For as long as I can remember I've been called an old soul. When I was younger, I took offense to this imagining I was being called boring or out of touch. Today, I see it as a compliment.

My love of old things developed out of necessity and as a result of my mother's creativity. Money was scarce growing up. We lived in tiny house which could fairly be classified as a dump when my parents bought it. The bank had repossessed it from the previous owners and they expressed their anger by destroying the walls and floors. As is often the case, a lack of resources forced creativity. My mother quickly went to work scrubbing, sewing, painting, and repurposing furniture she bought second hand. In the end, our home was charming and comfortable. Occasionally the ladies from our church would insinuate our financial situation must be ok because our house was so lovely. They couldn't comprehend that this is what my mother did - took nothing and made it into something.

Growing up in Bavaria, Germany to parents who had survived both world wars, my mother learned resourcefulness at an early age. Food was grown or foraged whenever possible and nothing was thrown away. Girls were taught cooking, sewing, knitting, and many other useful skills. These skills enriched our lives and resulted in a happier, fuller existence. We lived modest yet cheerful little house, had fresh-baked bread almost daily, and enjoyed the abundance of an organic garden. That's not to say it was easy. There were times when, even as a young child, I understood the harsh reality of our financial situation. However, our ability to be resourceful and provide for ourselves was empowering. Working alongside my mother, I learned a lot from her.

It took me a while to realize the impact my upbringing would have on my life. When I started making my own money I wanted only shiny new things. I would not be forced to settle for the old, broken things of my childhood. My closet was full of designer clothes and household items were only bought new. Eventually, I began to understand how frivolous it was to insist on brand new everything. I loved my job and enjoyed my work as an IT consultant (and still do today), but it didn't provide me with the creative outlet I needed. 

As my career got more challenging I also began to rethink my relationship with money and things. The harder I worked to bring money in the less willing I was to let it go. Saving and paying down debt became my priority. Things became less important while experiences and travel became more important. I came to understand money is a tool and when used properly it can help us live the life we want to live.

In 2013 I made a New Year's resolution to buy as little new as possible. The goal was to really focus on what I needed and how I sourced it instead of implementing a strict "no new stuff" rule. I wanted to be greener and reduce my impact on the environment in every way possible. At the same time, I opened an Etsy store called Finderie and became an occasional vendor at the Cleveland Flea. I had always wanted to open a store where everything sold was either vintage or upcycled and this was my opportunity to make that happen with very little financial investment. It was also a way to force myself to think more creatively. How many somethings could I I make from nothing?

I was surprised to find how easy it was to make this shift. While I still buy new things, I now begin by looking for a second hand or homemade option. I've realized it's much more satisfying to make or save something than to just go buy it new. 

Through this blog, I hope to share projects and ideas that will grow your appreciation of old things and help you enjoy the benefits of your own creativity. Not only will you experience the joy of making something beautiful and useful, you'll also save money.