Jennifro

CHINA meets Persnickety

About a year and a half ago, I went to Michael's to get a print framed. I couldn't believe it when they gave me the estimate of what it would cost: $375.00 and that was half off! The frame was only about 2 inches wide and the double matting and glass were nothing special. I just knew there had to be a way to get a cheaper price. I tried online, and several other stores and finally came to the conclusion that custom frames and framing are the biggest rip-offs out there. Thus, began my journey to China. I searched and searched for wholesale frames and stumbled upon a company in China that makes all their own frames and imports them. I decided "on a whim" to go for it. I placed a huge order, and at the same time, began working with a representative to import oil paintings from many different countries. After months and months of waiting....

my cargo entered American waters. I asked poor Nick to risk his life and go to the ghetto at Baltimore Harbor to bring my goodies home. It was quite an experience! He actually watched (unknowingly) as they loaded all of my freight onto someone else's truck and drove away. Luckily, it was eventually tracked down in Pennsylvania, and delivered to our door. This picture is about 1/3 of what actually arrived. It was SO exciting. I didn't really know what I was going to do with all of it--but thought I would try to sell the frames and paintings to designers and home stores in the area. Well...one weekend, not long after, Jill and I were out at Lucketts and decided to go into a new store just down the road called On a Whim Antiques.

While I was inside, I was really impressed at how cute the store was, and asked the owner what you had to do to sell things there. She asked me what type of stuff I sold. I told her paintings, frames and possibly jewelry. "Well you need a wall" she said. And just like that...I had a place to sell my stuff. Donna, the owner is just a fantastic person--so nice and easy going. Her business is super successful and I've had an amazing time the past nine months selling a little bit of everything on "my wall." It is always a real high when she calls to tell me I sold an oil or two over the weekend.

I had to come up with a business name, so I decided on "Persnickety" which means picky or particular. I originally thought of "Persnickety: uppity art at affordable prices" so I kept the general idea. I made a sign and went with Nick and Jill one day and decorated my wall for the first time.

I think it turned out really well--and it was so gratifying when we got everything up and looking good. Surprisingly, I have had a lot of success since I began last April. Donna has been totally shocked at what I have profited from only one wall. I have been thrilled and it's given me a reason to do more of my favorite pastime: SHOPPING! Thanks to my generous brother in law, Don, I keep it stocked with jewelry, which is my best seller. I've also had a blast shopping for jewelry in Chinatown, New York, and searching the internet for other great deals to buy and sell. I'm so glad I mustered up the guts to actually open my mouth that day and ask for a job. I have had an awesome year enjoying this little business adventure.