It's Show Time!

It's Show Time! When life get's tough, get creative, & keep the show rolling on!

This time last year, I released the "It's Yam Time" tee shirt, in advance of our October county fair. Along came 2020... In June, it was announced that this years county fair in October would be cancelled all together. My heart hurt for all the youth involved with FFA and 4H projects. You see, many of the animals are raised or purchased many months in advance. Some possibly back in 2019, before all the current events. I was one of those youth in the 90's raising animals and there was just a month or so out of the year that we didn't have a calf in the barn, getting it ready to show at the fair. With the proceeds from the livestock show and sale, I put that money towards my first vehicle and college expenses. Due to my involvement in both organizations and my animals, I was awarded several scholarships, learned responsibility, and leadership skills that have made me who I am today. 

The county fair was where we had our first booth for this business, that led to so many more opportunities. In 2019, the Yamboree was our best show to date and we were looking forward to it again this October.

The very night (in June) I learned of this year's fair closing and the possibility of a new show being organized, I drew up this design. My first thought was that I would create and sell t shirts, with a portion of the sales going to the youth showers. This week, it was announced the there will be a new Upshur Co Youth Expo to be held the third week of October 2020. A show will keep rolling on, with modifications and safety precautions in place. Therefore, I am now releasing this set of tees and will use a portion of the sales to purchase or add on money (depending on how many shirts we sell) to youth projects that make the sale. (when purchasing animals at the fair, it is more of a donation type event as the purchaser doesn't usually keep the animal they bid on.) I am so happy to see that an organization has been created to allow the show continue for the youth. 

The design features all the animals that will be a part of the livestock show - dairy heifers, steers, rabbits, pigs, goat, and chickens. There is also a basket of fall leaves and sweet potatoes and a pie - things that are symbolic of our fall fair season. It's powerful what can happen when we get creative and choose to keep the show rolling on! I truly hope that together we can all make a difference in the youth of our county. 

You can find the two shirts on our website (bleached or baseball), by messaging us, or we will have some available at the Gilmer Area Farmer's Market on September 12 from 5-8 (please note different times for the final farmers market of the season - food trucks and live music as we conclude the farmer's market season.) While you are on our website, be sure to check out all of our other tees and flannels that have a rural / county fair / animal theme going on - such as The Farm that Built Me, Hangin' with my Heifers, I Goat This, or the new Christmas on the Farm. 

Yamboree, Day 3

Yamboree, Day 3 - Saturday 

We really do have a lot of fun working with Angea and setting up our space! 

Jeff came each morning to help us open up the tents, rearrange furniture, and take some of our pictures. He decided that Angea's scarecrow needed to ride my hobby horse! Lol

Each morning, we changed stuff up and rearranged stuff. 

One customer saw my picture collage on the door and thought I had met some of the guys from Duck Dynasty, but I had to explain that was my husband in the pictures and he had started growing that beard, BEFORE the Duck Dynasty show was a household name. Seriously, he did! At first, I didn't like it and he got weird looks when we were together. Then all of a sudden, these girls at the grocery and feed store would start being in awe and wanting to reach out and touch it. That's when we heard about these Robertson people on tv. We don't have cable, so we hadn't seen it yet. 

Our attempt at a selfie and someone always has to make a funny face and looks like those corn shocks are Indian feathers coming out of his headband! 

Jeff was talking to another vendor and he was like man, y'all are so cool and another said we have the most fun in our booth! We also heard several saying we had the best booth there! 

My neice, Brenna, came to help out, during the Saturday rush. We appreciate you coming to help us!

At times, it was busy and we were unable to speak to everyone who came by and we do apologize for that, but we thank you all for coming to see us and shopping our handmade and recycled, upcycled, repurposed items. 

Then, all of a sudden, it was over, we packed up, and the country roads took us home, once again. We are tired today (Sunday) and trying to catch up on some rest. Tomorrow, it's back to work in the wedding shop and trying to get new items listed in my store. 

We can't say it enough, we are grateful and thankful for each and everyone who comes by, who shops, or shares about our events! We enjoy getting to meet and visit with y'all! Thanks for being a part of our tribe! 

Yamboree Recap

I'm finally getting a chance to write a follow up to our Yamboree booth at the fair. Simply put, we had a blast! It was wonderful getting to meet and talk to everyone in person and we loved hearing "y'all have the best booth here!" Most folks couldn't believe it was our very first show and we heard "this looks like something the Junk Gypsies would do" several times! We were also told it looked like something out of a magazine! Gussie got lots of attention and loved showing off to all the visitors who carried on about her. 

Customers were able to mingle through our booth and shop like in a real store. We vowed not to have simply a table top display and there would be lots of levels and a welcoming feel to our set up. This was right before we opened Thursday morning - I'm on the left and Angea from Rooster Tails is on the right. 

We both had lots of stuff and intermingled all our goods. 

Each morning before we opened, we rearranged the set up. Saturday morning we had an Texas Aggies vs Texas Longhorns look. Maroon / red vs burnt orange and fall colors! I think the Aggies side won ;) 

For anyone that remembers the desk post and how Jeff wanted to keep it - well it came home with us! Haven't unloaded it out of the trailer yet, but we are working on a place to put it in the house. 

Friday, long time Instagram friend Jen @city2countrygirl drove up and we were able to meet for the first time in person! 

These two sweet chicks had fun hanging out while they shopped and we visited with Khloe's mom. 

They picked out a headband each and then had played with Vanessa (the headband model). 

We were in the process of closing for the evening and they helped us rearrange and fixed Vanessa's hair and used one headband to form a choker necklace! 

Then they helped model the peacock bouquet! Apparently real peacocks are on Khloe's Christmas list! 

This sweet girl was excited to pick out a dream catcher and had to step inside Gussie to look and I asked if I could take her picture. She was a sweetheart and posed for me! 

We had a Yam good time eating Angea's yam pie for breakfast! I had bought all the ingredients for pie, but ran out of time to get them made. 

Here's a few more of Angea's goodies - she had a lot of fabric pumpkins and they were a hit! 

We also made gift bags and baskets for the livestock sale, that were given as buyer thank you gifts. 

And then we were on the road again, headed home with dirty fingernails, tangled hair and a smile on our face! We had fun and in fact, we were invited to do a show next month! So stay tuned for our next adventures! We are working on more Christmas items and holiday decor to be added to my shop asap. 

I had several fall rope wreaths left after the show and these have all been listed in my shop. I've also got the first ever Gypsy Farm Girl T - Shirts available, along with several other new items. It's come a flood all weekend (10+ inches) so as soon as the weather clears up, I'll be doing another photoshoot with some more exciting items. 

We are so appreciative of everyone who shopped, stopped and visited, shared on Facebook or Instagram and encouraged us along the way! Saturday our booth got really busy and we couldn't personally speak to everyone as they came by and that's the only part that made me sad. 

We know it was a crazy week with everything happening with the Yamboree, so if you didn't get a chance to stop by, stay tuned for our next event!