What I Made, Found & Sold in January: Proof That Slow Still Works

January has always felt like a quieter month for me. Fewer expectations, softer energy, and more room to make things simply because they matter. This January leaned into that rhythm — a little crafting, a little patience, and a couple of long-waiting vintage pieces finally finding their way to new homes.

What I Made

This month’s making was deeply personal — and very resourceful.

I created a desk calendar for my soon to be 85-year-old mother, designed with simplicity and clarity in mind. I made it using one of my favorite tools my Cricut Maker, basically the machine did all the work. It wasn’t flashy or trendy, but it was purposeful, and that made it one of my favorite projects this month.

I also made a macramé angel, one of those pieces that feels almost meditative as it comes together. Knot by knot, it reminded me why I’m always drawn back to working with my hands — it slows everything down in the best way. I followed a youtube video for this one (I’m almost embarrassed to tell you how many times I had to rewind but it eventually came together).

And then there was the most me project of the month. My original magic bag heating pad finally fell apart — beyond repair. Instead of tossing it, I saved the wheat from inside, dug into my fabric stash, and found an old wool blanket(I use this for backing on some rug hooking projects). I cut it into two long rectangles 14.5 inches x 5.75 inches, stitched it by hand, left a two inch opening, turned it right side out and filled with the saved wheat. Then I blind stitched the opening shut. It  turned it into my very own new magic bag.  **Due to the itchy nature of 100% wool, I will be making a removable/washable cotton cover but for now it is completely usable. Same comforting warmth, new life, zero waste. I was proud of this one.

What I Found While Thrifting

January wasn’t a heavy thrifting month — and that was intentional. I only went out twice, promising myself I’d focus on listing items I’d already purchased in previous months rather than continually bringing more things home.

That said, both trips delivered in a quiet, meaningful way.

One find was a vintage metal wall thermometer from a local garage that’s no longer in business. I was almost afraid to ask the price, bracing myself… when she said, “How about $1?”
In my head: start the car.

I brought it home and gave it to my other half for his garage. He loves this sort of thing and collects it — but what made it extra special was when he said he liked it so much, he’d take one of the others down to display this one instead. That moment mattered more than any resale value.

Another great find was a folk art hand-carved wooden duck, priced at $2. Some folk art ducks sell for upwards of $80-100 for this size . It came home with me and is staying put. I have been collecting folk art for quite some time but most pieces are out of my price range. I was thrilled to find this small piece at such a great price.  Some pieces are simply meant to be kept.

I did pick up a few “smalls” as we call them in this business but overall January wasn’t a big month for buying to resell — and that’s okay. Some months are for collecting, some for creating, and some for catching up.

What Sold in My Vintage Business

Two January sales felt especially meaningful — not because they were fast, but because they weren’t.

A retired set of vintage Pier 1 coasters, listed since November, sold. They waited patiently through the holiday rush and found their home in January, right on their own timeline.

Even more satisfying was a vintage 1980s new in package cross-stitch kit with a garden theme of peas and carrots. This one took one year and seven months to sell. I bought an entire bag of kits at a town-wide garage sale in 2024 for $15.00  and the first one I sold covered the cost of them all so this sale was one of those pure profit sales. These kits take up very little room, I can be patience and wait for them to sell regardless of how long it takes. Nineteen months of holding space, trusting the right buyer would eventually come along — and they did.

These sales felt like quiet validation that patience still has a place in a vintage business.

The Takeaway

January reminded me that not everything needs to move quickly to be successful. Some projects are made for love. Some items are meant to wait. And some months are less about acquiring and more about finishing, appreciating, and trusting the process.

Slow doesn’t mean stuck.
It means steady.

If you enjoy following along with my creative rhythm — the making, the thrifting, and the waiting — I’d love for you to subscribe and join me here each month.

Warmly yours,
Wanda, xo 

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