Monday, January 9, 2017

Did you know that today is Clean Off Your Desk Day?

For the third year in a row, we have observed Clean Off Your Desk Day here at Goodwill.
Source - daysoftheyear.com
We mark this day by encouraging everyone to take a little bit of time to clean their desk or work station throughout our headquarters and at all of our stores. This is what we do....
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We set out cleaning supplies for the day:
We share a few tips by email:

Clean your Desk from Wikihow.com 

Take everything off your desk. Remove absolutely everything and place it all in one large pile. When it’s time to reorganize your desk, you’ll go through this pile methodically. However, don’t try to organize it now. First you need to create a clear space. Read more....


Try the Kon Mari method

Step 1. Hold an item from your desk and ask yourself this one question:

Does this spark joy?



Step 2. If you answer “yes,” keep the item.

Step 3. If you answer “no,” get rid of the item.



An Easy Way to Deep Clean Your Keyboard, Mouse and Monitor (No More Excuses!)
How to safely remove streaks from your screen, smudges from your mouse and grime from your keyboard—in three simple steps from the Wall Street Journal.  Read more...

We then have a "tag sale":

How does this tag sale work?

Any items that team members have that are unwanted are brought to a central location.


All items are free for other team members to take and use for their office or work space.
Any left over items are then processed through our donations department and sent to a store!

This is a win win for us because often times an item is not needed in one department, but exactly what another department was needing! And just like home, we often accumulate things throughout the year that served a purpose at one time, but are no longing needed.

We add a little fun by having a "before" and "after" contest with a secret judge giving a "most improved" award. 😊
If you are inspired to celebrate Clean Off Your Desk Day, don't forget about donating your unwanted items to a good cause... Like Goodwill!  #CleanOffYourDeskDay
Donate Stuff. Create Jobs.

Thanks! 

Friday, January 6, 2017

Treasure Chest Etsy Store

The Treasure Chest Etsy Store is no longer on hiatus and we are filling our shelves with pretty things. Take a look!
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Antique Petit Trianon Collection of 3 of Books. 
These 3 books are works of art in their own right. The colors and graphics are beautiful. Part of the Petit Trianon Series published in 1901-1902. They all show wear from age but are still intact for reading. Each book measures 6.5" X 4" Etsy Link
Etsy
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Set of Six Vintage Enesco Japan Hand Painted Shabby Cabbage Rose/Floral Nut Dishes
Here is a sweet set of 6 Vintage Enesco Nut Bowls. Hand painted with shabby cabbage roses/florals in green & pinks.
This set has no chips or cracks, however each piece does need a gentle soapy soaking! Etsy Link
Etsy
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Lot of 3 Vintage Silver Charm Bracelets with Charms
3 Vintage Charm Bracelets. Two of them are Sterling Silver the other is a Monet (not sterling silver). A large assortment of charms, most of which are Sterling Silver. Etsy Link

Etsy

Friday, December 16, 2016

Ugly Christmas Sweaters at Goodwill

For the third year in a row we have had an Ugly Christmas Sweater Afternoon Party with our team members at Goodwill. We have a lot of fun creating and wearing our Ugly Christmas Sweaters and having popcorn. We give a little prize for "Best" Ugly Sweater but mostly it is bragging rights! 🙂
Here is our Party!












This year's Winner is Stasia and her ode to the movie "A Christmas Story".


Hot Tip: Like our background? It is a shower curtain! 

There are lots of easy and inexpensive festive holiday shower curtains out there, and they make a great backdrop for photos! 
Find your perfect ugly sweater at Goodwill. Visit our website for store information: goodwillswmi.org/our-locations
Happy Treasure Hunting! 

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Fun Ways to Wrap Goodwill Gift Cards or Any Gift Card!

Do you have a thrift store loving person on your gift list? Perhaps a frugal friend or penny-pitching college student or treasure hunter? Get them a Goodwill gift card!

You can get a Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan Gift Card in any amount at any of our stores. (Find our locations HERE)

We have put together a round up of fun ways to give your Goodwill card or any gift card!
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 thetipgarden.com shows you how to give a yard gift ball (you can often find the yarn at Goodwill too!)
Source - Thetipgarden.com
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Cute DIY snow-globes. Find little Christmas trinkets and even jars at Goodwill and follow along at hip2save.com to create these snow-globe gift card holders.
Source - hip2save.com
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How about candy sleigh treat with a Goodwill Gift Card! Sweet! We found this idea on dearcrissy.com
Source - dearcrissy.com
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These are repurposed sweater mini mittens, but they would be adorable gift card holders!
cremedelacraft.com has the DIY details!
Source - cremedelacraft.com
Thank you for supporting Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan! 
When you donate and shop at our stores - you are supporting our mission! 
We provide employment, education, training and support services to individuals and families so they can become self-sufficient.
Happy Holidays!

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Velvet is having a moment and we are ready!

Do you love velvet? It is a favorite for little girl dresses and beautiful dress shoes for the holiday's, but right now it is having a moment throughout the season and for everything! Dresses, jewelry, shoes, accessories... velvet in blue, black, red, and more.

It's On Elle Online


Source: Elle

We see it on Ivaniasmode.com
Source: Ivaniasmode.com
And on Thefashiontag.com
Source: TheFashionTag.com
This DIY Velvet Dress Tutorial fabricwholesaledirect.com is representing TWO fashion trends for 2017 - velvet and bell sleeves!
Source - FabricWholeSaleDirect.com
You can treasure hunt for velvet at our stores and search velvet on Shopgoodwill.com
This Brooks Brothers blazer is up for bid right now. It is unused with original tags "Brooks Brothers" Black Velvet Blazer in size 10. The chest is 38 inches, sleeves are 24, waist is 33, width between the shoulders is 16 and the length is 28 inches. Material is cotton blend and lining is bemberg cupro. Follow the link to purchase it online: shopgoodwill.com/auctions/Brooks-Brothers
ShopGoodwill.com
We did a quick treasure hunt for velvet at the Goodwill Half Off Store - 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI and found these velvet delights...
This velvet dress with a few sparkles could be matched with boots and a jean jacket for that glam trash look that is trending right now.


Mix this velvet blouse with a pair of jeans and you will feel pampered and comfortable.

We spotted this black velvet skirt and matched it with a three different tops... and we are now convinced that a black velvet skirt is a staple piece!
Hot Tip - If you purchased all of these items- the dress, skirt, all three tops, and the sweater at the Half Off Store - your total would be less than $20! Now that is treasure hunting!

Goodwill makes it affordable to try a bit of this glamorous velvet trend! 



Monday, November 28, 2016

Five Upcycling Ideas for Winter from Things You Might Find at Goodwill.

So the winter months are upon us. This is the time of year when a lot of people reach for their knitting needles and crochet hooks, dust off the glue guns, and dig out the craft paints. We have a round up of fresh ideas to use your crafting skills and upcycle a thrift store find.
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ONE - This vintage planter pin holder is one of those "why didn't I think of that" ideas! So cute! Get a step by step tutorial on bluewillowhouse.com
Source - BlueWillowHouse.com
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TWO - This is a labor of love - but, WOW! You can find a dollhouse that needs a make-over like this at Goodwill, you might just have to treasure hunt for a while. Go to penny-pennystreasures.blogspot.com to see how she did this incredible transformation.
Source - penny-pennystreasures.blogspot.com
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THREE- There are many ideas for upcycling thrifted salt & pepper shakers on Pinterest. We love these little ponies with a touch of gold. Find full instructions on blog.etsy.com
Source - blog.etsy.com
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FOUR - This is a beautiful winter wreath - so unusual and stunning. (And it was found at a Goodwill store!) Visit stacynashprimitivedesigns.blogspot.com to see many more of her ideas.
Source - stacynashprimitivedesigns.blogspot.com


FIVE - Upcycle a cheese dome. These are called water-less snow globe, great name and what a fun idea! Visit sadieseasongoods.com
Source - sadiesseasongoods.com
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Looking for unique vintage items? Have you visited Goodwill Industries of SWMI on ShopGoodwill.com?You will find amazing treasures, antiques and colletibles. And often new items! Find things like:
Bulk Vintage Jewelry Bags

Vintage Pyrex
Vintage Portable Aircraft Receiver

Check out ShopGoodwill.com today! You never know what you will find!