As a little girl, my Mom would drag me along to estate and garage sales pretty much every weekend. We could spend hours at a church sale and as a teenager, I loved going thrifting with my friends. I've had a love and appreciation for old things for as long as I can remember (thanks Mom!) and that love has only grown over the years. For me, there's nothing like the thrill of the hunt and collecting pieces over time is what makes a home special to me. These days, a good tag sale can be hard to come by, which is why I LOVE sites like Etsy and Craigslist for finding cool pieces for our home.
When I first tried using Etsy, I was instantly overwhelmed and found it impossible to navigate. It’s so vast and I didn't really know where to begin. So, I thought it might be helpful to put together a cheat sheet with some tips that have helped me make Etsy a little more user friendly, plus a round-up of my favorite shops (and some special finds!)
1. Take Your Time: Let me start by saying Etsy is a long game and definitely not for everyone: it's a great place for one of a kind, unique items, but that means you'll need to be prepared to dig. And digging takes time. You're not here to find the same stuff everyone else has. Lean into your taste and the things you gravitate towards, but don’t expect to find what you’re looking for in a hurry.
2. Learn The Language: Sites like 1stDibs, Chairish and even One Kings Lane are great resources for learning the language of what types of things you gravitate towards. From there, you can use that knowledge to navigate Etsy and Craigslist, but also to recognize well made, quality pieces in thrift stores or antique shops. It's great to familiarize yourself with designers and brandnames that you can use to get super specific in your Etsy hunts!
3. Be Specific: See above, but Etsy is massive and it helps to go in with a specific item in mind. I find that using keywords like vintage/antique, a period/era (i.e. Brutalist, MCM) or even brand name goes a long way to get you closer to finding your special piece. For instance, instead of searching for "Marble Candlesticks", typing in "Vintage Honed Alabaster Candlesticks" will yield a much more narrowed down list of results.
4. Heart It: Falling into an Etsy rabbit hole is pretty much a given; one thing leads to another and suddenly you can’t remember where you started. I like to think of the “heart tool” as breadcrumbs to help me find my way. Favorites are saved and can be referred back to (even if the item sells to another buyer) as a way to help inform future searches.
5. Add to Cart: I often have multiple searches I'm fielding at any given time, and I find the best way to keep tabs on the pieces (or shops) that have caught my eye, is to add them to my cart. It's a great way to keep track of the things you're reeeeally interested in and I use it as a way of "bookmarking" the things I’m considering pulling the trigger on.
6. eBay vs Etsy: Each is good in their own right, but I have found that Etsy sellers are much easier to work with and will often be willing to send additional photos, answer detailed questions and negotiate price/shipping rates. Many will offer shipping deals or bundle discounts and can even create a reserved listing for you. Either way, communicate and reach out! Buying things sight unseen can feel risky, but asking lots of questions ahead of time is a great way to be sure you're getting something you'll love.
Onto the fun part! I’ve rounded up a few special pieces from some of my favorite shops. (P.S. You can follow me on Etsy and see the entire list of my favorite shops and pieces I’ve got my eye on.)
1950’s French Market Basket // I would use this at the farmer’s market or for a picnic, but also would be so cute as a beach tote for vacation!
Postmodern Stone Candlesticks // These are so sculptural and cool, plus the neutral tone blends seamlessly with any decor.
Vintage French Gold Wall Sconces // These feel like a beautiful pair of statement earrings and would really bring a room to life!
Set of 3 Toile Print Face Masks // Etsy isn’t just for vintage, but a great place to source handmade new items. These masks would make a lovely holiday gift and I love the print.
Antique Set of Victorian Floral Ironware Plates // Now that we are all dining at home, pretty much all the time, it’s fun to bring in some vintage tableware pieces to make your table feel more special. I love the pattern on these and the patina is so pretty.
Vintage Scandinavian Rattan Scallop Mirror // How cool is this funky little mirror!? I have nowhere to put it, but someone please buy it! Would look amazing in a powder room.
Vintage Levi’s Denim Shorts // Always on the hunt for good Levi’s and I love the wash on this pair of shorts.
1950’s Barley Twist End Table // I love the barley twist look. This would look great in a bathroom next to a freestanding tub.
Vintage Footed Bowl // This is such a sweet bowl. A great little accent piece for styling bookshelves or on a bar cart.
Vintage French Hand Painted Dish // Love this hand painted pattern; would make such a thoughtful gift.
Vintage Empire Rattan Lamp Shade // This is a great way to refresh a lamp you already have with a trend forward shade. I love the shape and texture of this guy!
Victorian 18K Gold Diamond & Sapphire Ring // I loooove Etsy for vintage jewelry. I’m really into these Edwardian style rings at the moment and think it would look so pretty layered with something dainty. I’ve got lots and lots saved for a rainy day :) This one is affordable and from one of my favorite shops.
Set of 6 Mid Century Modern Etched Coupes // These are in beautiful condition and feel like a fun way to fancy up some bubbly.
100% Wool Beni Ouiran Moroccan Rug // This rug looks so plush and I love that the stripe is tone on tone. It feels more unexpected than the typical Beni Ouiran style and the price is amazing.
Favorite Shops:
Magic Linen - My go-to shop for all things linen. I love their tea towels!
Turkish Rug Empire - I’ve gotten a few rugs from this shop (including our large dining room rug!) and can speak to their quality. They also offer super fast, free shipping.
Turkish Rug Paradise - Another great resource for vintage Turkish rugs.
Audela Vintage - A really nice curated mix of vintage styles.
The Rajah Press - An amazing selection of fine vintage jewelry, I want pretty much everything in this shop.
These are just a few of my favorites, but finding shops you love is all a part of the process. You can follow me on Pinterest where I put together an Etsy Finds board with my favorites. Happy hunting!