I’ve been a treasure hunter for as long as I can remember. Nothing compares to the genuine thrill I feel after I’ve sifted through a pile of “junk” to uncover something truly exquisite. Not all my friends understand this pursuit of mine. They prefer to purchase things new. They like to be the first person to love something and enjoy the comfort of shopping in well-lit and super tidy environs. That’s not to say that I never find stuff I love in places like that. It’s just that they don’t have any immediate story attached to them. Often times when I’m thrifting I’ll meet the most interesting people: someone who has been in the game a long time or a truly amazing artisan who is continuing a family tradition. That kind of interaction is something I just can’t get at the mall. Give me a stall in a crowded market, a tent in an open field or an estate sale at the edge of the earth any day of the week. Meet me there!