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Well it’s a new year and Madge is raring to go.
Back in February, 2012 Madge had a modest goal: Clean out a closet full of vintage treasures. Who knew then where that one item on my to-do list would take me?
Some of my earliest memories were of my mom and me climbing up the stairs of the old Salvation Army store in downtown Wichita, Kansas. The sixth floor was where all the furniture was located. She’d find a sorry old couch or chair, take it home, rework it, and put it in a place of honor in our ranch-style home.
Later in the 70s, we would haunt flea markets and a used clothing store for buys on clothes, hats, and costume jewelry. My mom had great style and I learned a lot about what and what not to buy. She taught me how to pick pieces that would stand the test of time.
When my wedding date arrived, the something old part was easy.
Those vintage-shopping habits carried over to my own family. My husband was none too pleased when I implored him to rent a van and drive for over four hours to meet a delivery truck on I95. He failed to grasp my “deal of the century”- two sofas I purchased for $75.00 on a trip to Miami. Of course, my mom was with me in Miami and I admit we didn’t put a lot of thought into how we were going to get those sofas back to Atlanta. Poor Mr. Madge that was just one of many “deals of the century” to come.
My mom passed away much too young in December 2000. Losing her meant losing my best friend and my partner in crime. Shopping for and wearing all of those wonderful vintage finds was too hard without her. So into the closet they went and I put that part of my life away.
The beginning of 2012 found me sorting through our house for a garage sale. I took a deep breath and opened that closet and went through all the wonderful hats, jewelry, and clothes that were stored there. I decided to open an Etsy shop. If I wasn’t going to wear any of it I wanted all these beautiful things to have good homes. What was the point in owning it if not wearing it?
I named my shop Madge’s Hatbox after my maternal grandmother who was a milliner. Well the shop took off and with it I rediscovered my love of vintage – the uniqueness, affordability, quality and style. I regained that joyful feeling of discovering a fabulous pair of earrings or the perfect side table and realizing you are part of the chain of people who have cherished that piece. The reason I love vintage? There’s always a story.
To share my passion for vintage style I started this blog in April, also named after grandmother Madge. That opened up a whole new chapter – a journey of discovery to connect the dots in the story of Ora Madge Beals Meredith. A passing remark by my aunt led to a trip to Scooba Mississippi to find information on the hat shop she owned there in 1917. The discovery of a letter from a backer found me in Chanute, Kansas looking for the former location of Mrs. Steely Hat Shop from 1916. Needless to say, 2012 has been one wild ride.
To my mom, Meredith “Millie” Hill, and my grandmother Madge Meredith who are always with me and guiding me in this adventure.
An ever-expanding selection of true vintage in the shop ranging from art deco to mid-century to mod.
More stories on the best vintage shopping in the USA
Continued reports on hot new style trends with a vintage influence
And of course, filling in more pages of my grandmother’s story.
I hope you will continue with me on this journey and tell your friends about Madge.
4 Comments
Mr. Madge! That is way too cute. Great post, you are looking back and looking forward. On that note, I picked up a great 1960’s necklace at an estate sale in December, and it is not totally me, but I was thinking of Madge. Going to try and visit you in 2013, and I will bring it along with any other finds between now and then. I so want a job as your scout/ picker …. like I have any time for more on my plate:) Keep writing.
You are defintely appointed official madge scout. I’m still waiting on that handbag 🙂
This post really touched my heart. Your a true lover and collector of vintage. I’m so glad you shared your story and it’s encouraged me to look into blogging mine. I love your writing style…..and most of all the tribute to your mom, grandmother and aunt. Thank you for sharing….and thank you for the compliment!
Thanks so much Gayla. I really appreciate it.