Meet Lana Thibeault Owner of ChinaGalore

 

 

Meet Lana Thibeault

 

 

 

Owner of ChinaGalore

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChinaGalore?ref=pr_shop_more

 

Lana's Shop is one of the best Vintage Shops I have seen! This Lady has amazing taste! If you Love Vintage this is the shop for you!

Outstanding pieces of History!

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/99586246/handpainted-fine-china-cup-and-saucer?

 

Sit back with cup of tea as you learn about Lana and her Shop!

 

My interview with Lana

 

 

What do you sell?

 

I sell a variety of things I personally love. From vintage china to home decor to Americana including Norman Rockwell. I specialize in the peculiar and strange and seek that out in my treasure hunting.

 

 

 

How did you get started with Etsy?

 

My niece has a shop on ETSY (Savvy Flair) and I had become frustrated with Ebay. She advised me to give Etsy a try and now I am working on expanding my shop and building a "someday retirement" business that will supplement my retirement income.

 

When did you get interested in Vintage items?

 

I got interested in vintage items from my auntie who lived in this huge three story farm house in southern KY. When I was a little girl, I love to roam through her home, trying on hats, and clothing and picking up each and every nick knack she possessed. Later, I received a wonderful hat from my other aunt that dated back to the 1920's . I still wear that hat on special occasions and it is my most prized possession. I fell in love with vintage and you will find it in every nick and cranny of my home.

 

Where does your inspiration come from?

 

I am inspired by the friends I have made on ETSY and especially by the customers who take time to get to know you and your shop. I only sell what I love so being a social person living on rustic property, I get inspired as I walk our hills and look at the awesome colors that surround us. We are richly blessed.

 

Who taught you about vintage items?

 

I am self taught and have learned most from researching and exploring other shops. I am blessed to have developed several close relationships on ETSY with other people in similar times of life. They have become not only my friends, but my supporters with both business and personal lives. ETSY fits my lifestyle and gives me a wonderful social outlet...

 

 

Where do you see your Shop in 5 years from now?

 

In five years, I hope that my shop will be a steady supplemental income in my retirement. I am coming up on my one year anniversary of my shop and am very pleased with the connections I have made and the people I have come to know. I want to continue to grow so that ETSY can someday be more of my full time job rather than part time.

 

 

How do you manage your time between Etsy and the rest of your life?

 

I lead a very scheduled life. I know when to work around my part time job and family obligations. I am lucky because I have a wonderful husband, Joe, who is supportive of my endeavor. He pitches in around the house or runs errands for me to help me out when I need it. I check my shop daily, but hope to work more on it when I reach my "someday retirement."

 

 

Is this a hobby, part-time job, or full-time job?

 

Definitely part time at this point in time. I work another part time job since there are no teaching jobs in the area where we recently moved. I volunteer in my church community and we visit our kids, grand kids, and great grand kids who live 3-4 hours away at least once a month.

 

 

Do you make or stock items you love, or what will sell?

 

I sell what I love and am passionate about. I started out with china, specifically Lenox, then I branched out when I found so many other things I love. My home is much like my shop as we eat on depression dishes and drink our morning coffee from pottery mugs. I love the stories of the companies, artists, and crafters who brought the vintage trends to life. I am a lifelong learner so I love the research of new "found" items or products.

 

 

Where else can we find you online?

 

I am on facebook and twitter.

 

 

Did you always want to have your own business?

 

It was never a dream of mine. I was always a teacher, then life altered my path...We moved to an area where that was not an option so when the path shifted, I shifted with it. Now, I can't imagine not owning my shop.

 

 

Any other thoughts you want to share with us?

 

Faith and family are the center of my life. I am a peace seeker and a person of integrity. This guides my every decision in my personal life, in my marriage, and in my little shop. I hope every customer and every person I encounter leaves my shop happy even if all they did is take a peek or ask a question! 

 

Peace always..

Lana

 

Here is a sample of items you will find in Lana's shop!

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Please pop on over to my shop to see what you can find!