Coffee table books provide a great decorating accessory–lay one on a coffee table or stack them underneath an end table, both look terrific. They provide a literary, well-read sort of feeling to a room, and depending on the subject matter, can make a real statement, too.
Categories to look for include: movie stars, birds, cities, baseball, art, and your local area.
     Quite plentiful at all kinds of sales, coffee table books can usually be had for a dollar or two. Resale value can vary from $8-$25 and up.
A weekly shopper at my Estate Sales sold a Marilyn coffee table book on Etsy for $24.99. Published in 1973, the book’s author, Norman Mailer (the famous playwright and divorced husband to Monroe), adored her. The book contains page after page of sumptuous black and white photos.
Old Houses (above) sold for $9.99 at a friends antique shop, Michelangelo sold for $19.99, and the Eric Sloan sold for $9.99.
     Many sales have box after box (or shelf after shelf) of books for sale; it can feel extremely overwhelming. Rather than look through all of the books, focus just on the over-sized, coffee table books.
                                HAPPY HUNTING

     An estate sale might be the best solution for you or your family, but how do you prepare the house for your estate sale walk through? Before we meet with you for our walk through, we ask that you follow these 5 steps to make the most of our appointment
1. Decide on a deadline.
     Would you like to put the home on the market by a certain date, or do you otherwise have a deadline for the completion of your estate sale?
2. Decide what will NOT be included in the estate sale.
     If the home is full of items the family is planning to keep (but unable to remove before our appointment), then we prefer they are placed in a designated area or tagged with a sticky note.
3. Don’t get rid of anything!
     You may be tempted to start donating or tossing things before we come out. Let us handle the sorting! The more inventory, the more likely it is that your sale will be viable for us. Don’t even toss linen, cleaning supplies, clothing, or anything unless you know it is absolute trash. Remember, we can always donate leftover items after the sale. Plus, why take on extra work that comes with our service?
4. Leave the work for the estate sale company.
     We are trained to "see past" the clutter to great estate sale potential! Don't box, sort, or organize anything. As we prepare your sale, we empty cupboards, drawers and closets. All of our organization and staging is part of what you get when you hire a pro, and any work you do will probably be undone. Pull the things you don't want sold, and leave the rest to us!
5. Determine the services you will need after the sale.
     After the sale is complete, there may be 10%-25% of items remaining. If you have goals beyond liquidating the estate, we will need to know the post-sale services you require.Most of our clients want the home completely emptied.

     Have you ever set out to do some vintage shopping and ended up feeling like all the good stuff sold before you arrived? Next time you feel that way at an Estate Sale, thrift store, Garage Sale, or Auction, pull out the following list of ten items.
I can almost guarantee you will find one of these items (probably many more than that!), because they are the sorts of things that other people invariably pass over. Bringing home one or more of these overlooked and undervalued vintage pieces, means you’ve had a successful bit of shopping and you’ll have new pieces to decorate with or to sell from your antique booth, Etsy shop, or eBay.
Are you ready to find out what those ten categories are? Let’s get started.
Tools
     I’ve found that pretty much anything found in a basement or garage tends to be overlooked by most people. Of course, that’s where you’re likely to find tools, and many people don’t maintain their tools very well, so they are often dirty and/or rusty.
Most shoppers don’t stop to look at dirty or rusty, but you should. With a bit of elbow grease, the dirtiest, rustiest tool can often be transformed into an attractive piece of decor. Tools with a bit of paint, especially red and green, but also yellow, white, or black, provide some of the best decorating opportunities.
     To give you an idea of their actual market value, the items pictured above have each sold on Etsy shop. The clippers sold for $12.99, the brass hose attachment for $7.99, and the level for $19.99. A lovely woman actually purchased two red levels from me, and she named them both: Fred (the short one) and his cousin, Carmine (the long one). We had a good laugh back and forth with all that silliness.
     A final note: Men love tools. So if you take the time to learn a bit about them, you will either a) be able to buy great gifts for the tool-loving man in your life or b) be positioned to sell to men, who aren’t afraid to spend some money on the things they love.
The tools I’ve talked about here are primarily decorative or functional. Men want old Stanley tools, antique hand-made tools–early and unusual stuff that takes some time to learn about.
Frames
     Frames are both functional and decorative, and they tend to be quite plentiful at Estate Sales. Old frames have many uses now-a-days: as Chalk boards,Bulletin boards, Shadow boxes, Mirrors, and more.
In the photo above, you can see I’ve used them to frame vintage flags, buttons, and a county fair poster. The flag sold for $18.00, the buttons for $10.00, and the poster for $25.00. Well worth the effort of matching up the old frames with desirable items in need of a frame.
In the past, I’ve purchased ornate, gold-gilt frames, beautifully aged mahogany frames, and even wedding gift frames (still-in-the-box) that I’ve been able to re-gift.  In fact, because of my “frame sickness” (along with several others that shall be revealed as you get to know me better), I probably own a couple hundred frames, stored in various places throughout my home. (No, I am not a hoarder!)
Sellers tend to price frames quite reasonably because they lack the knowledge to identify and appreciate older frames. A few things to look for: real wood (rather than plastic), aged paper backing, or dark (oxidized) wood, if not covered by paper. Look also for chips, small dents, and scratches since anything really old is going to have some imperfections.
Many modern frames are made to look “aged,” but they are constructed of molded plastic and are glued together. Others have ridged metal fasteners on the back corners that hold the pieces together.
Art
     Most people have their own opinion of what constitutes “art.” Someone may think their Aunt Edna’s oil paintings are ugly as sin, and when it comes time to sell her estate, they may price each piece for a couple of dollars. If you stumble across sales like this and fall in love with “Aunt Edna’s” artwork. In such cases, you might be more than happy to liberate the family from the burden of a few of pieces.
A question to ask yourself is the piece created with any evident skill? Most of the art at Estate Sales falls into the “naive” category, basically art created by someone with little or no training (this also puts it into the “folk art” category). However, that doesn’t mean the artist had no skill. Good naive art will demonstrate the basic artistic qualities of balance, unity, and a pleasing color scheme.
Jewelry
   Sometimes sterling silver pieces are left behind by others because they were unattractive. Sometimes unattractive means old and sometimes it just means plain ugly!
But in that case I can sell the sterling for scrap or use it for parts, for example, an ugly pendant on a perfectly fine chain. I can match the chain with a pretty pendant I have in stock and sell it as a set.
Sterling may be marked “Sterling” or “925,” and is almost always marked, as is gold, which is marked by karat, 14K for example.
I must note that a fair number of people are always on the look-out for jewelry. But those jewelry buyers can’t attend every single sale so you could get lucky
Some items to look for include Christmas tree pins, other figural pins (e.g., animals, insects, and fruit), Bakelite anything, signed pieces (e.g., Corot, Haskell, Weisenburg, etc.), and ornate rhinestone pieces.
Coffee Table Books
     Coffee table books provide a great decorating accessory–lay one on a coffee table or stack them underneath an end table, both look terrific. They provide a literary, well-read sort of feeling to a room, and depending on the subject matter, can make a real statement, too.
Categories to look for include: movie stars, birds, cities, baseball, art, and your local area. A classic on folk art by Jean Lipman, has a stunning cover filled with folk art images.
Quite plentiful at all kinds of sales, coffee table books can usually be had for a dollar or two. Resale value can vary from $8-$25 and up.
A Marilyn coffee table book sold on Etsy for $24.99. Published in 1973, the book’s author, Norman Mailer (the famous playwright and divorced husband to Monroe), adored her. The book contains page after page of sumptuous black and white photos.
Many sales have box after box (or shelf after shelf) of books for sale; it can feel extremely overwhelming. Rather than look through all of the books, focus just on the over-sized, coffee table books. They stand out and usually, less of them have been offered for sale.
Rusty Things
     Most people will not touch, let alone buy, anything with rust on it, but if you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know that a little bit of rust never stops me! Of course, rust is “in” with some decorative items.
Some items to look for: vintage rusty tools, grates, gates, lanterns, trivets, cast iron pots, plant holders, and scissors. I had two rusty lanterns not too long ago that no amount of rust removal tricks could affect. I sold them as is (completely rusted) at a good profit.
Above you can see the before and after of a metal folding ruler. I took care of the rust and brightened up the brass fittings, and then it sold quickly for $12.00. (Note: You can fold folding rulers into the shape of stars and they make great farmhouse decorations.)
If you find a rusty piece of “junk” and think it’s interesting, chances are, others will too. Does it have an appealing shape? Is it colorful? Can it be grouped with other items? Can you hang it on the wall? Will it look good in the sun room, the den, or the family room? These are some good questions to ask yourself when you come across a piece of old rusty metal.
Folk Arty Pieces
     Folk art is a unique kind of art, typically produced by untrained artists in a naive style. Often proportion and realism take a back seat to charm. It will, however, usually hit the nail on the head with one or more elements, like shape or balance or color, and it typically possesses a warmth and/or vibrancy that one feels irresistibly drawn to.
     Crafts like basketry, rug hooking, and weaving are also considered forms of folk art by many. I think you kind of “know it when you see it.”
Folk art has a special place in my heart; I find myself very attracted to all of its many forms. In the first photo above you see a hand crafted wooden mold of some sort; I love is pumpkin shape, and it remains in my “private” collection. I hope someday to discover it’s true purpose.
The watercolor in the middle reminds me so much of Grandma Moses–perhaps the most famous folk artist of all time. You can see that proportion is off, as is the depth, and yet, I reframed it and sold it recently for $45.00.
Keep in mind that certain kinds of art that you might find at a Estate Sales, pieces like framed children’s art or poorly executed art student renderings, more often than not fail to rise to the level of folk art.
Weathered Wooden Stuff
     Another category that people often overlook at Estate Sales includes any sort of old weathered wooden thing, like those you see above. For some reason, it’s easy for the eye to overlook them–they look like something you might throw away (or burn) and because you have to imagine a new purpose for them, buyers will often overlook them.
The scrap wood in the first photo could easily be used to create a decorative tray or to make signs. The cylinder in the second photo would make a unique “sculpture,” perhaps set on a coffee table or hung on the wall. And the ladder could function in several ways, as a quick scan of Pinterest would prove.
Other old weathered pieces to look for include bird houses, pieces of fencing, plant boxes, outdoor decorations, and whirly gigs. It’s hard to go wrong with purchasing any reasonably well made wooden piece that’s priced low. I can safely promise that you will either find a way to use it “as is” or come up with DIY project that’s perfect for it.
More weathered wooden objects to search for at Estate sales? How about shutters, doors, and crates, all of which offer fantastic decorating possibilities. Shutters and doors can be hung on a wall, rested in a corner, or placed on a mantel. Small crates make great centerpieces and larger ones can be stacked to create end-tables or small shelving units.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to old wooden finds.
Game Pieces
     It seems like almost every Estate sale has a pile of vintage games for sale. Most can be had for around a dollar, and I’ve found that the game pieces can be worth more than the games themselves. Crazy right?

Game pieces appeal to scrapbookers, steampunk-ers and altered art creators, so there’s a nice market for these sorts of things. They have a sculptural quality about them that is very appealing. I would someday love to fill a printer’s tray with a variety of pieces from games I enjoyed as a child, like Clue, Life, and Monopoly.
Fill a small bowl or clear glass jar with your favorite game pieces, Scrabble tiles in particular, and you have a great conversation starter. Wouldn’t guests find such a bowl impossible to resist? They would be spelling words before you know it.
Crafters love scrabble pieces for all kinds of projects; Just recently, I used Scrabble tiles to create a unique Christmas ornament that ended up being extremely popular at the Christmas craft fair I sell at every year.
The vintage, wooden Parcheesi pieces you see above recently sold for $5.99, and the letter cards (64 of them) sold for $6.99. Monopoly pieces, bingo numbers, and dice (particularly Bakelite ones) are also very popular. I’ve used Bingo cards to create attractive Christmas decorations for a few years now. You can also see one in an altered art project of mine here.
The possibilities seem nearly endless for these very diminutive vintage objects.
Steam Punk or Altered Art Supplies
     The term “steampunk” refers to a period in the 1800’s when the world was fascinated with science, exploration, and invention–all things industrial, scientific, and time-related.
    This is a somewhat narrow category, but it is growing in popularity among young people. Many like to wear steampunk inspired jewelry and still others use the same types of supplies for a variety of unique and interesting art projects.
Other items to look for include hinges, knobs, clock faces, clock parts, gears, and similar “junk.” Like game pieces, these kinds of collectibles look great tossed in a bowl or jar, and will definitely get people talking!
So that’s my list; I hope you found it informative and helpful to you in your vintage shopping. I hope you make some wonderful new and exciting purchases. Happy hunting!

     So you want to sell vintage? Reselling vintage has always been popular, whether to pay bills or as a side hustle. And just like everything that gets resold has a story behind it, every person who gets into flipping gets there by a different path. Some sellers are just really into “stuff.” Others started as collectors. Some dealers just wanted a career change, while others were forced to find a different job. Vintage clothing buyers and pros who sell vintage often shop estate sales to source  inventory. A few decades ago, these buyers usually had brick and mortar shops to sell their finds. These days however, since everything’s digital, it’s easy to set up virtual shop anywhere. But can you really make a living when you sell vintage?
 1. Dive in
     It can be scary to jump into any job, let alone trying to sell vintage. Some people vintage shop for years before taking the plunge, while others are forced to make a living sooner than they had planned. Whether you’re starting this new career from scratch or turning your part-time hobby into a full-time job, the only way to make money is by just doing it.
2. Repurpose or DIY Sourcing
     To sell vintage is a great gig for creatives. Creative people usually have an eye for what’s interesting and enjoy DIY projects. The beauty of this business is you can make it your own. Repurposing second-hand finds and making them your own is another way to expand your inventory, especially if you’re an artist or maker.
3. Shop estate sales
     Resellers know that in order to find the coolest vintage to sell, they need to go straight to the source. Thrift stores and flea markets often source their finds from estate sales. Unlike garage sales and yard sales, which are full of cast-offs, estates are often downsized due to natural or unexpected circumstances. In other words, the items for sale aren’t things people no longer wanted — they’re things they could no longer keep. This makes a big difference in quality.
     Estate sales offer a peek into someone else’s passions and lifestyle. I have found myself attracted to things that I may not have typically gravitated towards until being shown in a space where someone had displayed them with much love for those particular items. It is interesting and nostalgic to be able to step back into time and see antiques and furniture from the past. I like to see some of the things that spark memories of my childhood or my grandmother.
4. Shop estate sales often
     If you really want to sell vintage, you need to get serious about shopping. Successful vintage resellers are always on the lookout for fresh inventory for their buyers. Since estate sales are always happening (and always different), you can find anything – in all styles – all year.   
 5. Know which sales to hit.
     Not all estate sales are treasure troves. While there are no hard and fast rules, most pros have a game plan if they intend to eventually sell vintage. Since time is limited, and estate sales often only take place on weekends, it’s more efficient if you know which neighborhoods to focus on and which to avoid. Perennial flowers and established gardens outside a house shows someone cared enough to make the outside beautiful so they probably filled the inside with pretty things too. Gardens take lots of time and work so estate sale could be on behalf of someone who didn’t have to move often. Moving often can mean paring down. Sometimes a well-loved garden is filled with a lifetime of collections. Sometimes the best neighborhoods for estate sales are the older ones, especially for antiques  and all things old. Some of the more rural homes can have some of the most interesting and oldest things (some old farms that have been in families for generations).
6. Know your “stuff”
     If you want to sell vintage, you should learn as much about “stuff” as possible. The more you know about things, their history, what they’re made of, and what they’re worth, the better buying decisions you can make. This is also how you build credibility and a following, which will make or break you.
7. Make a plan
     Your goal is to make money, so your inventory will largely depend on your buyers. As you build a following, you’ll have a better idea of what they want and are willing to spend. Once you figure this out, make a plan and stick to it! Go in with a budget and be open to taking a few risks, like a bulk bag of random goodies. You’ll never know, and you might score something rare. Also, have fun!
     Know going in what you’re looking for. Most companies have preview pictures posted ahead of time on their websites. You can get a feel for what’s going to be available. Also, don’t just visit once! By the second or third day prices are generally marked down big time.
8. Practice discernment
     Likewise, after you sell vintage for a while, you’ll know what to steer clear of and what’s difficult to package, deliver or ship. Shoes. Old shoes tend to fall apart, making for unhappy customers. Since items weighing over 10 pounds cost a lot to ship and sometime people don’t want to pay cost of shipping learn to look out for unique vintage pieces weighing under a pound. That way the item can ship anywhere around the world at an affordable price.
9. Be resourceful
     When going out in the wild to wrangle vintage finds to sell, be prepared.  Besides mapping out your route, sticking to your budget, and knowing what to look for, here are more tips you might not have thought of.
A. Bring plenty of folding reusable bags for your purchases
B. keep a pack of wet wipes & a bottle of water in the car to refresh yourself and clean your hands after digging through decades of lovely dust!
C. See if the estate sale company has discount days and never be afraid to ask if they’d accept a lower price!
D. Be respectful while perusing and shopping! You don’t know if there are family members around or the owner themselves!
E. Take a small flashlight. Old houses, garages and barns are poorly lit.
10. Notice Everything
Being a successful at selling vintage means spotting things first, whether it’s the current trends or valuable finds. When sourcing, look in the unexpected places. This means taking the time to look on the backs of old postcards or (carefully) flipping through old books. For one, you’ll have an advantage over those who leave stones unturned. Stay alert to get the good stuff. Look behind and under furniture, drawers and shelves. You never know what else you will find. One set of filing cabinets had several magnet key holders stuck under it with old coins in them.
Breeze through the whole sale quickly, scan everything and then go back and look more closely. You don’t want to be looking over a room, meanwhile your dream item is being snatched up in the next room. You took too long!!
11. Buy brand names
     People love brands, even thrifters. (This is why even the most non-materialistic thrifter lights up when they come across designer goods at a garage sale). In order to successfully sell vintage, your eye should be trained to zero in on the good stuff. And it doesn’t have to be high-end, like Chanel or Prada. Reliable brands like J. Crew, GAP, NIKE and of course, Pyrex, can fetch as much money and are reliable resells.
12. Develop your Eye
     There’s a certain talent to being a trend spotter. When you sell vintage, you’re not only aware of what’s cool now, you know what was cool decades ago. Part of this is innate, but this knack can be developed, too, with time and experience. Cultivate your eye and your interests. Visit antique stores and linger in the booths you like. Do your research. Buy what you like and what piques your interest but also look into what other people are into. Instagram is also a stellar avenue for this. Follow some [Instagram] feeds you’re attracted to and pay attention to what they post. I’ve not only cut the learning curve off a lot that way, but I’ve also discovered so many cool antiques that I didn’t know about.
Go with your gut. You either have to study up on antiques and really get into what things are worth or just go with your gut feeling about the item. If the price seems like a bargain to you and you would pay more for it than they are asking, go for it. Do a search and see what people are asking for similar things. You have to have an eye for quality as well as a feeling for market demand. You also have to have a place to store everything! 
13. Get Online
     Take advantage of the digital age in order to sell vintage. The Internet is an incredible resource for resellers to buy, sell, comparison shop, and of course, research. Once your business gets rolling, you’ll want to build your online presence in order to market your goods and let buyers know what you have available. Many vintage resellers have success on social media sites, especially Instagram. Instagram makes it easy to showcase your latest items and allows you to link to your shop in the bio. And don’t forget platforms that let you browse and shop online, like Etsy and eBay.
                  Remember - The Early Bird Gets the Worm!!

     We already know that the word Estate is often used to describe pre-owned jewelry items whether it’s fine or costume.  For jewelry to be considered antique estate jewelry, it must be 100 years old or older.  Vintage estate jewelry may include pieces from the 80’s and 90’s.
     Estate jewelry is a loosely used term to identify jewelry from a collection of a deceased, but what it really means is jewelry that’s preowned. Whether it’s new, vintage estate jewelry or antique estate jewelry you have, not all estate jewelry pieces are created equal.  Here are some tips to help you identify and get the highest value for family heirlooms and jewelry collections. It literally pays to know what’s what when it comes to estate jewelry.
     The obsession with jewelry is endless, whether it’s the quality, unique design, historical or resale value, everyone flocks to the jewelry cases at thousands of estate sales across the country on a weekly basis. Estate jewelry tops the charts along with vintage tools and other collectibles. In the Estate Sale Industry, the majority of family heirlooms and jewelry finds are broken into a few main categories.  They’re all considered estate jewelry because they’re pre owned, but value will differ drastically. Separating the jewelry into categories will ease the process of researching and pricing the many pieces found at the Estate Sales of avid jewelry collectors.
     Estate Costume Jewelry may include brooches, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and other jewelry pieces that are made of regular alloy.  Some Estate Sale Companies will include the sterling silver jewelry in their estate costume jewelry collection and only consider gold, diamond, and platinum pieces as fine jewelry.
     Fine jewelry can include various types of jewelry pieces that have desirable Gemstones, are made of gold, platinum, and may include sterling silver pieces also.
Once a collection of jewelry is separated into two main categories, the research begins.

Hoarder Home, Before and After

A few weeks ago, Selling the South Estate Sales, Jacksonville, started prepping a hoarder home. During the sale, many people asked what the home looked like BEFORE we started organizing and pricing everything. Well, your wish is our command!
We documented our prep process, and took some before and after pictures of the home. It’s amazing what a place can look like after cleaning off the years of dirt and dust! This home had been vacant for a year, and before that, the lady who lived there was physically unable to clean up the house properly. She also had a bit of a hoarding situation, and she never threw anything out.
The family had attempted to tackle the home, but after taking out 80 bags of trash, they realized they needed help. They called Selling the South Estate Sales, Jacksonville, and we gladly took the job!
We found some wonderful items. The home was filled with 3 generations of Florida history, and it was amazing. There were some other weird surprises that we found too! Take a look at these before and after pictures.

Whether driving through the heart of Florida’s citrus country, taking in the fragrant smell of orange blossoms or peeling a fresh, sweet, juicy orange – you are experiencing one of the pure joys of Florida living.
The best place to find fresh citrus is to visit a U-Pick grove, and luckily there are family owned operations in Florida. An alternative to picking your own is purchasing from a farmer’s market or a nearby farm.
Of course, most grocery stores carry fruit from Florida, but make sure you check the label. That way, you know you are as close to the grove as you can get.
Once you get home with your fresh bag of citrus, your juicer will be whirring away and you’ll be drinking Florida’s Kool-Aid. Incorporating citrus into your daily meals is another way to enjoy Florida’s bounty.
Growing your own is easy too. Local plant nurseries will help you identify and how to care for them. Have patience, they take a few years to bear fruit, but what could be more delicious than fresh citrus in your Florida home?
Yep, we drink the Kool-Aid and it’s fresh from Florida

    I love Florida summers. Yes, they are warm, no doubt, but like most places, Florida summers are laid-back, slower paced and relaxed. People are more inclined to take it easy while kids laugh, play and eat watermelon.
    Have you ever noticed that summer has a certain scent? It’s clean, and hot - almost steamy, grassy and earthy. It has to do with the humidity and freshly cut grass and leaves, a kind of Florida "jungle smell". And let’s not forget the sweet floral smells of jasmine and magnolia flowers. Or, my personal favorite, the salty smell of low tide.
    There’s also a certain color to summer. I see pastel-colored Hibiscus, Crape Myrtles and Oleanders. I see vibrant Bougainvilleas, majestic red, yellow and orange Poincianas, Frangipanis in tropical tones and delicate, bright purple Jacarandas. At sunset I see many of the same colors in the clouds and sky before it fades to lavender then gray then blue and black.    
    What I love the most about summer is the daily rainstorm that quenches the flora’s thirst and cools the earth with heavy downpours. Watching a summer rain roll in from a screened-in porch is one of the greatest joys of Florida living.
    Even smelling rain on its way, or feeling an incoming cool summer breeze as the rains begin is a classic authentic Florida moment.  As the dark menacing clouds approach, the booming sound of thunder and fantastic displays of lightning entertain us more than any motion picture – and it’s live and free.
    No matter how you spend your summer, or where, it’s your time to find yourself where the living is easy. Tell me what you love most about your summer.  I’d love to hear from you.

There’s more than one way to celebrate dad, but this one involves candy so it’s already a win. If you have a dad to surprise who enjoys late night sweets while watching Netflix before bed…you’re in luck! This idea is easy, affordable, and totally personalized!

There are a few ways you can do this, but you know your dad/husband/neighbor/friend better than I do so use your best judgement! You can raid the Dollar Tree’s candy aisle (which has amazing choices, btw!) or order a few items on Amazon Prime. You will also need a clear plastic tackle storage box with dividers. You might be able to score this at Dollar Tree too, or you can find it online or at Walmart.

As for candy, look for nautical themed treats like gummy worms, sharks, and fish. Lifesavers and small gumballs in red and white look like bobbers (your fisherman should pick up on that!).  Don’t forget the personalized message. Use white cardstock, markers, and tape to get creative.