It's hard to know when I first began to value vintage. I think back to my childhood and some of my fondest memories are of my Grandmother and Grandfather's Thrift store. I saw many things come through this place that were original for one reason or another. I remember begging my grandma for a wedding gown that I wanted to dress up in at about the age of 5 or 6. I did get it and had so much fun playing bride in it out on the summer lawn with my cousin!
Another cool thing was that they actually shopped for the thrift store at a "Baggage Sale". Not sure if any of you have heard of this, but it was an auction of luggage that had been lost or left behind from traveling and they purchased the luggage full and not knowing what was in it! Can you believe that? Sounds kinda gross, but ...wow...I had so much fun helping sort through this luggage and opening each one was like a treasure hunt looking for jewelry or other trinkets.
Then of course my grandparents loved to travel across North America in their station wagon, doing the flea markets! They would sell and buy at these sales and of course visit with all the friends they made along the way.
Grandma also loved to collect. She had a variety of collections that I remember. She had a doll collection numbering in the hundreds. She had a button collection and sewed the buttons onto large pieces of felt and hung them up on the walls in the family room. What I wouldn't give for these buttons today! I also remember collections of salt and pepper shakers and plates. Most of these collections were sold as a collection as she moved on to another one.
Just for fun here is a picture of my grandparents all dressed up during fair week in the early 60's. They have both passed on and probably would get a real kick out of me and my vintage Etsy shop.
Somewhere along the way I got the bug of loving vintage. Really I can never remember not loving it.
Here are some random facts about me:
~ Almost all my furniture is vintage, antique or used.
~ I bought my first piece of vintage at the age of 14. It was a round top steam trunk that was old when my mother was young(early 1930's). I bought it from my other Grandmother for $50. That was expensive for me at the time, but I really wanted it.
~ I won a set of vintage/antique china in a casual bet made with a friend. (I will have to feature this set as I have yet to identify it. Even Replacements.com is not able to help me. Maybe some of my vintage friends can help.)
~ I have 3 large vintage/antique area rugs in my home given to us by friends!
~ We live in a home over 100 years old and have completely renovated it. This includes refinishing the original hardwood floors. The main floor has hardwood ceilings also and the house has a stone foundation!
So I hope that you have learned something new about me. I am vintage through and through! Opps!?? What did I say? Ok..hummm....well, I am getting there fast.
