Thursday, November 19, 2009

Shopping Back in Time

You've seen this photo plenty of times before, but it will have to illustrate my story today, as I'd lost my camera on the day of this particular Vide Greniers.
I was chatting to a Welsh friend who was running a stall, and mentioned to her that I had a particular interest in buttons. "Buttons?" she asked. "There's a stall up there with buttons on it..." she told me, pointing up towards the village square. I thought it was interesting that she'd spotted them, as most people don't notice a tin of buttons tucked on a table, but as I wended my way slowly up towards the stall, it became clear that this was rather more than a tin of buttons amongst the brocante...
This was two elderly ladies doing some very belated stock-clearance from a whole haberdashery store! It seemed to me that the shop had finally closed in the 1980s, but had been in its heyday between 1930 and 1965. Oh, I could have bought it all...
Even more, I could have transported back in time and visited the shop before it closed!
Instead, I settled for this: I bought a few of my favourite cards of Mother of Pearl buttons and resolved to try out my previously mentioned Blog Shop. You were so helpful and encouraging to me when I asked you about the idea in September, and I have put a lot of your suggestions into my initial attempts.

Please take a visit to my own Back in Time shopping experience - my new little magasin, the Troc & Broc Vintage Shop.

j

I am confident of one thing - my stock. I know that what I have already listed is good, and that I have other wonderful things to add. The little things I've listed will be easy and affordable to post, and would make great stocking fillers. In all other areas, I feel very nervous - are the prices OK, is the Free Shipping until Christmas going to work, will the PayPal buttons function, will anyone want to buy from me..? I shall just have to wait and see, but I will be very grateful if you have any suggestions or advice for me.

20 comments:

BusyLizzie said...

aah, the old "I wish I could go back in time" thoughts! I know them well when I see lovely old shop stock! Lizzie x

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

Oh Floss your own little shop!!! How fabulous!!!! Love those button cards. Have no idea of the currency so will have to check it out. My hubby will know, he's in banking. I'm sure your shop will do very well. Was it easy to set up? How do you accept payments?

Heloise said...

Wishing you every success with this venture. I have one comment I would find it helpful to know the diameter of the buttons. Having said that I have just brought some buttons, which I look forward to receiving.

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

I'm off to check the shop out now!

Victoria xxx

Lola Nova said...

Ooh, this is so exciting! Congratulations! It looks wonderful and I think your pricing is good. Free shipping until Christmas, wow. Best of luck and well done.

Marigold Jam said...

Oh how it took me back to our village's vide grenier each spring! Have just had a look at your shop and it speaks for itself - the items are nearly all sold so the prices must be acceptable and it is all so clearly set out I love it. I would agree with Heloise though I would want to know the diameter approx of the buttons then I might be tempted by the only item left!

Jane

Floss said...

Wow! Two items are left, actually, but, well, wow! I am very excited, and grateful. I wondered about button diameters, and will remember that next time. Thanks, everyone. I have more stock, but will have to sort it out - I put the buttons on as a try-out and am not ready with the rest just yet? There's a little weekend project for me...

Serenata said...

Hi Floss,

Think you are almost sold out! ;-)

Well done.

Carol said...

Too late, never mind, will pop back at the weekend.
No wonder you were excited, what a great stall to discover. Right place, right time!

karen said...

oooooh no I think I was a bit slow on this one.
Well done on such a sucessfull sale. And I'll just have to keep checking back.
(((hugs)))
karen

Pomona said...

Well, I just went to look and it is all sold out! You must have got something right!

Pomona x

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

Hello Floss

How lucky to find such lovely treasures. I do love buttons. I wonder how many more people out there have old stock stashed away.

Good luck with your shop, sold out already! What a fantastic start!

Isabelle x

Sal said...

Good luck with your lovely shop ;-)

JuanitaTortilla said...

CONGRATULATIONS on your troc broc shop! You have been doing well, as we can all see. I bet there will be more good things to come :)

Michela said...

Wow! Great news, congratulations Floss! ...sigh it's too late and everything is sold out, sigh sigh! :)

Andi's English Attic said...

Did you at some point wonder if you were dreaming? I know I would have. xx

Jen Walshaw said...

Congratualtions on selling out, there is an award at my place for you

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

Oh my! Too late to read this post, as your lovely shop has sold out! What wonderful treasures you have! My great grandfather who immigrated had a haberdashery at the turn of the 19th-20th century here in Massachusetts! ;)

karenshopes said...

Wow its like button heaven, isnt it great when you find things like this.
Karen

Country Cottage Chic said...

I couldn't go to your shop as it said I wasn't invited!

Jayne