Wednesday, June 15, 2011

I've got THE URGE to PURGE!

There's no better opportunity to unload excess baggage as when you're moving...relocating, to be exact. That means being ruthlessly truthful about what I need and don’t need; what I use and don’t use. What I love and don’t love. I’m on a RAMPAGE today! Here’s what I’m chucking:

Old art supplies Рlots of ...them! Cont̩ crayons, pastels, Chinese brushes and bamboo pens I whittled myself, paintbrushes, a set of Dr. PH Martin's watercolors, fabric paint, decoupage supplies, gouache...
 

A trio of black vintage lunch boxes

Decorative boxes
 
Tons of fabrics and trims that no longer fit my look
 
3 Framed Original Rooster Drawings (one of them signed) acquired at the celebrated Chelsea Flea Market in New York City (I don't care what they're possibly worth...they're apparently worthless to me!)
 
A huge, framed original punked-out self-portrait from my very first art school days...I had a crew cut back then! ;)

A bag of sawdust from an old custom order (please don't ask! )
 
A clunky air purifier for which I could never find replacement filters!
 
Vintage pottery
 
A huge bag of beautiful fancy lace trims that I can't be bothered to photograph and list in my supply shop and that are too pricey to ship out of the country to a friend...though admittedly I punked out 2 or 3 times before deciding to get rid of these!
 
Clothing that had seen better days but gave my closet the illusion of fullness, though it really only added to the stress of having nothing to wear
 
Craft supplies--many barely or never used--from my early days on Etsy when I briefly gave in to the temptation to make and sell what was wildly popular rather than what appealed to and inspired me personally. 

WAIT!  Doesn't this sound like the makings of a realllllly good yard sale...?  (I know, right...?!)
I must be strong.  This is just the tip of the iceberg, but my trick for detaching from clutter is promising myself that I can go shopping for any of those things should I ever need them again.  Once something has been sealed in a box for over 3 years without being used…obviously I don’t love OR need them. All this stuff is going to Goodwill. I’ll let somebody else strike it rich at the thrift shop for a change. Ahhhhhh…I feel lighter already! ;)

GOT JUNK? What clutter are you hanging onto that you just can’t seem to let go of?

10 comments:

  1. "A huge, framed original punked-out self-portrait from my very first art school days...I had a crew cut back then! ;)"

    That reminds me of our college days at MC when you transformed from preppy to artsy/punk!! Ah, spending Saturday mornings watching Soul Train while scarfing down bagel sandwiches; listening to old school rap while sitting under a street light in rural PA; spending hours in the art room; Kevin Sadd..good times!

    Safe journey to Hotlanta!

    Kiki

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  2. After reading this post, it kind of gave me permission to go ahead and take all 7 sealed boxes of fabric to Value Village.

    I had packed up fabric that I haven't been using but loved (these aren't scraps!) and had them sitting in my studio taking up much valuable real estate (I had to sit on a step ladder at my desk because of lack of room). The plan was to put them in the attic.

    Now I can exhale knowing that someone else will benefit and that I won't have all that guilt sitting there. To purge is truly good!

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  3. Kristine, those were good times! I've still got that Beat Street cassette and pop it into the boom box occasionally for some throw-back reminiscing! Thanks for the memories and well wishes. :D

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  4. Sewlutions, I'm always happy to inspire! Won't it feel good not to have to navigate around nor trip over 7 boxes of guilt? I'm glad you got the urge to purge too. Someone at VV will be blessing you for that generosity. Now, what else ya got? :)

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  5. I'm loving your blog! It's gorgeous!
    I'm moving soon (hopefully...gotta wait for the loan to be approved) and then I will be purging too! I was curious about the "junk trunk" it's good to here good things!

    I'm a new follower, I found you on the Etsy Blog Team, stop by my blog if you have a chance! www.sewsavoirfairecreations.blogspot.com

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  6. I'm getting ready to move and it's been hard trying to figure out what stays and what goes!

    I'm your newest follower, I found you on Etsy! :)

    Lauralee

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  7. I am actually in the process of moving now... a good reason to finally go through everything. When you're a crafter, seems you want to keep everything for some project at some point :)

    Your newest follower,
    -Laurie

    createdbylaurie.blogspot.com/

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  8. Jenna, thank you! And good luck with your own move and the loan process. I always find that at the bitter end, I'm even more willing to let go of things than before, usually due to exhaustion and loss of patience with cramming things in the truck! ;)

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  9. Shabby Life, thanks for visiting. During those final moments of desperation when there's room in the truck for either me or more of my crap, the decision of what goes and what stays gets much easier! ;)

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  10. Laurie, I hope your own move goes easily! You're absolutely right; when you're a crafter, everything has "potential". That's what I call the "blessing/curse" of being a creative type. Thanks for following!

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