Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Meet the Members of Vintage Market Team- Beth of EdibleComplex

1- Tell us a bit about you?


I'm Beth, AKA EdibleComplex on Etsy. I'm an artist (my first degree), mom to 1 boy, 2 cats and 1 rescue lab, and live in coastal Maine. I am also a Psych RN (second + degree), hence the Freudian reference in the shop title, as well as a web designer. I love learning new things (overeducated and underemployed) and enjoy working from home. The idea for my shop came about when my husband was laid off from his job and believe it or not, my back up degree in nursing wasn't amounting to employment in this economy. I had been painting and showing full-time, but I needed to cultivate income opportunities, pronto. I've always had a good eye and intuition for treasure amidst a sea of junk and also can apply my creativity to the photography and listing process. It isn't too removed from my art because I enjoy the luminous glass and colorful pottery glazes. Their beauty feeds my eye and informs my painting.

2- What do you sell?

I mostly sell stuff I like,but not love, because I am willing to part with it. However, if it doesn't sell, I won't mind having it around.

3- Favorite decade for vintage?

Art Deco/Midcentury Modern/Scandinavian Modern-hmmm, just one decade-never!

4- Favorite vintage item you own? Or regret having sold in the past?

My favorite vintage items that I own are some new Figgjo Flint china in the Lotte pattern (my rescue dog's name is Lottie), and my Bjorn Wiinblad plates. I will probably regret selling my Hermes 3000 typewriter, Midcentury Modern leopard swing coat and my Imperial Free Hand Glass. Sorry, I can never respond with just one answer ;)

5- Favorite item you are currently selling? And why?

Love the Imperial Free Hand Glass. They were my mother's. They are very rare and gorgeous!

6- Best advice for newbies?

You need to enjoy learning, love the whole process, and be driven to put in the time and effort. Plus, you need to have patience. Mysteries can take a lot of time to solve. It is really good to learn from others, and not just do endless Google searches.
Also, don't get stuff with anything but the mildest signs of wear, if any. No chips, cracks or repairs or you'll be stuck with it! Unless you are selling shabby chic or rustic. :)
Lastly, something only has value if people like it. Just because something is old, doesn't mean people want it.

7- Favorite web sites? Or blogs? (Clickable links, please.)

The members of the VMTeam have wonderful blogs. The following list may not be from team members, but they have beautiful pictures.

http://www.matteart.blogspot.com/
http://www.drawpilgrim.com/
http://www.cdiannezweig.blogspot.com/
http://www.hisforhomeblog.com/
http://www.kulturfinds.blogspot.com/
http://www.alamodern.com/

8- Favorite movies? Or TV?

Grosse Pointe Blanke, High Fidelity, Rushmore, Shopgirl, I Heart Huckabees, Being John Malkevich, Tapeheads, Harold and Maude...

9- Favorite music?

Wilco, the Clash, Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros, Elvis Costello, the Rolling Stones, the Jerry Garcia Band, Joan Armatrading, The Modern Lovers, Johnny Cash, The Ramones, The Cure, Coconut Records, The Strokes, The Shins, Weezer, Phoenix, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, the Indigo Girls and Cool and Bebop Jazz, just to name a few.

10- Favorite books? Authors?

Barbara Kingsolver, Amy Tan and ton of non-fiction. So much to learn!

11- Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Ten years? I can't even tell you one year from now! I imagine I'll be much more knowledgable about antiques & vintage so the amount of time researching is cut down! I imaging having a more streamlined approach to handling the shop and the marketing. Maybe I'll even have a blog by then! I wish to have more balance, so that I can have an equal amount of time for my painting. Getting up and running in my first year of this business has been all consuming.

12- What else should we know about you/ your business?

I try to find the unusual, but that also makes identification and pricing difficult. I spend a lot of time trying to solve mysteries. This is fun, but ultimately I want to get to the answer!

13- List your (clickable) links.

http://www.ediblecomplex.etsy.com/
http://www.twitter.com/zeediblecomplex
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ediblecomplex/
http://www.vintagemarket.ning.com/profile/ediblecomplex
http://www.iantiqueonline.ning.com/profile/EdibleComplex

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