Vintage Shopkeeper ... Hello Kristina

 This week's featured shop is run by a woman whose shop is quite new but shows the experience and quality of someone who has been selling vintage jewelry for quite some time.  Her love of animals will also make you melt.  Below is an interview with Kristina from Massachusetts: 

Kristina

of 

Spruce Cove

Start by telling everyone about yourself.
I’m a 30-something with diverse interests and passions. Besides running my etsy shop, I work part time as a communications specialist and part time as a healer, doing energy work. I love the variety and using different skills.

Creativity is important to me; my outlets are writing and photography, and I’m learning how to bead. I’m passionate about animal rescue; my husband and I live with four rescue dogs, and I’ll be donating 5% of my etsy store proceeds to a dog rescue.


What started you on your path to becoming a vintage seller?  How did you arrive at the name for your shop?
My parents loved flea markets, and in my childhood, we spent many weekends wandering through tables of old things. My mother’s parents were born in Italy, and my father was born in Norway, so I don’t have a long family history here in the United States. Seeing and touching old things helped me connect with the past and helped deepen my roots.

My shop is named in honor of where I grew up. I was lucky to spend much of my life on the coast of Maine, where our house overlooked a beautiful cove. Since my shop is inspired by items from my childhood, my shop name is, too.

How has your shop evolved over the years?  What do you envision for your shop as it continues its evolution?
My shop is new — only a few months old — but it’s been years in the making. Right now, Spruce Cove has vintage jewelry, but I plan on expanding to include other things. When my parents passed away, I inherited my mom’s vintage jewelry and old bottles, and my family’s collection of china, glass and Scandinavian Christmas plates. Most of these beautiful vintage items are sitting in boxes, and that’s just not right. I’d like to keep a few things and know that people are enjoying the rest.

Thinking as a shop owner and looking back on your early days, were there any missteps?
I’m still in my early days, but already I’ve discovered a mistake: many of my first photos were too dark. Fortunately, this is easily fixed. I’m lightening them and updating my listings.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of opening an online shop?
Be prepared to invest time and energy. I spend hours taking and editing photos of my items as well as  researching and learning. Building a community takes time, too. Although I enjoy all of these things, I didn’t know going in how much time it would take.

What are some of your favorite places to shop for vintage finds?  Feel free to share names of great shops, flea markets, etc.
In Maine, the Montsweag Flea Market on Route 1 in Woolwich is great. Recently I moved to Massachusetts, and I’m still finding places near my new home.

Storage of vintage items that are waiting to be sold can quickly overwhelm a seller’s personal space when they sell from their own home.  How do you make it work for you so it doesn’t take over your personal space?
I’m lucky to have a home office where I photograph and keep my current items. My storage room has lots of boxes waiting to be sorted, but the door to that room stays closed until I have time to dig in!

What era or style are you particularly drawn to?  Why do you think that is?
I’ve always loved the 1920s: the long flapper necklaces, cloche hats, drop-waist dresses, the art deco jewelry. The style seems both old and modern. In photos, people always seem to be having such fun, and I love that women were enjoying newly found freedoms.

Why do you think this love of vintage is so universal?  What do you think it is that draws so many of us in?
Nostalgia is powerful. Lately I’ve been searching other vintage shops for things from my childhood, and when I come across a beloved toy, it makes me smile. Looking at and touching old things is a way of connecting with our pasts, a kind of grounding.

Where can everyone find you?
I’m on etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/SpruceCove and on twitter at @packofhuskies

 

Vintage Shopkeepers are awesome!  Read more of these interviews here.

Natalie

xo 

Vintage Shopkeeper ... Hello Linda

This week's vintage seller has so many fun and interesting items for sale! You'll feel like you're being transported to a fabulous, faraway place when you see what kinds of wild vintage finds she carries in her etsy shop. Meet Linda of Columbus, OH:

Linda Sapp Long

of 

umeone

Start by telling everyone about yourself.

Hi, my name is Linda Sapp Long. My love of the Tropics, Art and Antiques started with my Parents. When I was 2 in 1961, my Dad, Bill Sapp and his business partner Lee Henry, opened a huge restaurant called The Kahiki Supper Club in Columbus, Ohio. Entering The restaurant included passing by Giant fire spewing Moai, walking over the Bamboo bridge that covered the flowing river moat, open the doors, pass by a magical rock wall waterfall, be greeted by a huge center fountain and that's just the entrance! The Kahiki was my playground, my escape from the cold gray winters in Ohio. My mother, Marcy created or designed several of the mugs used to serve up exotic concoctions of rum and fresh juices. Since these mugs weren’t readily available to the tikiphile collectors, I started recreating some of her designs.

We moved to Florida for a few of my early years, where my mother tried to teach me to paint and my parents started collecting art and antiques. my passions were instilled in me at a very early age. my parents success opened a world of fantasy and my love of beautiful things with a past.

Fast forward 40 years, I’m a retired bartender and my fabulous husband, Craig has enabled me to unleash my passions. Etsy has provided me the vehicle I needed to blossom.

What started you on your path to becoming a vintage seller?  How did you arrive at the name for your shop? 
Originally I opened my shop to showcase my pottery. The economy went south, we moved north and I needed to make a living, I had been picking up things at auctions, garage sales and a thrift store around the corner from our condo. I was quickly obsessed with making wristlets, most of which are still in my shop. Then I discovered that you could sell vintage on etsy! I started creating more of my own pottery designs and supplement that passion with my other passion vintage! Life is good again and I’m enjoying my venture on etsy.

My shop name started out in 2004, when my husband and i started collecting vintage tiki and buying things from the early years of the kahiki on ebay. My husband came up with it, u me one, we are together in all our ventures.

How has your shop evolved over the years?  What do you envision for your shop as it continues its evolution?
My shop is still getting its footing. I really only went full time with it in January. so I’ve been in a learning curve. I envision selling more pottery and getting into a vintage/antique niche.

Thinking as a shop owner and looking back on your early days, were there any missteps?  
Huge mistakes, for one I am not very computer savvy, so I’ve had on the job training. I didn’t realize I was starting a business, so i didn’t start out with a business plan in place. oh, and there’s that whole wristlet obsession.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of opening an online shop?
Learn all you can from etsy handbook, labs and join teams with your same interest. The people on my teams have been extremely helpful with not only explaining things to me but, the support they provide is essential to my successes.

What are some of your favorite places to shop for vintage finds?  Feel free to share names of great shops, flea markets, etc.
I love going to Estate sales, auctions, garage sales and my little honey hole around the corner, Volunteers of America.

Storage of vintage items that are waiting to be sold can quickly overwhelm a seller’s personal space when they sell from their own home.  How do you make it work for you so it doesn’t take over your personal space?
I am lucky enough to have a large closet in the second bedroom that we have set up as an office. I have storage tubs with my items for sale and a ton of packing boxes, bubble wrap and my special rattan boxes for my pottery. My pottery is on display all over our house. It has taken time to get organized and i do have items on my work table that needs to be either worked on or photographed. It’s always a work in process.

What era or style are you particularly drawn to?  Why do you think that is?
Mid Century definitely, I grew up with 1950’s furniture at home and at my grandparents house. it’s comfort furnishings! Just like pot roast or macaroni & cheese!

Why do you think this love of vintage is so universal?  What do you think it is that draws so many of us in?
Vintage items catch up with us, they may not have been thought of since you were a kid but, you know it when you see it 50 years later. For me an item as simple as a dishcloth can transport me back to sitting on the kitchen counter talking to my grandma while she’s doing the dishes (with my help of course).

Where can everyone find you? 

my etsy shop ... www.etsy.com/shop/umeone

Facebook ... http://www.facebook.com/KahikiDaze

Pinterest ... pinterest.com/umeone

 Vintage Shopkeepers are awesome!  Read more of these interviews here.

Natalie

xo

Vintage Shopkeeper ... Hello Deb

The featured shop this week is run by a woman who has been selling on etsy since November 2010. Her shop is super sweet and full of all sorts of fun and whimsical items that span many different decades and styles. Below is an interview with Deb from Louisiana:

Deb

of

WhimzyThyme

Start by telling everyone about yourself.

I am a french cajun lady who loves God, family and country.  I have been a collector and lover of antiques since my early twenties.  I so appreciate the craftsmanship and design of yesteryear.  Recycling, reusing and rescuing  vintage finds is my mission and my love.   

What started you on your path to becoming a vintage seller?  

How did you arrive at the name for your shop?

The name of my Shop is Whimzy Thyme.  I became a lover of antiques and vintage sometimes in my twenties when decorating a new home.  I was always looking for something that would bring a bit of “whimsy” and that had passed the test of “time”.  I love to collect “pretties” that are different and tell a story.  Things that have a past and were loved by someone else.  So “Whimzy Thyme” just fits perfectly.

How has your shop evolved over the years?  What do you envision for your shop as it continues its evolution?  

In the early 90s I had multiple booths in four different antique shops in north Texas.  My goal was to purchase  antique home decor and furniture to fill my booths spaces.  Financially I was able to purchase many fine antique pieces but knew I had to broaden my scope to also include quality vintage (items ranging from 20 to 75 years old). My hope is that I can continue to provide my Customers with quality items that they will be proud to display in their homes.  

Thinking as a shop owner and looking back on your early days, were there any missteps?  

To be successful in this business I believe you need to be open change.  You need to stay abreast of changes in technology and educate yourself as to what items are in vogue.  People taste in what they want to collect and purchase to decorate their homes is constantly changing.  The trick is to have a variety in your inventory and continuing education is a must.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of opening an online shop?

My advice would be to make sure you are mentally prepared to work long hours which does not necessary calculate into large monetary rewards.    You need to open a vintage/antique shop because you truly love the treasure hunt and being able to provide a venue to others.   I would definitely suggest that you try it as a hobby for awhile before committing full time.  Most days I spend at least 12 to 14 hours working on cleaning treasures, researching information, taking photos and writing descriptions.   Also, you need to allocate time for marketing and participating on social network sites.  


What are some of your favorite places to shop for vintage finds?  Feel free to share names of great shops, flea markets, etc.
My favorite places for treasure hunting are thrift shops, estate sales and auctions.  I love the charity thrift shops because I not only find great items but am also supporting a great cause.  I love estate sales and onsite auctions because you can count on finding some items that was truly loved and taken care of my the owner.  My most favorite finds are those that was passed on from a previous generation.  A couple of my favorite flea markets are Round Top and Canton in Texas and Brimfield in Massachusetts.

Storage of vintage items that are waiting to be sold can quickly overwhelm a seller’s personal space when they sell from their own home.  How do you make it work for you so ti doesn’t take over your personal space?

Making sure that your safety store items once you have listed them for sale is a constance struggle.   I am  fortunate to live in a house that was built in 1941 and has tons of storage space.  I have a huge walk in closet in an extra bedroom where I am able to place shelving units to store my listed inventory.  I also have lots of attic space to store shipping boxes and material.  Once I list an item in my Shop it gets an inventory number and stored out of harms way.


What era or style are you particularly drawn to?  Why do you think that is?  

I love the victorian ear because one of my favorite treasures is celluloid boxes, photo albums and vanity items.    I started collecting celluloid boxes and photo albums about 25 years ago. I also adore Art Deco because of its intricate beauty.  The roaring 20s gave us gals beautiful flapper jewelry, handbags, hats and dresses.  Many items from this decade has survived the test of time and can be found on Etsy.

Why do you think this love of vintage is so universal?  What do you think it is that draws so many of us in?  

I believe it is the craftsmanship and in many cases the painstaking detail that went into the manufacturing process.  It seems like items made within the last 20 years are throw aways.  Meaning the intention was not to make it last for generations.  So many items are made with the cheapest materials possible with the goal of producing quantity and not quality. 

Where can everyone find you?
Whimzy Thyme can be found at http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhimzyThyme

Vintage Shopkeepers are awesome!  Read more of these interviews here.

Natalie

xo

Vintage Saturdays: Romance Novels

I have to admit, I have never once read a romance novel.  But this has never stopped me from being totally fascinated by some of those most...interesting...artwork.  The colors, the graphics, the poses...awesome in its own unique way.  Beyond simply reading them, what can you do with these books after they've long been enjoyed for their literary fabulousness?

Oh So Beautiful Paper turns them into amazing wedding invitations!

TheCraneFactory uses the pages to create super awesome bouquets.

Contextomy uses very specific snippets from the novels to create the coolest hair clips ever.

American romance novels can't have all the fun.  Heavensentcrafts uses Spanish novels to create book journals.

Bookity uses the pages within to create super pretty wedding confetti. Way cooler than rice and bubbles.

~~~~~~~~~~XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO~~~~~~~~~~

Feeling inspired?  Here are a few places where you can find your own vintage romance novels :

AmeliaBedeliaVintage

CherryRiversVintage

BingoBits

Vintage Saturdays are the best!  Find previous posts here.

Natalie

xo

Vintage Shopkeeper ... Hello Madalena

The featured shop this week is a woman who has been selling on etsy since February 2010 and always has very fun and unusual small items.  Below is an interview with Madalena Borg from Berkhamsted, UK:

Madalena Borg 

of

Brocante Art

Start by telling everyone about yourself.
I am an artist and designer who has taken a few years off to look after my three children. i grew up in brazil where my main interests were electronic and post punk music and cinema, mainly silent films and european arthouse. i have lived in uk for the past 20 years where i still like music and avant-garde films but developed a semi-obsession with antique european textiles and 18th century history


What started you on your path to becoming a vintage seller?  

How did you arrive at the name for your shop?
As time went by my interest gradually moved on from fine arts to decorative artifacts and especially european fabrics, trimmings, haberdashery and soft furnishing.
As most of my items are found in french brocantes where i always look for a piece of poetry and art in everything i thought brocanteart would sum it up perfectly.

How has your shop evolved over the years?  What do you envision 

for your shop as it continues its evolution?

i see brocanteart moving into interior styling and decorating, i have also been researching fabric and textile manufacturing from 17th century onwards and would ideally move into small scale manufacturing using traditional techniques.

Thinking as a shop owner and looking back on your early days, were there any missteps?  
i guess i am on my early days still, but when i was a total beginner i thought that i could just upload a few jpgs and wait for the orders to flood in... needless to say that did not happen. in fact things started picking up as soon as i devoted time to research every item and photograph them in their best light.


What advice would you give to someone thinking of opening an online shop?
don’t expect to start earning a living straight away, it takes time, effort and commitment but it can be wonderfully rewarding. in the first few months/years you must re-invest all your profits to make your business grow.

What are some of your favorite places to shop for vintage finds?  

Feel free to share names of great shops, flea markets, etc.

i buy most of my wares in france and belgium. As for inspiration i go to london’s shoreditch and whitechapel areas in the east end where the wonderful spitalfields antique/flea market has the best stalls. ardingly antique market is also worth a visit.


Storage of vintage items that are waiting to be sold can quickly overwhelm a seller’s 

personal space when they sell from their own home.  How do you make it work for 

you so it doesn’t take over your personal space?
they have taken over my personal space and most of them are part of my home decoration until the time comes when we part company. i don’t see my beloved fabrics as separated from myself maybe i should seek professional help lol! 

What era or style are you particularly drawn to?  Why do you think that is?
austerity meets provencal, pale colors with lavish trimmings, wood, wool and muted colors, time worn loved pieces of great quality.

Why do you think this love of vintage is so universal?  

What do you think it is that draws so many of us in?
probably the overbearing mass produced goods in our throw away society.

Where can everyone find you?
my website www.brocanteart.com where there is link to my etsy shop and a contacts page

Vintage Shopkeepers are awesome!  Read more of these interviews here.

Natalie 

xo