Thanks for checking out this blog! Possibly you're into preserving the past in one way or another (or you're one of my friends & I love you for checking this out, seriously!).
I am passionate about it, actually, preserving the past and the future (I'm all about recycling, good for the future, preserving the past, which is really what being into Vintage is). This blog is going to be specifically concerned with my new business, which is still not quite up yet but close! I'll definitely let everyone know as soon as it is! I've been doing all my business start-up metrics, going through inventory (still have a lot of work to do organizing there - if only everything else in life would just stop!), and fine-tuning my business plan. I also need to get my models in so I can get the photos up. It's really pretty exciting, at least for me!
Spent this morning in Lansing, MI because last week when I was up there having lunch with my niece, Bess, who is a computer genius - seriously - that's why MSU paid her to get her Phd there - I found a thrift store where everything is 50% off on the last Tuesday of every month. How could I pass that up?!
I tried to be there when they opened, but unfortunately there was a massive accident on 496, so had to take back roads. My GPS is completely mentally (electronically, whatever) disabled so it took longer than it would have if I'd just used common sense based on the direction I was going. That is the incredibly frustrating thing about GPS. Sometimes, it's great, other times, it causes more problems than it's worth. Modern technology, eh? (the eh is shades of a Canadian boyfriend from long ago who for some reason just surfaced, and, yes, he was extremely hot!)
Anyhow, finally made it to the store and found some awesome stuff (plus the set of dishes I wanted to break and put into a mosaic pattern on an antique table that I saw last week and have been obsessing about ever since!). I will have phenomenal pics up soon on the website, I promise! It takes time to go through everything and sometimes, it's a lot of time and you don't find much. It's like treasure hunting, but, of course, you have to know what you're looking for. Once I get everything up and going, I'm thinking this will have been a very smart trip! You decide when you see the pictures!
So for anyone who's not up on why I'm doing this, I'm starting a new online vintage store. The name is Vintage Life & Design, through the website Etsy (Thanks, Mel, you're the one who pointed me that direction!). I made the name somewhat vague deliberately, just in case I ever get organized enough with my artwork and mosaics to start selling them as well! Also, while I will primarily have fashions on the site, I will also have other vintage items occasionally as well, it depends on what I find that I think is cool.
As far as my original art goes we'll just have to see. I have done art projects of various sorts my entire life but never felt like I had found my passion. I enjoyed it, but never felt like I HAD to do it. I think I never really found my medium, but now I have. It's taking other stuff - old stuff, clothes, furniture, maybe some would classify it as junk, and adding something extra to make it amazing.
Believe it or not, I did have an art scholarship for college, although I never did much with it (other than pay my tuition!). I just didn't have a direction. Of course, now it would help if I had a studio and workspace. Plus I really need to learn how to weld - I will soon, I swear! Weather conditions here in MI make it a little challenging getting stuff that needs lots of ventilation done sometimes, although, seeing what Jamie (sort of brother in law in Alaska) is living with, I feel pretty good about conditions here! At any rate, within the next week or two, my site will be viable and I will definitely publicize it as much as I can!
I have been in love with vintage since I was about 14 - 15 years old. Really it was even earlier but I didn't know what it was. Both of my grandmothers fueled it as they both had an incredible sense of style and used to take me shopping, show me their stuff and talk about it. My paternal grandmother passed away when I was 12 and I remember secretly checking out her closet when we were at the house before the funeral. Unfortunately my grandfather found me before I was through everything and was not amused.
My take on it is that it wasn't really a happy marriage (that might be a serious understatement from what I understand now) and he got rid of most of her stuff pretty quickly. I wish I'd been old enough to protest intelligently and only managed to hang onto a few things here and there (some of which, I'm ashamed - but still glad I have them - to admit, I hid and, well, stole - that's really what I did, even though the circumstances were somewhat extenuating). I can't tell you how much I wish I had the knowledge and ability at that time to hit the thrift store he donated everything to!
Changing directions a bit, scarily enough, the stuff I wore in high school is now considered vintage! I guess that makes me vintage - ooh, not sure I want to go there. I started out studying fashion design in college before switching to art and then theatre (where I ended up staying) and have spent quite a lot of time researching styles, designers, fabrics, materials, pretty much about everything involved in fashion.. I've worked professionally on costume design for theatre and film (ok, amateur film - nobody ever paid me!) and I'll just say that I know my stuff when it comes to vintage. I know it and I love it, it's my passion. I know fashion from the 1800's up 'til now and if you're looking for it or need guidance,I've either got it, can find it, or can get it recreated for you - and done right.
I have a huge personal vintage collection, much of which was given to me by my Maternal Grandmother and some of her friends who actually roared in the 1920's. I used to wear a lot of it but don't anymore, for reasons best not dissected or I'll get depressed! : ) So, last Christmas when I was antiquing with my sister, I was wishing I could do something that I loved for a living and started thinking, why not? I screwed up my back shortly thereafter and had plenty of time for thinking! I've been mulling it over and researching for quite a while now and this is my attempt at going outside the box and doing what I love!
Since I'm the real life version of "american pickers," if only in the sense of vintage clothing, jewelry and some dishes and ceramics (I wouldn't recognize a motorcycle chassis if it hit me in the head), I'm hoping & praying it works! So please, even if you personally aren't into Vintage, pass the link and info along to someone who is (once it's up, I mean!)!
I'll chronicle my buying trips and the pros and cons of getting my website up and going here on this blog, plus anything else remotely related that I think is interesting and if you have questions and/or suggestions, please let me know!
Tomorrow I'm going to a massive Antique Auction with a couple of my dearest friends, it's one of those things that is hit or miss - sometimes you score and sometimes there's nothing. I'll update within a couple of days of getting back so everyone knows how it went (I'd do it sooner, but I have another day of activity scheduled on Thursday when I won't have time)!
Welcome to my vintage life!
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