Shop of The Week – Izzy’s Vintage Garden 6

Tell us a little bit about you and your shop…
 I’m from Phoenix, Arizona, married to Larry for 41  years, a Mom of four sons and “Nonnie” to 9 wonderful grandchildren. Retiring from many years of grant writing for non-profits, I opened Izzy’s Vintage Garden in summer of 2011 – and I have to say I’m having the most fun I’ve ever had adding to the family coffer!  It’s a very ‘creative’ outlet for me and I enjoy all the pieces it entails, the “hunt,” researching the items, writing the descriptions and the challenge of photography. Before our kids came along, my husband and I enjoyed “antiquing” together and now every Thursday, we have great fun scouting the local estate sales together. I named my shop in honor of my own late mother, Isabel, who, over her lifetime had collected an amazing heritage of vintage items – some of which were at least 100 years old. Mom really wouldn’t like to be called Izzy but I think it’s so cute – and I think she’d forgive me! Her amazing flower garden – ablaze with her gorgeous roses, daffodils, carnations, larkspurs, iris – was the inspiration for my shop’s name. Originally I sold mainly vintage jewelry but over time I have added a variety of items to my shop.  In fact, my offerings became so diverse that I recently opened a second clothing and accessory shop, Cherry Crush Retro.   

What is your favorite era and why?
I enjoy learning the styles and history of all the eras, but am definitely drawn to those 60s when I was a teen and so many pivotal events that shaped our culture were taking place …losing JFK, embracing the Beatles, Woodstock, the Civil Rights Movement, the First Man on the Moon.   Because I am a “boomer”, I don’t really think of myself as getting old – at least not at heart – and it’s really interesting how items in my shop has connected me with so many memories from the past!  

What is your favorite item in your shop at the moment?
Choosing one item is difficult, but I’d have to say a set of 6 George Briard cocktail glasses.We often find wonderful mid-century glassware by this designer when we go to estate sales in the historic Central Corridor homes in Phoenix.  I especially love this set in vivid cobalt blue with unique musical motif.