Indy Women Creating Space // Meet Christie Congdon
We are so excited to share another Indy Woman Creating Space and ohmygoodness, prepare to be inspired.
Christie joined The Baer Minimalist team two years ago and brings such an incredible eye for clothing, styling and organization to our team. Outside of organizing, she continues to WOW with her love of Vintage and thrift fashion and her ability to find diamonds in the rough to sell on her Instagram channel, @wise.thrifts.
She has this incredible ability to pull clothing and housewares together in the most effortless way and I just needed to know how she does it. She’s giving away all of her secrets below (and in these reveal all posts on thrifting here and here).
Who are you and what lights you up? Tell us your story, your mission, and what you’re building in Indy.
I am Christie Congdon and I am a lover of fashion who operates on a thrifty budget. My love of thrifting and secondhand clothing began after I stopped working full time to be a stay at home mom. I desired designer items and fashionable looks but needed a way to be able to afford the styles and brands that I loved. I started frequenting local thrift and consignment shops to learn what things I could buy for myself at a discount.
As I began learning more about different brands and their value, I discovered that I could make a profit by buying and selling clothing and goods that I found at a discount. This is how I started Wise Thrifts. I have sold over 1,000 items on eBay and also sell frequently on Poshmark and Mercari. In 2020, I began my Instagram @wise.thrifts to share my Vintage & designer finds for purchase and as a method to share my process so that others could learn how to wisely purchase secondhand clothing also!
What values anchor the work you do?
Sustainability, creativity, and uniqueness.
Give us a peek into your space! Share what makes a particular space in your home or workplace feel utterly and totally "YOU."
Most of our home has a minimalist feel so I wanted our office to have more pops of color and style. I have tried to incorporate unique pieces I have purchased or thrifted.
My gallery wall is still a work in progress but I appreciate the different styles of art that I have collected. You'll see original paintings by Betsy Becher, Sean Wu and Shannon Godby. I also have 2 acrylic art pieces by Steven Wilson. They are sustainably made with scraps of designer handbags or paper bags with custom embroidery on top. I love the colors and the how unique they are.
I recently found the 2 remaining pieces of art at Goodwill and the Habitat for Humanity Restore. Both were priced under $10. The pink, red and orange books were purchased on Etsy or at Goodwill. The square rug was acquired by my mother at a garage sale for $20. The Shaw Walker desk chair was purchased at Goodwill for $9.99. It is a bit squeaky, but also quite comfortable. The Robert Indiana LOVE paperweight was a thrift grail that I picked up a few years ago at Goodwill. I love how everything fits together without trying too hard. That's what is most representative of my style. I appreciate designer pieces but also have a soft spot for Vintage treasures in my wardrobe.
Your go-to tip: What organization, mindset, or workflow trick has been a game-changer?
Batch processing my thrift process has greatly benefitted my sales game. I try to source on days where I have the largest blocks of time on my own. I photograph on days when the light is perfect in my office (usually mid morning and late afternoon). Listing items feels like a drudgery sometimes but it's an essential part of the sales process. A realistic goal for me would be to list 2-3 items per day.
I sell on Poshmark, eBay, Mercari and Depop. They are similar to social media in the sense that the more you list, the more visibility your items receive. Staying active on those platforms for me is a must. I only list about one fourth of my inventory on Instagram. I try my best to curate collections on Instagram that I believe will grab my follower’s attention.
Your Indy List: What 3 local businesses do you love, support, and want to shout from the rooftops?
Metalmark on Main Street in Carmel has the perfectly curated jewelry selection and incredibly helpful sales people who work there!
MacArthur Books is the cutest bookshop where I sometimes wander after Barre class. I usually stop in there before a trip so I can find one of the latest best sellers and support a local business versus the airport bookstore.
Midland Arts and Antiques. I could get lost in this place for hours. It is the best place in all of Indianapolis to dream about all of your design and style options.
Anything else you'd love to share that captures your personality or your journey.
My favorite outfit that makes me feel put together is a pair of jeans (or leggings) and an oversized sweater that is made of a natural fiber like cashmere or cotton. Don't skip the men’s section to look for sweaters! It's a sneaky spot to find oversized cozy sweaters.
Who are a few Indianapolis women who inspire you?
Besty Becher of Betsy Becher Art. She has the most interesting florals that she sells at art fairs like Penrod. She is also featured in CV Art and Frame which is located on the Zionsville Main Street. She created a gorgeous piece for my office that is her interpretation of my wedding bouquet.
Ali Marten of Marten Design. She is incredibly talented and has a good eye for detail. She is an exceptionally hard worker but also takes time for herself to slow down.
Okay…who needs to plan a thrifting field trip to Midland ASAP?? We are totally inspired by Christie and her love of vintage + thrifting.
We can’t wait to continue introducing you to some of our Indy favorites! Check out our Signature Series kick-off post with Less is Maura here.
The Baer Minimalist helps busy families create ORGANIZED + STYLIZED spaces throughout Indianapolis. To keep up to date with all of the tips, tricks and inspiration doled out, subscribe to our newsletter, The Minimal-List, here.