Meet our Sellers – Interview with Queenie’s Bazaar

The success of the RETRuly Marketplace is due in no small part to our lovely sellers. In this blog we interview one of our sellers, Alexandra, Owner of Queenie’s Bazaar.

Queenie’s Bazaar showcases a diverse and exciting collection of the finest vintage jewellery in the UK from well know designers and vintage brands. Including book & film featured items. Luxury vintage jewellery is hand picked for it’s charm and beauty for everyday wearing, vintage inspired weddings and the discerning collector.

Here is what Alexandra has to say about her business and the world of vintage jewellery.

1. Can you provide a brief introduction to your business?
Queenie’s Bazaar sells beautiful genuine vintage jewellery for all occasions. I handpick luxury vintage jewellery for it’s charm and beauty for everyday wearing, vintage inspired weddings and the discerning collector.

2. How long have you been selling vintage?
I’ve been selling vintage since 2010 – However I served my apprenticeship while growing up helping my dad with his vintage and antique pottery business.

3. How did you get started in Vintage?
I’ve always loved vintage and antique items, jewellery in particular. I believe this comes from growing up in an old interesting house and having a mother who liked fashion and a father who deals in vintage / antique auctions. I’ve always been called a magpie in regards to vintage jewellery so it was a natural progression to create Queenie’s Bazaar.

4. Describe your typical business day.
Each morning starts with fulfilling any orders, weather it be items sold via my own website or on Retruly. I always endeavor to fulfill all orders as soon as possible and send updates via email, as there’s nothing worse than not knowing if your order has been sent or not. After this it’s a case of listing more items for sale with product photos and full descriptions. Any other free time in my working week is set aside for sourcing beautiful vintage stock from various sources, we travel around the country to visit different areas/events so this in itself can take a lot of time, but it’s always worth the effort.

5. What is your favourite era and why?
It’s hard to pick just one. I admire the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Not just the jewellery however. I like the design of the fashion, the architecture, the furnishings and also the fact that so many things we use today come from that period in time. I also admire some of the influential people of that time, such as Brunel, the creator of the Great Western Railway (which I hope to travel on one day). I also love the 1950s and adore the jewellery of this era as there are so many styles and colors to choice from, I often wear crystal necklaces from this time and find they work well with any outfit in today’s modern world.

6. What are your favourite 2 items you currently have listed?
I personally love everything I sell however my current 2 favorites are a stunning Art Deco Sterling Silver Signed Germany Marcasite Brooch and a Delizza and Elster 1960’s Black Aurora Borealis Crystal Circle Brooch, I just love the design and quality of the pieces.

7. What are your future plans for you business?
In terms of the future, I have recently relaunched my website with a new design making it more user friendly across all devices. However my ultimate aim has always been to open my own shop and workshop area where I can also offer vintage costume jewellery repairs and a rhinestone replacement service.

8. What advice would you give to anyone thinking of starting a vintage business?
Be yourself. Don’t pander to trends and treat your customers how you would like to be treated. I think it’s very important to always be true to yourself and buy what you like, it helps give your business an overall style which will always be unique.

9. What was your most exciting vintage find or what was your most memorable buying trip?
Although not a jewellery find as such, my most exciting vintage find was discovering a set of Sarah Coventry representative cardex files, detailing each individual product that the company sold in the early 1960s. Card 1 simply states “Make your life sparkle”. I just love them and find them very helpful in researching Sarah Coventry jewellery, many Sarah Coventry collectors have put in offers to purchase these however they are one item currently not for sale.

<CLICK HERE> to see Alexanrda’s lovely collection of jewellery.