Hello beautiful friends! Today I’m sharing how to price the smalls for your booth. I’ve pulled 15 mini makeovers, mostly from previous Painting the Smalls posts, and I’m sharing what they sold for.
These items are quick to do, help to fill up my booth space, and can really add up! I included links to the original posts below each makeover if you’d like to see more details. Enjoy!
How to Price the Smalls
There are a few things to consider when pricing the smaller items for your booth. However, it really comes down to what customers are willing to pay for an item. Keep in mind that you can always start a bit higher and come down if needed. The items you recreate are one-of-a-kinds, so don’t sell yourself short!
1
Let’s start with this set of metal wall plaques that I picked up for only $3.25 for the set:
I really only bought them because they were super cheap!
They got two coats of Fluff, and then I brought out my distressing block and “distressed” the raised areas using Coffee Bean:
Thrift Store Metal Wall Decor Makeover
Super simple, right? They ended up selling for $29 for the set.
2
This set of candlesticks was $4.25 for the pair at the thrift store:
They weren’t very pretty at all, but the price was right!
I brought them back to life with two coats of French Linen, followed by white wax, applying it with a wax brush:
Painting the Smalls #9
I love this combination!! This set sold for $24.
3
This next piece just got a quick paint job. I picked up this mail organizer for $4.25:
I used Fluff and a 50/50 mix of Vintage Duck Egg Blue and Cotton on this one:
Painting the Smalls #11
It sold for $22. Not too shabby for a small amount of work!
4
How about this basket from that same smalls post that I picked up for a dollar at a yard sale?
A simple white makeover did wonders:
Painting the Smalls #11
This basket sold for $18, and getting such a deal on it really helped the bottom line!
5
This next piece started as one of four doors my dad had leftover from his furniture building days:
I started with two coats of this gorgeous Baja Gray Silk, and then I added stripes with Fluff:
Cabinet Doors Repurposed
I redid all four doors in that post. The two I added hangers to sold for $32 each. That was great since these were free!
6
These two lamps were both found at different thrift stores. Together, they cost me $7:
I also found the shades at different thrift stores at different times, but after adding a bit of trim to them, they were just perfect for this set:
Painted Thrift Store Lamps
I usually price my small lamps at around $36, but I priced this petite set for $48. It sold right away, so I probably could have upped the price a bit!
Lamps are good sellers and even better in pairs!
7
This set of lamps I found for $5 each at a barn sale I hit up early in the Summer:
They got a makeover with this gorgeous decoupage paper:
$5 Buffet Lamps updated with Decoupage Paper
I priced this as a set also and they sold for $65.
8
This clock was a bit pricey at $8 considering the horrible color:
But it was a quick makeover, painting it in Cotton and adding these mouldings that I made, to each corner:
Painting the Smalls #11
This clock sold for $36.
9
This small spice rack was on clearance at the thrift store for only 99¢:
I painted this one in Mint Julep…perfect for a cottage kitchen:
Painting the Smalls #9
This sold for $14.
10
This little box was one that could have been hit or miss, but for $2.98, I decided to take a chance on it:
It ended up turning out super cute in Cotton and a 50/50 mix of Vintage Duck Egg Blue and Cotton:
Painting the Smalls #9
This cutie sold for $20.
11
Mirrors are another thing that sell well. I picked this one up at the thrift store for $16.98:
That’s more than I usually spend for a mirror. I can usually find them for $6-$10, but this had so many pretty details that I knew it would paint up beautifully.
I painted this one in two coats of Fluff, and because it was gold underneath, I used the cheat method once again to “distress”:
Painting the Smalls #5
I usually price my mirrors in the $50-$70 range. This one sold for $59.
12
This towel holder straight from the 80’s was one whole dollar at that barn sale I hit up at the start of the Summer:
It got a coastal makeover with the help of Cotton and this custom mix: 40% The Gulf, 40% Vintage Duck Egg Blue, and 20% Cotton:
Painting the Smalls #12
It sold for $16.
13
This set of frames cost me $6 for both:
One of them got a white washed look which I did with a coat of Driftwood mixed 50/50 with Cotton. I then sanded all over and followed up with a light dry-brushing of Cotton:
I like to use photocopied beachy photos (these are my boys) to put in them for display.
The other frame got a coat of Vintage Duck Egg Blue, followed by a coat of Dixie Belle’s Best Dang Wax in White:
Painting the Smalls #8
I priced these each at $18. They did eventually sell, but they sat in my booth for a bit. Just pricing them a couple of dollars less might have moved them more quickly, but that was great profit for the amount of work that was done.
14
This next piece was a fan favorite, but it started out as this box I picked up at the thrift store for $5:
This one got a makeover in Dixie Belle’s Fluff on the outside, and a custom Dixie Belle color mix on the inside, along with another mini transfer:
Painting the Smalls #7
This pretty box sold for $24.
15
And finally, this piece was from the same smalls post, this metal basket I picked up for $8.25 right after the thrift stores reopened:
It was super heavy duty and I just loved it! I ended up using the same pretty blue custom mix I used on a couple of other pieces in this post and dry brushed it on:
Painting the Smalls #7
It softened the whole look of this basket, and it sold for $36.
And that is a good look at how I price the smalls for my booth!
I hope this post gave y’all a good idea of what the smaller items might sell for!
Although most don’t turn a huge profit on their own, they do add up! And smaller items appeal to more cusotmers than larger furnture peices, so it’s nice to have a good mix!
If you liked this post, you will like this one too which includes furniture:
How to Price Items for Resale
Shop news
The Cherry Blossom and Vintage Floral transfers should arrive today, so I’ve added them back to the shop! These transfers are a limited release for only $19.95! My first order of them sold out by noon on Thursday when I used the Cherry Blossom one on the flatware box I shared. Luckily, I was able to order more! Once Dixie Belle runs out, they will not be ordering them again!
I’ll be starting on this pretty piece today to share on Tuesday:
Brennan started middle school today (boo hoo!), so this should keep me from dwelling on my baby wandering around that big school!
UPDATE: This pretty piece is done and ready for it’s big reveal HERE!
I hope y’all have an amazing weekend!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Sherin says
Thank you so much Christy! I’ve never sold anything, but the intention is there. This is going to be so useful.
Christy says
You are so welcome, Sherin! Best of luck on your future endeavors! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
How fun to see what has become of some of the beauties that you have created. I love seeing what they sold for. I can’t believe that Brennan is starting middle school, not even possible, the next thing I will here is he is starting college, STOP IT!! LOL
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! And I know!! He was just two when I started my blog…time is flying by!! XOXO
Deanna Casto says
I’m so glad you did this post. I’ve always wondered how my pricing compared to yours. I must say, our numbers are literally dead on. I have my booth at the Foundry here in Jacksonville, NC now and I try to stay fairly conservative. When I was in Uptown Market in Wilmington, I could go a little nutso with my prices, but it was just so far to drive and the rent was high high high. Thanks again for sharing this. Have a beautiful day!
Christy says
I’m so glad to hear that we are similar in pricing because I never know either lol! Some things that might be more unique I can get more for, but for the most part, I try to be reasonable! Enjoy your day too! XOXO
susan says
This was soooo helpful! Thank you for sharing. When you are selling items at your booth, do you’stage’ them? Like the photos in the frames, did you have the towels in the basket- for example?
Christy says
Thank you, Susan! I’m so glad you found it helpful! I do not stage my pieces in my booth like I do for my photoshoots. You can see how I do it in my latest booth tour from March here: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/booth-update-march-2021/ XOXO
Christina says
Christy, this is valuable information and I so love seeing the renewed smalls. Wonderful to review!!
Have a great rest of the week and weekend!
Christy says
Thank so much, Christina! XOXO
Melissa says
Very helpful-thank you for sharing! I had that same (bee) box a year or two ago and painted it in the reverse of your color scheme with the aqua on the outside-wish I had thought to put a transfer on the inside. You always have the perfect finishing touches!
Christy says
Thank you, Melissa! That must have been a popular box… that was the second one I redid like that. My first one was just all blue! XOXO
Janice Holt says
It is so generous for you to share your prices; although I don’t have a booth it is so helpful to those that do. So glad you make a good profit but not surprised with all the details you put into a piece. Have a great week-end.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! I make more on some things than others, but overall I don’t do too badly! Have a wonderful weekend also! XOXO
Cindy says
Christy….I just had to take a moment to tell you how inspiring you and your projects are. I always open your emails and read them from start to finish. I wish we had a place with booths and I’d definitely do one. Thanks for being so candid and detailed in your posts. It’s no wonder you are successful.
Cindy 🙂
Christy says
Aww I appreciate your kindness so much, Cindy! Thank you! XOXO
Cecilia says
Thanks for letting us in on your process. 🙂 It’s always fun to see what goes on in your booth…I’ll probably never have one but it’s so much fun to get in on the process.
Awwww. I always felt like I was throwing my babies to the wolves in middle school. Kind of stressful but we all survived. It’s good you have a project to keep you busy! Hugs.
Christy says
My pleasure, Cecilia! I’m glad you enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look! And yes, that is exactly how I feel! I remember how intimidating middle school was for me. Hoping for the best though! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
THANKS! This is very helpful. If something sits for a long long time in your booth, do you remove it and bring it back later, or just leave it? I’m reworking my booth for Fall and clearing out the beachy stuff. I did ok with beachy but will not do so much next year; always a learning process!
Christy says
My pleasure, Cecilia! I’m so glad you found it helpful! I will keep everything in my booth usually until it sells, but I don’t have much in the way of seasonal items. And I do rearrange often. That really helps! And yes, we are always learning! XOXO
Lynda Santillan says
Hi, how do I order ur transfers?? I didn’t see a place for that..thank you for your blog, the best I’ve seen..follow all the time..be well to you..
Christy says
Hi Lynda! Anytime you see the text highlighted in blue in my posts, it is clickable and if you tap it, it will take you to the product or post. The transfers are available in my Etsy shop here: https://theserialdiyer.etsy.com You can select “transfers” in the sidebar to go directly to the transfers. 🙂 XOXO
Niki says
Thanks Christy! I never know what to price things I just want to sell that haven’t been redone. I know what I paid for things, I know what shape I kept them in, and I can never seem to sell things for what I consider a decent price. Anyway I have kept in the back of my mind what you have paid for items pre-redo and now post-redo and hopefully will have better luck.
Christy says
You’re welcome, Niki! I imagine the real question is the same for pieces that haven’t been redone…what is the customer willing to pay? Good luck! XOXO
Ashley Walter says
You are so talented Christie! I found those same candlesticks at my local thrift store. I painted them Duck Egg Blue and used the Best Dang Wax in white. I loved how they turned out. White wax has become my new favorite wax.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Ashley! I love the white wax and Duck Egg combo too!! XOXO
Celia says
Love all your projects, you do an amazing job! I’m interested in silk Baja gray looks so pretty but when I look at charts and pictures of the silk line hard to tell between grays and browns. How would you describe the color?
Christy says
Thank you, Celia! Baja gray is gorgeous!! It is a gray, but it has a hint of brown in it, almost like a taupe. It is lovely! XOXO
Deanna says
I love these posts seeing how you price your items. They all turn out so beautiful! And fun to think of their previous “humble” status, the transition to something awe inspiring, and then on to their next home. Up cycling is such a great thing! Especially when you do it!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Deanna! I really do enjoy the whole process! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
Love a little trip down memory lane with the smalls, always happy to see that they’ve sold!
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie! I’m glad you enjoyed the look back! XOXO
Jeannie Mudd says
Thank you for this post! I was binge reading your smalls posts the other day wondering how much you sold things for. I also have a booth and thought my prices might be too high. But as I read through yours I tried to guess the price before reading it. Lol. Most of my guesses were a little lower, some were right on. But it’s good to see that people will pay for unique items. You’ve also taught me I don’t have to do SO much to make over a small. Sometimes a quick paint job does the trick. I love your ideas. You’re so clever!
Christy says
You are so welcome, Jeannie! I do start a bit high in some cases as I can always come down, but I usually just hold out until the right buyer comes along. And yes, a simple paint job does wonders! Sometimes if you give too much detail, it is hard to mesh it with someone’s existing decor, so a simple coat of paint is all you need! XOXO
Addie says
I loved the pop of green with the spice rack. The large beveled edge mirror
came out gorgeous…a real beauty. I can see they do add up and do add charm and interest to your booth. I do not have a booth….I just like to see you work!!!….lololol…..and you are the one laughing all the way to the bank!!! ME: Little Miss poor pants!!!!….crying ;(
Christy says
Thank you, Addie! Sometimes I wonder how people can part with such pretty things like that mirror! Glad they do though…that’s good for me ha ha! I do work hard for the money, but I enjoy every minute! You can watch all you want lol and I’ll keep on collecting those dollar bills! XOXO
Sandra says
That was helpful. I have a booth and probably underprice my items… people don’t want to spend much around here…glad you do well in your booth.
Christy says
Thank you, Sandra! It does probably depend on where you are located too for sure! XOXO
Cara says
Christy, you always have the best make overs! Thank you so much for sharing! I would love to have a booth… maybe one of these days. You are one of the sweetest bloggers too! I always look forward to your emails.
Christy says
Aww thanks, Cara! I appreciate that so much! I so really enjoy having a booth…it won’t make me rich by any means, but I love the process! XOXO
Michele M. says
EXCELLENT and very helpful post. What a fabulous business to have. You are so very good at it. As for your baby – oh, how very fast they grow.
Hang on tight. : – )
Christy says
Thank you, Michele! You are so kind! And yes…he isn’t my baby anymore!! XOXO