Where I'm coming from, and where I want to go...

I spent the last 12 years focusing on raising my kids and building our home in Seattle.  Along the way I have taken little detours to expand my own horizons.  I invented a children's product, and explored what is involved in taking products to market.  I designed mommy cards and co-designed the website for my sister's company, MocaPaper.com.  I discovered a talent for spotting vintage treasures and selling them through retail stores and design co-ops.  My most exciting venture was opening my own little vintage furniture and decor shop, Scavenger Home, where I learned a lot about retail and business. 

When I distilled all of these experiences down to determine what I had learned and where I wanted to go next, I realized that the common theme was creativity.  In all of these ventures design played a large role, however interior design is the area that has resonated with me the most.

As my children are growing, and I am finding more time to grow myself, I have realized that interior design and decor are my passion, and that is where I want to direct my career path.  I am willing to start small and work hard, and hope to learn from experienced designers whose talent I admire and respect.

In early August we completed our move from the suburbs of Seattle to La Jolla, CA.  Now that the kids are situated in school, and we are settled in, I'm really excited to get started!

Relevant Experience

Foundry
     Georgetown, Seattle, WA       2009
          Member of Design Co-op
              * Scouted and purchased inventory to sell in co-op
                 environment
              * Assisted customers and completed transactions
                 one day a week

Scavenger Home
     Redmond, WA       2009-2010
          Proprietor
               * Secured location and negotiated lease
               * Created design and branding theme
               * Designed logo, signage, marketing materials
                  and business card
               * Found, purchased and merchandised all
                  inventory
               * Implemented QuickBooks Point of Sale system
                  including credit card processing
               * Implemented inventory management system
                  using MS Excel to track profit and loss
               * Developed relationships with customers fostering
                  loyal customer base
               * Sold and shipped inventory to LA, New York
                  and elsewhere via Fyndes.com

Inventory Showcased in:
               * KOAP Home in Kirkland
               * Revival Home and Garden in Capitol Hill
               * Fyndes.com

Career Highlights:
               * Sold to well known and highly respected LA
                  designer for use in celebrity clients home
               * Sold to television celebrity for use in her
                  South Carolina home
    

My Store - Scavenger Home

In the Fall of 2009 I opened a small vintage furniture and decor store called Scavenger Home.  Lasting only about a year, it was short and sweet, but it is one of my proudest accomplishments.  During it's brief existence, Scavenger Home was thrilled to sell pieces to a highly regarded LA designer as well as a famous television actress.

Designing My Home

In 2005 we bought a lovely piece of property in Woodinville.  With the assistance of an architect, (so it wouldn't fall down), I designed and decorated our home.  These photos are a little sparse, as the home was staged for selling at the time. The decoration of our space is a constant evolution, and pictures never seem current, as it changes all the time.

My Blog - VicariouslyLovely

When I realized that I wanted to pursue a career in design, I started my blog "VicariouslyLovely".  It was a way to keep track of ideas I had and things that struck my fancy.  I stopped posting some time ago, but it gives a sense of my aesthetic as well as my personality.

www.vicariouslylovely.blogspot.com

I was particularly excited when this before and after, done with peel and stick vinyl "wood" planks", was featured on Design Sponge.

A few of my favorite finds...

Practical Skills

Software
     Proficient Knowledge    
          * MS Word
          * MS Excel
          * MS PowerPoint
          * MS Publisher

     Basic Knowledge
          * Photoshop CS3
          * Intuit QuickBooks
          * Web/Blog Design

Other
     Basic Knowledge
          * Sewing machine
          * Power tools
          * Lamp wiring
          * Painting
          * Upholstery (very basic)