A Restoration Story

I want to share a typical Makeover story with you. For those of you who visit my cottage sale event in Myerstown during some of the summer months you know I sell makeover furniture and many one of a kind finds. My husband Bruce is the re creator or master potter of many items . I share my ideas and he brings the ideas to fruition. I see what the item can become and he does the work. My part: seeking, finding, begging. His part gluing, repairing, sanding, painting. Then I do the selling. We are a team- he just sweats more! Actually that is not true I go to auctions in rain, sleet, snow, summer sun and do a bit of sweating myself!






I want to show you an example of a unique find. Recently we acquired an all wood shelf unit that someone gave up on. They felt it was beyond repair. But I have the kind of eyes that see what something can become. Bruce, my husband checks the 'bones' : is it all wood, can the item be saved, is restoration affordable, is it worth restoring. Furniture pieces are like people in a way. Even when it looks like all hope is gone with a bit of work and faith they too can be restored. In the case of people unlike furniture they are Always Worth Saving - This is done by entrusting them to THE Master- Potter.


But back to the old shelf unit. This find was out in the rain- not good for wood items. At first it did look beyond repair -- indeed it was broken- but the pieces were all there. On closer inspection we realized it had a pull out sideboard. It must have been used as a desk or a dining room sideboard. It even had a glass door at one time, the door frame was present. With paint and new glass and Bruce's skill at sanding and restoring the shelf unit is now a gorgeous piece perfect for a display cabinet, or china cabinet, or even as a library piece for books. I want to show you the before and after photo of this pretty piece. I will put it in my eBay store http://stores.ebay.com/Vintage-Collectibles-and-More new category called " local pick-up" incase it peaks your interest. Otherwise it will be found at my next Cottage Sale Event in Myerstown at 401 South Railroad Street the first weekend of May 2009.




I have invited Faith our daughter to share with you about a ministry she is excited about . We plan to add this organization to our Giving List for 2009. Read about how broken young girls are transformed because someone believes they can be restored and transformed.

Desert Streams School Update

Last year, I had the privilege of spending 3 months living in Kenya.  One of my favorite places to go was to Desert Streams Primary School in the Kibera Slums (Nairobi, Kenya).  The Kibera Slums, one of the largest slums in the world, is a difficult way of life.  Many of the families living in the slums live on less than $1/day.  As I walked through the slums each week, I tried to wrap my mind about what the future would have looked like for me if I had grown up there.  I couldn't do it.  There are so many treasures you find throughout the slums.  One of those treasures, a true gift, is Desert Streams School.

Desert Streams School provides children with an education, which offers them hope!  As I walked through the slums with Judy (founder/director) she would greet kids who were not coming to school that day.  When I asked her why they were not coming, she said that some of them were too hungry to concentrate, others were sick.  I saw a few needs while spending time with 38 of my favorite little Kenyans.  Here is a list of some of those needs:

• feeding program for the children (many are fed very little during the day and have trouble with health and concentration)
• more teachers
• funds to help pay the salaries
• supplies for the classrooms

Upon arriving back in PA after living in Kenya for 3 months, I began sharing the story of Desert Streams with everyone I encountered.  One day, my mom and dad approached to find out if they could begin supporting the school.  They shared with me their desire to send monthly funds from their EBAY store sales from Vintage Collectibles and More and that is exactly what they began doing.

During my recent trip back to Kenya, I went to visit Desert Streams School.  I knew the funds were helping to make a difference, but the TRANSFORMATION I saw in such a short period of time was surprising to me.  Here are some of the changes:

• then 38 students now 54
• then 1 teacher now 4 full-time teachers
• 1 full-time cook
• a feeding program (serving a morning snack and a large lunch everyday)
• new desks
• school supplies for use in the classroom
• new uniforms
• more disciplined, well fed children!!!!

It was a beautiful picture of how so many lives can be changed with such a small amount of funds.  This school sponsorship is running in cooperation with Springs of Africa (www.springsofafrica.com).  With questions or for more information about Desert Streams School feel free to contact me.  In the meantime.....KEEP BIDDING!  Every bid is making a difference!

-FAITH-

faithecenroad@gmail.com

In the Beginning...

Welcome to Denise's blog for Vintage Collectibles and More a blog that shares about my eBay store , my adventures in hunting for vintage finds and the terrific humanitarian aid endeavors we support as well as missionaries we encourage with the proceeds from our store and sales.

Vintage Collectibles and More has only been in existence for two years BUT we started selling on eBay 5 years ago with the goal to raise a certain amount every month to give to mission projects. Our humble beginnings were humorous to say the least. When we made all of $14.00 our first month I laughed and thought this is crazy!

Four years later we achieved bronze power sellers so we have had significant funds to invest over the months that have followed. Our path has truly proven if you are faithful with little you will be entrusted with more. I am a firm believer that we do NOT need to have the wealth of Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey to make a difference . Each one of us simply need to step up and do what we can - be responsible for one small corner of the world and together we can indeed make a difference.

My finds are laughable at times- we turn 50 cents into $50 many a time and I will share some of my auction secrets and finds in the blogs to come. But I know God is the blessed controller of all things and I truly have seen His work in our giving .

We do focus on humanitarian aid because our daughter Faith has opened our eyes as she has shared about her travels to other nations. We feel like we meet some of these little Kenyan children right in our home through her photos and stories of their lives and hardship yet joy abounds on their faces.... we have found we can make a difference in their quality of life through giving. I believe we can help these youngsters be the generation that changes their nation by offering them education which can not be done with out first feeding them so they thrive. but more about 'our kids" at Desert Streams School on a future blog.


We can make a difference just one 9.99 item at a time or sometimes I say just one doily or tea towel at a time- but I sure do love it when a higher yield item sells!

I will never reveal to you my favorite auction place- just not willing to share I guess--- it will remain my secret. Truthfully buying at yard sales and friends sharing items has certainly helped over the years.

I will definitely introduce my "junk sister" Cathy as well as my partner and husband Bruce along the way. both Cathy and Bruce add their own giftings to this endeaver called Vintage collectibles and more. This blog should be fun and I will learn to add photos I promise.

Maybe just maybe you will be in Pennsylvania on a day that I have one of my huge yard sales called The cottage sale event during warmer months where I sell the unique many one of a kinds and great finds- trash turned treasure- i will spark your interest with photos a long the way. I love a bargain so I return the favor by selling my finds at bargain prices as well. I am Myerstown Pennsylvania's best kept secret!

so lots more to come.
Thank you for shopping vintage collectibles and more my EBay Store and auction site for a hand up to those truly less fortunate than you or I. Your Bid makes the difference.

Till later!
Denise