May 6, 2014

Announcing Chronically Vintage's new etsy shop


It is with the greatest of joy that today, at long last, I reveal my top secret vintage plans! As the title of this post gives away, I've launched my first ever etsy shop!

Given the fact that plenty of folks already know Chronically Vintage (the blog and social media presence) online, it made perfect sense for me to name my shop the same thing, which is precisely what I did. The shop officially opened to the general public a few hours ago and now 100% live and ready for business.

In these early initial days, you will primarily find a good sized selection of antique and vintage jewelry, with pieces spanning the Victorian era right on up to the 1980s, with a particular emphasis on items from the mid-twentieth century, as those are the decades I - and I know many of you - hold nearest and dearest to our hearts, in the listings right now.

In the coming weeks (and beyond!), I will be adding lots of great vintage clothing, hats, handbags, sewing and knitting related items, ephemera, and other great vintage goodies. Likewise in the near future, I will also be adding an in house line of handmade nickel-free jewelry (made by yours truly), a lot of which will have a vintage vibe to it (and/or be made with various vintage jewelry components) and all of which will be timeless in its style.



{Run, don't walk over to Chronically Vintage's Etsy shop, add it to your Etsy favourites, like and share it on social media, and by all means feel free to buy to your heart's content! :) Image source.}


I'm not entering into being an Etsy shop owner lightly in the slightest. Before I even registered a new etsy account, I set about going through the proper legal channels of opening a sole proprietorship business (the Canadian term for a small business with a single owner), registering for GST and PST (tax) numbers, doing a phenomenal amount of research on small business and Etsy shop ownership and operations, hiring a graphic designer to create my Etsy shop graphics (as well as new coordinating ones for my Facebook and Twitter accounts), ordering packaging and shipping supplies, had new business cards and address labels printed up, spent weeks photographing items and drafting listings, and perhaps most importantly of all, have been combing the Okanagan right, left and center for amazing vintage items to list in my shop.

As you've likely heard me say here before, this part of the world is not exactly overflowing with vintage fashions or accessories, but there are items - especially jewelry - to be had around these parts if one knows where to look, and I decided around the start of 2014 that the time had finally come to fulfill a very longstanding dream of mine to become a serious online vintage shop owner, no matter what hurdles (small volume of local merchandise, my health, life’s unavoidable curve balls, etc) came my way.

Making this decision has already proven to be one of the best and most fulfilling of my life and I believe in my heart of hearts, in no small part because of all of your support, that this shop will not only succeed, but flourish beyond my wildest dreams!

Though things may still be extra hectic for me for the next little while, I want all of you to know that I have every intention to keep blogging at more or less the same kind of regular basis that I usually do here and that I'll soon be back to visiting all of you at your wonderful sites and hanging out on social media at my usual clip.

This has been an incredibly exhilarating, at times stressful, eye-opening, creative, action packed, indescribably busy period for me over the past several weeks and I feel a sense of lightness and elation at being able to finally announce what has been keeping me so busy with all of you lately. Today is really and truly the realization of a  major dream of mine and one that I feel so blessed to be able share with each and every one of you.

Here's a sneak peak of just some of the (currently 85+ and counting) vintage listings that I have up in my etsy shop already. There's lots more (including Bakelite, novelty brooches, and oodles of 1930s, 1940s and 1950s jewelry) in the shop.




Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone for your support and encouragement lately, even though you didn't know just what exactly it was that I was up. It has meant a tremendous amount to me and really helped make getting through the uber busy days easier.

This is such a fantastic, life changing new part of mine - and yours, my sweet friends - world. Chronically Vintage is expanding from "just" being a blog to being a blog plus and Etsy shop of the same name. This is so exciting, so much fun, and most of all, so very chalked full of even more vintage awesomeness for all of us!

As my way of further saying thank you, please use the Chronically Vintage exclusive coupon code GRANDOPENING between today and Monday May 12th to save 15% off any and all purchases from my Etsy shop. (As well, if I see that you're a Chronically Vintage reader and have used this coupon code, I will include a free surprise gift with your order.)

Happy shopping & many heartfelt thanks in advance for your wonderful support of Chronically Vintage on Etsy!

82 comments:

  1. How exciting for you Jessica, wishing you lots of luck with your etsy shop! x

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  2. Yay!! I know that you will only have the best of the best in your shop and I'm excited to see what you have. I wish you luck, but I'm certain it will be a great success for you!

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  3. Ah Jessica, congratulations!! Just had a peek and it's beautifully curated and photographed -- not that I'm surprised by that. I had my fingers crossed your news would be a vintage store. Your dedication and enthusiasm are truly an inspiration. Now to have a better look and test the strength of my student budget willpower!

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  4. Congratulations! I know that your shop will do very well, you have such good taste. I am very interested to see your handmade jewelry items, I know they will be drool worthy!

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  5. Darling Jessica! Your shop is beautiful! I love your banner, and the colours. The photography is beautiful. The items are so darling! You have very reasonable prices and everyone can have a CV cute item. I think it makes perfectly good sense to have a Chronically Vintage Shop! You know so well vintage items and have a particular good taste. You have your own image mark that makes your shop a brand with identity!

    I wish you so much a great success! I know that means a lot of work and extra effort but I think you'll be making many gals around the world very happy.

    I wish you a Happy Day! The day that you opened your beautiful shop! :-)

    Hugs,
    Miss Beta

    PS - I already placed my orders! ;-)

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  6. Dear Jessica, your friend from Buenos Aires Argentina (claudia marina from facebook ) wish you lucky lucky cucky...in spanish SUERTE SUERTE SUERTE!!!! ...

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  7. This is so wonderful! I'm so excited for you dear Jessica. Oh the lovely jewelry you have already photographed! Congratulations on a very successful endeavor. I can't wait to see all the new stock that you put into your shop:))) Fun times!!

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  8. Dear Jessica,

    Wow! I am delighted and impressed by your news. You certainly have gone about it in the best manner possible, arranging all the necessary business details before opening your shop. I am certain that your shop will indeed be a success. I am excited for you.

    On my way to visit your shop...
    ♥Hope

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  9. Congratulations!!! Everything is so beautiful! I've already selected three favourites that make me sigh just looking at them :) ♥♥

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  10. Congratulations!! This is very exciting for you! Quite a big endeavor. I had a sneaking suspicion that your big news might be a shop of some kind...

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  11. All the very best with everything dear Jessica, I know you'll do well. I'm off for a browse now, hugs and kisses Ally xxx

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  12. Congrats! The photography in your shop is amazing and you have so many items listed, you have done an excellent job, lots of hard work. Best of luck with your shop:) I am also too slow the brass leaf necklace is really lovely but already reserved!

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Daphne! I used to be a professional commercial/product/food/stock photographer back when we lived in Toronto, but had to step back (in a career capacity) from that because of my worsening health about 2 1/2 years ago. I adore that now I have a chance to get behind the lens in that kind of capacity again - and that it's focused on vintage to boot! :)

      ♥ Jessica

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  13. Welcome and congratulations! Esty is a great place to showcase and sell your beloved treasures. Your shop is beautiful chock full of lovies and sale right off the bat, super!

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  14. Finally!
    The "D" day has arrived!
    What is the proper way of telling you how happy I am for you? You are going to do great, and I sense your shop will give to glowing smile to a lot of lucky ladies!
    Our people like to pour a bit of water behind person's back as they leave to venture into something large and important - consider THIS a water-pouring moment (and don't mind the superstition and the rituals) :)

    I gave your wonderful shop a good look.
    My.. what a way to do things: every single item has full description. Every gram, every millimeter.. and what a lovely way of giving a fashionable declaration in every description! Amazingly done.

    I'm clapping... and saluting this ship that has started it's maiden voyage!
    Many hugs.

    Marija

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  15. What a perfect fit for you! Everything looks great! Your listings and photography are spot on. Super job! I did mine in reverse order... first the shop which led to the blog. Interestingly enough, the blog is taking over my time and now I have loads of new items to list. I am still working on time management.
    Great news!
    Cheers,
    L A
    .Ravishing-Ruby.blogspot.com.
    . RAVISHING on Bloglovin’ here.

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  16. This is great news! Congratulations dear lady!! I'm going to check out your shop selection today. :)
    -Emily

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  17. *hyperventilates* ohmygoodness. Your shop is AMAZING. After running one myself for a few years, I can appreciate just how MUCH work you've put into this. And it's absolutely stunning. The photography, the items themselves.....

    Iwillnotcovet Iwillnotcovet IwillNOTcovet.

    :P

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    1. Aww, thank you very much, dear Dolly. It means a lot to me that you can relate firsthand to the time and hard work that goes in producing great images and listings. I'm loving the process though and am already looking forward to my next "shoot" in a few days with lots more great items to list next week and beyond.

      Huge hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      *PS* A little Etsy coveting never hurt anyone! :-D

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  18. Gah, so excited about this! I love the Scottie dog hair pin, I think I'm gonna go snag that! Congrats on starting an Etsy shop!

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  19. hooray and congratulations! i can't wait to get there and look around. how exciting this is! the pieces you have shown are beautiful and the photography is flawless.
    thanks for sharing with us. so glad that you finally get to fulfill a wonderful dream!
    ~Abigail

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  20. How exciting!! Congratulations! I can only imagine all the work that has gone into getting this shop ready. I wish you all the very best of luck. I've already favorited the shop, and I can't wait to go shopping! You already have some really beautiful items for sale.

    Cheers,
    Jenny

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  21. Dear Jessica, this is so amazing - all the best for your Etsy shop! Being an Etsy shop owner too since year, with several product ranges, I know how hard the money is earned (taking pictures and posting all the items is very time-consuming), but there are so many amazing people on Etsy, sellers and buyers, and especially when you sell or buy vintage stuff, you meet so many nice people that share the same passion.

    On the other hand, knowing your taste, this is most frustrating, as I know I will spend a lot of time browsing your shop... :-)

    I wish you all the best for this great adventure!

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Doris. It means a lot to me to know that you can personally relate to the effort (and time - so much time!) that goes into running a successful Etsy shop. I truly love the process so far, even the stressful moments that have come my way, as I can feel myself growing and becoming more of the person I've wanted to be for a long time now (if that makes sense).

      Please browse to your heart's content. I will be listing new items nearly, if not actually, daily for the next while and frequently after that, so there will always be lots of great new products for you to enjoy seeing.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  22. Congratulations, I really wish you all the best of luck with it! ♥

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  23. Holy smokes!!!! Squeeee! :-) This is exciting news. I am so happy for you. Congrats and best of luck, beautiful gal.

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  24. YAY!!!!!! I am so happy and proud of you! Your photos are nothing sort of amazing! So professional! As are your descriptions!

    Congratulations!

    xoxo
    -Janey

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  25. Great news! i wish all the best for you. Excited to get my brooch and pin in the mail!

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  26. Your shop is gorgeous! Congratulations! I can't wait to see what else you put up, though I have already favorited 5 Items.

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  27. Congratulations! The store looks great. I have my eye on a couple of things. Best of luck!

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  28. congratulations!!!!
    my dear - that shop is gorgeous! all this pretty things - and perfect photographed.
    i wish you all the luck of the world with your new business!!!!!!!
    ...and will point everybody who needs vintage treasures in your direction....
    great big hugs!!!

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  29. My cherished friends, you are all but overwhelming me with you outpouring of enthusiasm, super kind words, and support of, and purchases from, my Etsy shop. I sincerely appreciate all of you and your comments here today. Talk about getting my business of on the right, and very happy, foot!!!

    ♥ Jessica

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  30. congrats on your shop opening! i really love what i see in your shop ...
    ...if the little plastic scotty would be a brooch, i would have bought it already ... :)

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    1. Thank you very much, my dear friend!!! I will keep my eyes peeled for a similar Scottie dog brooch for you and let you know if I find one for the shop. I had a cute little Airedale terrier brooch, but it sold in the first sale that I made today. I think you would have liked it, too.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  31. What a wonderful treasure chest of a shop! You have done an amazing job with it. The pieces are beautifully curated, and your photography makes everything look so covetable. You can really see how much work and how much love went into it.
    One tiny little thing that I noticed when I was browsing a couple of hours ago was that your link to the shipping rates doesn't seem to work. I think you may have posted the back end link rather than something that's generally accessible. I can't access Etsy right now to see if that's still the case, but I wanted to let you know in case anyone else is having issues.

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    1. Excellent spotting, Jessica, thank you very much. You're spot on there about the link. A lot of the links that I had access to before the shop was live differed a bit from their (now) active peers, and though I tried to avoid having that kind of situation happen, clearly it has. I will try to fix as many of the existing listings as I can and ensure the correct link goes into all new ones. I really, really appreciate you bringing that to my attention. Thank you for your help!

      ♥ Jessica

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  32. Congratulations, Jessica, this is so wonderful! I'm so happy for you, and for this next stage in your career!!!

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  33. How lovely! Congratulations on your Etsy shop, I wish you every success.

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  34. WWWOOOOOOWWWWW!!! You have done such a tremendous amount of work! It truly shows in the awesome pics, designs, and well worded listings. I hope all the best for your shop endeavors, and you can be sure I'll be snooping around every now and then to see what you've listed recently. :)

    Blessings,

    Brigid
    the Middle Sister and Singer

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  35. Whoot! Congratulations! Very exciting stuff, and it looks lovely. I'm not personally much of an online shopper myself but I'll definitely be checking your site out - if anyone's collection were to tempt me, yours would be it. I'm also pleased as punch for you and saying 'God bless the internet' because I can't imagine you would have the same chance of setting up a real-world shop with your health concerns - I know that these will still affect the running of your online shop to some extent, but it's so great that you have the chance to do something truly lovely like this, with more flexibility and not having to worry about travelling to and from a shop each day. Very, very best of luck with it!

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    1. Thank you very much, dear Marie, you hit the nail on the head precisely when it comes to my health and how the web affords me this amazing opportunity. If I were to open a vintage shop in person (which I do not feel our town could currently support in the slightest, that in and of itself a huge roadblock), I would have to hire and a knowledgeable staff (tricky to find here, so extensive training would likely be a must), and just be the manager/owner who was able to make it in once in a while. Thanks to the web, I can work on the good days and rest (or do lighter tasks) on the extra rough ones and hopefully everything will balance out, much in the way it usually has (in recent years at least) on the blogging front.

      I greatly appreciate that you raised this point. Thank you so much for your caring, wonderful comment.

      ♥ Jessica

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  36. Congratulations Darling!!! I'm so excited for you! Scooting over to take a peek at your shop this very second. xox

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  37. Wow, fantastic news!!! Congratulations!!! I wish you success with your wonderful shop. I already have some favorite itens, mostly the victorian ones. They all are so pretty <3 ...Sure i'll spread the news for my friends and followers!! ^^

    XoXo
    vintagepri.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet dear I appreciate you doing so tremendously. Every mention is worth its weight in (vintage) gold, quite fittingly :)), right now.

      Huge thanks!
      ♥ Jessica

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  38. Woooooo! Best news ever!!!! So exciting, Jessica!! I'm off to check out the shop right now...
    xoxo

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  39. Oh, I'm so happy for you, my dear!
    It isn't easy to start something like that but I'm sure that your shop will be perfect for every Vintage loving person. When I have some time left I'll take a good look on your Etsy shop and maybe I'll order something! It would be an honor to have something from Chronically Vintage here in Belgium.

    xoxo Emma
    http://littlemissbamboo.blogspot.be/

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    1. You're immensely sweet, dear Emma, thank you very much. It would be a sincere honour to send you something from Canada anytime.

      ♥ Jessica

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  40. Fantastic news that Jess!
    I was really surprised with this news so enjoyable! I'm very happy for you, for this achievement. I wish much success and many customers in your venture my dear!
    Lindas jóias! Um grande abraço de sua amiga Cris, do Paraná, Brasil.

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  41. I'm so excited for you and I sure your shop is going to be amazing. I'll have to start saving now!
    Retro rover

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  42. Oh Jessica, I'm so excited and happy for you!! I am wishing you so much success on this endevour!
    Time to look through the shop and figure something cute to buy!

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  43. Congratulations my dear, I'm sure all your hard work will be rewarded handsomely . Good luck, my dear!
    Cant wait for your hats, my own special favourite. X

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    1. Thank you very much, dear Jill!!! I've got a few wonderful vintage chapeaus eagerly awaiting their moment in front of the lens. :) I really hope that one or more of them tickles your hat loving fancy.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  44. How absolutely thrilling! I've had a little peak and it looks perfect. The photography is beautifully clear and everything is so clean and sparkling. Now, you know I'm looking for a little westie brooch - be sure to let me know if you get one in and I would very much love a pair of your nickel free earrings. I will check back often! Lots of luck in your new venture, Jessica!

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    1. Thank you very much, lovely Philippa. I will definitely keep my eyes peeled for a Westie brooch for you. I have another tiny vintage puppy pin in stock at the moment (awaiting its turn to be photographed), but it's a Pekingese, not a Westie.

      Yay! I love knowing that you'll be extra excited for when the nickel-free jewelry goes up. I've been whipping up a small storm on that front soon and will be listing it asap.

      Thank you so much for your wonderful support!
      ♥ Jessica

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  45. Congratulations, Jessica! I'm so excited for you and wish you all the best with your shop!

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  46. Congratulations Jessica - your Etsy shop looks absolutely fabulous. Beautiful items, beautifully photographed. And I am VERY excited about the nickel-free jewellery - I too have a very bad nickel allergy and find it difficult to find costume jewellery that I can wear. I can't even wear clip-on earrings for very long - which I find very frustrating because I love vintage earrings. I have favourited your shop and will check it out regularly - All the very best from Karyn (Eliza's Dream)

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  47. Yay! The suspense was killing me. You really know how to create interest. Good luck with this venture, pal.

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  48. Wonderful news! Can't wait to see it up and running.

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  49. Oh my! Wonderful!!! I love it and I am so excited for you. I just made a purchase!! And I may have to make another one real quick.

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  50. This is wonderful, Jessica. Congratulations on pursuing something you are so passionate about and taking it to another level. I think one of my favourite things ever is stories of people following a new dream and doing something they love! Heartwarming. And, of course, you are doing a fabulous job - the shop looks amazing!

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  51. Congratulations! I'm heading over to browse right now!! :D

    Lisa.

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  52. Such great news Jessica! A fellow seller! I really really like the photography of everything. Have been out of the blogging loop for a long time, and am excited to get caught back up!

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  53. Yay!!!! How very exciting! Congratulations on the shop and all the best of luck for the future of your new venture. XXX

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  54. A BIG congratulations from Denmark! :) Now we're in the same "business". And I have to say it all looks so lovely and professional. Great photos, lovely and elaborate texts, nothing to complain of here. And I simply cannot wait for you to restock with more, I am dying to see your handmade goodies. I know I will love them. I, myself, have a lot to restock my shop with and wanted to take photos today, but it is raining all day long, ough. :( I have things from my belated MIL and have found some other small things. See you at Etsy. hugs from Sanne

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  55. Congratulations dear Jessica! I'll definetely check out your lovely shop. I'm dying over the department store photo at the beginning by the way!!!! xx Shauna

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  56. Congratulations! You have so nice items there, adorable. Wish you luck!

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  57. Congratulations! I am so excited for you! I tried to comment yesterday, but my iphone wouldn't let me :(
    I've already favorited your shop on Etsy, and browsing through your items, I only wish I had some extra money right now. I am very much looking forward to seeing all the amazing vintage stock that I know is coming in the future, and I wish you only the best in this new endeavor! May God bless your efforts and be glorified in them.
    Sarah

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  58. I am sooooooo excited for you! Congratulations, you are going to have so much fun!

    Thanks doll,
    The Glamorous Housewife

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  59. Yay!! This is great! Congratulations :)
    You have some gorgeous items in there already!

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  60. Hurrah! It have visited and it is filled with gorgeous things. I've just treated myself to an early birthday present.xx

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  61. I already commented on Facebook, but I've just read more details here - I had no idea you had jewellery making skills, how amazing!! You are incredibly creative, so I could see you 'making' things. I can't wait to see the kinds of things you design and make.

    This is all very exciting, P x

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  62. Ah! I had an inkling your new venture might be a shop! Congratulations!
    xo

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  63. Congratulations, and best of luck. You have such good taste, I'm sure you'll fill your shop with beautiful items.

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  64. Congratulations, Jessica! How very exciting, and really right up your alley. :) Heading over to check it out!

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  65. Excellent, Jessica! You've entered the exciting world of ecommerce and I wish you the best. Your shop looks so professional and you have such beautifully photographed items. I'm not surprised, though, because you're such a class act! Congratulations :)

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  66. Congratulations! Your shop has some lovely items in it. I hope your first week running it is going well. It must have taken a lot of work to get it ready.

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  67. Eep!!! I'm so happy for you. I'm off to check it out asap! I know this is a huge step and know you'll be selling items left and right. I've been thinking about going back to etsy after a horrible situation with ebay...I'll have to tell you more in depth in a message/e-mail.

    Anyway, I mazel tov to Chronically Vintage Shop!

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    1. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, dear Sean!

      ♥ Jessica

      *PS* Oh no though, I'm truly sorry you had an awful experience in eBay. I still shop there sometimes, but have switched over to Etsy in recent years for far more of my online vintage purchases, as I find one runs into a lot less problems with sellers and their items on Etsy.

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  68. Congratulations! This is such great news. I wish you every success with this new venture!

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  69. Congratulations! This is truly a massive endeavour for you and I wish you all the very best with the shop, I'll be popping over to check it out shortly :)

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