Vendor Profile: Whitney McBride, Old Flames Vintage

How long have you been selling vintage and how did you get into it?

Officially, just a few months... The May Vintage Bazaar is my big debut!  I grew up in the auction business so I've always been around all kinds of collections and collectors, buying and selling. My parents did a lot of estate auctions and I'd help sort through everything, it was part social history lesson, part treasure hunt. My own collection just keeps growing, so I decided it was time to set up shop.

What's your favorite second-hand place to shop?

Flea markets. I love the atmosphere and the banter with vendors. I especially like rural ones, I had a blast at a flea market in Tennessee last weekend. The Kane County Flea Market in Geneva/St. Charles is pretty great too.

How do you describe your shop's style? What do you look for in the things you buy?

Quirky mid-century domestic goddess. I only buy things I like, are made well, and have some life in them. What's the fun in splurging on some adorable vintage fabric if it's too fragile to use? I like items that tell a story, or start one. I'm a sucker for pin up girls, neckties, postcards, enamelware in bright colors and anything with roosters on it.

What's your favorite thing you're bringing to the Bazaar?

A fabulous bright yellow enamel ironing board, I found it still in the box. I may have trouble parting with it.

So what else do you do? What's your day job? Hobbies? Any new skills you want to learn this year?

I work a lot, I'm a freelance costume designer for theatre and a teaching artist at a high school. When I'm not working, I'm playing with food, dominating at Scrabble or listening to bluegrass somewhere. My big summer project is a garden plot I'm co-parenting with a few friends. Making croissants, finally learning to knit, and growing my little vintage business are all on the list for this year.

Check out Whitney at the Vintage Bazaar on Saturday, May 14 -- and check out her website here.