Napa Valley Dish

Everyone has a dream—or two! For me, one has been to have a little shop devoted entirely to dishes. I could picture exactly how the store would look with shelves on the walls lined with dishes and other delectable pieces of kitchenware. In the center of the room would be a big, well-used farm table with a fabulous display of vintage kitchen goods.

Today, I got a little bit closer to making my dream a reality. I set up a shop on Etsy to sell vintage kitchenware. I only have a few items listed, but already one was included in a really creative collective vignette.

I still have a lot to do: photograph the remaining items I have, upload everything to Etsy, add an Etsy widget to this blog and link it all to Facebook and Twitter to hopefully drive traffic there. Makes me tired just thinking about it all, but the little I have accomplished also feels like anything is possible.

Mostly, the items I have now are vintage kitchenware I’ve been collecting for a while. Of course, over the years I’d think my dream was a little too lofty and I’d get rid or a piece or two and am now kicking myself for it!

I started collecting plates in Japan as keepsakes of a particular place I visited and for their aesthetic value. Later, when I began gathering vintage kitchenware inspired by my friend Casey, who was a whiz at turning flea market finds into masterpieces, it made me feel like I was a curator for a small piece of Americana.

I’m excited about this venture. I love the thrill of finding a great piece and can’t wait for that first sale when someone as passionate about vintage kitchenware as me makes a purchase.

If at the end of the day, Napa Valley Dish doesn’t succeed at least I will have had an excuse for indulging in my desire to collect. And if it does succeed, Yippeee!