You know what they say: One man's trash is another man's treasure, and in dealing with shopping secondhand first, I've found this to be so very true! My love of vintage clothing means I scour my favorite thrift shops for items dating pre-1980s, and I have a special love in my heart for almost anything 1960s, and an eternal crush on a good bias cut dress from the 1930s.
That doesn't mean I eschew the modern or contemporary- after all, not everybody can appreciate an overblown 1970s collar, or want to look permanently retro/trapped in a time warp. Modern is good, and I think it especially good if that modern is a well made garment, made in the U.S.A.
"am I a discarded thing cast off by the norm, or am I a bright and cheerful new form of flower blossoming in a messy urban landscape?"So that's what my curated line is all about- quality and quirky, and classic. Well, I guess that is what my LIFE is all about too. I seek out beauty everywhere possible, including a bit of rubbish dropped by the way side. If it can be seen in a new perspective- and perhaps put to good (re)use, we all win. That's why I'm a little magpie and shamelessly take on items discarded by others, and if I can't use them myself, I try to find them a good home.
One day, I hope to start an artist collective that specializes in using materials from secondhand sources- I've been dreaming that dream for over a decade now. I desparately want to make this happen. Meanwhile, I've become a vintage/pre-loved re-seller. I collect and curate items that I personally love, and clean and mend them as needed, and offer them up for sale. It's hard work at times, and the pay isn't terrific, but I LOVE what I am doing.
My life, can be seen as a bit shabby, I suppose. I struggle to pay the bills, with not a lot left over for anything besides re-investing in my venture. But the payment in meeting kindred spirits and feeling good about what I do, is rich. I feel a bit like the debris seen in the picture above- am I a discarded thing cast off by the norm, or am I a bright and cheerful new form of flower blossoming in a messy urban landscape?
It's all the angle of your perspective I suppose. Here's to a blossoming future- for each of us.
Whatever your treasure, I wish you a rosebush of happiness to go with it.
You are a harbinger of things to come, riding the wave of a NEW aesthetic!
ReplyDeleteYes, you are always blooming, growing, changing and ripening. I love mixing old and new too, it keeps life fresh and fun. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI think it is brilliant that you love what you do and it is a reflection on the type of person you are and still want to be.
ReplyDeleteLife is all about choices. Making the ones that are right for you is an ever changing work in progress.
bisous
Suzanne
Wishing you all the best in all your ventures because you deserve it! You're a rare wildflower.
ReplyDeleteI love what you are doing. I am working on spreading the gospel of buying good quality, second-hand or ethically produced goods, and much of that was originally inspired by you. Thank you for doing what you do!
ReplyDeleteYou are a woman after my own heart! Keep on doing what you're doing!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Lynn
I don't really care whether you like modern new contemporary clothes or have a passion for vintage. It is your character shining through, which I like so much. You have a very kind heart.
ReplyDeleteGreetje
PS "working" with your lovely 1930 necklace this weekend.
By the way... working for a chaotic employer with lots of overtime and deadlines is the price to pay for having more money. Whatever situation you choose, there is always a price to pay.
ReplyDeleteGreetje
Definitely a new form of flower, capable of bringing beauty to any corner of the earth. And then thankfully some of the Normals pay artists for their unique vision, which feeds the Normal soul in a way they can't do on their own. But gawd, I wish sometimes there was a stockmarket for artists where they could cash in on imaginary value the same way is being done at existing exchanges.
ReplyDelete"I desparately want to make this happen." I love this--I feel the same way!! You are making things happen, things are happeninnggggg!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Bella, for this and all your posts. I really hope that you achieve your dreams! Sometimes I think the first, and most crucial, is verbalizing them, otherwise life just takes us along.
ReplyDeleteYour posts are always thought provoking. Totally enjoy reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteI think you and your life are pretty damned amazing, Bella. Your passion for it is evident, and you bloom with the beauty of a woman doing what she loves.
ReplyDeleteLove ya,
Lynne
You are truly a beautiful blossom in the urban landscape, and I've known that from the first time that I found your creative space in the universe. To love what you do is a gift, as are you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea for the artist collective!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a magpie myself--squirreling away stuff because I can "make something with it!!"
It helps my focus for my art degree was multi-media sculpture (mostly fabric)