Former teacher Leslie Blasig wanted a job that allowed her to have more time with her two children. She taught herself how to paint furniture, and her hobby has turned into a career of its own. Blasig opened Vintage Fresh Design Co. in November and sells refinished and restored vintage furniture and other items such as artwork and home decor pieces from local artisans. Blasig said she learned to paint and restore vintage furniture both on her own and with help from other furniture painters. She now has a circle of friends in the trade with whom she shares tips, tricks and products, she said. Blasig said she began actively selling her furniture on Etsy in 2013. “We also felt there was a void in the community for businesses like ours and really saw a need we could meet by providing what we’ve coined a ‘furniture boutique,’” she said. On opening day, Blasig said more than 100 customers visited the store from Austin, San Antonio and Dallas. Many had followed the shop online. Since opening she has received a lot of encouragement from the community. “The best thing about Austinites is our support of local businesses, and it’s been really great to see that in action,” she said. [g-carousel gid="141711" height="200" per_time="3"]