I finally did it!
I’m so excited because it was one of my goals for the New Year.
I also thought I’d take this time to share a few things about myself. I figured we’ve been friends long enough that you should know….
I’ve been an antiques dealer on and off for about 15 years now. My love for antiques began when I was in interior design school in college a loooong time ago. My favorite classes were Historical Interiors and getting to do all the line drawings of period furniture, moldings, and architectural features.
I left the interior design field to become an elementary school teacher. I taught public school for 10 years, then became an instructional supervisor at the Board of Education. During this time I was also a Primary Specialist with the State Dept. of Ed and a teacher trainer in classroom technology with IBM. After leaving the BOE I became a consultant and sold educational software and again did lots and lots of teacher training.
Blast from the past. My mom and I in the hall where both of us taught school in the early 90s. I guess “big” hair was still “in”.
What does all this have to do with interior design and my love for antiques?
During my teaching career, I never once lost my zeal and love for interior design. I loved arranging and re-arranging my classroom and other teacher’s rooms!!! It’s truly a passion of mine. I have never been able to “get it out of my system” so to say and I knew one day I’d be able to return to my first career love. I don’t think I’ve ever read a trade magazine that wasn’t home related.
Throughout all this I always managed to “dabble” in interior design and antiques.
I used to sell lots of antiques on Ebay.
I used to attend lots of antique furniture auctions.
I used to have an antique booth at a large antique mall.
I’ve bought and sold numerous types of collections i.e. flow blue, R.S. Prussia, Victorian furniture, and bisque French & German dolls (I’m also a recovering collector…that’s another story). I used to sit up at night doing lots and lots of reading and research on these topics while also attending trade shows related to these things.
I even thought I was losing what I had learned in design school (and since I was no longer a member of ASID) so I took additional classes to get certified with IADA (Interior Arrangement & Design Association) on use what you have decorating and Real Estate Staging.
Taking classes in Washington D.C. below.
Now throw in me being a Francophile.
I knew all this would eventually lead to something sort of like following your dreams. And sooner or later, if you stick to your knitting, your number will come up.
So here we are in the present. This blog was a way for me to meet others with like minds and interests in home décor and to give me a creative outlet in interior design while preparing me for empty nesting.
I never could have imagined where this blog has taken me. It has given me the opportunity to meet such wonderful people (YOU). It’s truly been amazing.
So here I am… pretending to be a free lance interior designer, going whole-hog (hillbilly slang) in French antiques, and escorting a wonderful group of ladies to France this fall to share in the same love of antiques and vintage treasure hunting that I have.
I’m not sure where this path will lead me, but I sure like where it’s going now!
If you get a moment, will you please check out my new shops and let me know what you think?
You’ll find things like this…
....and this
I’m encouraged by so many of you who have lovely shops of your own and who balance life with
such beauty and effortless grace.
I am not an expert in antiques but here I go…again…in a new venue.
Blessings,
Kim
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17 comments:
Oh Kim, how wonderful for you to have realized your (new) dream and opened up your shops.
I truly wish you the very best!
AS for your neat career history and pics, it is so nice getting to know you better!
Keep up the good work!
So fun learning your background. Congrats on your new venture.
Very exciting! You've taken the long and winding road, but sounds like you've hit paydirt. Enjoy!
Kim, what a great post! Congrats on all of your new endeavors! I know you will enjoy much success!
Kim, it's fun to read about your journey. We share much of the same experiences and passions. '-)
I didn't get a degree in design, but that had been my initial plan. Went into education instead, but I never lost my passion for interior design. Like you, I'm a Francophile, love antiques, I hope to open a shop of my own someday. Best wishes for success with your new ventures. ~ Sarah
Congrats on your new adventure, I hoe the shops will be a huge success!!! I am off to visit them now. XO, Pinky
The items in your shops are truly unique and beautiful! The most interesting people have a past full of changes and experiences. You are one of them!
So great to "get to know you more" I took those week long classes in "interior re-design and staging"...
Good luck on the new ventures Kim..I know you will be so successful as you always are in whatever endeavor you embark on...
I think you are living my dream, lol! I flew to Paris twice a month as a flight attendant and used to shop the street flea markets and bring back everything I could fit in my suitcase!
Great to know a bit more about you, Kim. Now I need to check out your shop!!
Mary Alice
May you have a very successful time with Etsy and Ruby Lane. I will check them out.
Congrats, Kim! Such an exciting new journey, you have exquisite taste and I'm sure your shops will be a huge success!
You have been a busy, busy lady! You certainly have an extensive background in home interiors. It was fun learning more about you and seeing those old photos. I'm off to check out your shop now.
Oh, I'm so happy for you, Kim. I just added your Etsy to my list of favorites, and followed you. Best of luck with all your endeavors, my friend.
Kim, your shops looks wonderful! Such a beautiful collection of items! Congratulations on your new venture! I know you will have much success!
Kim it was so fun to hear a part of your journey. I knew I liked you...I was an Elementary School Secretary for almost 20 years until 2 cerebral aneurysms ended my career. Like you I have always loved interior design and was always asked to rearrange all the classrooms, Sp. Ed rooms, music room, etc. I don't think any room in my house stays the same for very long, my husband jokes, he'll get up in the morning and the beds been moved! I'm now disabled but still enjoy interior design. I helped support my kids when younger with my crafting, painting and quilt making...and I still love that too. Being an empty nester has given me lots of time for my passions, I just move slower and need more help sometimes! I look forward to seeing where your new journey takes you!
Hugs,
Pendra
You have so much going on girl! And I'm not sure why, but my email feed for your blog quit coming, I thought maybe you were on a break again. So I resubmitted my email and hopefully stay caught up. I mean I don't want to miss the whole house purge!
Bliss
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