Getting started as a photographer, crafter, or artist?

When I started Serendipity Images in 7/2007, I wanted to photograph flowers and nature.  I kept the bed of my husband's truck loaded up, and drove all over Southern California to sell my art at craft fairs and street festivals.  I spent more money than I care to admit purchasing my booth set-up, and hours figuring sketching different configurations of my tables so that customers could easily flow through my booth.  I thought about having "take-aways" for my customers, and found battery-operated fans to blow through my booth on hot days.  During the early days of Serendipity Images, you could find me in a booth like this:

Sometimes I got lucky and had a corner booth!

It was fun to meet new people and chat with my "neighbors," but both me and my business soon grew away from the craft shows.  Once I discovered that I LOVE photographing people, and specifically, couples, craft shows became a thing of the past for me.

I am cleaning out my office and have a TON of stuff that I don't need anymore.  I'd love to sell it to someone locally to a crafter, photographer, or artist.  Please contact me if you want to buy anything -- I'm no longer using it, and am sick of looking at it!  If you're in Orange County, we can meet up so there's no postage fee -- I accept PayPal or cash on delivery.  If you're not local, I accept PayPal and there will be reasonable shipping costs.

Here's what I'm selling:

(NO LONGER AVAILABLE) Strathmore Photo Mount Cards: Black with Embossed Frame, envelopes included, set of 10
These are beautiful, heavy cards by Strathmore, one of the leaders in paper products.  They are perfect to adhere photographs to or use for crafting.  The enclosed envelopes also have a deckled edge and feel very fancy.  (They're in slightly different packaging than shown below, 2 are NIB, 1 has been opened but not used)
*Retail price is $9 per set. I am selling 3 sets together for $12*  NOW $6

 (NO LONGER AVAILABLE) Strathmore Photo Mount Cards: White with Embossed Frame, acid free, envelopes included, set of 50
These are beautiful, heavy cards by Strathmore, one of the leaders in paper products.  They are perfect to adhere photographs to or use for crafting.  The enclosed envelopes also have a deckled edge and feel very fancy.  I used to make photo cards with this kind of set, and they sold well at craft shows. 
*Retail price is $36. I have 1 unopened set available for $18* NOW $9

(NO LONGER AVAILABLE) Strathmore Photo Frame Cards: White with Die Cut Window, acid free, envelopes included, set of 40
These are beautiful, heavy cards by Strathmore, one of the leaders in paper products.  They are perfect to insert your photograph or art into.  The enclosed envelopes also have a deckled edge and feel very fancy.  I used to make photo cards with this kind of set, and they sold well at craft shows. 
*Retail price is $33. I have 1 unopened set available for $15* NOW $7.50

Greeting Card Rack: I am selling the metal greeting card rack that you can see in the craft show pictures.  I have to double-check, but I believe it has 48 wire "pockets" that hold 5x7 greeting cards or brochures.  It disassembles easily for transport.  One of the "pockets" has been bent since I got it.  It comes in a cardboard box, but the box is very beat up from using it every weekend!
*This retails around $80, but I'll sell it for $30* (Free to anyone I personally know who will pick it up from me by the end of April!)

(NO LONGER AVAILABLE) Box of Cut Mats: I have a box filled with mattes that I am no longer using. The box weighs approximately 40 pounds and holds approximately 50 double-cut mats that hold a 4x6 print,  30 single-cut mats that hold a 5x7 print, 85 single-cut mats that hold an 8x10 print, and 60 single-cut mats that hold an 11x14 print.  Most of the mats are cream colored, but there are some black and assorted colors included.
*I paid over $200 for all these mats, and am selling them for $65 OBO (Free to anyone I personally know know who will pick it up from me by the end of April!)

Customer Bags with Die Cut Handle: I have 2 boxes of bags that I gave customers their matted prints in.  The bags are translucent "frosted" and have a die cut handle.  I have a box of 9x12 inch bags and a box of 12x15 inch bags.  Both boxes originally contained 500 bags and are practically full.
*I paid $35 for the 9x12 bags and $40 for the 12x15 bags. I'll sell them for $18/box* NOW $9/box

Woven Baskets: I used to use pretty oval woven baskets to hold my matted prints.  There are a total of 5 baskets.  1 large basket (approximately 18" long, 13" wide, 11" deep), 1 medium basket (approximately 20" long, 7" wide, and 7" deep), and 2 small baskets (approximately 17" long, 8" wide, 6" deep).  They're totally multi-purpose baskets that would be great for magazines, towels, shoes by the front door - whatever!

*I bought the set of 5 baskets for $65 at Marshalls, and am offering it for $25* NOW $12.50

IKEA Shoe Shelves: I used to use these galvanized steel shoe racks from IKEA as risers to hold my framed photographs at an angle.  Each is approximately 23 inches long, 12 inches deep, and 5 inches high.  These shelf are seriously heavy & heavy-duty. 
*Each shelf retails at $5; I'm selling the set of 8 for $15* NOW $7.50

(NO LONGER AVAILABLE) "Crafting for Dollars: Turn Your Hobby Into Serious Cash": This is how Amazon describes the book: Consultant and craft-based business owner Sylvia Landman takes readers step-by-step through every aspect of starting and managing their own craft-based business. Including interviews with all kinds of successful crafters, the book offers the solid advice you need to launch your own home-based business.
*Retails for $14.95; I'm selling it for $3*

(NO LONGER AVAILABLE) "How to Start a Home-Based Photography Business" (4th edition): This is how Amazon describes the book: From estimating start-up costs and outfitting a darkroom to staying profitable once in business, this completely updated and revised guide includes the author's experiences and advice on every aspect of setting up and running a thriving home-based photography business. His handy worksheets, quizzes, and checklists serve as practical steps toward achieving this dream.
*Retails for $17.95; I'm selling it for $3* NOW $1.50

Amertac Utility Lites:
When winter approached, I bought some battery-operated fluorescent lights for my booth.  I didn't need all of them, but never got around to returning them to Lowes!  I have 2 sealed packages each containing two 6" lights, and 3 sealed packages each containing one 12" light.  All are battery operated and have an on/off switch.  I don't think they'd be effective to light a bride, but they're great little multi-purpose lights for a closet, garage, pantry, etc!
*I paid about $40 for these, and will sell them for $20*

Thank you so much for looking. There is nothing wrong with anything that I am selling, I just no longer need it and am cleaning out my office!  Please email me if you are interested in making a purchase!