I Love Craig’s List 3

Craig’s List has been the bomb-digity  for me.  I was border-line addicted to it, now I’ve cut back surfing the Boston site to about 4-5 times a week, down from what used to be twice-daily checks.  ( I also check out the NYC, St. Louis & Charlotte sites occasionally – maybe twice a month.)

From Craig’s List I’ve learned about:

Jobs/Gigs
I have found paying jobs and gigs for myself and for friends, former colleagues and acquaintances.  I check out: administrative, business management, customer service, arts & design, part-time, education, non-profit, writing, etc.,  jobs as well as
creative, talent, writing and event gigs.  You just never know where something you’re interested in or that is perfect for a fried will turn up on CL.  

Contests
I have found out about writing contests, exhibit opportunities, auditions, fellowships and grants.

Events
I’ve posted on the CL Calendar and actually had people come.  I’ve learned about events as well.

FURNITURE
I have bought beautiful furniture and household items that I would not otherwise have been able to afford.  Great stuff, built solidly.  I’ve gotten stuff from the suburbs (Newton, Natick, Chestnut Hill, Ashland, Sudbury) and city neighborhoods.(the Fens).

This is what I’ve scored in the past five years:

• A wooden floor lamp that’s still being sold at West Elm (at a fraction of the original price.  It was sold by a doctor who’d furnished his apartment with West Elm furniture and was leaving after one year.)


• A lovely wooden “art deco” umbrella stand ($20) that I painted with bronze metallic paint.


• A gorgeous off-white, cedar-lined hope chest that had been bought by a husband as a gift for his wife in 1947 (I have the original paper work).


• Dining chairs ($20 each.  A friend helped me recover the seats with fabric from Freddy Farkels Fabric Outlet in Watertown).  I’m still kicking myself that I didn’t get two custom-made arm chairs that they had for sale but they weren’t in my budget at the time..


• Two wooden file cabinets on wheels that fit under my desk.


• An antique white chest..

I Made a Sale!
I made my first sale on Craig’s List of a  dresser with matching mirror.  (The woman who bought it was excited by how solid it was because the Ikea dresser she’d purchased hadn’t held up.)  Because of this sale, I am bringing home an off-white solid, mid-century dresser to replace the one I sold.)

Thanks to Craig’s List and a purchase from a yard-sale, my study is now completely furnished in antique white pieces that match the cottage-style of the room.

I’m Trying to Sell
A china/display cabinet that I’d purchased on Craig’s List but that’s too heavy to hang on the dining room wall. There’s no other space for it, so it’s got to go!  (I’m in the middle of a second listing for this, if it doesn’t sell, I’ll either try eBay or have a summer yard sale.)

A Moving Guy
I had a dresser that I was giving to a friend that she couldn’t get together to pick up – so I found a mover on Craig’s List – problem solved (very affordably).

Curb-Alert
Craig’s List also has sections for free, wanted and bartered stuff.  I got rid of an exercise bike overnight by listing a curb alert on the site.

Patience
Slowly, slowly I am getting the pieces I want to make my home comfy and unique. The great thing about CL is that it’s all in cash. Crisp and clean and no caffeine…or interest charges.  

Ones that got Away
I still remember one gorgeous, high-end couch and an antique dresser that got away. (If you don’t have money on hand – things will get away.)  Luckily – there always more gorgeouness where that came from.

Enough already!

Can you tell that I Love Craig’s List yet?  CL allows me the thrill of shopping on a limited budget and, when I’m lucky, helps me find jobs/gigs that will give me the money to make purchases.  It’s also a way to live green,  A win-win all around.