Monday, December 31, 2012

Why I don't do ebay anymore.

Folks
I did ebay for years. But then ebay changed their rules and let the buyers have all the power.
Which is good but it only takes one or two disgruntled people to screw up your whole works.
I have always been upfront and honest about my shipping terms.
Now I won't say that I've not missed shipping something on time because it's happened. (but I fixed this when I changed the email addy on my accounts and that's the one address I check every day without fail and sometimes several times a day)
but I have never charged a handling fee for my service and I've always listed my shipping fees in the ad. So the buyer has a choice - if they don't like my fee they should simply pass on the auction or they can agree and purchase the item.
Apparently a couple people choose to leave low scores on my shipping terms when they left detailed seller ratings. And this sent my seller rating plummeting. I don't sell alot on ebay because I still work full time and this is more or less a way to get rid of the excess in my house.
The problem comes from paypal which after ebay dropped my seller rating, paypal's terms with ebay allow it to hold my money until the buyer leaves feedback or confirmation on shipping, both of which I had on one item and paypal still held my money for 7 business days. On a two dollar item it's not a big deal but when it's a 20-30 item that's alot.
This is what sucks. And what truely sucks is that I have 100% good feedback.

So I started hunting for additional ways and that's how I came across ecrater. I've been on etsy for years and just never listed a lot. I also started using Amazon alot more but they pissed me off when they took my collectibles off because they are listed as toys during the christmas season. Their loss I sold them both on ecrater and didn't have to pay the amazon fees.
This blog has links to all the sites I list on. So follow the links.
Enjoy
Mary and Ed

Yeah my new web address is working.

So now when you type in
www.2ndhandspirits.com this site comes up.
Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Tupperware Empanada Makers / Pie Press Just listed at ecrater


Create sweet savory treats to enjoy on the go or anytime. This pair of multipurpose tools makes 
it easy to prepare empanadas, a personal-sized pastry filled with sweet or savory fillings. 
They're also great for making delicious dumplings, turnovers or pot pies, saving you 
money over the store-bought versions.

• Set of two.
• Each one features a cutter on one side and a fluted edge on the other.
• Place a filling in the center of the prepared dough and close it — it's perfect every time.
• Chili Red
• Dishwasher safe.

I bought these and used them once and never really got the hang of it.



From Tupperware Website Here's a couple of their recipes: 

Chocolate Peanut Butter & Banana Pie Pockets 
Serves: about 5 – 6 (2 pockets per serving) 
1 tsp. Simple Indulgence™ Cinnamon-Vanilla Seasoning Blend 
1 cup sugar 
15 oz./424 g package of two, 9”/22 cm refrigerated pie crusts or packaged empanada dough 
12 chocolate peanut butter cups, quartered 
2 bananas, sliced into a total of 24 pieces 
1 egg, beaten 
Preheat oven to 375°F/190° C. Combine Cinnamon-Vanilla and sugar in a small modular bowl and set aside.  
Roll the dough into a 12” circle. Using the cutting side of the Pie Press, cut 4 circles of dough,
 repeat with other half of dough, 
then reroll and cut scraps. Hold the Pie Press open; 
place one of the circular cutouts on the side with the teeth. 
Brush the dough with a thin layer of the beaten egg on the teeth. 
Place 4 chocolate peanut butter pieces and 2 banana slices 
in the center of the dough.  To seal the pockets, hold the Tupperware® Pie Press’s two handles
 and close by bringing the 
handles together and then pressing gently but firmly for 5 seconds. 
Place each finished pocket onto a baking sheet lined with a
Silicone Wonder™ Mat. Brush the tops of the pockets with the remaining beaten egg and 
sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar. 
Place baking sheet in the oven and bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden brown. 

Ham and Cheese Pockets 
Serves: about 5 – 6 (2 pockets per serving)
1 (6 oz.) pkg. diced ham
2/3 cup swiss or cheddar cheese, shredded
1/3 cup onion, diced
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 tbsp. red pepper, diced
15 oz./424 g package of two, 9”/22 cm refrigerated pie crusts or packaged empanada dough
1 egg, beaten
Preheat oven to 375°F/190° C. In a Wonderlier® Bowl combine ham, cheese, onion, mustard and red
pepper until well mixed. Roll the dough into a 12” circle. Using the cutting side of the Pie Press, cut 4
circles of dough, repeat with other half of dough, then reroll and cut scraps. Hold the Pie Press open;
place one of the circular cutouts on the side with the teeth. Brush the dough with a thin layer of the
beaten egg on the teeth. Place ham mixture in the center of the dough.
To seal the pockets, hold the Tupperware® Pie Press’s two handles and close by bringing the handles
together and then pressing gently but fi rmly for 5 seconds. Place each fi nished pocket onto a baking
sheet lined with a Silicone Wonder™ Mat. Brush the tops of the pockets with the remaining beaten
egg. Place baking sheet in the oven and bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden brown.
From tuppertalk.blogspot.com website:

Empanada Dough
Ingredients

2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 stick (1/2 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 large egg
1/3 cup ice water
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar

Preparation

Sift flour with salt into a large bowl and blend in butter with your fingertips or a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal with some (roughly pea-size) butter lumps.
Beat together egg, water, and vinegar in a small bowl with a fork. Add to flour mixture, stirring with fork until just incorporated. (Mixture will look shaggy.)
Turn out mixture onto a lightly floured surface and gather together, then knead gently with heel of your hand once or twice, just enough to bring dough together. Form dough into a flat rectangle and chill, wrapped in plastic wrap, at least 1 hour.
Apple Cinnamon Filling
Ingredients
4 apples peeled and cored
(or a 21 oz. can of sliced apples, drained)
1 lemon (use juice and zest)
1 tbsp. cornstarch
1 tsp. Simple Indulgence Cinnamon & Vanilla Seasoning Blend
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp. butter
1/4 cup raisins

Place apples in Quick Chef (Ok, now you need the Quick Chef!)with blade attachment. Add remaining ingredients, cover and process until coarsely chopped. Melt butter over medium heat in Chef Series 9-1/2" Nonstick Fry Pan. Add apples and stir to coat. Lower heat and cook apple mixture 5 minutes until soft. Add raisins and cook until mixture has thickened. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Roll dough to a 12" circle on theSimply Perfect Pastry Sheet. Using the bottomside of theEmpanada Maker, cut 4 rounds of pastry. Re-roll dough as needed. Place a cut round of pastry on the Empanada Maker; moisten edges with beaten egg or water.
Place heaping tbsp. of filling in center of Empanada Maker and close, pressing tightly to seal. Open and remove the sealed empanada and place on baking sheet lined with the Silicone Wonder Mat. Brush tops of empanadas with beaten egg. Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.


Tupperware Domed Sipper Seal YELLOW Spout Travel Cover ~NLA sippy sippie

Just listed this new spout cover for the domed sippy seal. These sippy cups from Tupperware are one of Tupperwares classic pieces. I'm not seeing these offered for sale by Tupperware which is a shame because they are perfect for travel. The underside of the cover has slots that fit into the sippy cup to keep drinks from spilling out (well at least in theory). I used the sippy cups for years with my kids and never had the advantage of the cover.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Tupperware Fridgesmart Containers just listed at ecrater

Just listed these on ecrater.
These are some of the first Fridgesmart containers to come out.
They are the small size and measure 6" x 6" x 3 1/2"
they hold about 4 1/2 cups.

Fruits and vegetables have different airflow needs when stored in the fridge. You can regulate the airflow within the container and maintain peak freshness thanks to a unique venting system. A special built-in grid lifts food away from condensation.
Textured seal reduces sliding when containers are stacked.

Fruits and vegetables are divided into 3 groups - High Breathers (leave both vents open), Medium Breathers (leave one vent open, one closed), and Low Breathers (keep both vents closed)

High (or Heavy!) Breathers include:
Artichokes
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Endive
Peas (including Snow Peas)
Spinach
Sweet Corn (dehusked)

Medium Breathers include:
Vegetables
Beans (including Snap Beans and String Beans)
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Fresh Herbs
Fresh Shallots
Green Onions
Greens (Collard, Kale and Swiss Chard)
Leeks
Lettuce, all types
Fruits
Ripe Apples
Citrus (including Grapefruit, Orange, Mandarin, Lemon, Tangerine and Lime)
Ripe Pears
Peppers (including Bell, Sweet, Hot and others)
Low Breathers include:
Vegetables
Asparagus
Beet Root
Button Mushrooms
Carrots
Celery
Cucumbers
Okra
Radishes
Rutabaga
Summer Squash
Turnips
Zucchini
Fruits
Ripe Berries
All other ripe fruit not included in medium category
All fresh cut fruit
these have been used but I can tell you they haven't been used much. I bought these new when they came out and have been holding onto them for years and now I'm cleaning out cupboards and these are among the first victims of my cleaning spree.
They still seem to seal well and are in good condition. These sell for $15 each on the tupperware website.
this listing is for a set of two of these small fridgesmart containers.[!brand :tupperware!]

Monday, December 3, 2012

Tupperware Tiny Treasures Citrus Peeler

I have this in three different colors.


To peel an orange: using hook end of peeler score orange in full circle in one direction. then repeat in other direction. this marks the orange in four quarters. Then insert flat end of peeler under pointed part of one quarter. Peel off this portion and remove remaining three section the same way.
This is another one of those classic tupperware gadgets that no home should be without.

Tupperware Tiny Treasures Stamps N' Things and Strainer

The stamps and things container is a another classic tupperware gadget. Soon to be retired since who carry's stamps anymore? I use mine to carry pills. Since it's sheer I can see when I'm out.
This great little strainer
A mini size strainer can be used with small and large containers. The handle slots(2) and flange make it possible to attach or rest strainer on container or bowl rim. It is the right size for straining several teaspoons of fresh lemon juice for a favorite recipe. Handle is finely textured for a firm fingertip grip.

Both can be found on my ecrater site.


Tupperware Preludio Smoke Coaster on Ecrater

Do you own the Tupperware Preludio collection of tumblers. Here are the coaster that go with the tumblers. They appear almost brand new. They have been stored and moved around a lot so there may be some scratches. If your looking for anything in the Preludio line email me I might know where to find it. Otherwise I have these beauties up for sale on ecrater. Check link to the right.

Ecrater listings - Tupperware Tiny Treasures Smidget

Ok
I have some real treasures for you. I just came from the flea market where I snagged a boat load of gadgets.
The first two I listed were smidgets. Everyone knows what a smidget is. It's Tupperware 1 oz container and it has the round lid which means it's virtually water tight.
I use these to take peanut butter to the airport (where I work on the other side of security) for my breakfast. It's a one ounce container so they never question me.(Plus they all know my eccentric tendencies). It's perfect size because it's travels well and never leaks.


The top one is a christmas red and the bottom is an island green.
But these treasures also hold a multitude of other uses.
Such as:
Barbie Accessories 
Barbie Purse 
Barbie Tupperware Bowl 
Assortment of pills 
Pony tail Holders
Staples 
Safety Pins 
Push Pins 
Creamer 
Sewing Kit 
1300 Sequins 
Hand Lotions 
Aspirin  
2 Tbs. Hot Cocoa Mix 
60 Paper Clips 
Use as a Cookie Cutter  
Thumb Tacks 
3 Pickle Chips 
32 M & M’s 
Water for Kids Paints 
Chicklets from Gum Machine 
Cotton Ball w/ Nail Polish Remover 
Cotton Ball w/ Perfume 
Suntan Lotion 
Vaseline 
Rubber Washers 
Desitin Ointment
Silly Putty 
Craft Accessories 
Salad Dressing 
Condiments 
Liquid Cough Medicine 
Skittle Candy  
36 Smarties 
Peroxide 
Fresh Lemon Peel 
Band—Aids 
Adult Dose Pepto Bismol 
Powder 
2 Peppermint Patties
BBs for a BB gun 
80 Tick Tac’s 
Shampoo for over night 
100 Lifesaver Holes 
Conditioner for overnight 
Pair of Knee-Hi Nylons 
Marbles 
50 Dimes 
Buttons 
$7.00 in Quarters 
Mini Container of Play 
Dough 
50 Pennies 
Hair Gel or Mousse 
Teeth ( for tooth fairy) 
Lipstick or Blush 
20 Tums 
Lip Gloss 
 Earrings and Rings 
Salt/Pepper
Contact Lenses 
Powder Sugar 
Rubber Bands 
Parmesan Cheese 
Spices 
Lego Parts 
Instant Coffee 
Model Parts 
Needle & Thread 
Veg. Dip for Lunch 
Poly Pockets 
Bug Repellent—Skin So Soft
Bracelets 
2 tea Bags 
Rubbing Alcohol 
Single Serving Instant tea


You can not buy these from a Tupperware dealer. They are given usually to people who hold parties as an incentive. You can find them at flea market or as Tupperware dealers retire and get rid of their stock. It's one of my all time favorite peices from tupperware because of it's many uses.
these are on my ecrater site so click the link on the right side of the page.