What makes something valuable? I think it's in the inspiration.

I was browsing through the Anthropologie catalog and came across this easel.

Image found here.

It’s interesting and has some fun character.

I never thought of an easel as a work of art, all on it’s own merit, but it is.

This easel seems to have decades of stories to share, all about paintings started and finished on its ledge.  Stories about color and brush size, lighting and strokes.  I can imagine the owner/artist having a relationship with this easel, like a photographer with his camera.  Works of art sprung forth, all teetering on this easel.  

I would love to see them, all of them.

This easel is priced at $2,100.00.

I found this easel out thrifting.  

I paid $10.00 for it. 

I brought it home, put it on craigslist and sold it for $20.00.

So, what’s the difference?

Could I have thrown some paint on it and sold it for $2,100.00?

If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then who holds the checkbook?

If money can’t buy me love, but I love Antropologie, then where does that love get me.

It gets me inspiration.

Remember my surfboard I found at a garage sale?

I put it on craigslist.org and it sold to a designer named Jeremy who’s working with Jimmy Buffet’s restaurant called Land Shark.  He’s going to hang the surf board from the ceiling and use buckets of beer as light fixtures.  

A surf board chandelier, if you will.  

 Jeremy promised to stay in touch with before and after pictures.  Land Shark is opening in Florida’s Myrtle Beach. 

A primitive trunk Kelly sold at QcumberZ worked as inspiration for archetict Joe Murphy.  Here is is pictured in our booth.

He used it in a home he just decorated in Paradise Valley.  The home is featured in Modern Architecture.   

I was so much fun hearing from Dave Merrick, artist of Indigo Wolf.

Remember this blanket I purchased while out thrifting?

I wanted to sell in on eBay, but my kids loved it too much.

You can read about that story here.

Dave Merrick emailed My Dear Trash and convinced me to keep the quilt for the boys.  He said:

I painted that back in 1993. Since then, the image has been around the world (on prints, tapestries, wrapping paper, t-shirts, etc.). It became a blanket in around 2003. I'm really happy that your little ones love the blanket. I hope you keep it (but understand if you sell it). I have my studio in Colorado. 

Needless to say, I'm keeping the quilt.  It's that much more special after hearing from Dave himself.  

You can see how Dave work's his inspiration  on the cool youtube clip.

Hey, that's a great easel.  I wonder what he paid for his?

Indigo Wolf blanket by Dave Merrick – Is it going on eBay?

I recently found this blanket at the thrift store.  

It’s huge, soft and perfect.  I think it might be brand-new.

With 4 boys, they’re all fighting over who gets to use it, especially since it’s been so cold.  The nighttime lows have been in the 30’s for the last few weeks.

In our home, we have two heaters.  One has gone out and we’re waiting to purchase a new unit, something I'm saving for with my eBay/Craig's List sales.  Half the house is warm and toasty while the other side is freezing at night, so all 4 boys’ are in one giant California King bed.  

The princess is sleeping in a port-a-crib in the same room as the counselor and I. 

My husband keeps reminding me Eden is only sleeping in our room until we get the unit replaced, but between you and me, I really love having her so close.  It's like sleeping with an angel nearby.  Plus, I know Reef isn't in any hurry to get back to his room on the other side of the house.  He loves sleeping with his big brothers. 

I don’t know what I’ll do when the heater is fixed because I really like the new sleeping arrangement.  If you know me, I’ll get my way.

When I spread the boy’s wolf blanket out on the bed, I noticed a signature.  

Of course, being an eBay junkie, I had to look it up on-line.  

The painting on the blanket is called “Indigo” by Dave Merrick.  

Image found here.

I didn’t find any other blankets, but the art work on canvas or print all sell well on eBay. 

So, what did I do?

I warned the boys!

“Don’t get too comfortable with the wolf blanket, I’m probably going to be selling it on eBay.”

“Mom, please let us keep it,” they reply.

What’s an eBay junkie to do?
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