Interview with Tracey Buxton from A Cottage Industry

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Home Decor Interview:

Tracey Buxton from "A Cottage Industry"

There's a saying that some of us just observe life, while others participate in it. Tracey Bruxton, who writes the popular blog called "A Cottage Industry," is definitely one of life's most active participants.

Tracey wears about a million hats, keeping busy with a multitude of projects and duties that don't leave much time for anything. But she's happy, and as you'll read below, living a life she very much enjoys.

What makes Tracey unique is her love for antiques and the courage she showed by opening up her own store. She can also be found at antique fairs throughout the country, selling her treasures to willing customers.

We're very honored to have Tracey talk with us today, and we hope you enjoy this interview.

1. Hi Tracey, thank you for talking to us today. Please take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers and tell them about your blog and also your crafts store.

I began blogging in the spring of 2006 and I wasn't really sure of what I should write about besides my little 8 foot by 8 foot vintage shop here in Reno. I posted pretty inconsistently at first, and as a few months went by I began to kind of find my way a bit.

I then found myself suddenly single at the end of September that year and stopped writing until mid January, when I felt compelled to write (I was having a lot of trouble sleeping and it felt very therapeutic, for lack of better words) and before I knew it, I was writing each day and taking pictures and feeling just a little bit more positive each day.

I opened my little shop, which was open Saturdays only (Since I worked full time at my grown up girl job) and after 6 months, I expanded to an 8 by 16 foot shop space at the charming little mall. I decided to close after a year because it was taking every waking moment to keep things stocked, and then run the shop each and every Saturday while working full time as well.

Since then I rented a booth space at a successful Antique Mall here in Reno (named "Junkee" ) and it is working out quite well. I don't have to be there every day and I get to create and work on displays, so it's a win-win for me at this point in time.

I also now have a crafting business partner (also named Tracey!) and we are now entering several Antique fairs and markets, including the Sacramento Antique Fair, the one in Alameda, California, and finally, the Farm Chicks this June. We are also working on another Tumbleweed Cotillion in late August.

2. The first thing noticeable about your blog is how much you have on your plate. Between a day job, running a store, preparing for crafts fairs, having a personal life, and taking care of your dogs, how do you have time to catch your breath??

Ummm...I don't very often. But is that a bad thing? LOL! Seriously, I'd much rather be busy than not, although I do make time for fun things with friends and family. (I have two new grand babies now!)

3. Many people toss unwanted furniture and spend a fortune on expensive, big furniture pieces.

You, on the other hand, like to paint old furniture to make it look new.
This can save a lot of money, and it�s a lot of fun, too.

What do you recommend to our readers who are interested in renovating old furniture, but who aren�t very handy and don�t know where to begin?

Don't ever be afraid to paint anything. If you don't like it, it can always be redone. Start small if you're intimidated, maybe with a wooden chair or small table. Once you are feeling more sure of yourself, go to a larger item.

I taught a workshop a while back on painting vintage furniture and I had everyone paint a WalMart picture frame, which we then used chalkboard paint and added chalkboards to when we were done. Everyone had fun and felt confident by the end of the class!

4. My favorite holiday is Halloween, while yours is Thanksgiving. What makes Thanksgiving your favorite holiday, and what kinds of decorations are you planning this year?

I love soft colors, and white pumpkins are my most favorite thing currently for autumn. They look elegant and yet, still harvest like. I loved dusting them with pearlescent glitter this past Thanksgiving...a bit of subtle bling for the holiday!

I also like using quotations for decorating buffet tables and such, and the word "thankful" brings many quotations to mind. It's easy to print and frame up some quotations in simple frames for guests to read while visiting my cottage and enjoying the season.

5. I actually baked some Christmas cookies this evening, which is apropos because you�re known for baking some mean cupcakes. What is it about baking that you love, and what is your favorite treat to make?

As with everything I love, I think it's all about nesting and hospitality. I like to make things look nice and for people to feel welcome, special, and loved. Food prepared with love is a perfect way of showing affection!

Another thing is that I like doing anything artistic, and cookie and cupcake decorating are like doing an art project. I used to do wedding cakes years ago and it has evolved into cupcakes and cookies these days.

6. You�ve now had considerable experience selling crafts in retail stores and fairs.

Do you find there is a common theme that sells well among customers, or do they all have a variety of tastes? Is it a tough business overall?

I'd say there are a variety of tastes, but all of my items seem to go together, and people find an item that kind of touches them somehow. One person may love a painted chair while another really wants the framed chalkboard sitting on top of it.

The toughest part is finding the right venue to sell in and getting the word out that you're open for business (whether it it is a space in an Antique Mall or a one day show or whatever) I love every aspect of the junk business. Thrifting, re-inventing and creating, staging and displaying, selling... I love it all. My most favorite part is meeting people at the fairs and the booth, and having them love an item that I did.

7. Tracey, thanks again for taking the time to answer some questions for our readers. For the last question, please tell us about your dream of owning a 1958 Chevy truck, and if you think your arts and crafts dollars will help make it possible someday?

Aah, yes. An old classic truck. It doesn't have to be fancy or all fixed up even...(an old white or pale blue one would be my choice of color if at all possible) There's just something so fun about those old trucks...and I think, given the right event and location, the tail gate would make a fabulous buffet area for an outdoor summer party.

Will my income from following my bliss make this possible? I'd have to say absolutely yes. Anything's possible. We just have to dream big enough.

Here's hoping that Tracey achieves all of her dreams, and with her persistence, we're sure that she will.

Many thanks to Tracey for sharing her time with all of us, and please be sure you all check out "A Cottage Industry" today!

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