The makings of an online store

November 10th. EEEEK! It is just a little over a week away. Junk Revolution's online store will open its doors to customers. It will be a quiet opening. The big "bell ringer" grand opening will come a few weeks later, as soon as I can get all my ducks in a row.

Thanks to friends and family I have help in this endeavour. My good friends Rob and Tieran are building the website one piece of junk at a time. Taylor, my daughter from LA, is in charge of posting product, writing descriptions, fulfilling orders and reordering product. We have been working together on our junk assortment and it has been great fun! (We will be offering both a classic and trend category of junk apparel.)

The pillow pictured above is made by my sister, Karla from Florida. She was working on my ideas for pillows embellished with recycled men's ties and decided to take time out to design bottle cap pillows. I love them!! I have asked her now to do a 20" square as well. We need to rethink the tie thing...I'm sure we will come up with something. She made the tie Christmas tree skirt we featured in Country Home several years ago.

My friend and junking buddy Cammie from Nebraska is crafting bottle cap belts for the website along with a whole bunch of other cool stuff.

Our categories will consist of Classic gear, Trend gear, Make a statement, Accessories, Home, One-of-a-kind, & Seasonal. We won't have everything up on the 10th, but will continue to add every week.

Tieran, Taylor and I design all the exclusive T-shirt designs. This one is for fellow bloggers!

Have you ever looked up the definition of Junk?

In between shooting and designing I made a quick pick-up of Pie plate thing-a-ma-jigs from artist Suzanne and her daughter Rachel. I need to shoot soon, and was hoping you could help.

I want to shoot them for the winter season and am not sure what would look the best. They would be great planted with wheat grass, a chocolate bunny, and eggs for Easter, Gourds and mini Indian corn for Autumn, add a check napkin and fill with brownies for a summer picnic...you get the idea. If you have some fun winter ideas for my upcoming photo for the online store, please share.

My guest bedroom is officially a photo studio, much to husband's dismay. I will continue to give you sneak peaks of the process. If you have some ideas of things you would like to see in Junk Revolution's online store...here's your chance. Let me know!

Peace,

Ki

Garage Sale. Recap.

Hurray! We made it! My husband and I survived 3 days of garage sale mania. I'm exhausted! In Minnesota, Thursday is known as garage sale day. I advertised in the newspaper and on Craig's list. (I was a Craig's list newbie.) To my surprise, everyone I asked came off Craig's list. It poured the day before so I was unable to mark anything outside, but figured I'd get up early and mark in the morning before opening. Just in case, I posted signs apologizing for my lack of preparation.

As soon as the sun came up..I was ready to finish marking...or so I thought. I bundled up for the 36 degree reading on my thermometer. Long underwear, winter boots, ski jacket, hat, gloves, and a pocket full of Kleenex for the sniffles was my uniform of the day. When I opened the garage door, assuming I had a couple hours yet to mark, I noticed folks milling around the soggy tables and tarps in the driveway. Of course, I invited them to shop early.

The signs of apology came in handy. I sold most unmarked stuff before I was able to get to it with a permanent marker and masking tape. My husband and I had so much fun! We enjoyed visiting with folks, some that came back all 3 days. I even met a few fellow bloggers!

Kerry did the heavy duty negotiating on the big ticket stuff like snowmobiles. He said I gave the store away. He was right. I did. And had fun doing it. I was amazed how ten cent and one dollar items can add up! I continued to add to the free pile throughout the sale and it continued to disappear.

I posted yellow signs everywhere.

I really had no idea what most of this stuff was, let alone what to ask for it.

Before.

After. A noticeable improvement, don't you think? I bet we will be able to get 2 cars in if I consolidate!

Unfortunately I was so busy during the sale I forgot to take photos, however I did get this pic of our last customers of the day, Jennifer, Chad, and Gizmo stopping to shop on their way to a costume contest at one of the local Pet stores. They were a shoe in to win!

I was right. We had the sale just in time! Those white flecks you see in this photo are snowflakes! Really. It has been snowing for more than an hour now.

I have a busy week ahead. I will share with you the process of getting our Junk Revolution online store up and running by Nov. 10. Our guest bedroom has turned into a photo studio and I will pretend to be a photographer.

The Junk Bonanza website has been updated for 2009. I am excited to announce we will be moving to Canterbury Park and will continue to update you with new photos, activities, vendors and other fun stuff.

Did you finish your junk pumpkins for the contest? I can't wait to see them!

Peace,

Ki

Garage Sale Update

This is it! I have been talking about a garage sale for almost a year now...This Thursday Oct. 23, Friday & Saturday is my big sale. I doubt that I will have everything marked and polished, but I can't wait any longer. The weather is bound to take a nasty turn any day now. I placed my ads in the newspaper and on Craig's list, so I am committed! My husband said he would help out...wish us luck!


Had to let you see the tree in my front yard. Isn't it magnificent?


Valarie, Michele, & Michele from the Red Shed sent me this wonderful bauble. When visiting their website I noticed they had a class in soldering...how cool, I always wanted to learn how to solder. A salt shaker, a clip earring, and a little solder.


I added a wire to hang and it makes a fun ornament! I would love to see a potted bare branch tree, maybe spray painted and glittered with all sorts of baubles hanging from it. What a wonderful centerpiece!! (If you are really nice you could give them as party favors!) The Red Shed gals just had another cool class last week. Check it out!


Remember I told you about missing the Junk Jaunt...well you won't have to. My friend and junking buddy, Cammie, sent me incredible photos of her journey and the junk she found along the way. As soon as I figure out how to do the slide show thingy, I will post them. For sure, I won't miss it next year. We could all meet up!

If you have any suggestions for beginners on how to do the slide show thing...please pass them along. I am still learning the ropes!

Peace,
Ki

Kitty Update.

Many of you have asked how Rev, my garage sale kitty, is doing. Your comments touched my heart. Thank you. Well, today he left to live with a wonderful family with 5 kids and 2 dogs. He went home on approval to be sure he and the dogs get along. Keep your fingers crossed.

As you know I have been out of town for 10 days. During my absence Rev has been socializing with the neighbors. He has gained a few pounds and his backbone and ribs are hardly noticeable when you pick him up to snuggle. His eyes are clear, his coat shiny, and his sniffles are gone. Rev is obviously feeling better as he has been leaving us presents on our front stoop. Of the mice variety.

My husband, Kerry, who is not an animal lover, actually got attached to Rev while I was away. It seems the neighbor kids did, as well. Rev is moving just across the street...if he doesn't bite the dogs, that is. They said they would give me daily updates during the transition and visiting rights should they adopt him officially. I am sad for me...but happy for Rev. He deserves a good home. I will miss him. I believe he is an angel of purpose.

Be sure to check out our Pumpkin Decorating Contest on Linda's Blog, Restyled Home. Have a party and send her photos! Winners get gift certificates to my Junk Revolution on line store opening November 10!

Peace,

Ki

California. Rose Bowl Flea Market

It takes some planning, but I always try to schedule my visits to California to coincide with the Rose Bowl Flea Market. This trip was no exception. Tyson was kind enough to drive his mother to Pasadena where we met our good friend Jared.

(You may recognize Jared from HGTV's Rate my Space and Summer Showdown.) Jared is a carpenter, furniture designer, craftsman, and TV personality. He is one of the few on TV today that actually knows what he is talking about! Check out his website at www.jaredwalkerdostie.com  FYI, he is a really nice guy and cute too!

I am a coffee drinker. I thought everyone drank coffee. So how is it that my kids don't have coffee, sugar, or butter in the house? Since staying with Taylor and Tyson, I have learned how to love olive oil, eat my Wheaties without sugar, but I just can't replace my coffee with green tea. Not just yet, anyway. I made Tyson stop at a Starbucks on the way to the flea market and I must say I had never patronized a Starbucks in a laundromat. Weird but cool!

I've seen a lot of shoe forms in my day, never quite this pointy!  Ouch, those shoes must hurt!

Shower anyone?

I found it really hard to restrain myself from buying.  I don't really need a miter saw, but this one was really cool!

The vendor told me this is a popper.  It was a bar game played in the 30's.  I've never seen one!

My design tastes have reverted back to my years growing up in the 50s and the 60s. My mom was very contemporary in her decorating, and our home was considered far-out by most of my friends. We actually had a twine ball light fixture in my living room, and modern egg shaped chairs at our kitchen table. The Rose Bowl boasts a large selection of modern furniture and accessories. This fountain was just out of the box. I tried to convince Tyson to buy it for his room, but he wasn't feelin' it.

I was drawn to a booth with loads of industrial and architectural items. Oddly enough, it was a vendor I used to purchase from in Minnesota, Olde Good Things. They travel the country setting up at flea markets and have a store in LA. I hope to check it out while I'm here. Check out www.oldegoodthings.com or their online store, www.ogtstore.com

Wish I needed a light fixture.  Beaters are the best.

Eric and Daniela have the most beautiful linens I ever seen. I was excited to see them at the Rose Bowl. I first met them at the Santa Monica Flea Market and we featured their pillows in the JunkMarket Style Magazine. I hadn't seen them in years, and reminded them how we met. Daniela was so sweet when she told me that while we featured her product on a full page in our magazine, we neglected to give her credit. I felt awful! It was a slip-up during production, and I never realized what had happend. She had the photo of her pillows and the cover of the magazine on display in her booth, with out a credit. I said I was sorry over and over until I sounded like a broken record and said I would try to make it up to her. So help me out and spread the word about her fabulous product! www.euro-linens.com

I thought my good friend Tim would like the Star Wars curtains, or is it Star Trek, Tim?  I always get them confused!

My big purchase of the day...a dated nail from a telephone pole. These nails were used to mark railroad ties and telephone poles with the year they were installed. The vendor had quite the collection. (His dad worked for the phone company.) His collection range from the early 1900s to 1972. I bought the year I was born in, 53. I paid $2.

I extended my trip to spend some more time with Taylor working on the online store, since she wasn't up to speed last week. We will be visiting one of my favorite military surplus sources www.majorsurplus.com tomorrow. I can't wait! I have never been to the store...just to their website.

TV. My meetings went well. More to do. I know TV is a hard nut to crack...particularly when you're over 50.  That's all for now!

Peace,

Ki

California

I am in sunny California. What a treat, as winter is quickly approaching Minnesota. Why am I here? For the Junk Revolution, of course! I am staying with my daughter and son, Taylor and Tyson, in their very cool apartment 1/2 block off of Melrose Ave. As many of you know, Taylor is an aspiring actor (stage name Taylor Nash), and she will also be heading up the Junk Revolution online store. The online store will launch November 3rd, and will include t-shirts and sweats, jewelry, accessories and some wonderful one of a kind junk. 

Unfortunately, Taylor had 4 wisdom teeth pulled the day before I arrived, and she has been in a lot of pain. She looks like a greedy little chipmunk or a chubby bunny, as her brother describes her. Despite her swollen cheeks, her over-calming pain killers, and a few quick trips to the bathroom to relieve the nausea, we have actually accomplished a lot!

Taylor wore a scarf all day, she couldn't stand to look at herself!  Thank God for painkillers.

Tomorrow I meet with a well known production company that is interested in a junk tv show. Very exciting! I will let you know how it goes. I hate being so secretive, I can't wait till I can spill the beans!

T-shirts and belts for the Junk Revolution online store are a work in progress!

Rigley, Taylor's dog helped brainstorm.

There is so much to tell you about the Revolution...I will continue to update you. Yes, we will have forums, projects, tips and products, contests, and junk content. Slow but sure, you will see my vision become a reality! I can't do this without you. Let me know your ideas, what you'd like to see on the site, and thoughts on where this all could take us.

Peace,

Ki

Junk Revolution. The Board Room

I bet you are wondering what's up with my new venture, Junk Revolution. Lots! From the outside it may appear as if I have taken a break from the junk world. Hardly! I despise the age old saying "all good things take time", but it's true! I started my business plan this summer, and I am still working on my mission statement. You will be the first to hear it when it is just right. I have this vision for the Junk Revolution, and it is bigger than I can wrap my arms around in just a couple of months. Junk Revolution will be your World Junk Headquarters, where you can go to go to learn, share and be inspired.

The revolution tag line says it all all. Rescue. Reuse. Reimagine. Inspire.

To do all of the things I'd like, I need advertisers and sponsors for my business and website. I won't be bombarding folks with random, flashy, distracting adds you find on most sites, rather introducing you to products that I believe in. I know that sounds idealistic, but it is my goal. I have met with several potential corporate sponsors that understand my nontraditional philosophy, and I can't wait to announce them to you!

One of my favorite stories is my meeting a few weeks ago with a very large potential sponsor. I arrived extra early and waited in the 2 story lobby along with suits from all over the country. I was a tad intimidated entering the large board room which yielded a massive conference table with 10 plus people that included department heads, VPs,. legal, and marketing people sitting in silence around the table waiting for my presentation. I felt as if my sneakers squeaked all the way to the head of the table. I am sure they were waiting to be blown away by some incredible power point presentation and professionally package booklets listing why they should partner with Junk Revolution. Instead, I set a small lonely junk project in the center of the table. They stared at it quietly for a moment. What did junk have to do with their product? Nothing, until I explained to them that this little project represented personal creativity and promoted the powerful eco-friendly movement. They were starting to get it. Yeah! Not everyone in the room understood the importance of blogs and the blogging community. I don't know if I changed their minds, but I knew when I left they were thinking, could this girl be on to something? It looks like I convinced a majority of the folks at the table that day, because they are going to give me a shot. I bet you're wondering who. I can't say, not just yet.

Peace,
Ki

Junk Bonanza 2008 Part 3. The stories.

Times flies. The Junk Bonanza seems so long ago. As you can imagine it was a crazy-busy 3 days filled with all sorts of incredible stories. One thing was apparent...Everyone had a good time including attendees, vendors and staff!

The Blues Brothers were rockin' out with folks at the Bonanza!


Our son Tyson, now 22 years old, worked most of his high school years at the JunkMarket. I was thrilled when he offered to fly back from LA and help me out. He worked till midnight at his office in Santa Monica, caught the red eye to MPLS, drove directly to the event, threw on a staff t-shirt, and jumped right in. His experience as a bar back/bartender/manager at Grandma's Sports Saloon in Duluth MN during college helped to develop his confident take-charge attitude and it was fun to see him in action. He continually reminded me of the importance of organizing the money I collected from book signings when he noticed it was mushed and overflowing from all four of my jean pockets. Tyson meticulously tabulated revenue during the event thanks to his major in finance and was my trouble shooter when the lights went out. I was so proud of him! Thank you Tyson!


Brenda, Bonanza vendor and jewelry artist extraordinaire, just foolin' around. Check out her fabulous jewelry at http://www.autumnplacearts.com/


I wish our vendors would be more serious...there was way too much foolin' around! You can visit Jane every month at her shop in Carver. http://www.omustardmoon.com/ You may recognize Jane as a member of the Bonanza Posse.

As I mentioned in an earlier post we weathered floods running through the rainsoaked tent and a city wide black-out which demanded the ballroom be evacuated for 2 and 1/2 hours. With some quick thinking and a little preparation Saturday morning Jane, John and I handed out vendor goodie bags along with a Bonanza survival kit which consisted of a vintage plastic rain bonnet for the tent vendors and a recycled box of matches and a small candle for our ballroom dealers. They were all great sports and didn't try to blame me for the dramatic events.


Amy picking up her prize for naming Junkerella and winning my first blog contest!


Sandy was adopted to a wonderful family...you can read about her trip home by clicking on The continuing travels of Sandy on my sidebar . (I retained visiting rights!)


I was invited to a slumber party at the hotel with the Red Shed ladies and their crew. What fun! Fortunately, they didn't make me put on my pajamas...


Christine, Junk Corral Queen of Display, found her van dead as a doornail as she was about to head home. Never Fear, Jennifer from Tomboy Tools was there...with her pink jumper cables!


We packed it up for another year! This Monday the Possee meets to rehash and begin plans for Junk Bonanza 2009. Keep an eye on the Bonanza website as you will soon see updates for next year's barn stompin' event!

I bet you are wondering what's up with the Junk Revolution. Lots! Next post I will update you. I am heading to LA in a couple days....Hollywood here I come!

Peace,
Ki