Winter brings with it a number of challenges, not the least of which is that dreaded malady, cabin fever.
I have found that one of the best solution to this problem is to use my self-imposed exile from the cold to thin down the drawers and closets. If you are considering a little de-cluttering therapy to escape the winter blahs, it is important to know what to keep and what to pitch. Here are some of the most commonly discarded items that may deserve a second look .
You would think by now that people realize there is value in costume jewelry. Yet, while working with my estate clients I often hear, “well, there is no ‘good’ jewelry, just some cheap costume.” Often hiding in that “cheap” jewelry there will be a considerable amount of sterling or gold. While these pieces may not be worth much individually, as a group you may have enough to sell them to people who buy precious metal for scrap.
Individual pieces to watch for include those that are marked with the name of a popular designer and old plastic jewelry, which may be Bakelite. Crafters and those who do jewelry repair are always looking for bulk buyouts. Recent eBay auctions are seeing groups of vintage jewelry sell in the $50-$100 range.
Remnants of your teens may still be stored in a box at the back of the closet. Some of these items are now considered “vintage” and are therefore collectible. If you were in high school or college from 1960-1980 you might be surprised to learn that your old comic books, albums, school banners, and even your Boy Scout and Girl Scout items are catching the attention of collectors. This might be a good time to list those on eBay or a neighborhood Facebook sale site and free up your closet space while putting a little cha-ching in your pocket.
Once you have gone through the items from your youth, it might be time to look at those boxes of toys left behind when your kids moved out. During the 1990s many little girls spent their time playing with Disney Perfume Princesses, Polly Pockets and Magic Attic and American Girl dolls. These dolls and their costumes and accessories are currently selling well on Etsy and eBay if they are in good condition. If you had boys growing up in your home in the 1980s some of their collections may also be worth looking into. Transformers, baseball cards, movie memorabilia, and fast food chain giveaways are possibly of value, so set them aside and do your research.
I have always thought that old VHS movies were destined for the trash. However, in preparation for this column I found that people do buy controversial movies, obscure or “cult” horror films and complete sets of a series like The Godfather, John Wayne westerns and all six seasons of Monty Python’s Flying Circus. The most valuable of the old VHS movies appear to be Disney releases from their Black Diamond Editions series. Selling particularly well currently on eBay are Aladdin, The Fox and the Hound and 101 Dalmatians. Until next time . . . Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the liquidation of estates and may be reached at 317-258-7835 or lkennett@indy.rr.com.