My youngest son said it best in a post right after I opened my shop….(paraphrased now) “My mom has basically talked about this dream all of her life….”  And so I have…

Opening my own shop has opened my eyes to see my own shortcomings and failures.  And perhaps at times when I haven’t seen them, others have taken it upon themselves to point them out to me…often in front of others.

This week has wrecked havoc with my soul.  But as I stand in my shop on this rainy Friday, I long to come back to the place where God sprang up His plan in my heart.  And I remember His words to me, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10

And my fervent prayer remains –  that God will remind me daily that I have been created for good works and that He has prepared me to walk in all He created me to do!  And even as I type, I know the truth of His word.

I honestly walk into this space every day rejoicing, yet not fully understanding why I am here.   And then, in walks a woman whose pain is so great that she just comes to sit in a chair and soak in the peace of this place.  It’s not me, mind you, but Christ in me.

And as my day starts very frazzled with misunderstandings from a customer, I kneel in prayer asking God to give me joy in the day, in this place.  I rise, and greet a bubbling woman who immediately becomes friend.  And after moments of laughing and talking together, I ask her name.  “Joy”, she says.  And I almost laugh out loud, thinking to myself, “Well God, you actually brought me a PERSON who radiates joy and is named so appropriately!”  God is so immediately faithful to answer us when we cry out to Him.

So….confessions of my soul in this blog….

God has spent 56 years building me into His image, and He’s not done with me yet!  So if in this time span of 2017 He graciously has given me this 500 foot space to declare Him in, I am more blessed than I can possibly make known.  But hear this:  I am still being perfected into His image, which means that I WILL fail….myself and others alike.  But grace.  But God.  But forgiveness….

 

Allow me to reintroduce my vision to you, and remind myself of the same….

I like rusty things….and chippy paint….and flowers….and other such things that spark joy in my heart and day.  And my vision has been for a Vintage Home Goods shop.  So let’s talk about that a moment….

Vintage…..doesn’t mean “new”!  But I believe vintage is better than new in many ways.  When I search for vintage furniture, I look for quality pieces that are either already gorgeous or that can be made gorgeous with a little paint and love.  Case in point….

I went looking for dressers since I get numerous requests for them, and granted this was not a piece that drew me immediately because to me it was “fancy”, and I am not that at all!  But I imagined it painted and boasting the patina we vintage-lovers so appreciate.   So I hauled it to my shop.

BUT, I first wanted to offer it unpainted because it is a quality piece that deserves a home to match it’s beauty.  It’s got a nice price tag on it because it’s worth it.  But is it new?  Not at all….but I purposefully picked it….because it caught my attention as I examined it and I felt it was a piece that could sell “as is” or with a touch of paint.  So we can call it an antique if you prefer, offered in a Vintage Home Goods shop.

Let’s talk about pillows for a moment.  You’ve seen them offered here, and you will continue to see them in my shop.   They are of high quality, specifically hand-crafted for Burlap & Lace by my sister.  She has invested herself in my dream with hours of labor, and she is an excellent seamstress who has used quality fabrics and designs that would compliment my own personal style.  So you won’t find a Walmart price tag on these beauties!  Think they’re a bit pricey?  Think of it this way instead….when you purchase a Burlap & Lace pillow you are taking home a statement piece that will be unmatched anywhere else.  I don’t offer “duplicates” of things on purpose, so when you purchase one of these pillows, or even a pair, you are guaranteed that you will likely not see the same thing in the homes of your friends!

Lastly, I “pick” purposefully.

 For instance….if I have a beach vignette in mind, and I find these starfish…albeit “new”, I add them to my collection!

Feeling a bit romantic in my style?  I find items to display that look.

That being said, this is my “new”, yet from the beginning, disclaimer, without apology.

I do my own “picking”.  Always have.  So as much as I appreciate that you want to “donate” things to me, please don’t!  I am not Goodwill or the local thrift store.  And because God has given me a specific plan for Burlap & Lace, I don’t want to continue insulting you as you bring your own special treasures to me and I turn them down.

Also, I don’t consign purposefully, and again, without apology.

While you may have amazing things that would (in your opinion) make my shop look better, please take them somewhere that does  consign and will gladly accept you as a consignee to their space.

I say none of these things to be mean.   And believe me, it is HARD for me to say them!  But in this last week I have offended people by my lack of saying “no” when I should have.  Kindness betrayed me as I made efforts to bring no offense.  But in business, I have learned the hard way, you will likely offend.

 

Now, with all that said, go find yourself a quiet place of rest this holiday weekend to celebrate the freedom you have.  And my deepest prayer is that you have found your freedom in Christ.  There is nothing like Him!  And I praise Him that He continues to instruct me in righteousness daily.  To Him be the glory.  Forever….Amen!

~Blessings,

Connie