Marathon Weekend: Studio Sale

Not 8:00 yet!

Having a garage sale at the Rancho does not involve dumping the goods on a blanket and having shoppers root through it. Au contraire! It means I have to present my offerings in like-groupings; in some semblance of retail display. In other words, it becomes a project … and that means arranging things just-so, moving furniture for the best presentation and creating a good impression. It’s also fun, nerve-wracking and heavy-duty work. I usually throw out my back, wear myself out and lose sleep over it, and this weekend’s sale was no different — and, from the 8am opening, it was a great success! I was able to unload lots of stuff to people who shared my weird sense of humor or sensibility. And,  whether it was a cheesy thrift store painting, a potted succulent, some random tchotchke, or a book with insects acting out classic scenes, there was something for most visitors to my version of a pop-up shop. Best part? The shoppers (many repeat buyers) who stopped by to say hi and tell me how much they enjoy this blog and the Rancho! Truly urbane, erudite and well-shod, my readers are a singularly good-looking group of people! …

Pots, plants

By night’s end all the plants had been either sold (or given away). I’ve been working to come up with a new idea for the Rancho’s rear space but the first order of business was subtracting what was currently there. So these had to go, and they did. I’m loving the new open space I’ve achieved, and so the plan’s beginning to gel further …

Thrift shop line-up

My plan to unload all the thrift store art didn’t pan out and I only rid myself of a fraction of the canvases and panels. And, as for my original paintings, I was able to sell a couple, letting them go to appreciative new owners. It’s always gratifying to sell a piece to someone who really loves it … and selling one to a reader, and frequent commenter on this blog, was awesome! Oddly, none of the art mags in stacks, moved, so I think I’ll donate them to the community college down the road. By the 3pm closing, the last buyer had come by to pick up a red Ikea shelving unit and it was time to pack up the stragglers. Was my stated goal of emptying out the garage-studio space accomplished? Not really … but I’m closer to it. Thanks, everyone, who came by …