Dryden Flips

One of the things I love most about reselling is that it trains you to notice things other people walk right past.

This beautiful jewel beetle was sitting right in front of my shed door today. The colors almost didn’t look real. Blues, greens, and golds that shifted depending on the light.

After looking it up, I found that jewel beetles are often associated with transformation, resilience, good fortune, and discovering hidden beauty. Whether you believe in symbolism or not, I’ll take that as a good omen.

Maybe that’s part of why I enjoy this business so much. Every day is a treasure hunt. Sometimes it’s a rare collectible, a forgotten family heirloom, or an item headed for the landfill that gets a second chance. And sometimes it’s just a reminder from nature to slow down and appreciate what’s right in front of you.

What do you think? Good omen? 🪲

Going to be selling comics on DibDit this Friday (6/19) 4-6 PM (PST)

Come check some cool books, get some deals, or just hangout!

If you haven’t been on DibDit you should really come and join!

Use code DRYDEN92 for $5 off your first purchase of $10 or more.

https://dibdit.com/livestream/ed71fe0d-4ae1-4180-9ff2-9fd1a2b94c2c

Stopped by a new thrift store today and found these BCW Magazine Bins with half-off tags. Ended up paying just $7.50 each.

Now I’ve got a problem…

Do I sell them and make a few bucks, or keep them and use them for comic storage?

As a reseller, sometimes the hardest part isn’t finding the deal—it’s deciding whether to sell it or keep it. 😆

What would you do?

What’s something you need help with right now?

It doesn’t have to be reselling. It could be a project, a repair, technology, parenting, business, finding information, or just figuring out your next step.

I genuinely enjoy helping when I can. And if I don’t know the answer, there’s a good chance someone in this community does.

“None of us is as smart as all of us.” — Ken Blanchard

Drop your question below. Let’s support each other, share knowledge, and learn something new today.

Not every day looks like this…

Today I listed over $2,600 worth of inventory.

From industrial CNC parts and a Jackery power station to sterling silver charms and a set of tires.

Most people see the sale. They don’t see the cleaning, research, photos, testing, and listing that happen first.

One item at a time. 📦

Lots of value in a small package! 😆

Picked up a handful of vintage sterling silver and gold charms that are headed to my store. From travel souvenirs and telephone-themed charms to religious pieces and unique enamel designs, there’s a surprising amount of value packed into these tiny collectibles.

Proof that size doesn’t matter… at least when it comes to reselling. 😂

These little charms are easy to overlook in a jewelry box, estate sale, or junk drawer, but they can add up quickly—especially when they’re sterling, gold, or collectible souvenir pieces.

What’s the smallest item you’ve ever sold for surprisingly good money?

Ordered a box of field books, Sharpies, and a few other small survey supplies.

Apparently the shipping department took one look at the order and said:

“Let’s just put it all in a box the length of a canoe.”

This thing is literally as long as I am tall. 😂

I don’t know if they ran out of normal boxes, were trying to hit a packaging quota, or just wanted to make sure my markers arrived with enough leg room.

At least nothing got damaged.

What’s the most absurd packaging you’ve ever received?

When shipping through prepaid label on Facebook Marketplace they only ask for the weight of item unless more than 5lbs.

I don’t pre pack my items.

How does it work if you estimated weight wrong?

What about dimensions? Is it assumed it’s under a cubic foot?

Doesn’t matter because of their shipping deal?

Thank you for any insights!

One of the things I enjoy most about reselling has very little to do with the sale itself.

A while back, I listed this signed drawing of a black cat by local Corvallis artist Bill Shumway. Before listing it, I took the time to research the artist and include that information in the description.

A few days later, I received a message from a woman who had come across the listing.

Bill Shumway was her grandfather.

And the cat in the drawing, named Poozer, was her aunt’s childhood cat.

Think about the odds of that.

Had this piece been tossed, donated without any context, or listed without the artist’s story, this family may never have had the opportunity to bring it back home.

Stories like this are one of my favorite parts of reselling. Sometimes it’s not about the money at all. It’s about preserving history, reconnecting people with meaningful pieces of their past, and keeping good items out of the landfill so they can continue their journey with someone who truly appreciates them.

This artwork made its way full circle, and I’m grateful I got to play a small part in that story.