Shop of the Week- Rosa Meyer Collection 6

This week’s Shop of the Week is Rosa Meyer Collection, owned by Andrea. 

What is the meaning behind your shop name?

It’s not a name that rolls off the tongue easily or is likely to stay top of mind, but it brings me great delight whenever I see it. Rosa Meyer was my maternal grandmother and I lived with her as a teenager in Germany. She was lovingly supportive of my early needlework efforts and when I started selling my creations at an annual show in Carmel, California I named my little business after her. My paternal grandmother, Louise, was the one who taught me to turn envelopes inside out for re-use and she gets most of my credit for my move into vintage.

How did you get your start selling vintage? 

One of the regular buyers of my lavender sachets suggested that I sell them on Etsy. I had never heard of it, but checked it out. Since I had just closed one door (early retirement from print media – remember?) and was open to new learning experiences, I opened a shop for handmade items. Before that got any traction I switched to vintage. All of the following reasons apply – in no particular order:

• I had collected antique and vintage items with plans to open a shop with a friend. She bailed.
• While translating my grandfather’s journal from German to English I surrounded myself with items from the first decade of the 1900s to set the mood. By the time I finished the translation I had acquired quite a collection.
• When I was quite young I was told the story of an island civilization where the concept of owning an object was non-existent. When one was finished using a bowl to make a meal, the bowl was cleaned and left on the beach for someone else to use. Now, I probably don’t remember the details of the story correctly, but this story made sense to me and supports my efforts to circulate old objects of quality for continued use.
• I have taken several classes in antiques, decorating and history and along the way have accumulated objects pertaining to whatever style or era I was interested in at the moment.
• I still make regular trips to Europe to see family and always return with flea market finds.
• See my comment about Oma Louise above.
• My husband is a minimalist and does not tolerate clutter

What is your favorite item in your shop right now, and what makes it special to you?

                                                                                  Enamel Double Boiler

My favorite item seems to always be the one I’m researching at the moment. Of the currently listed items I will say that the very large enamel double boiler pulls my heartstrings. It is a beautiful blue and in great condition. I can see it in use as intended or as a décor item. It is so easy to imagine the sauces and desserts that can be made with it.

What is the most unusual or amazing item you have sold from your shop?

                                                                                   Puzzle Wheel Toy

It was just listed and hasn’t sold yet, but the prototype puzzle wheel gets the award for most unusual. I still haven’t found another like it and believe it may have never gone into production. Having always been enchanted by the illustrations on early block puzzles may be another reason that I like this piece.

Do you sell your items at other venues outside of Etsy? If so, where can we find you?

I’ve sold at shows and pop-ups, but will now do so on only rare occasions. Finding balance in life is important and I’m working on that. Having an Etsy shop lets me determine where my focus will be and how “big” I want my shop to be. Do not confuse size with success.
6. What social media platforms do you use? Share your links with us, so we can follow you!

http://andreacollects.tumblr.com/

https://www.pinterest.com/rmcollection/