Shop of the Week – MetroCottage 2

This week’s Shop of the week is metrocottage,  owned by Laurie.

Laurie’s shop is a part time venture for her since she also owns a cleaning business and has been self-employed for over 25 years. She studied Landscape Architecture in college and had landscape design service.  Laurie  has worn many hats over the years including delivering singing telegrams and running  a children’s party service in the 90s. She owns two cats and has many interests including gardening, cooking, and crafting. 

Interview:

What is the meaning behind your shop name? 

I have had this name for about 15 years, since I first became a vintage dealer with a brick and mortar space at a shop. It seemed like the right mix of “city and country”! And it’s also easy to remember and easy to spell!

How did you get your start selling vintage?

I started in a small space in a larger shop. I needed to have a spot because I’d started collecting way too much stuff! Isn’t that often the case? I’d enjoyed living with some nice antiques and vintage over the years.
My mom and dad got into antiques when I was just finishing high school, and I got the “bug” in college.
The first thing they ever gave me was a wooden printer’s tray/case. And then over the years my dad would give me small little vintage items to put in all the slots. I still have that printer tray and all the small goodies, and it means more to me now, since my dad passed away earlier this year.

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

 The item I love is a sweater that was my mom’s, who passed away in 1982. It is something she must have worn as a teen ager. It was discovered in a family cedar chest about a year ago, while cleaning out my dad’s house. I almost don’t want to sell it, but it has a couple tiny holes in anyway, and it is way too small for me. I’d probably be keeping it if fit me : )

Vintage Sweater

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

 Probably the coolest item I’ve sold was one of the first things I sold. A great old pair of wooden corbels. I’d had them for years, and always wanted to make a shelf, using them as the support brackets.
But I never got to the project and when I realized how much they were going for online, I just decided to sell them. I think I paid $10 for the pair and sold them for like $225!!

SOLD!

It is one of the items I made in the photo cards that are now in my shop. This is a set of 4 black and white photo cards, and the corbels are photo 2.

Photos

Do you sell your items at other venues outside of Etsy?

I wish I had my own website, but alas right now I only have Etsy. A free standing website is on my list for the new year.

What social media platforms do you use?

I admit I am still learning about social media. I do have a Pinterest account, and am working on my business Facebook page, to add to my personal page. I am also planning to figure out Instagram, as many people have made sales from there.

Pinterest:
www.pinterest.com/metrocottage/

I love Vesties and all the great people. It has been a big part of my learning more about lots of thins, and especially social media!