My name is Annie and I’m a shopaholic. Years ago, I was at a dinner party in New York and I was talking to Garrison Keillor’s then-wife, who was Danish. She told me how insulted she was that her new American friends invited her to go shopping. “Shopping? Why? Is there something wrong with the way I dress?” Poor dear. This no-nonsense, sensible Scandinavian didn’t understand that, for some of us, shopping is a form of recreation – even of meditation. I wander through the racks, I feel the fabrics, I study the price tags, I reach Nirvana.
I guess shopping fills some emptiness in me that I’m not even aware of. I’m happiest when I come home with bags full of cashmere sweaters, vintage jewelry, antique linens – whatever. My dresser is crammed, my closets are stuffed, and my rooms are filled to the brim with artsy collectibles and rare first editions. Being surrounded by Stuff gives me a feeling of security.
Since I live on a very limited budget, I buy all these treasures on the cheap at thrift stores and yard sales. One day, I realized that I could sell my finds at a profit. I started on eBay, then expanded to dealers and consignment shops. My hobby has grown into a part-time business and I have sold vintage fashion to TV studios, corporate labels, and upscale vintage stores.
A few times a year I have my own yard sale to thin out the huge inventory. By now, I have a sizeable mailing list and attract crowds of serious fashionistas. I’ll be holding a sale this weekend at 8110 Blackburn Avenue, near The Grove. 10 to 5 each day. Come on down and see how I turned my shopping addiction into a source of extra income.