Second hand does not mean second rate and my Old World Living Designs are no second hand rose items! Instead, the fleas and second hand goods are a way to achieve my kind of “grown up” style. The home furnishing line may include high style items, but they are not high priced. In fact, I know the bottom line for my customers is about being frugal and green.
This mantra inspires me – being frugal and Green (and Slow!) originated with living in Europe which was anything but expensive or wasteful. I l can’t help but smile that finally, the consumer-oriented retail culture of the U.S. is recognizing that second hand “stuff” gets a second life, and the environment gets a second chance.
So it’s no wonder that this kind of mindset brought me to Etsy – a digital flea market similar to Ebay only it has to be original vintage or found – which in turn lead me to an Etsy success seminar at “Atelier 516”in Montclair, NJ. The seminar was informative but it was the meeting after the meeting with the store owner that has blossomed into an opportunity to showcase my frugally fabulous interior design ideas.
What’s more, I am now part of a second hand, green coop in spearheaded by Bridgett Artise, who wrote Born Again Vintage Here is her website http://www.b-artise.com
I am not only a vendor, but I am re-imagining the space with all of my vintage finds and architectural salvage pieces. Our grand opening is slated for September 6. Every vendor sells items that are either original vintage or found. We believe it is much more than a store. It’s about being “Greentailers” (very retail 2.0) in terms of what we sell, who we are and how our store will leave little or no carbon footprint.
I am the home furnishings vendor and here are the before and after pictures of a small desk I found at a flea market. Not only will I paint the home furnishings line with non-toxic, green, and very “old world” milk paint, but I will sell the milk paint too.
Kinda fabulous colors, dontcha think! You can find paint and furniture (custom orders welcome!) at http://www.etsy.com/shop/creativeconverzens
Although the store is open for business, we are throwing a grand opening gala celebration September 6, 2012 from 6-9pm and I will be singing the praises of TagSellIt.com apps, because these are my secret to success. Whenever I am in a new neighborhood, I simply access one of my TSI apps to locate a nearby flea market, tag sale or second hand shop that I can upcycle and sell.
I have few regrets, but if I had a second chance to rewind history, instead of the infamous post 9/11 “get out and shop” message I would have said, get out and upcycle. It will create less land fill and still be good for the economy.
