We enjoy talking to people who collect vintage treasures. In this interview, we find out more about Donna, the owner of the vintage shop Vintessentials on Etsy.
Why and when did you start collecting?
I started collecting in earnest in 2009 when I moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains and found a quiet little town with an antique auction every Saturday night. I was so amazed that such old utilitarian items, the backbone of the farm and families were made so well they had survived all these years. Everything I bought at the time I could see displayed in or around my cabin.
Who or what was your influence for collecting?
In the military, I was stationed in upstate NY were I met a neighbor who filed her entire house with antiques, and no matter where she put them they looked great. I was amazed how cozy a house felt with all those antiques hanging on the wall. She sold out of a garage so when she wanted to buy something new, she put the other item in the garage to sell.
What is one of your favorite pieces and why?
My favorite piece has to be an old set of roller skates with the red leather strap and key. This purchase was the first time I could remember buying something for no good reason. I realized that everything in life doesn’t have to have a purpose and it doesn’t have to be justified other than the fact that you just love it.
What tips can you give us about collecting?
Buy things you love. With thousands of items in inventory collected over the years I can remember the day I saw it and said I have to have that. If you love it, you can sell it because your passion comes through and your shop is cohesive. Also be sure to research your items, you will learn about your items and learn more about what to watch for when you go shopping.
What would be your holy grail piece and why?
My holy grail piece has to be the antique coffee grinder that hangs in a predominant place in my dining room. I purchased it from that lady in New York and built a whole collection around it. It reminds me why I do this… just because……
Where do you look for new items to add to your shop/collection?
I am not much of an estate sale person, I go to auctions and make my purchases there. I love the auction atmosphere and I feel it’s a level playing field. If you want it more than me, you’ll have to pay more than I am willing to pay. I can buy a lot of stuff at one time and often get a collection of items that came from one household or collector.
How has collecting changed or affected your life?
Collecting has changed every aspect of my life. I was a successful attorney up until last year, when for medical reasons I have not been able to work. I turned to my collection of items and my Etsy shop as a means of staying busy and having a purpose and feeling productive. It’s given me the freedom to enjoy my treasures while at the same time selling them to others.
Where can we find you?
I don’t have a store, I was a computer geek in my previous life and feel very comfortable selling on line. I do use Facebook, Pinterest, Google + and Twitter from my shop.
Etsy: Vintassentials
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Vintassentials
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/dharding2106
Twitter: twitter.com/Vintassentials
Google+: plus.google.com/+DonnaHardingVintassentials/posts
Wanelo: wanelo.com/vintassentials
Always fun to read how people began collecting. No matter how disparate our backgrounds are, I agree that the true collectors all do have that “just because” gene in common.
Hope the next auction yields a treasure trove for you, Donna.
You got me at the roller skates with the red leather! 🙂