Name / Business name / Location:
Christy James / I trade as Lovely Things Furniture and Decor / Virginia
How long have you been a vintage vendor?
Almost 5 years at the antique mall, but did shows for about 15 years before that, so about 20 years.
Do you have a booth in a store, do markets, or both?
I now have a booth in an antique mall, but did markets for about 15 years before that.
What is the approx. price per square foot of rent that you pay?
$2.00 – I pay $300 per month.
How often do you visit your booth to work and restock?
I try to visit at least once a week, and restock as I create inventory.
How would you describe your brand/style?
Coastal, shabby chic.
What kind of items do you sell?
Mostly furniture, but also home decor items.
What are some of your most popular sellers?
Dressers and hutches are usually good sellers for me, also any kind of children’s furniture such as table and chairs sets or rockers. As for home decor items, my best sellers are trays and chalkboards.
How do you decide how to price your items?
My rent isn’t cheap so I price my items a little on the high side in my opinion to help recoup that money. If something sits for too long, I mark it down. I consider my items one of a kinds that can’t be found anywhere else and customers are usually willing to pay for that.
What are a few Do’s and Don’ts that you would tell a new vendor?
Don’t try to please everyone! Find your style and stick to it. You will build a customer base well that way, and your booth will look more cohesive.
Do you have any quick tips for increasing sales?
If sales are slow, move your entire booth around. It will make you times appear fresh and new.
What kind of marketing do you do for your vendor business?
None ha ha. I actually just use my booth to sell what I blog about, but if I were really trying to make good money from my booth, I would definitely take more advantage of local FB sites that allow you to share your pieces for sale.
Have you ever had a conflict with another vendor or store owner, and how did you handle it?
No, luckily I have some great ladies near me that have been there a long time.
What do you like most about being a vintage vendor?
Setting up my booth. Love the merchandising aspect of it! When I was doing markets, I loved the camaraderie between vendors!
*You can learn more about Christy and see her projects on her blog at Confessions of a Serial DIYer.
