The Yard Sale

I had a yard sale and made $1.

I unpacked my stuff and set it out on two old tables in the garage. I was worried about presentation, but I was too tired to get obsessed about it.

Then I thought, “How am I going to mark everything?” I decided not to deal with that. Before I went to the bed, I sorted out into separate bowls bracelets, necklaces and earrings. For sure, this bevy of beautiful old pieces would bring in a huge pot for me.

Then I thought, “Oh, I have to make signs because I know it will be too much to do in the morning.” I got two boxes, put “Yard Sale” signs on both sides of both boxes and secured them down with duct tape. As the wind here can be fierce and unpredictable, I filled four glass jars with water. I put two jars in each box and put them in the car.

OK, so I’m not the earliest of risers, but I did manage to be up at about 8 a.m., thinking it doesn’t matter, this is my life and my time. I took a shower, got dressed, fed Picasso (my dog), and made myself a sandwich. At 9 a.m., I jumped in the car with my signs and drove to the corner of Central and Waalew roads. Rushing home to get there before the crowd, I pulled out the tables. I pulled out the borrowed wheelbarrow, lined it with plastic and filled it with clothing and pillows. I anxiously laid out a blanket and put in miscellaneous stuff. Again, important things like a hook rack that hangs over the door, an old fireplace grill, a plastic cell phone carrying case and other really, really important stuff.

Finally I could relax. I sat in a green fold-up chair. Picasso wanted to sit in my lap. An hour passed. Cars went by in both directions.

I didn’t have balloons, so I tied a bunch of plastic shopping bags and put that on top of the mail box. I was sure people would just stop in their tracks, wondering what was going on with this fabulous yard sale. Another hour passed — no customers. I called a friend and we talked for a while. Picasso was sleeping in my lap.

Finally, I saw a large white SUV drive by and turn into my neighbor’s driveway — and they stopped! They stopped in front of my house. This disturbed Picasso. He growled and barked as the man approached, wearing one earring in the top of his ear and smoking a cigarette. He was looking at my stuff. I was getting nervous — is he really going to buy something?

Yes.

He asked, “How much is this?” as he pointed to a small storage unit about 10 inches high with three drawers. I proudly belted out, “One dollar.” There was another box the same size, but it had two drawers missing.

He asked, “Do you have the other drawers?”

“No,” I replied. So he gave me $1. As he was leaving, he asked me about the mailbox I was selling. Again, I said, “One dollar.” He told me he had to check with his wife. I guess it was too much, because he didn’t come back and get it. He did mention that kids had to go to the bathroom.

After that, I figured I had made as much as I was going to make today. I started throwing all kinds of “important stuff” in my trash can. I didn’t want to repeat this adventure again. I decided to take everything that I didn’t throw away to the Salvation Army. Important stuff, again, like an easel I couldn’t use, a rocking chair my ex-significant-other made for me, and an old, ugly table lamp I’ve had for a long time.

As I drove to the Salvation Army with Picasso, I had a feeling that I might miss some of this stuff. No, maybe it was just a little fear of letting go of stuff that takes up space and gives critters a cozy home. It always greeted me when I came home and there it all sat, in my garage, taunting me.

There are a few things I did keep: a Lucite handbag from the ’50s that I’m sure I will never use, an unused set of silverware from my ex, and a hidden camera you can use in your car at night. Maybe I’ll save these for my next yard sale.

And maybe I’ll make another buck.

- By Andrea Willow

About Andrea Willow:

About Andrea Willow

 

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Andrea Willow is an emerging artist who now makes her home in Apple Valley, CA.  From an early age she has always favored her creative side, and her life’s journey has been laced with artistic expression.

A true renaissance woman, Andrea has been a writer, a designer of jewelry and clothing, a stand-up comedian, and is currently an abstract mixed media artist. Most recently she has exhibited at the Performing Art Center at Victor Valley Community College, Eclipse Gallery, and at the Artists of the High Desert.

While in Los Angeles, she exhibited at a show in West LA and sold several pieces.  As Willow tells it, “In fact one client saw a piece out on the sidewalk as she was driving by. Driving almost a block, she put on her brakes, put her bright yellow SUV in reverse, jumped out of her car and purchased a beautiful piece on the spot.”  Others have purchased her work as they fell in love with a piece, and some have commissioned artwork from her.

Willow’s style is unique.  Using wood as her canvas, her pieces reflect a dream-like quality, a whimsical fancy, and a visual feast for the viewer. The viewer is challenged to pause and look for subtle images emerging through color and textures.

Andrea received her BA from Antioch University, has studied at the Center for Art in Pasadena, CA, and taken many art classes and private lessons over the years.

For a private showing, Andrea can be contacted by email at picassotp@gmail.com. Her work can also be viewed at FineArtAmerica.com, with a search by artist’s name.