First, I must say, I am a bit overwhelmed by the sweet comments left for me after my last post. I have read each and every one and find them all so wonderful. It is so nice to know you are out there! Writing this blog, taking the leap and really "putting it out there" has really been one of the best experiences...I mean it.
I am humbled and honored to be featured on my friend Kim's blog (Mimi Charmante) today. I met Kim when she came to Minnesota to shop at the Oronoco Gold Rush Antiques Show. It was such a treat to meet her in real life and will look forward to seeing her again!
I realized today that I cannot really do right by the Junk Bonanza experience by limiting my coverage to just one post. So, consider this post Chapter One.....The Thrifty Mom Challenge.
Y'all (the one place I have never lived is the South, however, today that just came out, go figure!)remember that Ki crowned me the Junk Bonanza "Thrifty Mom", correct?
It is hard to put in words what an honor and a true thrill it was to work with Ki - and I use the term "work" rather loosely here because what I did was not rocket science by any means. However, for a fan like myself, just being able to say to my husband, "sorry honey, dinner is going be late, I have a meeting with Ki" was a total kick! And for all of you out there who think you can't possibly pursue your dreams and passions, my becoming the "Thrifty Mom" is proof that you can.
You see, last year I went to the Junk Bonanza as a shopper. I had just moved to Minnesota and was a fan of Ki's from Country Home magazine.
Knowing that I want to do something with my passion for shopping vintage, incorporating it into your home, being creative in the pursuit of making a home etc....I asked a friend who knows Ki if she could introduce us.
I met Ki for coffee in July and quickly became the "Thrifty Mom". I was given my assignment - to create a fabulous table scape with $100 using only items found at our local thrift store Arc's Value Village.
Little did I know that this table would get so much attention. It seemed our local television stations were interested in covering it - and Ki wanted to the press to promote the Bonanza. I appeared on one program with a representative from Arc's Value Village and Ki appeared on another (I even got to go there with her and be on set!) The picture above is of Ki on set and below is an edited version of the table ready for tv.
At the Bonanza, I set up my table near the Arc's Value Village booth (they were a vendor this year). Bonanza shoppers were able to put their name in a drawing to win the items that I put together. I was thrilled with all the compliments the table received! It was fun to talk to shoppers about shopping thrift and some even recognized me from my television appearance!
On Saturday, with Ki present I got to draw the winning name! And today, I delivered the goods to a VERY happy woman who told me that she had been married 35 years and had never owned a set of china! It warmed my heart to present her the boxes of gorgeous china and silver service.
I have to say, I l-o-v-e-d every minute of this experience. You see, one day I was a (more often than not) happy stay-at-home mommy to two girlies, wife to one traveling man hubby, friend to many, sometimes exerciser, wine lover, infrequent laundress, habitual redecorator, PTA volunteer..... AND THEN, I got to play dress-up and pretend I was a glamorous stylist working with a real live magazine editor, junker-extrodinare.... all because I took that leap...made that phone call.
I saw this quote recently:
Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. (Howard Thurman)
What I discovered is that I have creativity within me and using it makes me "come alive". Being in the presence of other creative types - Ki, Matthew Mead, Heather Bullard, Serena Thompson, Linda MacDonald and all the talented vendor and friends that I met was simply glorious and boy, did I feel ALIVE and lucky.
Chapter Two, coming tomorrow, I promise. Thanks bunches and bunches to all of you, dear friends!
I am humbled and honored to be featured on my friend Kim's blog (Mimi Charmante) today. I met Kim when she came to Minnesota to shop at the Oronoco Gold Rush Antiques Show. It was such a treat to meet her in real life and will look forward to seeing her again!
I realized today that I cannot really do right by the Junk Bonanza experience by limiting my coverage to just one post. So, consider this post Chapter One.....The Thrifty Mom Challenge.
Y'all (the one place I have never lived is the South, however, today that just came out, go figure!)remember that Ki crowned me the Junk Bonanza "Thrifty Mom", correct?
It is hard to put in words what an honor and a true thrill it was to work with Ki - and I use the term "work" rather loosely here because what I did was not rocket science by any means. However, for a fan like myself, just being able to say to my husband, "sorry honey, dinner is going be late, I have a meeting with Ki" was a total kick! And for all of you out there who think you can't possibly pursue your dreams and passions, my becoming the "Thrifty Mom" is proof that you can.
You see, last year I went to the Junk Bonanza as a shopper. I had just moved to Minnesota and was a fan of Ki's from Country Home magazine.
Knowing that I want to do something with my passion for shopping vintage, incorporating it into your home, being creative in the pursuit of making a home etc....I asked a friend who knows Ki if she could introduce us.
I met Ki for coffee in July and quickly became the "Thrifty Mom". I was given my assignment - to create a fabulous table scape with $100 using only items found at our local thrift store Arc's Value Village.
Little did I know that this table would get so much attention. It seemed our local television stations were interested in covering it - and Ki wanted to the press to promote the Bonanza. I appeared on one program with a representative from Arc's Value Village and Ki appeared on another (I even got to go there with her and be on set!) The picture above is of Ki on set and below is an edited version of the table ready for tv.
At the Bonanza, I set up my table near the Arc's Value Village booth (they were a vendor this year). Bonanza shoppers were able to put their name in a drawing to win the items that I put together. I was thrilled with all the compliments the table received! It was fun to talk to shoppers about shopping thrift and some even recognized me from my television appearance!
On Saturday, with Ki present I got to draw the winning name! And today, I delivered the goods to a VERY happy woman who told me that she had been married 35 years and had never owned a set of china! It warmed my heart to present her the boxes of gorgeous china and silver service.
I have to say, I l-o-v-e-d every minute of this experience. You see, one day I was a (more often than not) happy stay-at-home mommy to two girlies, wife to one traveling man hubby, friend to many, sometimes exerciser, wine lover, infrequent laundress, habitual redecorator, PTA volunteer..... AND THEN, I got to play dress-up and pretend I was a glamorous stylist working with a real live magazine editor, junker-extrodinare.... all because I took that leap...made that phone call.
I saw this quote recently:
Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. (Howard Thurman)
What I discovered is that I have creativity within me and using it makes me "come alive". Being in the presence of other creative types - Ki, Matthew Mead, Heather Bullard, Serena Thompson, Linda MacDonald and all the talented vendor and friends that I met was simply glorious and boy, did I feel ALIVE and lucky.
Chapter Two, coming tomorrow, I promise. Thanks bunches and bunches to all of you, dear friends!
Posts
I am so happy for you, finding your bliss. Congratulations my friend - you deserve it!
ReplyDeletexx
Jill it all sounds like such a dream!!! I'm just so happy for you...you go girl (I just had to say it)! The table looks amazing! And tv coverage too...I guess all I can say is WOW!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete:) T
Just goes to show you- you can do anything you want as long as your willing to try!! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteJill, I have heard the saying you are successful as they people you surround yourself with. You are very successful. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteLani
Terrific post Jill. I am thrilled for you to have your dream of being a stylist". I have a feeling that there will be many more stylists moments in your future. Looking forward to chapter two, chapter three and maybe four? Take care. One of your newest followers,
ReplyDeletePat
Jill, I loved meeting you and was so thrilled to see my name at one of of your place settings!! Thanks you for including me...it made my day!!
ReplyDeleteI also have to say that you were the most fashionable junker there, by the way!! You are beautiful, and I am so happy I met you!
Cheers,
Linda
Hi Jill - I missed out on meeting you and you sound like a truly beautiful person. I was an artisan featured in the Tribune the day before the Junk Bonanza and our vendor booth was too busy to leave during the blogging party, thus I missed out on a lot. Would of loved to have met you and some of the other ladies, such as Jo Packman, whom I love her publication, but will plan better for next year. I was sharing with Lani, and will have to ask her about it since she made sure she got to it.
ReplyDeleteYour table you created was absolutely gorgeous, and I so enjoyed viewing it on the way back and forth to bathroom breaks. lol
The quote you posted is wonderful, and I soooo agree with it. For me, designer jewelry has truly made me come alive.
Hope to meet you next year.
Gretchen
http://mimitoriasdesigns.blogspot.com
Came over from Restyled Home and so glad I did! This post was meant for me to read. I too could say I am the "stay-at-home mommy to two children, wife, wine lover, PTA Chair etc. I can't wait for my "AND THEN"...I am truly happy when I am creating and re-decoarting. Thanks for the wonderful inspiratin. Now I just need to take that leap and go for it. Can't wait to visit again!
ReplyDelete