One of my fave writers on the Internet (she’s really more of a personality– I’m obsessed) shared her eBay finds from last year on her Substack. I was inspired to share my own as I’ve recently become quite into hunting things down on eBay and scouring Facebook Marketplace.
I think I need a little background on why this is a big deal for me. Namely, I don’t really like “the hunt” in person. In theory, I love the idea of thrifting and hitting up estate sales. In reality, they depress the eff out of me. I can’t stand the smell (please tell me I’m not the only one?!) and peeking at the insides of people’s lives (especially if they’ve passed) makes me so uncomfortable. We live in a great area for estate sales and I love watching TikTok videos of tours that people do of New Jersey estate sales, but I just can’t do it myself.
I also think with the mass production of products (and maybe even sharing so much of what I own online), I’ve been craving “one of a kind” “they don’t make it like they used to” things.
So last year I found myself setting alerts on eBay and fine-tuning my Facebook Marketplace algorithm (it is an algorithm– Alisa Bovino has tips!). And I think it’s paid off! Unlike shopping regular websites, it does take time to find exactly what you’re looking for. Sometimes even specific searches alone aren’t enough and other times it’s a game of patience waiting for the very right thing (at the very right price) and sometimes luck is on your side and the perfect listing just falls into your lap.
90% of my purchases were from looking for something specific (like our new-to-us dining room table) and 10% are just things I stumbled upon. I like both– the deliberate search and the fortunate find.
GLENAAN NANTUCKET LIGHTHOUSE BASKET CHARMS
After watching Sirens, I started hunting for one of these Nantucket charms by Glenaan. They get expensive fast so I set a ton of alerts for Etsy and Ebay. My philosophy with looking for special pieces, especially jewelry, is that I have to more than “like” it. I try to listen to my gut and I’m pretty in tune with what my gut is saying. When looking for the charms, I was getting a ton of hits for replicas… so I was really on the hunt for signed charms. The first one I found was a mixed metal one that had a little pennant with an R (felt kismet for Riordan!) on it and the signature penny hidden inside. I thought my search was over but, well, I never turned off my alerts and this gorgeous gold basket + pearl charm popped up. I did a bid so quickly and won.
VINTAGE MAHJONG CARD
People collect vintage mahjong cards and, while I don’t plan on having a full set, I love the idea of doing birth year cards. A friend gifted me two 1989 cards to play together on and then I found another listing for one that I scooped up because ohmygod, she’s insane.
FILM POINT AND SHOOT CAMERAS
Film cameras have popped off on TikTok and, as a result, the prices have skyrocketed on popular styles. I watched a ton of reviews and narrowed my choice down to two dependable and easy to use point and shoots. A Canon Sure Shot 80 Tele 35mm and an Olympus Stylus Epic MJU II Zoom 80. The key here is to check for where it’s shipping from (many ship from Japan) and to make sure that the listing says it’s been tested and in full working order. (Unless you’re comfortable DIYing some repairs, of course!)
I have a couple of other “dream” film cameras on my wishlist but waiting for the right “one”! For now, I’m having fun playing around with film. Especially taking photos of my family. It feels so special and unique.
NEEDLEPOINT HOLIDAY PIECES
I also have a few needlepoint alerts set up. After missing out on several Instagram listings for the Two’s Company 12 Days of Christmas Needlepoint ornaments, my patience paid off and I scored a complete set (and it even came with the bag)! When I first saw the listing on Instagram, I thought they were done by hand. But they were mass produced by Two’s Company, so actually made the hunt easier knowing there had to be more complete sets out there!!
I couldn’t resist a little Christmas needlepointed pillow (also mass produced– this one is Spode– but the price was right!) and a handmade 3D Santa. The Santa comes from a needlepoint kit (mass produced), but this little Santa was made so beautifully. I just know someone stitched him with care and he sparks all the joy. He’s so cute.
HOLIDAY SWEATERS
Probably the things that feel the most fun to find for me are these holiday sweaters. It started a couple of years ago wanting a 90s vibes Halloween sweater. I just went for it and have zero regrets. Then I needed a Christmas one… and found a Valentine’s Day one. I can’t be stopped.
ROUND DINING TABLE
And I’m ending the post with the pièce de résistance: our new dining room table. You guys, I’ve been searching for a new dining room table for almost seven years. I was looking at vintage tables, Facebook Marketplace tables, estate sales… even new tables. Everything was wildly expensive. Or too formal. Or not our style. Or not the right size. The room is a nice sized dining room but it’s not “grand” by any means. I really wanted a circular table too, which limited my search. I looked nearly every day for one. And then one day, it popped up. The Perfect Table. 14 minutes away from our house and available for immediate pick up and priced incredibly. I got the chairs too, which eventually we’ll reupholster. (My dream would actually be to needlepoint covers… but I think I’ll wait until there are no toddlers in the house 😜) I showed up to the house to pick up the table and the house was on this HUGE hill so I had to go back with Mike because I couldn’t do it alone. It just barely fit into my Subaru but we made it work! Get this though…. it was once Harper Lee’s table (from her NYC apartment). Talk about the find of a century!!
