Celebrating 14 Years on Etsy

This week was my 14-year anniversary selling vintage and antique stuff on Etsy. It’s been such an exhilarating journey–lots of learning, lots of fun and a few moments of heartache. But early last year when my sales dropped off I pondered closing my store. Thankfully sales revived and I ended the year strong, so Lion & Lamb Vintage lives on!

Which I am pleased about because I am still as passionate about old stuff as I was in my teen years. (Though back then I had little money to purchase anything and now I do!)

To celebrate this anniversary we took a mini-vacay to Pacific Grove, CA, staying in our favorite bed and breakfast, the Gosby House. And the February weather was astounding–sunny and in the upper 60s/low 70s!

After settling into our room, we headed out to peruse the local stores. First stop an antique mall. Naturally! The vendors at Vintage Finds offer a wide variety of vintage and antique items making it a fun venue to visit. In the end I bought this mini bronze Foo dog. Likely not antique but he is heavy and nicely cast with a bit of verdigris.

Wanted to buy this antique carved wood santos (missing a leg), but at $95, didn’t think I’d make any money on it. (Religious items are one of my BOLO categories but antique pieces are hard to find.)

The next day I hit up a small antique store, Pickings, (no luck there) and two thrift stores. At Peace of Mind Dog Rescue Benefit Shop, I spotted this vintage beaded purse for $35 and swooned. It was so beautiful and in amazing condition. And bonus I got a 20% senior discount on it.

I am excited about this piece and should be able to sell it for over $100.

I also bought some $1 books at two different stores, including three poetry books. One in particular is listed by other sellers in the $60 range so that could work out well. We’ll see!

Besides the antiquing and thrifting, it’s the “vacation food” that makes it such a delight. The Gosby House does a nice breakfast with two hot entries as well as fresh fruit and baked goods. And the other day I lunched on a fresh crab cake and salad and a glass of Chardonnay at the Red House Cafe. It was just perfect.

So even though we were only gone for two days, it was lovely to get away. Be some place different. See the ocean and enjoy a lovely gas fireplace when the day finally cooled off.

But it was equally good to be back home. Maybe you know the feeling. And once back I had to immediately pack up two Etsy orders which my husband biked to the post office for me. One order included this Peruvian mummy doll I bought for $10 at the flea market back in 2022 . (It sold for $58.) Not everyone’s cup of tea so I’m glad it found a home.

I’ll close for now wishing you happy hunting in your neck of the woods,

Karen