Collector of jewelry, singing medals and memories

When I opened Refined Retro I was working full time as a Kitchen and Bath Designer in my own little brick and mortar studio - Tableaux. My thought was to cull my collection of vintage jewelry in preparation for retirement. Then the economy took a turn for the worse and I watched in horror as my profession completely changed in the span of a year. If I was to stay in business I would have to become a contractor and "sell" labor in addition to my designs and custom cabinetry. It was time to take an early retirement and start anew.

I have always embraced change. Like chapters in a book, my life has unfolded in a series of adventures and yes, misadventures! In the moment, my life seemed to just flow along but now I can look back and see very distinct beginnings and endings, so retiring was just a new chapter despite the pain and stress of closing my beloved Tableaux.

Not long after I retired some friends invited me to a city-wide garage sale and I found so many amazing pieces of vintage jewelry that I realized the "new chapter" had already begun! I would expand Refined Retro and become a bona fide treasure hunter.

My days are full of estate sales, flea markets, cleaning gunk, photography and chatting with customers. I am also lucky enough to travel the world with my husband and wherever we go I hunt for treasure. It's a good life!