Keri Wormald
|
|
Joyous Estate Sale Consultant
After the death of my parents in 2023, I had a decision to make: I could hire someone to empty their house quickly (although the estate sale people said we would probably not make any money at all, and I knew this would consign many of my parents' prized possessions to a landfill) OR I could take charge of the estate sale myself and do it in a way that honored the life my parents built for our family. I chose the latter route. The estate sale I organized was described by buyers as "not depressing," "productive," "respectful," and, most importantly, "joyous." [Note: this can only work if the survivors are check their egos at the door and everyone remembers your purpose. My sister and I were the only heirs, and we were in lock step start to finish. I really can't stress this enough. If it's about "stuff" and "who gets what," the ship has already sailed on joy.]
How does one pull off a "Joyous Estate Sale"?
- Decide on a timeline and goals for the disposition of the estate. You need to be ready to give it a few weeks or even months.
- Create a communication point using the google drive
- Photograph and catalogue the contents of the house. This involves some serious "Marie Condo Energy," and it offers a chance for loved ones to take some prized pieces as keepsakes.
- Organize the catalogue in the google drive and decide on prices (sadly, 10% - 20% of original price or value is standard)
- Create buzz by creating an "Events" page that uses family photos to remind people that this is the sale of a loved ones prized possessions.
- Personalize your events page with items of the day, free items of the day, and include family photos with back stories.
- Communicate with buyers to arrange pick up dates and times
- Keep records of purchases, purchase prices, and purchasers' names and contact details
- Host an in-person event finale OR use Facebook Live to walk through the house and show off your remaining possessions and allow people to bid in real time
How can I help?
- I can advise you as you do the above steps yourself for an hourly consultation fee.
- I can take on any of the roles above, but I suggest you meet your buyers in person. That is the joyous part--when you get to see old family pieces find new homes with people who really appreciate them.
- I can help you find charities for any remaining pieces to ensure they go to people in need.
Keri's Background: How I honed my organizational skills
If you can produce and direct plays and/or teach high school theatre, you're probably pretty organized. I was a successful educator for over thirty years.
If you are a good communicator, collaborator, and a fearless risk-taker, you will probably be successful. I am and I have been!
If you get a good education, you'll probably be able to use your skills for a variety of outcomes
If you can produce and direct plays and/or teach high school theatre, you're probably pretty organized. I was a successful educator for over thirty years.
- Established the theatre program at the Shenandoah Valley Governor's School
- Served on the faculties of the Governor's School for the Arts in Norfolk, the summer residential Governor's School for the Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Richmond, the Newport News Summer Institute for the Arts and the specialty center for the arts in Chesterfield County, Virginia.
- Taught as an adjunct faculty member or a guest director at James Madison University, Blue Ridge Community College, Randolph Macon College, Longwood University, the University of Richmond, and VCU.
- Split my time for many years between the U.S. and Edinburgh, Scotland where I taught a festival management postgraduate course to students from Taiwan Normal University (in cooperation with Universal Arts) during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
If you are a good communicator, collaborator, and a fearless risk-taker, you will probably be successful. I am and I have been!
- In 2014, my Cadence/Virginia Repertory Theatre production of Clybourne Park won "best play" and "best director" from the Richmond Theatre Critics' Circle.
- Previous shows that were nominated or won best play include August: Osage County (winner), Doubt (nominee), Well! (nominee), How I Learned to Drive (winner), Heathen Valley (winner), Full Plate Collection (winner), and
- I have directed for Heritage Rep in Charlottesville, the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia and for most theatres in Richmond.
- I appeared in Raised in Captivity in 1996 and earned a "Best Actress" nomination by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
- I have written several plays with/for high school students that won statewide titles.
- I have also designed sets, costumes, sound, and lighting. I was a member of Actors' Equity, and I was named a teaching artist for the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
- I was a Disney American Teacher Award honoree in 1999 [See me at 8 min. into this clip sporting what can best be described as a bleached blonde mullet].
- The Virginia General Assembly passed a joint resolution recognizing me as one of the country's top arts educators.
- I was a 2006 SURDNA Fellow which allowed me to spend a month study experimental theatre at the Center for Performance Research in Aberystwyth, Wales
If you get a good education, you'll probably be able to use your skills for a variety of outcomes
- I earned an MFA in theatre/directing and theatre literature from Virginia Commonwealth University
- I spent a year at Lancaster University in England in a postgraduate theatre studies program
- I received my BS degree in Communication Arts (theatre and broadcast journalism); minor in English from James Madison University.