The Value of Knowledge and Experience

 photo by Greg Ruffing via Wired Raw File

The other night Zach and I were discussing our greatest finds. I realized that we have learned and experienced so much in such a short time.

I remember the first time we went hunting for vintage and antiques for our Etsy shop.  We didn't know what to look for. We didn't know what would sell. We just bought stuff we liked and made a lot of guesses too. I remember telling Zach that I could not wait till we knew more about vintage...the history...the popular brand names...whether it was desirable.

Now, we know what we are looking for. We know what sells. Of course, we still take risks on things we don't know about. Risk is important when learning about new things. Zach likes to take more risks than I do, and I am thankful for that. He will buy a pricey item, and I will be very skeptical. I voice my opinion, but we always seem to come out great on his buys. I think he has kinda gotten a big head about it. lol 

It is so exhilarating to find an item at a yard sale for pennies-on-the-dollar and then to find out it is worth hundreds! For example: I bought a vintage item for $2 at a yard sale, brand new, never used. I sold it for almost $200. This is one of my favorite finds!

I encourage you - Go to yard sales and estate sales. Find old things you love and would use yourself. Buy used, instead of new.  Haggle! - Of course, there are bad yard/estate sale days, but it is soooo worth it when it is a good day! Ohh, it just makes my heart start thumping just thinking about it.

Lennon's Vintage Camping Nursery

So the theme for Lennon's room is "Vintage Camping". I love how it turned out. Unique and repurposed. My inspirational piece for this room was the rustic rocking chair and stool. I bought it in Florida long before Lennon was even thought of. Can you believe I got it at a thrift store in excellent condition for only 50 bucks? Score!

A lot of the items in the room I had around the house. And others items, Zach and I put together. Zach made me that wonderful bookshelf. I was inspired by one I saw on Pinterest, and Zach just whipped it up. He just knows exactly what I envision. I love that about him. Anyways, I painted some stripes on the paddles and the finishing touch was the map hung by some rope.

Almost everything in this room was used, except the curtains, rug, and a few decor items. The used items I bought from thrift stores, estate sales, and yard sales. It just came together so easily, with some help from Pinterest. :)