Shop of the Week – 2ndhand Chicc 10

This week’s Shop of the Week is 2ndhand Chicc, owned by Terri.  

What is the meaning behind your shop name?

When it came to naming my shop, I was stumped. Nothing fit. It didn’t fit me or the image I wanted it to represent. It was a friend who commented on one of my typical, fabulous Sunday dresses saying that I was always so “chic.” Of course, ALL of my fancy dresses are from thrift shops and I tell people that. The play on spelling is well, obviously I was not the first to come up with the name, so  my husband helped me come with up the name. While my name isn’t original, I am pleased with it. I feel it does represent what I want people to see about vintage. Vintage is the true OOAK. Vintage is timeless. Vintage IS chic.

How did you start selling vintage?

Selling vintage is actually a by-product of my passions that merged with a life changing event.   I am an avid DIY-er. My husband buys me the power tools and I go to work installing molding, building shelves, painting furniture, rehabbing objects to make them into something new. But it comes at a price. Usually a higher price than he wanted to pay. The other passion is vintage home décor. I LOVE finding that old painting that fits a trend, but is somehow different as well.  I don’t want my home to look like a museum, but rather a classic, stylish home that people feel comfortable in. Classic, but current. 

The catalyst for me to actually hit that ‘Open Shop’ button occurred in August 2014. My fit husband was in the midst of his normal exercise routine and decided to have a massive heart attack, called the “Widow Maker.” If you read my shop’s About page, it goes into a bit more detail, but suffice to say that I decided it was time for me to stop putting my life on hold for everyone else. I had quit working when God gave us 3 boys in 3 years and 9 months and I had lost all definition of “ME.”   My husband travels often and often runs late due to meetings, so I knew that my ‘job’ had to be the flexible.

Selling on Etsy has allowed me to do that. Ironically, the reason I started selling is not the reason I enjoy it one year later. I have encountered so many wonderful people both retailers and customers. I have formed friendships here. I have a sense of self again (although, switching from a pediatric nurse to a business woman is a bit of a challenge). The personal gains I have earned are equal to, or exceed, the financial gains of selling.

What is your favorite item in the shop right now:

Buying items that I love or would put into my home has been my rule since day 1. I want people to know that I have found something that I love and feel is worthy of sharing with them. Customers should be confident that I am sending them an item that I would own. Another reason I buy what I love is-  if something happened and I had to close my shop tomorrow, I don’t want to have a house full of items that I don’t like. My favorite styles are definitely mid-century and farmhouse. I really can’t choose which I prefer, so I try to mesh them with each other: putting my fabulous yellow, crackle-finish lamp on the OSWhite and Graphite table I painted.

Or the ombre’, German Keramic pitcher with my shiny gold and gray regency collection.   

Although, the item I probably like the most is this fabulous green, high back chair. 

What is the most unusual thing you have sold in your shop:

One of the best parts about being a vintage seller is the treasure hunt- the never-knowing-what-you-are-going-to-find-that-day. Not having grown up around antiques and vintage, as some have, I am learning as I go. I always go on instinct first, then educate myself later. (We moved often when I was a child and all of our “treasures” were sold on garage sales. I learned right away not to put value in things, but rather people.) However, I do believe I have been given a ‘good eye’ for treasures, and have been blessed with some amazing items, such as this sexy, Danish lamp.  I still miss her on my table. And, look, that was back before I taught myself how to take great photos. 

I have also found some unique treasures as well, that kind of shocked me that they sold so quickly. Like this owl.  However, nearly a year later, I realize there is a market for everything, you just have to find it.

Do you sell items outside of Etsy?

Having more than enough things to keep my busy in my home life, Etsy is my home base and only venture at this time. It provides me with everything I need right now. However, as I meet other talented and amazing shop owners, am learning that the future is wide open and I just need to have the courage to jump. And maybe just a little bit more free time in my life.

Thank you for featuring my shop this week. I sincerely appreciate it!

Terri

Social Media Links:

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/eskmom/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2Chicc/?ref=hl

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2ndhandchicc/