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Ahoy maties! Welcome to $teph’$ Trea$ure Trove, where trea$ures are no longer JUST for PIRATES, Rawr! I am a picker, a grinner, a lover and a sinner. Haha, just kidding. Or, am I? In this particular scenario (for your reading pleasure) we will be focusing on and accentuating just what it means to become…..a PICKER!
September 2013 EVB MAGAZINE 34
Now, what am I to do all day when the kids are in school and my husband is working? Well, dig for trea$ure$ of course! I guess I’ve come full circle and I’d like to think my grandmother was the reason. We all do things for “strange” yet remarkable reasons, always with the best intentions and challenging ourselves beyond
Have you ever watched and episode of Storage Wars—or better yet, American Pickers? Or…Salvage Dogs? How about Flea Market Flip?! Have you ever logged into Pinterest for inspiration? Well, here is your first and last warning. DO! There are so many endless possibilities to so many tossed aside “outcasts” that I am humbled to call— trea$ure$! So, a little about me and my background. I grew up for the most part of my first 10 years in upstate New York. I so remember the country life and the smells of my grandmother’s workshop. The saw dust, the noises of power tools—I guess I was just too young at that time to really tap into her mind and amazing creations. Fast forward to Cape Cod, Massachusetts where I then spent 30+ years. A far cry from N.Y. but you gotta love the ocean breeze and sometimes even the winter blizzards. I’ve had several jobs throughout my existence—some extremely mindless and boring—others very challenging and fulfilling. Speeding up again to the year 2010. I reconnected with my soul mate and packed my bags, sight unseen and moved to Arizona to be married.
our limits. Buying, trading and or selling “treasures” is most definitely no exception. Well, at least for those that “get it.” The undeniable explosion of FaceBook groups is where I finally came to terms with who I am and what I want to be when I grow up. My passion for finding that perfect, most profitable trea$ure is what drives me into a borderline frenzied addiction. Whether it be yard sales or the local Goodwill—be it dumpster diving or coming to a complete and instant halt on the side of the road—is what makes me tick. I see people online bartering and auctioning their findings and it’s really a hoot to follow.
I’ve discovered that “shabby chic & distressed” furniture is a huge hit these days, not to mention old garage doors, used mattress frames, beaten down window panes (with or without the glass) and the list goes on and on. Given this new found obsession of mine (and rages for others!), I’ve found myself pulling out my own personal treasures and snapping pictures… uploading them to my FaceBook group…putting price tags on them…and then practice some patience and wait. Since 11/20/12 when I began my group I have “inherited” nearly 1600 members! They are so fun— so full of life—so gifted and talented—and we have lots of LAUGHS! In my opinion it’s a great way to make some extra “Mad $$$” and make new friends along the way. So the saying holds truth that, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” However, in this case it’s, “Every woman’s!” Now, some will question my sanity and think that there’s a major chance of my becoming a hoarder. I have to strongly beg to differ as there is an amazing difference. What I do personally is collect and flip as fast as I possibly can. I’m not as artsy/craftsy as most but I do value my vision and imagination. When I see a piece of “junk” I have to look deeper into its being. I know this sounds a
little bit crazy but come on… we all have to step outside those basic boxes and believe in the pure goodness of said trea$ure$. Someday I’m in high hopes that my Trea$ure Trove will lead me to becoming a very successful business woman—a woman that has an eye and a knack for the rare and unusual. The sky is the limit—no junk refused—the more unique the better—and then I will build me a modest shop on my private lump of dirt, where everyone will just be dying to come visit. Beyond selling my own effects I am constantly on the lookout for the next “greatest deal.” One never knows who exactly…wants what…exactly. I am focused, professional, anxious and eager whilst continuing to support local vendors and crafters. I am also willing to meet people at more convenient locations a few times a week. Until we meet face to face or online, may all of your dreams come true and may you always have luck finding the treasures you most desire… and DESERVE! If you are confident and curious enough to “walk the plank” with us pirates, we welcome you. The more the merrier—come down below and start trea$ure hunting with us…this day!! Stephanie Lynn Keefe www.facebook.com/groups/ stephstreasuretrove 480.678.4390