AVON – Many people want to turn their hobby or side hustle into a full-time business. When a passion can turn into a regular paycheck, it’s about as rewarding as it gets for an entrepreneur, and Shelly Ipavec, owner of Brushin’ & Blushin’ on Detroit Road in Avon, has experienced just that.
The self-proclaimed “military brat” explained that her family relocated frequently when she was a child and lived in military housing. As a result, her mother became interested in being creative with her home décor because military families were unable to paint or change out many fixtures. Instead, she went to thrift stores and transformed uninspired finds into creative masterpieces.
“And, we didn’t really have a lot of money then either, mom had kids and budgets, so it was a way she found to decorate the house her way without changing walls or fixtures,” Ipavec told me. “I developed a similar passion as a military spouse. I became very interested in thrifting and repurposing old items.
Ipavec worked as an account executive in the financial sector. She traveled extensively across the United States, working with clients in her finely tailored suits and perfectly coiffed hair, teaching them how to invest their hard-earned money in retirement accounts.
However, like so many others, the government lockdowns resulting from the COVID scare altered her work and life. She could no longer travel, and she was hearing horror stories from her clients about how the COVID response had negatively impacted their lives, forcing many to dip into their retirement savings. People were no longer investing for retirement, but instead figuring out how to stretch their budgets so they could afford the necessities.
“Emotionally, it all had such an impact on me, and I was looking for an outlet,” Ipavec told me. “I asked my husband to pick up these three pieces of furniture that were so hideous and ugly for free from this guy who had them in his father’s barn.
“I would be at my finance job and afterward, I would just go out to garage, blast some music, drink my favorite wine and just get to work refurbishing these pieces,” she told me. “I would stay up until all hours of the night, and it took me six months to complete those pieces, but I learned so much. I scraped my knuckles and found it not only therapeutic, but also natural and relaxing.”
Then it happened. She sold her first piece. And as things began to return to normal following the COVID response, Ipavec ditched the blue suit in favor of blue bib overalls. In her shop, she repurposes old hutches, tables, chairs, and other pieces of furniture.
She sands, repairs, and paints her pieces, giving them new life and personality. Now, everything she works on is commissioned by clients who collaborate with her to choose colors, finishes, fixtures, and any other special touches they desire.
Ipavec sources her items in a variety of ways, including thrift shopping, estate sales, and picking junk off the curb. Clients also bring in pieces, as do many other well-meaning people who have an extra piece of furniture lying around that needs to be brought back to life.
And refurbished furniture is frequently of high quality, made from solid woods such as oak, walnut, or pine, as opposed to the largely assembled pressed board and throw away furniture found today.
“Each piece is unique and that is also what I love about refinishing furniture is each piece has its own story,” Ipavec told me. “We’re helping to keep this stuff out of the garbage dump and ensuring that it’s reloved rather than broken down and thrown away.
“Prep(aration) is really the key no matter what, if you’re not prepping properly it’s just going to look like garbage when you’re done,” she went on:
Her Detroit Road boutique shop also sells items made by other local crafters and artisans, such as jewelry, scented items, and artwork. She also organizes events throughout the year to introduce her customers to different techniques and crafts. She is especially looking forward to participating in the annual Aunt Teaks and Uncle Junque event on June 21 and 22, which will feature dozens of vendors from across Avon selling their wares.
“My goal is to create a fun and vibrant space that has positive energy that encourages everyone’s creativity,” Ipavec told me.
