Following a spinal fusion surgery, I found myself pacing my Philly apartment with nothing to do!
My whole life I could keep myself occupied- cutting from magazines, sewing, drawing, playing sports, etc...
My surgical recovery required I not sit, not carry or push anything heavy...I could not even stay in the same position for more than 5 minutes unless I was sleeping- rrrr. Basically I was allowed to lay on my back or walk on my feet.
That is when my friend suggested I open an Etsy shop to sell my mounds of vintage items just like she had. Dressing the mannequins (and sometimes myself), moving back and forth from camera to prop, walking to & from thrift stores- I could totally do these things.
I was a little scared because I myself NEVER even shopped online let alone sold anytthing online. And I only had a dinky AA battery-operated Kodak camera.
But I had my friends set up my computer on a tall shelf where I could work online while standing and began making it work with my first shop Ebielli. I started with vintage clothing I already owned. I began purchasing vintage in middle school (except then I called it 'awesome old stuff'). In college I interned at a vintage shop and had items from then as well.
In time I was selling items on Ebielli AND my back was healing. I could start carring heavier items. I began buying housewares at local markets and thrift stores then lugging them back home to take pictures and post online.
At one point I decided open my second Etsy shop, PauperAndPixie, to sell the vintage clothing and accessories exclusively. Ebielli is now a vintage houseware and supply shop.
I love sharing my finds online and giving them happy homes!