Think how changing from work clothes into something smashing to head out to dinner or go dancing can make you feel light as air and even giddy. Vintage shop owner Patricia Gardner is very connected to the way clothes can make you feel and how the way you are dressed both affects your mood and can be an effect of your mood.



A stone’s throw from Pacific Lutheran University, Finders Keepers has called Garfield Street home for a little over a year now. The shop’s opening was inspired by Gardner’s love of fashion and shopping.



“I am very eclectic,” says Gardner. “I wear what represents how I feel that day. Asian, vintage, urban, whatever.”



Finders Keepers carries clothing for women, men and young girls.



And shoes! Retro boots, all manner of high heels, jewel-encrusted slingbacks, fire engine red stiletto ankle boots.



She’s even got gads of lovely jewelry, uber fancy and playfully fun cocktail attire, and handbags, clutches and purses.



“I do have a fondness for sparkly things,” states Gardner.



In addition to her awesome vintage shop, Gardner sells extensively on eBay and has joined many local vendors and artists who have an Etsy store — Etsy being home for the DIY crafter/designer/artist movement. She makes jewelry, alters clothes to fit her image of what they should be, and makes arm warmers — think long fingerless gloves beginning just past the wrist reaching almost to the elbow without any fabric between fingers. Gardner hopes to sell them soon, both at Finders Keepers and online.



Gardner also has an in-store trading policy. Just like garments she finds online, at estate sales and across the South Puget Sound to stock her shop with, she will only do trades for very unique items.



When not at Finders Keepers or scoring rad stuff to sell there, Gardner is often seen on her small Spanaway farm in beautiful dress and old mud boots, feeding and grooming her horses down at the barn.



“I don’t like to think too hard about what to wear, or take it too seriously. I believe clothes should be fun; otherwise, what’s the point?” says Gardner.



[Finders Keepers, 407 Garfield St. S., Tacoma, 253.224.6208]