My mom had me going through abandoned farm houses as soon as I could walk. She loved the hunt, and many of her first antiques where found this way. She and my grandmother traded antiques for years this allowed them to have something different without purchasing something. I still have the book they kept their trades in. When my Mom passed away 3 years ago I was suddenly owner of all her primitives as well as a growing excess of Estate sale finds I couldn't pass up. I had read about Etsy in a decorator magazine and when I realized how easy it was to set up a store I took the plunge. I would say the 1st year and 1/2 I dabbled. When I lost my job in 2011 it became neccesary to create some income along with maintain my sanity and knowing if I did not get a job we would eventually have to downsize, alas we moved in July to a one bedroom apartment leaving a 2 bedroom house with basement. I knew my shop was still important and found an apartment that with great organizing could hold us and my etsy shop!