Because Etsy is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month, it is encouraging all members of its community to share their favorite Etsy memory. I’m both a buyer and a seller in the Etsy marketplace, but I thought I would participate by sharing my favorite memories as a seller through Lost Cause Revival. 🙂
The first moment that comes to mind is just that: one of the first moments with Etsy. Paranoid stressball/glutton for punishment I am, I stayed up until 7a.m. before LCR premiered making sure every item I listed was appealing with quality photos and colorful descriptions. Needless to say, I was an exhausted loopy mess the day of Lost Cause Revival’s official grand opening July 11th, 2014. My best friend Mary came over bearing my favorite coffee and encouraging my bedraggled pursuits.
LCR’s big day happened to fall on that year’s Cow Appreciation Day, and Mary and I had always wanted to dress up like cows for free food. She painted cow spots on shirts on the floor as I continued to stare at my computer screen, eyes twitching.
By noon, I was ready to reveal my business (my baby) to the world. Lost Cause Revival went live and we danced around my living room. The next moooove? (Heh) We changed into our bovine attire and made sure we had everything.
As I went to shut off the computer, I received my first order. Subsequent screaming probably startled the neighbors as we danced again and went to check the order— this antique lock plate necklace.
I can’t look at this photo without mentally fixing the symmetry. Ah, very humble beginnings.
In that moment, I was so excited that I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. Thus, I went to eat a free meal with my best friend dressed up as a cow. Obviously.
We glowed with excitement and white cow garb. (Mary is on the left, and I’m the awkward potato on the right)
It wasn’t until a bit later that it began to sink in that Lost Cause Revival was now a real thing that real people were interested in.
This leads to my next favorite memory, which happens to be my most recent one. (Seriously, really recent) (as in today).
I have been experimenting more with computer key jewelry lately, especially with mixed key styles. As sort of a prototype, I created a piece for myself featuring Lost Cause Revival’s acronym.
Experimenting with multi-colored keys (before necklacedom)
After getting some good feedback, I turned this piece into a necklace. Today was my day to wear it out and see how it acted in the wild.
I had a university event today representing a club I’m the Vice President of (UAH Charger Theatre Club ftw), which brings me to my memory (finally).
At the event, two girls approached our booth, so I launched into my spiel. After talking with one of the girls about the club, the other girl took a good look at my necklace.
“Does LCR stand for Lost Cause Revival?” she asked.
I looked at her like she had three unicorn heads. When I finally could speak, all my brain could muster was “Yeah… How do you…?”
As I struggled to regain functionality and not cry, she told me that she loved my Etsy shop and thought my work was awesome. I couldn’t find the right words to tell her how much everything about this serendipitous situation meant to me in my state of shock, but I tried my best. After talking about her favorite creations and upcoming events, they continued on their way, and I was left in a haze of disbelief and happiness.
The idea that my work could be recognized by a stranger who admires my little Etsy shop I care so much about is such a crazy, amazing concept that I’m still trying to wrap my brain around it.
Both of these memories have helped me realized that I can connect with people and spread my passion for upcycling through something bigger than myself. Taking such huge steps towards my dreams wouldn’t have been possible without Etsy. I’ll keep memories like these in my heart as I battle challenges and keep working to make Lost Cause Revival grow to be the best it can be
There are no lost causes.
~Kaylie
Lost Cause Revival 