Hi, I’m Julie Criswell. The Vintage Empress started as an Etsy shop 5 years ago selling mainly vintage ephemera. Still working full time outside the home then, as I still do today, this was my way of having a fun, creative side business that would incorporate my love of vintage. As time went on I knew I wanted an outlet where I could actually sell one on one, there is nothing like talking vintage with people who love it as much as you do. Vintage items bring back special memories, I adore when customers share those memories…makes you feel very connected. I especially love seeing younger people with an appreciation of vintage, it makes me happy to see that they understand the value of preserving pieces from our past. Experiencing that interaction at Markets is what really helped me reach my decision of no longer selling online. You can’t see the happiness on someone’s face online, but it sure makes your heart full when you see it in person.
In addition to hand picking vintage items for customers I have also been repurposing furniture for years, another creative outlet that I love. I sometimes add touches of vintage ephemera to my pieces, gives them just a little something extra and special. You can do so much with ephemera, from mixed media art, scrapbooking, card making, junk journals, decoupage….the possibilities are endless. Each piece of paper has a story to tell.
After 2 years of restoration we are bringing “Petunia” our 1959 Shasta camper to markets. My husband Mike has worked tirelessly on her and this year she is ready to be filled with treasures that we find for you. My Instagram is under Julie1957, you can get some sneak peeks of what we’re working on, and by all means feel free to message me. We can’t wait to meet you this September!!