Sunday 17 June 2012

Fresh Start

Well I did it! I have signed up to be a vendor at my first vintage market.  Eeeek! I must admit that I am slightly more than terrified. There is a fairly good chance that I may be setting myself up for a massive failure. That scares me immensely. After all, failure seems to be my favorite place to hang out. I know that people say to "think" positive" and "send it out to the universe", but frankly I am sick and tired of having to brush myself off and start over again. Some days I feel like our family is in a game of chutes and ladders....and we seem to often get the short ladder and the long chute. So honestly taking a risk on myself is frightening and intimidating. But I guess in the long run, who isn't a little afraid of trusting themselves, and putting all your faith in your own possibility of success? 
Thankfully, I have the most amazing friend who is my inspiration and my fellow junker. I never in a million years would have thought that I should follow my passion if it wasn't for her own success with her blog and business. It is so refreshing to have someone to work beside and not be in competition. Her brilliant ideas inspire me and motivate me to aspire to great things. For this I am beyond grateful for the support and guidance and heartfelt friendship she has offered me. I am beginning to believe that I might be able to do this. Fear aside, I spent the day with Elisa, creating. Probably my favorite thing to do right now. I love the honesty of paint and wood. It is a blank canvas, and it makes me happy. Elisa from home sweet nest will be beside my booth at the show for the Clayburn Village Heritage Day, and we are trying to create flow between our two booths, and I am SO thankful for her artistic input. Thanks to my friend Jen and her shabby chic cottage theme that we are in the process of creating in her home, I am addicted to beach inspired decor! I am so very in love with it, I can't stop thinking about it! So today I let the beach flow through me. I am pretty excited about what we made. 
I was so happy to have Miss Sammy to help me take this picture....she was as equally thrilled.  




So there it is!  A sneak peek at some of the items that will be featured in my booth at the Clayburn Village Heritage Day, from 11am-5pm on Sunday - July 15. 
I am hoping to create a new blog for my furniture and junk. Stay turned, and I will keep you posted as I launch forward on this crazy journey of acceptance and faith, and hopefully overcoming failures and fear. A new page is turning for me, and I am so grateful that you have chosen to join me while I strive for a fresh start, and a brand new adventure! 

Saturday 9 June 2012

Yard Sale Hangover...

Whew! The Prettiest Yard Sale Ever, is finally complete and boy am I pooped! Although I called it a day, a bit earlier than everyone else, I feel that it was successful in it's own right. My pocket isn't quite as heavy as I was hoping that it would be, but I did unload some rather large items that I am thrilled to not bring back into my house! There is something VERY freeing to eliminate the clutter that has been filling my house slowly over the last few years.  However, I did learn a valuable lesson today....if your goal is to make money, DO NOT bring your husband to help you sell.  As a customer was happily walking to his car, arms full of our T.V, my hubby was grinning like a school boy. When asked what he sold it for, he replied..."Oh, I gave it away! I just wanted that crap gone". He even asked if he wanted him to carry it to the guys car. But I guess the happy ending is that the gentleman was thrilled, and hubby was just as happy to see it go. 
Happily, the girls that I worked with today were super successful, and the items that they worked hard on creating, were more beautiful in person than I even imagined! The rain held off, and I was able to chat with some pretty fantastic ladies. I came home with most of my baby items, but because they are already priced and organized, the kids swap should be a huge success. 
It was a great chance to see how I can market myself better for next time, and where we should be advertising. Although it didn't sell, I had some heart warming compliments on my crib. Which made me happy, because I worked my butt off on painting and distressing it. It turns out that a crib is no small undertaking! A great lesson for next time.  
So, the lesson today is that even though it's a lot of work, sometimes a yard sale can be rewarding. Sometimes the gain isn't financial, but emotional. It was time to cleanse and renew, and today was a great start! I just signed myself up for a Heritage Fair in town, and must admit that I am looking forward to the opportunity to test my foot in the water and see what I can accomplish. My crib was a great experiment, and will be coming along with me to the market, much to my hubby's excitement!  He just loves moving things....hahaha.  
I will keep you posted on my journey of creation over the next few weeks, as I set my sites for the market. I hope your day was just as inspiring and joyful!