There are a lot of perks that come with my job. They don’t include a cushy office with a view or a corporate jet, but those things don’t interest me. I get to, no have to shop. Tough job, huh? Not only do I get to shop, but I get to thrift, yard sale, hunt, dig and junk. My kind of shopping. I get to buy what I want…what I like…what I think will sell at a profit or what I think I can make fabulous and desirable to others. As my business has grown, so has my buying power, so now I can make a substantial “buy pile” at most stores I walk into. When I was out shopping earlier this week, I bought some linens and an ironstone platter at one of my favorite places. “Oh, you’re not filling your van today?”, the girl behind the counter asked.
This is the kind of shopping I have always wanted to do. I don’t have to worry about having a place for it in my home or fitting it into my decor. If I love it…if it speaks to me…if it’s priced right, I buy it. As my business has grown, I’ve also become pickier about what I buy. It must be something I love. The fact that I can make a profit on it alone will not convince me to buy it. That would sound like utter nonsense to any business-minded individual, but I have to feel great about everything in my retail space. I want to want everything I sell. I want it to be hard to let go. When it’s very hard, I know it’s something special.
This leads me to perk number two…I have a steady stream of really cool things coming into my house and I can pick some things to keep for photo shoots or trade out for other things. I bought the antique basket while in Florida and it was so fabulous, I decided to keep it to use above my curio.
I’ve been longing for a silver dome ever since I spotted one in a decorating book vignette years ago. I thought it would be great for photo shoots.
This business has also changed me in some surprising ways. It used to be pretty hard for me to let go of things I liked. Now, things are just things and I have sold some I never, ever thought I would sell. I find I’m OK with buying something I really love, using it for a while and then sending it on to another home. I’m in a business that is perfectly suited to me.
While some might long for a corporate jet…I’ll take a mini-van and trailer any day.
51 Responses
I know what you mean about it being hard to let go sometimes! As I contemplate our first "Market" sale, I find myself almost hiding some of the "finds" I bought to sell. The first few pieces of furniture though were the toughest. Deb
Love your blog! Takes me back to my antique ship and collector days when I lived in Illinois! Awesome stuff!POP ART MINIS
I love this post!! It really speaks to me, as I've had tons of the same emotions about letting things go. Now that I have better 'access' to things that I can make beautiful, I am not nearly so attached to my stuff. How freeing it feels!! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
i am about 2 months out from my first vintage market. i am in this constant state of not wanting to let go of my "things." i can't even imagine the day when i will willingly part with them. but i am so excited for the days of shopping freely.
Hello
I just want to say something that you probably hear all the time,YOU ARE INSPIRING, I've always liked to paint furniture and thrift. Last year I had an accident, my car rolled over three times, I was very lucky I just had some bruises and back pain, after that I decided that I wanted to stay home and enjoy more time with my only daughter, at least until she starts school full time, I started painting furniture I had in our house put it up for sale and it sold fast, I kept doing it and now my hobby is my job and I'm going through everything you said in your post, you are my guide, you are full of knowledge and the most important thing about that is that you are very generous, you share your knowledge, few people can do that.
Marian, I just love the thought of you, wearing your Chuck Taylors, climbing into your mini-van and hauling a load of your beautiful creations to Luckett's. That mental picture makes me smile! And I don't think you'd be any more beautiful if you were climbing into a private jet. Of course, if MSI gets that big, it'll be cool! 🙂
Ahhh…sounds pretty much perfect! Have a great weekend!
Sounds like the perfect business to me, girl!
Brenda
You made me smile with the mini-van/trailer. Your thoughts on buying are valuable – and right on. As always, love your blog, your pictures, your information, your writing…. it goes on and on.
Marian I'm right there with you in the minivan dept., my kids car seats move around so much, half the time they have wood or furniture pieces to climb over but I wouldn't trade it for a corporate jet ever. There's something so down to earth, hands in the grind about the find, the 'how am I going to get this home', make it work mentality.
You Rock!
We have alot in common….I would love to have your job! You always pick beautiful things and I have a great time shopping to see if I can find some of the things like you have here in Texas….then I kind of put my spin on it. I love getting ideas from your pictures! Keep up the great "work." I say "work" because you make everything look so easy….so is it really "work"? LOL
Best job in the world! I can't wait to be able to do it full time one day.
Love that antique basket!
I've only just started this business and like you I don't want to just buy stuff to fill my space. I want it all to be special and want to want it myself. It's nice to "have" to shop!
you're an inspiration. i love reading your blog, I hardly comment because usually i'm #63 or something! And i wonder if you REALLY read anything past 40, haha! I'd take a minivan and a trailor any day too. Infact i'm longing for a truck this very second!
keep on keeping on,
julie
Such a sweet post! Love that you love what you do…and you do it wonderfully!
This really spoke to me MMS. Thank-you. 🙂
Donna
I agree with you! I have the same "job". I have that same editing eye when shopping. There isn't a lot of things that I keep. I understand totally when you say, you don't have to worry about where to store it or whether it will fit in your decor. If you love it~someone else will too and someone else will need it! Hugs and Tweets!
Hello…my name is Dayna and I have been stalking, I mean, admiring your blog for sometime now. You have been most inspiring to me. I have just started my own blog and would love if you could find time to check it out. It is in it's very beginning stages, however I am confident that this new opportunity will take me to great places! I am thinking of having a feature week next week, and would be honored if I could feature you on my blog. I am not sure if this is how I go about asking, so if it isn't I apologize & don't mean to offend you. I would also like to know if I could do a feature on the Haven conference & put a link to that on my blog? I am very excited about it as it is in atlanta, and I live just south! I would love to meet you & the other talented ladies! Thanks for your time…and all of your advice & inspiration!
http://www.nothinfancyuniques.blogspot.com
dayna.nothinfancy@gmail.com
I am one of your newest follower! Love your way of thinking and how you fell in love with what you buy and maybe even keep 🙂 Even more though as the antlers remind me of Germany too. Still homesick and in the process of integration here in America I get easily attached to all things German… I love thrift stores and the first time ever I try my luck on small objects – which brought me to you and the antlers. Have a great weekend. Will be back for learning and devouring.
I'll say this is a super appealing job to me too! I am so thankful you posted that starting a business series. Thankful you are passing your words of wisdom 🙂
wow – I could have written your post and have written one similar. I always think its amazing when I can let go of something I've lusted after for a while and after owning it, I can sell it and share it with others!
Thanks, now I know there are others like me!!!
http://www.bbonnieblue.blogspot.com
Bonnie
I completely understand. Although I'm at the beginning of this newfound career and things remain very, very tight, it's much more enjoyable than anything else I've done.
I agree..anyday!!
this is fabulous. 🙂
I can soo relate but I have not gotten to the stage of being able to let things go. I still want to keep them all!:)
That's the only reasons I buy and sell my booth is just another room of my home only someplace else.
Love the dome.
Lisa
Can I hear an Amen?……..
I so agree with everything you said, although I do it all on a much smaller scale. I think the best part is all the beautiful things that pass through my hands and the new found ability to enjoy them for a little while and then "let them go" ~ something I could never do before. I think it must please the Lord that we don't cling to "things" like we used to and for me that is liberating.
Cindy
Your perks sound perfect to me! Afterall, how much stuff could you really haul on a corporate jet anyway? LOL
I love my minivan just for that reason. My hubby wants us to get a small SUV and I'm not convinced it can hold enough junk!
So glad you are doing well and still enjoying what you're doing. Such a joy to read about you & your biz 🙂
Stephanie
http://junkernewbie.blogspot.com/
I have learned to live with much less. I live vicariously through blogs like yours because of my physical condition. I do, however, understand about letting things go ~~ it absolutely is freeing and actually allows God to work in my life without all of the clutter of "stuff."
My mantra is (and I am a thrifter of 40 years ~~ learned on my Momma's knee) "IF IT DOESN'T SING TO ME AND MAKE ME HAPPY, I DON'T BUY IT."
You are so great! I like to "junk shop" but don't get to very often. This past week I had a chance and found a nice old dark wicker basket with handles, while in the Texas Hill Country. I thought Miss Mustard Seed would buy this, crazy I know but I like you and your style alot. Thanks for blogging…I look forward to it. Linda in Texas
You do have such an eye for treasures! It is neat when God gives us a job that we love…and can do from home!!! 🙂
I will take the mini-van and a fat checkbook any day!! Love to treasure hunt! Ha!
Going to do that this weekend! Woot!!
Have a great one yourself
Hugs
SueAnn
Sometimes you just feel blessed and that's the best feeling. 🙂
i am just going to say this flat out, with no meanness. please dont take it the wrong way…i am flat out jealous! i think thats why i love your post…i can live vicariously! its so wierd to me that i can read a blog and feel connected to a person i have never met. that sounds creepy, i know, and i dont think im creepy. i guess its just the shared interest.
That is sooooo what I ADORE about
having a website!! Exactly what you just said ~ It is an awesome"job" !
xoxo
Lori
this is EXACTLY how I feel and am doing these days. I have a small business that keeps growing and I so wish I lived closer to people that have the same outlook/views on thrifting, design, refubishing…etc. Makes me wonder if "we" all are spread out over the country for a reason?!?! lol Don't get me wrong, I have fans and family supports me and even my best friend has the same taste…BUT, I've never had someone that would hunt the town for treasures with a trailer attached to my SUV. lol sigh.
have a creative day,
amy
I have been reading your blog for some time but have not been able to post. Going to try again. You are such a talented artist. Everything you have created speaks to my soul. I "covet" your wingback chair in LR, truly most everything you have touched.
God has Blessed you with a great husband, two wonderful children and so many gifted talents.
I read about your recent kitchen "redo" and wondered if you considered painting your floor until you can have what you wanted. I know you would do an excellent job. You could even "paint" a rug under your kitchen table.
Thanks again for sharing everything you do with us.
Connie,
Midwest
I have a feeling that the kind of person longing for a corporate jet is NOT someone that is visiting your blog. They don't know what they are missing. I am so in love with that silver dome. I'm adding it to my wish/want list.
i have recently become addicted to junking, but only on a personal level…afters years of working in the corporate world….i love the freedom of not being "on deadline"…happy weekend !
ohmygosh, i want your job! i have loved junking/thrift shopping/garage sales for YEARS. it's one of my absolute most favoritest things to do! you do inspire me. right now though, my full time job is homemaking. i'd like to do this down the road though, when life looks different. 🙂
i have a curio cabinet just like that-i never know what to do with it! If you were closer-id let you have it!
I hope I can write a post like that one day about my blog. Say a prayer.. It will happen..
http://diystylehome.blogspot.com/
I have just moved to a new city (Birmingham, AL) and need to find places to shop as I decorate and redo furniture for my new huge apartment. Do you have any recommendations for how to find good shopping destinations? What type of stores/markets do you hunt for? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
bonnie.e.browne(at)gmail.com
http://www.creationsbybonnybee.blogspot.com
Hello from Australia! I think I am your newest follower, but I see you have so many. Yours was the first home-decorating blog I ever visited and then I was hooked. I followed some of your links and found a whole new world of people who have the same interests as me. I have started my own little blog now and I wanted to say THANK YOU for opening up a new world to me and for being such a blessing to so many others.
God bless,
Karen
one of the most inspirational quotes I've run across is "do what you love, love what you do"….seems to me you are living that dream and do so with a lot of grace and humility!
Thanks for the peek inside your hoarding, oh, I mean collecting process for your business. But where, oh where, Miss Mustard Seed, do you store, makeover, paint, and price all of those goodies? That's a peek I would love to see… And you must have THE most understanding, patient and supportive husband out there.
I lived in Germany when I was a baby! I wish I had more memories of living there. Unfortunately, my only memories are from home videos.
Just popped by from Brooklyn Limestone and I;m happy I did! What a fantastically creative and inspiring blog. I'm a new follower and can't wait to see more:)
Nancy
I appreciates your thought as they are impressive. I will also follow your rules as all the tips expressed by you are superb and up to the mark. All are beneficial from business point of view.