
Rule #4: Have fun!
This is a fun, slightly risky way, of buying clothing for a fraction of the price of the retail stores. Is it exhilarating when you get a great deal? YES! Is it fun to shop from the convenience of your home and computer? YES! Does it come with risks? Of course, but so far, I have found the rewards still far outweigh the risks :)
If you have any interest in more details about shopping on eBay, please leave a note in the comments below.
On the menu:
Home 6 days between work trips, and yes, I made sure to make healthy, tasty meals for my family :)
Cedar plank roasted salmon, basted in a mixture of grainy mustard, apricot preserves, and fresh garlic; baby spring greens salad with steamed haricot vert, sliced raw fennel, blanched asparagus and roasted tomatoes, roasted baby potatoes and roasted red/yellow/orange bell peppers; orange/champagne vinegar/coconut oil viniagrette. Entire meal: NO SALT
Slow roasted skinless chicken thighs with onion & garlic; cheese tortellini tossed in homemade tomato sauce with garlic & fresh basil; baby kale salad with orange/champagne vinegar/coconut oil viniagrette.
Brown rice pudding cooked in almond milk, baked in the oven with light coconut milk, dried berries, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg & eggs. NO SUGAR OR DAIRY
Two days of leftovers, and then..... I got on another plane :/
Weekly Inspirations:
As you know, I find and re-post inspirational quotes when I see them. I found one this week that is so impactful to me that to give it the attention I believe it deserves, it's the only one I'll share this week. The reason it is so important to me is because commitment is so very, very important to me. Commitment to your word. Commitment to your children and family. Commitment to your significant other. And yes, commitment to yourself. Whether it be to your spiritual self, your physical self, your emotional self, or all of the above. My marriage was destroyed by flagrant infidelity (among other terrible things) and I pray that I am healed from it and open to trust again (8 years after divorce). But nevertheless, all I can do is be the commited person I choose to be.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
xoxo, Kristin
Reader Comments (6)
You are an amazing women. Between your patterns & outlook on life. I love that you shop EBay, and that you resell them to clean out the closet a few times a year. Looking forward to seeing some more patterns using Bijou Basin Ranch yarns, as I have a few skeins just waiting for that "something special" for me in crochet to be made using it up :)
And the most important comment throughout this blog post is "commitment to yourself". So true and such a simple but uplifting way to live ~ more people should live by that simple rule. God Bless and speed your healing process.