EBay is having a listing promotion Wednesday, May 16, 2012. List auctions with buy it now – for free! Go here for specifics on their site.

I am not technical minded, so I was at a loss when I began having problems adding or changing item specifics in my Blackthorne listings. Since eBay rarely notifies users of system problems (they own Blackthorne) I did what I always do…I checked discussion boards to see what other users were saying. Other eBayers are usually my best source of information.

There weren’t many postings on eBay boards, but there was enough to know that it wasn’t just me having the problem.  Blackthorne had posted an answer to user complaints/questions on their discussion forum. Their instructions were simple: Update to the newest version 04.08.026, and update categories. It worked like a charm, so I am sharing the information. Hint: Make sure you backup your database before running the update.

EBay is running a special on auction insertion fees for eBay stores May 7-13, 2012. No insertion fees for auction listings, except for 1 day durations.  See the details on their site eBay Store Promotion for Auction Listings

I have set a personal goal to list at least 5 new auctions a day during this special. There are a lot of other obligations on my calendar this week, but with some creative scheduling and focus I can do it. I have been frustrated by low sales on eBay and increasing my listed inventory should make a difference.

I am 50 years old, but a kid at heart. If you are my age then you probably understand – those of you that are younger will learn in time that we never really get over our youth, we just carry it with us as we age. Sometimes old “stuff” causes us to remember extra fond memories of years gone by. Like this old owl does for me. 

I recently told my sister that I had been looking for a weather owl for years. My grandparents had one that I remember in vivid detail. I have searched online, in antique shops, at yard sales, etc. My interest would be renewed each time that I would see a group of owls that a collector was selling. I described this owl to many people, only to be met with blank stares. A weather owl? That changed colors? Hmmm.

I found this one on eBay. I had looked in the past, but this time luck was on my side. There is no way for the seller to really understand just how special this purchase was for me.

I remember as a kid being fascinated as the breast feathers would change colors to blue or purple or pink depending on the weather. This one no longer changes colors and he is scuffed and worn with age…much like myself. Yet, wrapped up in this little owl and his tiny thermometer are memories of going to my grandparents house. He has been like a time machine, taking me back to memories of my grandparents. Of grandma fixing food in the kitchen and grandpa giving motorcycle rides around the block and all the great times we all had together. Has it really been decades?

Have you found any childhood memory treasures lately? I hope so!

I haven’t been very consistent with my penny starting bid auctions for quite some time, but will do much better in 2012.  New year, fresh starts!

This Crystals & Candlelight jigsaw puzzle has glitter highlights and many fun details. Josephine Wall is a wonderful fantasy and fairy artist. 

I like to offer opened boxes at bargain prices. I don’t offer puzzles unless I have reason to think they are complete. (I almost always sell factory sealed boxes.) These puzzle pieces are still in the sealed bag, so it is complete. Maybe one of you will enjoy putting this puzzle together this winter!

Call of the Sea

It didn’t seem to make sense to run auctions this past week. People shopping for gifts needed the buy it now option. I didn’t want auctions ending too close to Christmas either.

Well, it’s time to get the auctions going again. I have some unique puzzles to list between now and the end of the year, but I started off with an item that I have offered before. (I am a bit tired from all the holiday shipping and cookie baking, so it will take a few days for me to write the new listings.)

The penny starting bid for this Josephine Wall Borders puzzle may be your chance to get this puzzle at a great price!

My home office is a flurry of activity during the holiday season. I am shipping more packages because people are Christmas shopping for the puzzlers on their list. I am also stocking my local resale booth several times a week and tagging items for the monthly flea market. Needless to say, I get behind on my sleep and my desk gets messy during the month of December. (My husband will laugh at the implication that my desk is neat the rest of the time.)

I was reaching my limit last night, but once my shipping was done I decided to tag a few more sewing items for the flea market before going to bed. I made my own hang tags, cutting the string as needed. I worked my way through a basket of thread, pin cushions, and miscellaneous sewing notions…finding a few interesting buttons to keep for card making, too.

I was wrapping it up for the night with only a pair of scissors left to tag. I decided they weren’t anything special, but because they were functional I should be able to get a dollar or two. I didn’t think a sticky tag would stay put, so I made a hang tag. I pulled out the string and reached for my office scissors to make the cut, but I couldn’t find them.

Yes, you guessed it…I was in the process of tagging my own scissors. I promise to get more sleep this week!

The last time I took a week off from eBay it was not nearly as easy as it seems to be now.  When we relocated about two years ago I could not block purchases but had to end my listings before our move and restart all of them one by one afterward.

We are not moving again, thank goodness! We are taking a much needed vacation that will take us away from Internet access and our cell phones for much of the time.  Several friends will be watching our house and taking care of things here…but eBay will have to wait for my return.  This way I do not have to keep an eye on the store.  I can enjoy my time off and come back ready for the busy holiday season.

I appreciate the improvement. It is always good to have choices.

The best perk of my job is the flex time. Being able to fit unexpected or short notice appointments into my schedule is a big plus. Being able to fit friends and family into my day means a lot to me.

This week a friend of mine needed someone to take her to the dentist, wait for her, then drive her home. She was having her teeth pulled to get dentures. As I look back on the day I realize that it has become automatic for me to weave my work into and around everything else.

I drove her to the dentist office early in the morning and then left to ship some puzzles while the dentist made impressions of her teeth and mouth. I answered some online questions and tagged some items to take to my local booth at Dejavu before time to pick her up.

We went to some thrift stores to treasure hunt during the hours between her impressions and her main procedure. Shopping gave her something to keep her mind occupied and I was getting work done while spending time with a friend. I found some good stuff to sell!

I used my phone to answer eBay questions while in the waiting room all afternoon. I felt 100% on top of things until they wheeled my friend out four hours later – behind schedule because of some difficulties – minus all of her teeth, making no sense because of medication, and turning an unusual shade of green. The rest of my evening was all about taking care of her. Dentures do NOT look like any fun to me. I felt totally inadequate as a caregiver but I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

Working from home makes it possible for me to say yes when a friend calls. That benefit is priceless.

Wolves Jigsaw Puzzle Wildlife Aspen Wolf New Open Box

This is one of my favorite puzzle images. I posted it as a penny auction last night.

It’s my way of offering a good deal to my customers – and drawing attention to my eBay store, too.

My penny auctions are often for items that I have plenty of. I give my item extra visibility by listing with a penny opening bid and hopefully sell some of the buy it now listings while the auction is running.

Sometimes my penny auctions are for items that are one of a kind or less than perfect. This puzzle is new, but the box has been opened. The inside puzzle bag is sealed, so the puzzle is new and unused. Someone will get a good deal on a great puzzle!