Soapbox

This may be unprofessional, dramatic, whatever....but I really have put this out there.  I love my job.  My job that I created.  That no one can fire me from, I can make it as big or small as I want it to be, take this wherever I want to go.  I want to say too, I have the BEST friends and family a girl could ever ask for!  I LOVE my junk friends, I LOVE my circle of girlfriends and am flooded with support with everything I do!

This is what my problem is....I KNOW I'm not the only one in this business doing what I do.  What I don't get is why it seems that some people have turned this business into a junk war...they are out for blood, undermining, sneaky...and seem to be trying to win some sort of battle with me that they have created.  I love what I do, I try to treat my vendors and customers with respect, and make it a fun, positive experience...I am not out to win anything, out do anyone, or compete with anyone.  I believe, and I've said this a billion times...if you have the wrong intentions, you won't make it very far.  If you're doing what you do so you can beat someone, win the race, steal the vendors, out junk everyone else....people notice that.  They notice the way you treat others.  They feel your negativity you send out.  Also, if you are entering into something with good intentions, positivity, and love in your heart, people feel that too.  They appreciate kindness and respect, and I think you attract others who work that way.  You get what you give.

I had a recent experience with one of these "competitors" who shall remain nameless....I just sat back and watched and thought, is this really how you represent your business and yourself?  I'm not even sure how they make it all, treating people the way they did.  I'm still a little shocked by seeing their true colors the way I did, but I'm grateful that I got that glimpse of who they really are.  It's like highschool, only worse.  I'm just not taking part in the war.  And another group of these people competing with me... Is it a coincidence that I make a huge announcement and hours later they make basically the same announcement?  Don't think so.  Ya'll do what you do...be hateful, unprofessional, negative... I'm plowing on past ya.  If that's the way you choose to be then so be it.

I have been blessed beyond belief with my first Junk Hippy show.  We have several more coming up, and I plan on each one being as successful and fun and positive as the first!  We are going to grow and make new junk friends and travel around and have a good time!  I'm not doing this in spite of these people....I'm doing this because I have an AMAZING group of vendors, who are NICE, and fun, and love what they do as much as I do!  And that's what is important to me.  I'm not in this to take anyone down, or ruin someone else's dream.  If you want to put on a craft/junk/antique show, go for it!  I wish them the best, just wish they could enjoy the ride instead of concentrating on how to make me crash and burn.  Who would've ever thought the junk biz would be so cut throat?? 

I am so grateful to do what I do, for all those who are a part of it, and for everything it's going to be!! 

See ya'll down the road!
xoxo -KG

Magic

Last Saturday, I did something I never REALLY thought I could....or maybe I did...
I organized a junk show with 90 vendors, rented a building at the state fairgrounds...I created Junk Hippy!  Something just clicked with everyone and it WORKED.  A vendor told me yesterday "it was a meeting of kindred spirits".   That is exactly right!  I remember someone telling me at 10 min before we opened to go look outside...I went out and the line was wrapped around the building!  People CAME!!!  It was the most overwhelming feeling I've felt in a very long time...I had to hide behind the waterfall and cry, and as my aunt told me later, and I was telling myself at the time, "suck it up Nancy and get to work!!  I was just amazed how well it had turned out!  Our vendors were awesome, the shoppers were awesome....I honestly believe, and this was proven to me Saturday...if you go into something with good intentions and gratitude, and treat people with kindness and respect, success will come to you.  How can you run a business otherwise?  You get what you give!  I genuinely wish I could take all these vendors with me to every show.  It was a crazy, fun, busy, magical day and I am filled with gratitude for it!  I'm still a little junk drunk from this amazing show but it's off to work again, getting ready for Amarillo!  Thank you, thank you to everyone who was a part of this, vendors, shoppers, volunteers....I couldn't have done it without you!!
xoxoxo, KG

Break

This week is probably the single most important week so far of my career.  I feel sick to my stomach with nerves even thinking about what all is happening in the next few days!  Even thinking that this is now just DAYS away and not months or weeks anymore is terrifying.  In the center of this carnival that is my life lately, I had the opportunity to drive to Dallas (3 whole hours ALONE??).  I can't tell you the last time I drove anywhere alone, and I don't mean running to the grocery store half a mile away.  I love my girls, but everyone needs some me-time and I was secretly a little excited to get to have some of that this weekend.   My husband said "you're always driving alone".  Well just because he isn't with me, but there are 2 little girls in the back, does not mean I'm alone.  So Saturday morning I loaded my cd case - yes I'm old school and still sometimes listen to my cds - grabbed a Peace Tea and a cherry mash and headed south.  I rolled the window down and scream-sang the whole way.  I played  all my favorite old cds, all my favorite 90's music...some Aretha, U2...If you've never done this, do it.  It's good for your soul!  There is so much going on lately, with my business and my first Junk Hippy show coming up this weekend, and my grandpa fighting lymphoma for the second time in 8 years...it was good to escape a little, even if it was just for 3 hours.  We all get so busy taking care of work, family, home, etc...we forget to take care of ourselves too.  Here's to me-time!  xoxo, KG

My Fred Sanford House is {always} getting a REDO!

This is NOT my Fred Sanford house, as much as I wish it was...this is actually Meg Ryan's house!

As a junker, I have ended up with a lot of burlap, and shabby chic...  Don't get me wrong, I love burlap and shabby chic!  But that just really isn't us...so now I am in the big middle of a big clean out!!  Our house is a never ending project....I don't think any room is ever really "done" around here.  It's always evolving!  Even our 4 year old has begged me to stop swapping her furniture out!  That's one of the hard parts of what I do...you always find something better and it's a constant rotation of furniture!  This is what inspires me (this week anyway)!  If you've been to my pinterest, http://pinterest.com/3gypsygirls/, I have a board called "Spanish Vintage Dream House".  This is what I'm working towards!  What do you think?  These photos were taken from MEG RYAN'S MLS listing!  http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2012/04/25/meg-ryan-re-lists-bel-air-ca-home-photos/

I actually found some chairs like these yesterday!!  I bought them from my friend Jennifer and now they are sitting in my garage waiting for their redo!  This photo is from Kenny Chesney's home, courtesy of Hooked On Houses!  If you haven't been to that site, you have GOT to go check it out!!  http://hookedonhouses.net/2008/04/24/kenny-chesneys-mediterranean-style-malibu-home/

What do ya'll think?

Happy junkin!
Kristen

And this is all it takes!  xoxo

Rescue!

This is one of my latest finds!  Can't wait to see what I can do with it!!  I've always wanted a "Friends" couch!!  Too bad I can't keep it.  It will be so fabulous, one day!!  xoxo

Spread a little Junkin Love!

This is our tiniest girl, Fin.  Today she was my Junkyard Fairy!  We were out painting and here she comes in a red and black tutu, pink "Mulan" shoes and of course, her crown and wand.  I wish we all could be this carefree!  Always, always, just be you!  <3