Addicted To :: funretro

It’s one of the biggest shopping weekends in the country, and our favorite vintage sellers on Etsy are getting in on the fun!

First up, the lovely Natalie of funretro is having a huge sale, beginning Black Friday (11/27) running through Cyber Monday (11/30). With a whopping 20% off many of her items, this is not to miss!

Take a minute to learn more about Natalie and her vintage addiction, then hop on over to her funretro shop to take advantage of her weekend sale. All items tagged with EtsyHolidaySale are fair game! (And jump down to the bottom of this post for a list of other sellers offering weekend deals!)

Q: Tell our lovely readers a bit about yourself. Is buying and selling vintage your full-time gig or a hobby? How and when did you get started in this business?

A: Gosh, buying and selling vintage, although not my main job, is definitely WAY beyond a hobby. I first became interested as a child. My father bought a super old Mercedes and my mother had a few older pieces in our home that had been passed down through relatives. I repeatedly found myself drawn to the older items in our home. Once I was old enough to drive, I naturally progressed to “the hunt.” I shopped for myself only until I was 22. After college I began actually selling as well. Until this summer, I was selling exclusively on ebay since 1998 under the same name: funretro.

Q: Do you have any favorite, never-let-you-down, treasure hunting spots? Would you like to share, or are they top-secret?

A: I live in NJ; we are surrounded by great spots! I have a few favorite vintage stores that get items daily and have half off sales twice a week. But my main source is estate sales. Before I even get to the weekend I have scoured newspapers and websites for the best ones. I spend every Saturday driving to all parts of my great state looking for my newest goodies.

Q: Is there a certain aesthetic you look for when you’re thrifting? How do you decide what to pick up, or just pass on? Do you wait for an item to speak to you?

A: Well… I guess I would have to say that I look for items that are fun and retro, hence my name! I like anything that, when you look at it, puts a smile on your face either because you’ve been searching for it for a long time, it’s completely adorable or unique, or sometimes because it reminds you of your childhood.

Q: Be honest, do you keep many of your finds, or is it strictly business? And do you have any personal collections that you have built over time through thrifting?

A: Good question! I used to keep MANY items but I have begun to really pick and choose. I am much happier passing things on to others, so whenever I keep an item that I was originally supposed to sell, it is usually to give to a loved one! I am known for being a great gift giver because you never know what you’re gonna get from me! As far as collections, I have a ridiculous amount of purses, jewelry, and cameras. Vintage typewriters are quickly making their way into my collection too and I have started adding some to my shop as well…

Q: Are there any items you’ve regretted selling and wish you would have kept for yourself?

A: Yes!! Sadly, there are way too many to list here…sniff, sniff.

Q: Pick one and tell us about it: Weirdest, most valuable, or most satisfying find?

A: Actually, it is a super old Royal typewriter! I had wanted one for so, so many years. I came across one a couple of months ago. I had no idea about value. The lady sold it to me for $4 and it turns out it is worth well over $600! I debated selling it, but decided against it. The value, for me, is in knowing I finally have my own little lovely typewriter and the actual monetary value is inconsequential.

Thanks, Natalie!

And funretro is not the only seller offering amazing deals this weekend! Visit some of our other friends and shop their sales too!

desiredsimplicity

milkglassandmetal

opendoorstudio

retrocycled

retroology

starletvintage

thewoodenspool

thrush

vintagefix

vintagejudy

Of course, this list is not all-inclusive! Search on Etsy using the tags EtsyHolidaySale, VMTeamSale, or EtsyFreeShipping to snag some amazing deals on both vintage and handmade goodies.

Happy Thanksgiving, and happy shopping!

Robin Eastwood is a treasure hunter and vintage fanatic. Visit The Fancy Lamb on Etsy to drool over some of her latest finds, and follow Robin on Twitter to hear about her latest thrifting adventures.