I've been analyzing myself lately and trying to figure out if I buy things because I think they might be valuable, or because they are aesthetically pleasing to me, personally.
I said this was cute earlier, but...I dunno. I'm starting to doubt if I think it's cute. It's bubbly, that's for sure. It's old; that's always a good thing.
The truth of the matter is, is that I haven't yet sold any of the crap I've bought. A lot of crap, I would only sell if dire straights fell upon us, because I adore some of the treasure-crap I've been fortunate enough to stumble upon.
I'm trying to figure out this industry. When I started this blog, I never thought about selling things. As I've been researching the crap I write about, it's started to occur to me: "Hey put it in a box and ship it, stat". Now that I've started to shop with an eye for what might be re-sellable, I'm buying things that I don't necessarily love (no offense Milano Bubble Pitcher from the 1970's).
I'm also coming across a weird ethical question. How long can an item be part of my household, before it's legally adopted? I was thinking about how weird it would be for me if I grew up in a household where one of my parents was always selling things that used to be part of the homey backdrop of my upbringing..."Hey where did that one picture go? I loved that picture..."; "Where's the frickin' can opener, mom?" It would be unnerving for sure.
I don't want myself or my family to get too attached or used to something being there, and then one day...it just disappears...like "Gone Girl"...except it would be, gone-crap-from-thrift-store. On another note, how do the items feel when this happens? One day they are proudly displayed on the kitchen wall; a retired kitchen tool, now basking in its vintage glory; then they next day...GONE...sold to the highest bidder...or only bidder. Ah, they're used to it.
Nevertheless, a lot of things I've purchased are in my closet, so as not to give them the wrong idea about their place in the family, and for us, a place in our hearts. Why do inanimate objects have that kind of power? How do they nestle their way in to that sentimental part of our hearts? It's so annoying...Obviously material culture is representative of our identity and where we came from. It's not easy to get rid of stuff. I'll speak for myself. It's not easy for me to get rid of stuff.
I look at the framed pictures at Savers and wonder if the person agonized over the decision to give away their grandmother's collection of needlepoint artwork, or if it was more like, "Ewww, this definitely does not go with the decor, good riddance." Sometimes, there's even frames with people's pictures in it, or personalized crafts, with personal sentiments, written or painted on them. At least, take the picture out before donating the frame, I think. But, who am I to judge? That person would probably come to my house, and think: "Did someone forget to do her spring cleaning?" Either that, or "Wow, those needlepoint DeGrazia pictures would be a great asset for a little place called...Savers...or Goodwill."
It takes all kinds to make the world go round...at least that's what I've heard. So, give me some space. I'll sell stuff when I'm ready...and hopefully my 5.5 year old won't miss the can opener. I know I will sad-face.
