Collecting Vintage – An Interview with VintageRenude 6

We enjoying talking to people who collect vintage treasures.  In this interview, we find out more about Pam, the owner of the vintage shop VintageRenude on Etsy.

Why and when did you start collecting? 
I first started collecting when I moved into my own place at about 20 years old. I needed dishes and pretty much everything to set up housekeeping. My grandmother had passed away a year or two prior and all her things were stored in my mothers garage. There I found her old Fiesta Ware dishes, That was the beginning. This was about 1980 and Fiesta was not yet popular. I thought the dishes were fun, colorful and perfect. So I started filling in the collection with whatever I could find at thrift stores and garage sales.

Who or what was your influence for collecting?
My mother used to collect china and tea cups and would take me to the Goodwill store in downtown Los Angeles when I was a kid. They had one room where all the china, crystal, and silver was kept. She would spend hours there debating over what to purchase to add to her collection each week. So I was already quite familiar with thrift store shopping and collecting by then.

What is one of your favorite pieces and why?
One of my favorite pieces is my little travel trunk.. It has been with me forever. It is always either at the foot of my bed or used as a coffee table in my living room.  It’s stuffed with all of my family mementos. I found it in my moms garage when I was a kid along with two other large ones that I still have.  As far as I know they came over from Europe with my grandmother or grandfathers family in the very early 1900’s. Another is a picture of my mom with my grandfather, grandmother and uncle. It was taken on the boardwalk in Atlantic City in June 1936 My mom was 15 at the time.

What tips can you give us about collecting?
Like everyone says, collect what you love. But adding to that, be picky, collect quality rather than quantity. I would much rather have a few stunning pieces with meaning than a whole hoard of just average.  Living in a tiny place makes me think carefully about what I bring home.

What would be your holy grail piece and why?
Right now my holy grail would be an authentic vintage leather Chesterfield sofa. There is just something so classic about the look of them. Just about any style or decor can work with a true classic piece. Hopefully, someday I will have a room big enough to hold one.

Where do you look for new items to add to your shop/collection?
I tend to shop thrift stores, swap meets, flea markets, and occasionally garage sales and estate sales. I also get quite a few things from friends in the business who come across items they know I sell. I’m lucky to have good friends who pass items on to me when its not their “look”.

How has collecting changed or affected your life?
As I go through different life stages my collections change over the years. When I was young it was Fiesta Ware and wooden toys, now it has become linens and costume jewelry. Because it’s easy to become overwhelmed with collections, over the years I have learned to curate very carefully. Also, whenever I go to a new place, I always search for the thrift and antique stores in town. I have met some amazing people and found some wonderful pieces exploring new cities via thrift stores.

Where can we find you?

Of course you can find me on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/VintageRenude, and at www.vintagerenude.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vintagerenude/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vintagerenude

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VintageRenude

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