I opened my Etsy shop on January 1st 2011. I had said for two years in a row that my new years resolution was the healthy usual, but also to open an Etsy shop. The third year I didn't want to fail again and so rtistmary my love of vintage was born!
Years before I ever thought of Etsy I was taking painting lessons in the bay area and was painting oil on canvas, which I loved and I plan on painting again when I retire from my position working in a pharmacy. My real passion and joy is creating unique gift items. I had been making and creating a variety of items for years. From bird houses to jewelry boxes, pouches and purses. I wanting to try everything. One day I had been looking at a pile of shells that my granddaughter had collected from her trip to the beach. I started painting on them. I gave them as gifts one year for christmas and got such a good response and wonderful compliments that I started selling them. My problem was that I was very meticulous and somewhat of a perfectionist when painting. I had to think of a way I could make the shells and save time but still have them look beautiful. That is when I stated experimenting with decoupage and paint. The results were stunning!
I was mainly selling at craft shows and street fairs. When my son started his ebay business and was doing so well that is when I stated thinking about selling my shells and jewelry online. After doing my research and checking all my options I decided that etsy would be where I would start.........and so the story goes.