{a sneak peek into a shop being born...}
Here I am, starting yet another new endeavor (I think this is business #334 so far for me? :) This time, I'm going back to the roots of my entrepreneurial endeavors and opening a little online vintage shop. I had one many many moons ago on ebay called Bodhi Tree Vintage, before I started my jewelry shop and all that jazz. And when my shopkeeper fingers recently started itching again and I knew it was time to jump back in, I considered making jewelry again... or maybe selling my photos... or maybe carrying out the fabric/embroidery artwork dreams that reside only in my head at this point...
But when I really thought about why I had this desire to run a shop again, I realized it was mostly because I'm so tied to my computer as a fulltime blogger (& thus tied to my house and tied to sitting on my butt all day) that I'm really starting to go stir crazy! I love blogging here but I need part of my days to be filled with something else. Something non-techy. Something I can hold. Something old and musty, not so shiny and new. Something exciting. Something pure, and purely fun. Something for me. And something that will get me out of the darn house!
So I settled on opening a vintage clothing shop. Because fun for me is scouring thrift stores, going to estate sales, trying on clothes, pretending to model, doing photoshoots and discovering fantastic things! Plus, as a bonus I had not considered, I get to play dress up, wear heels, put on makeup and do my hair! It sounds like a chore, but it's such a welcome change from 24/7-fleece-pants-wearing blogger life. I get to feel like a woman again. A lady even! I get to go shopping for hours in the middle of the day. I get to have fun!
And the major side-effect of all this? I feel so much more like myself.
I haven't even opened the shop yet and in all the shopping and photo-shooting and playing dress up, I've gotten back in touch with that part of my personality that doesn't live on the couch, behind my laptop. And it feels soooo good.
So at this point, this is just an introduction to the shop that is to come. It will be called Miss Modish. It will be on etsy. And I hope it will be awesome. ;)
everything looks lovely! it's such a good feeling starting something that feels like the true you - even if it took 333 attempts to get there ;)
best of luck!
Posted by: erica k | Oct 19, 2009 at 12:41 PM
ooooh! congrats on the new business endeavor and looking foward to seeing words along with your pictures. been a big fan of your pics on flickr for a while now. hugs and champagne to you!
Posted by: lisa romero | Oct 19, 2009 at 12:42 PM
yay! this is exactly what i've been looking for - someone to teach me the ways of vintage. seems silly, i know. but i'm totally lost.
can't wait to learn about your goodies, your shop, and your sense of vintage style, jena!
way to go!
Posted by: tara | Oct 19, 2009 at 12:45 PM
yayayayay! this all sounds great--even just your expression of the journey that brought you to this decision is thoughtful and exciting. so congratulations! i can't wait to read more. i'm subscribing already.
Posted by: Laura. | Oct 19, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Ohhhh Jena!! What a wonderful fit for you! You'll get to bring together so many of your loves and creative meanderings...and it so much fun to build something, isn't it? An outfit, a photo shoot, a website, a blog...a business! To thine own self be true, girl! May it bring you warm joy and cold cash all at once. :)
Posted by: daisy janie | Oct 19, 2009 at 12:48 PM
I'm so excited for you! I'm a big admirer of your finds and your "voice", can't wait to see this new facet of you. Congratulations! I'll be cheering you on.
Posted by: maya | Oct 19, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Totally excited to see what you find for us!! Congrats Jena!
Posted by: J. Vorwaller | Oct 19, 2009 at 01:05 PM
Yay! You're all so sweet, thank you so much! You're getting me all jazzed up now! :)
Posted by: modish | Oct 19, 2009 at 01:10 PM
you're the greatest and I'm so excited for you. Can I join you on a shopping run someday??
xoxo
Posted by: betsy and iya | Oct 19, 2009 at 01:25 PM
Yay for you!! This makes total sense, what with the direction your blog was going in and wanting to cover vintage/indie shops. You look happy in the photo!
I just started a new shop this weekend- www.widesarcasmsea.etsy.com I'm feeling pretty pumped about it- I needed to express this other side of my personality and do something that let me not be so boxed into the coastal/sea-inspired design stuff (which I still love and will continue working on). Like you said, I feel more like myself and it feels GOOOD!!
Best of luck- can't wait to see the great things you'll be rockin'!
-Nicole
Posted by: Nicole (Three By Sea) | Oct 19, 2009 at 01:28 PM
i agree with others who say this seems like a natural progression for you. from what i've seen online you have such great personal style, looking forward to reading more. (p.s. i really love your "profile" pic on the right sidebar.
Posted by: rifferaff | Oct 19, 2009 at 01:36 PM
its a vicious cycle isn't it? the more in demand your products, the more you get sucked into this computer, work cycle. leaving very little room for the things that make you all giddy in the first place. glad to find that you're finding your giddyness back!
Posted by: Tiffany | Oct 19, 2009 at 01:51 PM
so excited to see what's in store! congrats and best of luck!
Posted by: kate | Oct 19, 2009 at 02:01 PM
Yay, fun! It's great to keep starting over as long as it's all in pursuit of doing what you love. No ruts for you!
Posted by: Arianne | Oct 19, 2009 at 02:47 PM
i'm so excited you're doing something that will make you ever-so-happy... and ME ever so happy, because i'm sure i'll want each and every item of clothing you find to put in the shop. good luck! happiness!
Posted by: Mallory | Oct 19, 2009 at 02:51 PM
Rock on Jena! I'm so happy you are going to do something that does not require fixating your eyes on the screen for crazy long hours (which reminds me, I should do something about that too!)
Congratulations on your new endeavor - I'm excited about this because I just discovered vintage shopping online and well, I can say it's awesome. Which also means fixing my gaze on the computer screen longer than usual, but oh, we'll get to that another time. ;)
big hugs!
Posted by: Pikaland | Oct 19, 2009 at 03:22 PM
wow, congrats Jena, it looks amazing! go girl! :)
Posted by: Katarina | Oct 19, 2009 at 05:22 PM
ohh, i'm loving this space, loving the photos - loving the idea!! yay you! can't wait to see what goodies you have in store (literally) for us xo
Posted by: Susannah | Oct 19, 2009 at 07:30 PM
Congratulations. I'm so glad you've found a new project to keep you happy. I love thrifting and vintage but with the 2 (3 if you add my supplies shop) businesses I already have too many to keep track of! Can't wait to see more photos.
Posted by: Isa Maria | Oct 19, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Jena I think this is awesome! Following your passion can only lead to greatness, congratulations!! I look forward to seeing your new shop!
Posted by: heather smith jones | Oct 19, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Wow! So great! I'm excited!
I totally hear you on the fleece pants.
But, as far as the photos go...you clean up real nice! You look GORGEOUS!
Enjoy the anticipation! xx Susy
Posted by: Susy | Oct 19, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Congratulations Jena!
Can't wait to start shopping!
Posted by: lillianna | Oct 19, 2009 at 11:07 PM
i'm proud of you my dear lady!!!!
Posted by: drsmoothdeath | Oct 20, 2009 at 12:57 AM
You are so *frickin* cute, Jena!!!!
With your eye and your style, your vintage shop is going to totally blow the doors off, day one.
congrats!!
Posted by: Cassie (ShopClementine) | Oct 20, 2009 at 01:03 AM
Yay! You sound so excited-- so happy! It's wonderful :) Can't wait for more Miss Modish posts... :)
Posted by: Tricia McKellar | Oct 20, 2009 at 02:43 AM
yay! i can't wait to see more!
Posted by: mati rose | Oct 20, 2009 at 03:00 AM
oh i'll be here! looking forward to it1
Posted by: Down and Out Chic | Oct 20, 2009 at 03:03 AM
you sound like me...except i'm not even a professional blogger.
Posted by: alexandra keller | Oct 20, 2009 at 03:28 AM
fun! fun! fun! Can't wait!
Posted by: jessie | Oct 20, 2009 at 03:36 AM
Congratulations Jena! This is so exciting!! And somehow I can completely relate. I've wondered where all this intense use of the computer will be taking us ~ probably full circle into what really matters for each of us. Good for you! I love how you said "you feel so much more like yourself" ~ your shop is going to be great!
Posted by: Marisa and Creative Thursday | Oct 20, 2009 at 04:08 AM
congrats! and hooray! and you go girl! :)
Posted by: leslie | Oct 20, 2009 at 04:10 AM
Sounds fabulous Jena! Can't wait to check out the shop and read Miss Modish blog as well! Congratulations!
Posted by: Megan Leone | Oct 20, 2009 at 08:24 AM
Holy moly red! You're opening a new shop ANNNNND helping your crazy friend move half way a across the country. you must be some kind of awesome friend to do all that. this looks amazing. i can't wait to see it. i can't express just how incredibly proud i am of you and all your fabulousness. congratulations!!
Posted by: clara | Oct 20, 2009 at 10:16 AM
this is awesome! i'm really excited to see what you come up with, i'm already hooked just from these couple photos. fun :) congrats on finding what makes you feel more like yourself again, that's a wonderful thing.
Posted by: lesley [smidgebox] | Oct 20, 2009 at 03:59 PM
it's going to be super fantastic! i'm so happy for you & your new adventure ;)
Posted by: handmade julz | Oct 21, 2009 at 06:26 AM
How exciting. I've been following modish for ages, first comment! I can't wait to see what you sell.
Posted by: Sandra | Oct 21, 2009 at 08:12 AM
Oh yay! You have such a great eye, I can't wait to peruse the shop!!
Posted by: Suzie | Oct 21, 2009 at 11:04 AM
You are b e a u t i f u l ! ! ! I can't wait to see what you find:) I wish you the very best :) So excited!!!
Posted by: Rikkianne | Oct 22, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Yay!!!
Posted by: kristen | Oct 23, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Congrats! Taking the leap to get back to yourself, your inspiration, your dreams, is the best feeling, isn't it? All the best of luck in your new endeavor!
Posted by: Mallory | Oct 25, 2009 at 01:54 PM
Wonderful!!! I'm ready to take a trip up north to shoot some styles for you and with you :) You are a stunning model, by the way. xo
Posted by: gypsy Alex | Oct 28, 2009 at 03:18 AM