On Wednesday the 23rd this week, was the Japanese thanksgiving holiday. I was able to secure a space at a recycle market at the local sports park that was held on this day. The weather was threatening rain on Tuesday night. The morning dawned a bit cloudy, but the sun came out and it was a go for the day. We packed the van with the items we were going to sell and headed out. We had a vehicle space meaning we could set up shop out of the van. We set out a plastic sheet over the ground and put out the items. The crowds started coming just before 10:00 a.m.
The weather was cloudy all day, just a few drops of rain fell. Why Sara has her hand over her face, I do not know. :-)
Across from us was a petting zoo and pony rides for 100 yen. There were numerous activities for the kids on the inner ballpark field such as a mini train ride, games, big taiyo drums playing. Plus there was plenty of Japanese food and long lines. One interesting thing was seeing people eat something wrapped around a stick. Not just any stick, but a small branch cut from trees—rough cut. There were several open fire pits with people holding the sticks wrapped with bread over the fire, similar to roasting marshmallows. I don’t know, but eating it off what looked like a not-so-very-clean stick did not appeal to me. These pictures are the petting place, the bottom picture is of two rabbits.
Anyway, back to the recycle market. Sales were slow going until about 1 pm when I lowered most of the prices by half. Nothing was originally priced over $15 and most was under $5. Sales picked up and as I told more than one person I did not want to take the stuff back home, so many got a good deal. I had made three large pine cone wreaths which all sold (yea!) and about a dozen or more fabric ornaments which also all sold (yea, again!), plus several handmade quilted bags and coin purses, most of which sold. There were a bunch of beads and jewelry that actually sold well this time. Clothes did not sell except maybe three items. Fabric pieces did not sell, so they went back into my stash at home.
Bottom line was I cleared 12,000 yen or about $130 which was way better than I thought would happen. It was a good day.
