I started my blog in June of 2011 to document my booth at the Tennessee Antique Mall. Over the past 2.5 years, I have had my ups and downs with the booth, but the experience has been mostly positive. Unfortunately, I find myself having no time to dedicate to the booth - I don't have time to shop for it and I don't have time to swing by and keep it looking good.
Today I called and told them that November will be my last month. My priorities have shifted and keeping up a whole booth is no longer at the top of my list. Andy is impressed that one of my "phases" lasted 2.5 years. :) I am known for being obsessive and flitting from hobby to hobby. I'm a dabbler! This was a hobby that stuck for quite awhile, but honestly it's not very fun anymore - it's mostly stressful...and since it is a hobby, it should be fun!
I will still have my shelves at 8th & Argyle but when my 6 month contract is up, I will move out of there as well.
A huge chapter of my life is wrapping up and it feels so weird. I'm really excited to simplify, though - and PURGE. I feel completely overwhelmed by STUFF and I can't wait to clearance items out and move them along to their new homes.
I still want to swing by estate sales and thrift stores, but I don't feel the need to set my alarm extra early to be FIRST IN LINE. (I actually haven't done THAT in a year, probably.) I still want to buy vintage for our home, but I won't feel the need to scoop up every cool piece I see even if it's not totally my style.
I'm also looking forward to getting rid of the tons of items I've held onto to fix "someday" - that's just not going to happen! I know myself. :)
I will do one more craft fair - Making Merry in Berry Hill on Nov 9. I will take my vintage Christmas items and when the festival is over, I will stock the TN Antique Mall with those items - CHEAP!
I'm so glad I had my booth and maybe someday I'll have another one. It was a great way to stay busy, it was fun, and I got to meet a lot of great people because of it. I got to start this blog and make blog friends and be involved in this community. I will still blog - probably not as often as I used to (as you can tell by my poor posting schedule lately) - and I will still buy vintage, of course. I'll just get to do all that with less pressure and stress. It will be a leisurely hobby, not a stressful one. I'm really looking forward to that!
So glad I got to follow along on your antique mall ride through your blog. Always loved seeing the things you got. I sometimes get the urge to purge as well, but it usually gets squashed by my desire to pick up and resell cool items orphaned at the thrifts, lol. I hope you keep your blog going - I really enjoy it. Best of luck with your new phase :-)
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that it became such a burden - I can definitely understand though. Hey, I was the one who opened my garage and begged y'all to take stuff so I can TOTALLY understand the need to get rid of stuff situation. If it's any consolation, your booth was always soooo pretty. You're great at merchandising!
ReplyDeleteI'll miss your thrifting posts, but kudos to you for realizing that something wasn't right for you anymore and making room in your life for something new.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya. When I started my job, my blogging hit the skids...I can keep up with the booth but documenting my finds and talking about my business online is something I just don't have as much energy for. It's so hard to do it all. I do want you to know that your booth was an inspiration to me when I was getting started, and I hope to see you around at the flea market or estate sales!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I totally feel you on the flitting from hobby to hobby. For brains like that, 2.5 years is amazing! Good for you for lasting so long and for knowing when to shut it down and move on. I'm so excited to see what the future holds for you!
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