Our version of retirement: Living a childhood dream

[Gary O']

Maybe you could find a distributor up north and work out a deal

Thought about that

May play with that a bit

If I could find an outlet that had a route thru our town, then many ways to go would open up....

 

[PeppermintPatty]

So, I've stocked and sold my avian abodes in all the high end junk shops here in our little town
And they did quite well......for about three years
Some selling for as much as $70

View attachment 314131

Now?
Nothing is moving

Got a call today
My most productive shop
'Come get your stuff, the place is closing'

They really didn't need to call me

I imagine the junk shops are suffering more than most stores

Not many folks care to spend on fancy things in this economy


My opinion;
If you have a retail business in this economic climate, best sell something needful

Have you considered selling on Etsy?
It doesn’t cost anything to set up a shop. It’s something like $0.40 to advertise an item for 3 months. If you sell something they take a small percentage. Only people with money shop at Etsy. I honestly think it will work for you. You might want to consider making some smaller items like Christmas ornaments. It’s less expensive to send, less expensive to make, less time etc. Hsndmade ornaments are a big seller.

 

[Gary O']

Have you considered selling on Etsy?

Bottom line is shipping costs
Makes my little avian abodes double in price if I sell 'em for (say) $50

 

[PeppermintPatty]

Bottom line is shipping costs
Makes my little avian abodes double in price if I sell 'em for (say) $50

But small flatter items can be sent via envelope mail. If the parcel can fit through a mail slot it’s WAY cheaper. I’m not suggesting it’s great for selling ALL items but it would be perfect for selling smaller ones. Just something to consider as an also…
People like simple stuff made by real human hands.

 

[Meanderer]

Good morning Gary! Wishing you and your family a happy and blessed Thanksgiving! Treasure those conversations, around the table!

 

[Gary O']

Surely will

Gonna be a blessed day of many thanks

Same to you and yours, cool ol' dude

 

[Gary O']

Loaded the feeders extra high this morn
Hey...it's Thanksgiving



The feeders usually get stormed within seconds
Not this morn
Only one little guy



Then I saw why




I'll set a can of tuna out

Hey

It's Thanksgiving

 

[Gary O']

One of my long time photography quests has been to capture one of our mourning doves in wing spread

Like this one I found on the Web;



Now, up at the cabin, we had doves at the feeding station most every day
They came in pairs

Several times with a wonderful wing spread, hovering for 3-5 seconds before landing

Of course no camera in hand

I'd sit out, with Nikon...for hours
Nothing


We have the doves here, too

It's a tease

 

[Meanderer]

 

[Gary O']

One of my long time photography quests has been to capture one of our mourning doves in wing spread

Beginning to settle for the wee tiny finches

I was in the shop, and noticed a fluttering at the feeders

Grabbed the camera and clicked a few shots from the shop bench (gotta be quick)

Not great shots, but none the less, enjoyed their wing displays with the setting sun, even though not getting the shots I wanted

 

[Gary O']

So, other than yard and house projects, I think I'm going to center on practical/needful things to create and sell

I mean the tiny abodes were fun




But need to think of something more practical

I've improvised/altered/used many things most folks would just throw away

Like this empty jug



Into a bird feed cup





Thinking on these types of things.....

 

[Meanderer]

So, other than yard and house projects, I think I'm going to center on practical/needful things to create and sell

I mean the tiny abodes were fun But need to think of something more practical I've improvised/altered/used many things most folks would just throw away Like this empty jug

View attachment 316268

Into a bird feed cup
Thinking on these types of things.....

60 Ways to Reuse Plastic Bottles ​

 

[Gary O']

The mourning doves have totally commandeered the feeders

My little finches are getting muscled out

Just like the nutcrackers up at the cabin

They did give me a couple good tail spreads, however

and one or two are using the bird bath

 

[Gary O']

A couple more pics that wouldn't fit on the previous post;

 

[Tommy]

Gary, you need to design a feeder that the little 'un can access but the big guys cannot. You're a really creative and skillful guy. You can do it!

 

[Gary O']

Gary, you need to design a feeder that the little 'un can access but the big guys cannot

Good thought @Tommy

I may do just that

 

[Meanderer]

 

[Gary O']

you need to design a feeder that the little 'un can access but the big guys cannot

I may do just that

However
The little guys are highly intimidated when doves are anywhere in the area

The feeder location is a nice little sanctuary tucked under the cedar tree, and I can view it from the shop

Gotta think about this

 

[Meanderer]

How about a feeder in the 'style' of an avian abode?

 

[Gary O']

Got our first dusting early this morn
November jus' couldn't let it pass



More comin'

Glad I tarped the Wrangler (may need it)
Its ragtop is good in shape, but scraping snow off it takes its toll

 

[Gary O']

How about a feeder in the 'style' of an avian abode?

I love that!!

I could just add the feeding platform to the bottom of my avian abodes!

 

[Gary O']

Looks like December ain't gonna mess around



Even flocked our trees

 

[Trish]

Where are you now @Gary O' - in your cabin or nearer civilisation?

 

[Lakeland living]

Got 6 inches of flurries here day before yesterday, drifts over a foot... FLURRIES says the weatherman.
Today, 5 Celsius above sunny till now..1:26 pm , heavy blue black clouds rolling in.
Yup...here we go. lol

 

[Gary O']

Where are you now @Gary O' - in your cabin or nearer civilisation?

We're in town

The cabin got dumped on

I'm sure it's prettier up there, but I'm settlin' for winters down here

Woody seems just as happy