Business
Antique Loft is Limericks hidden gem
Do you love all things antique? Have you a flare for vintage? Well then Antique Loft is for you. Antique Loft is run by Limerick native Sharon O’Keeffe. Sharon trades online and from her home in Limerick selling antique accessories ranging from 1850’s to 1950’s style vintage jewellery. Jewellery is a huge element of her growing business but she also sells and rents hats, handbags, clothes, furs and furniture, all antique of course! Some of Sharon’s antique items are even on sale in the antique centre in Clarecastle, Co.Clare.
Sharon was born and raised in Limerick and developed a love for all things antique from a young age, her family were always collecting and as child was taken to markets. Her father restores old fireplaces and building so it’s easy to see where Sharon developed a flare for antique. As a student Sharon became interested in vintage, attending fairs and flea markets was a passion of hers like any young student on the hunt for a bargain. Sharon has a degree in auctioneering, as part of her degree she studied fine arts. In 2007 Sharon unfortunately lost her job, it was then she realised she wanted to turn her passion for vintage into a career and began trading at vintage fairs. In 2009 she opened her own Antique store in Middleton, Cork. The store prospered for 5 years and was extremely popular in Cork. Sharon then decided to move back home and returned to Limerick in 2013.
Sharon currently has a day job as a financial advisor, but has big plans for her future in antique. At the moment she trades through vintage fairs such as the monthly Ab Fab Vintage Fair in Castletroy, and online through her Etsy page and social media platforms. She is currently working on creating a site which should be up and running very soon so keep your eyes peeled! Sharon has dreams of opening her own antique store in her home town, as she wants to bring authentic vintage jewellery to the people of Limerick as there is not a huge market for it at the moment. “Antique jewellery is very popular at the moment, the jewellery I sell is genuine and authentic which is hard to come by” said Sharon on her products. The jewellery ranges from 1850’s to 1950’s with 1930’s being the most popular. “1930’s jewellery is so unusual and delicate, it’s hard to find a good replica”.
I know what you’re thinking antique jewellery is pretty expensive right? Well it’s not as it seems, Sharon’s products are all very reasonably priced and affordable “I aim my products at the everyday person”.
When I asked Sharon what her favourite part of the job was she said everything, it’s her passion and her dream job. Not only does she have extensive knowledge on vintage items from running her own antique store but it’s also a hobby. Sharon hopes to have her website up and running soon, in the meantime check out her social media to find out more about the amazing products she sells!
Find Antique Loft on social media
For other stories about Limerick Milk Market go here
You can find Sharon’s Antique Loft Esty shop here