When and why did you decide to start an etsy shop?
I started my shop the end of October last year.
I have sold vintage clothing and vintage home decor for the past 6 years. Previous to Etsy I rented space in an antique mall and sold. I closed my space in the antique mall about 2 years ago after I had my second daughter. I believe I was kind of burned out from the mall and it was difficult to run my shop the way I liked it done since I didn't have as much time with child #2. I decided to try Etsy mostly because it allowed me to have more time at home.
Even before the antique mall, my mom had a very cool antique furniture shop for about 10 years. I fell in love with everything vintage and learned a lot.
What is your favorite thing about finding and selling vintage items?
My favorite thing about finding vintage is that "high" you get from rummaging through a secondhand store. Truly, for me it's sort of addictive. I have a hard time passing by an estate sale, yard sale, or thrift store without stopping. You just never know what you'll find.
My favorite thing about selling, basically, is that it's exciting! To know that someone else liked what you like and you were able to make a little money is just cool....what else can I say?
Brocade Turquoise Blue Chartruese Gold
Vintage 60s 2 Piece Outfit Jacket Skirt
Your shop is beautiful! Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Vintage clothing is inspiring to me because it has a different look than today's clothes. From the unique fabrics to how well made the clothing is, it's just something you don't find in the random American mall of today. Additionally, I always wonder what the history of the clothing is. Who wore it and what type of life did the owner have? History has always been fascinating to me.
The Anthropologie catalog that I get a couple of times a year is inspiring to me for their creative photography and has helped me in photographing my own items. I have kept each and every magazine and refer to them often for when I'm taking pics and trying to come up with a new idea for styling/photographing. I get bored with the samelook, backgrounds, etc.
Vintage 70s Leather Cowboy Boots Honey
Any final little tid bits you would like to share?
Wearing vintage clothing is a great way to express your unique style. Not to mention so many vintage pieces are so well made. In addition, mall clothing has been reproduced 1000s of times and you never know when you'll bump into someone who has the exact same piece of clothing on. I have many people ask me where I shop for my clothes and I get tons of compliments. Yet I pay very little for anything I wear. It's all how you put it together.
One other thought is that you don't have to be 20 or 30 something to wear vintage. I have been wearing it for about 15 years. I am now 43 years old and I'm still wearing it. So many women forget to take care of themselves overtime from having kids, etc. Don't forget to pamper yourself and show your unique personality.
One tip, don't wear vintage from head to toe or you'll look dated. Wear just one or two items, such as vintage shoes and a modern dress or vice versa.
I plan to have some promotions in my shop in the near future, so stay posted!
Can we find you anywhere else (twitter, facebook, blogger?)?
My twitter and blogger have sort of went by the wayside. I have a facebook fan page that I'm beginning to promote. I would love to see on there. It's www.facebook/sassysistervintage.com . I plan to do some giveaways in the next couple of weeks.
Some of my personal favorites...
aqua gloves hippie dress bunny dish
I want to thank Kim for sharing her story! I am inspired by her beautiful shop and I know you will be too, just take a peek...
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SassySisterVintage
& her facebook page here www.facebook/sassysistervintage.com
Great feature! Her vintage finds are awesome, especially that rhinestone purse.
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