GypsyFarmGirl Seven Year Anniversary with Highlights from My Favorite Projects

7... Seven years ago today, I did something

big, crazy, and scary

all while 

sitting on my couch.

So what exactly did I do? 

 I listened to the encouragement from Jeff and the friends who always said "you need your own store". That night, I opened an Etsy store, established an email account, and this blog with the name GypsyFarmGirl, but I didn't tell anyone but Jeff. Quite frankly, I didn't think it would ever work. My goal was to use my creative passions to make a little extra income on the side. 

I only went by Janice from Texas, because I didn't want anyone to know, in case I failed (or for it to interfere with my day job). I started using Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram because all my friends were on Facebook. True story- I didn't create a Facebook page for a long time! 

 Honestly, the first year was super slow and it would have been easy to give up, but I kept blogging and occasionally sharing what I was making. I got featured on some blogs, with some of my projects that weren't necessarily related to the things in my etsy shop, but it brought some exposure to my blog and in return my shop, so I continued on. 

Here are a few of my favorite projects and features from way back then.

This little vignette in our bathroom was featured by

Funky Junk Interiors.

Burlap and Belt Buckles Chair Covers  - this was inspired by The Junk Gypsies and Miranda Lambert's wedding. I still remember how I excited I was when the Gypsies tweeted me and then Tip Junkie picked this project as a Top 10 Crafts to Make This Week and claimed them perfect for a western themed party. 

It looks like I have a thing with chairs! 

Jeff and I toured the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails a couple of times and my pictures and story were included in FOLK Magazine.

 A bucket list item was to be featured in a magazine! 

The week before my one year shop anniversary, I made a burlap bouquet and things started to pick up and you started asking me for custom wedding bouquets! I found my niche and I've not quit making fabric bouquets since then! Six years ago, there was less than 10 fabric bouquets with burlap flowers in them on Etsy, so I guess you can say I'm a pioneer in the burlap and lace bouquet business! 

The Original Burlap Bouquet in my Shop! 

A few other highlights from the past seven years.

 Funky Junk Interiors, once again featured a project and y'all went crazy over my rusty bucket of flowers. My post on how to plant in a bottomless bucket is my most popular blog post ever! 

Of course, our gazebo makeover and the reveal of our "junk yard" was another fun project, a reader favorite, and featured on many Facebook pages and blogs! 

One day, I received an inquiry for turquoise burlap in a bouquet. I had no idea such colors of burlap existed, but I found the fabric, completed the order, and shipped it out for a wedding in Canada. Now I have over 40 colors of burlap in stock and have shipped to over 47 states (at last count) and several countries! Turquoise has remained one of the most popular wedding colors, along with navy.

Along the way, I found an ugly camper and turned her into 

"Miss Gussie the Glamper" and I quit my day job! 

 For years, I just knew a camper would be a part of my future. Knew it deep down in my soul and would be so upset when I couldn't find one or couldn't afford the one I found. One day, I deposited my Valentine's overtime check into my savings account (for a florist, that was the very best pay check of the entire year and I do miss that bonus.) The very next day, I withdrew it and bought a 1959 Arrowhead Camper! That was in February 2014. Little did I know at the time, I would be quitting that job before the end of the year and GypsyFarmGirl would be my full time business. Miss Gussie has found herself the backdrop for many product shoots, gone to fairs and vintage markets and even got her picture in Mary Jane's Farm Magazine!

In October 2015, Angea Howell and I teamed up to do a show together and it has led to us having a blast junkin', more shows, and now we have a year round booth in Uniques and Antiques in Mineola, Texas. 

 We went big with our first show setup! See Miss Gussie hiding back there?

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for all allowing us to be a part of your special events over the last seven years! I love helping all of you and you've all been amazing to work with! I never dreamed all of this would ever happened or that I would be celebrating 7 years with this business. I look forward to helping you for many years to come! 

Some of my friends think we won the lottery and didn't tell anyone. We did not. We hustle, we work hard, and we have faith that everything will work out some how, some way. (We may be known to stress about a few things as well, but we won't go there...)

I hope along this journey, I can be an encouragement to you to

  dream big and follow your passion!

 Warning: Some days require more strength and patience than others.

Free Spirit

free spirit

noun

a person with a highly individual or unique attitude, lifestyle, or imagination; nonconformist.

2 years ago, I met a bride for the first time and after talking for a little bit, she said "you're a free spirit..." and we got a long great and the wedding was fabulous! It was the best compliment! 

Embrace it, accept it, be unique... DON'T be like the rest of them, darling! 

For as long as I can remember, my granddaddy always told me "you're one of a kind girl, you're one of a kind." At times I wanted to fit in, but now, I'm totally embracing the uniqueness of who I am. I hope you'll  do the same! 

(Found the Free Spirit Tee a few weeks ago and had to have it! Denim and lace skirt and dream catcher available in my shop. I'm not exactly model material,  so I won't be quitting my day job to pursue that avenue, but hey I wanted to show the skirt on, so you could see it better than simply hanging on a rack. There's a couple that are like this and several other one of a kind denim and lace skirts, dresses, shirts, and jackets available. 

Introducing New Spring Fashions!

Introducing a new collection of re-purposed clothing items, purses, and lace headbands for your spring wardrobe and weddings and a gorgeous vintage lace wedding dress in my shop! 

Denim and Lace, how I love thee! Every girl needs the perfect denim jacket and this one of a kind piece offers a vintage doily on the back and lace fringe trim. Perfect for layering over your favorite shirt or flannel, as the days are starting to warm up, yet you still need a light weight jacket.

 Several vintage lace dream catchers have been added to my shop, along with this two toned denim dress, with lace fringe and crocheted lace belt. It is shown here with an optional burlap and lace brooch pin. The brooch pins make great, unique Mother's Day corsage for the rustic mom and it's something that she will wear more than once, since it can be pinned to her favorite denim jacket, dress, or shirt, adorn a purse, tote bag, etc. (They come with a combination brooch pin and alligator clip on the back.)

The dress is a lightweight denim that will be cool for spring and summer wear and would be cute with boots or sandals.

 Here's the front view of the jacket, with another optional brooch pin. (The brooches are in separate listings, than the clothing items.)

This gorgeous vintage lace wedding dress is also available! I have several wedding dresses that I cut up for the lace and trim, but this dress is too pretty to cut up. It's layers of ivory lace and so pretty in person. Originally a size 12, we believe it has been altered and would fit someone about a 9/10. 

I've had fun creating some unique and one of a kind purses! 

This is a corduroy purse with lace rosettes and fringe.  

 I've been carrying a denim and lace cross body, similar to this one on the days I go junkin'. I call it the Lorraine bag, because I found the vintage lace at an estate sale for a crafter named Lorraine. It's light weight and holds the necessities - wallet, phone to keep in touch and show off what you found on the junk trail, keys, sunglasses and lip gloss. Upcycled belts form the handles on some of the purses. It's a great bag to throw over your neck and go to the flea market and antique shopping!

 This one has long lace fringe on it. Makes you want to twirl around and have fun! There are several different styles of the purses available.

 I've also got several burlap round-bottom bags that have been adorned with vintage doilies, lace, buttons and doilies. This one is in turquoise and blue,

 and there a couple of different ones in pink tones.

 "What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you FLY?" - e.h. This quote is featured on  two different tote bags and pillows. I have had several people give these as graduation gifts. The bags would make great gift bag to wrap another gift in or could be a stand alone gift for a graduating senior this year.

 There are LOTS of new burlap and lace headbands in my shop! Most of these are available in child size (fit babies to teens) although there are a few larger adult sizes. The headbands are stretchy lace and would also work for flower girls to wear in your rustic wedding.

Here's a few examples  - several more colors available in my shop.

What's your favorite new item in my shop?

Also, have you signed up for the email newsletter? There is an email exclusive coupon coming out, so you don't want to miss it.

Dream Quotes and New Dream Catchers

I listed 3 new vintage doily, lace, and feather dream catchers in my etsy shop today! Here, I paired each with a quote and hope you are inspired to dream big! 

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." -Harriet Tubman

"You have to have a dream, before your dreams can come true." -A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Create your dreams everyday!
(This dream catcher has already sold.)  

Sweet dreams my friends! Hope all your wildest dreams come true!