In one of my favorite “chica” flicks, Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, Romy, (Mira Sorvino) happily asks her high school BFF, Michele (Lisa Kudrow) if she wants to fold scarfs. After a long series of job failures, following their awkward high school years, they borrow money and launch a fashion business. They are so pleased with their newfound success that folding scarfs is not a chore, but a fulfilling activity.

I don’t actually fold scarfs. But, I can totally relate to experiencing professional failures and disappointments, and then finally finding work that I look forward to doing as much as possible. As a vintage goods vendor (sometimes still called an antiques dealer), I work a few hours a week at the shops where I rent space. For the few hours that I am at the shops, I become “shopkeeper” (reminiscent of the days my sister and I pretend-played but she never let me be the shopkeeper!).

For all intents and purposes, this is a straight forward retail job. I work the register, help customers, move furniture, wrap purchases, answer the phone, sweep the floor, water the plants, turn on lights, and greet customers with a big smile when they walk through our doors. In my full-time job as a stay at home mom of two children on the Autism Spectrum, I generally wear outfits that I hope nobody ever sees me in. But when I work at the shops, I morph into a person worthy of posting a selfie on Instagram.

I love buying and selling vintage goods. Absolutely love hunting for unique items at flea markets, auctions, estate sales and other shops. I can’t pass up furniture left on the side of the road. They are loaded up in my car and then cleaned up and painted. Just like me, they become better versions of themselves, with a little love and care. When the shops are closed, I am dismantling my booth, re-staging my displays. To me, it’s more than just merchandising. It’s creating environments that I would love in my own home.

But another great benefit of being a vintage goods vendor is that I get to work from home where I do most of my creative work. Whether that’s painting furniture, crafting, repurposing items, repairing furniture, and of course, writing about my adventures.

For folks like me, who see beauty in junk, old, chippy, discarded items, creating vignettes and giving things new life is incredibly fulfilling. So next time you stop by The Wrentham Country Store or The Find on 6, don’t be surprised if you see me folding vintage tablecloths and looking completely happy!