Coffee Time!

Sometimes the best ideas happen by accident! Such is the case of the recycled coffee bag purses my sister Karla is making for the Junk Revolution store at the Junk Bonanza.

You see, I shipped her a box load of coffee bags to make flea market shopping carts liners. Some were just too small for the project. As junkers, we hate waste, so after a few phone conversations, we figured out what we could do with the misfits.


Not bad, huh? I do love my coffee!

Will be posting about the Bonanza Happy Trails Meet and Greet blog party this week. Be sure to check it out!
Peace,
Ki

Win this Cart!

In the spirit of blogging and to thank everyone for all of the unbelievable support and warm welcome we've received on our Flea Market Style Magazine blog, the team has decided it is only fitting to reward our readers with a fantastic, flea-market inspired give-away!!

Head on over and sign up!

Peace,

Ki

What Cheer Iowa Flea Market

What Cheer Iowa Flea Market is for the seasoned junker. You must posses endurance to withstand the more than likely rains and mud, patience to dig through the thousands of boxes and tables, and passion to appreciate the spectacular junk treasures it has to offer. What Cheer serves up some of the best antiques and junk in the country!

Jane, Sarah, and I spent the night in Oskaloosa as to get an early start. (There are no hotels in What Cheer.) It rained during the night, but be were quite pleased to see the sun peaking through the morning clouds. This would be my first dry visit to What Cheer!


As we pulled in, I couldn't help but take a photo of the parking sign above. The gal at the entrance noticed my curiosity and explained that it was painted by an older gentleman that has since passed away. They didn't have the heart to change it.


My purpose in coming to What Cheer was two-fold. One was the shopping, of course, the other to visit and get a hug from my friends. Tom and Dave are from Muscatine and both will be vendors at the Junk Bonanza next month.

Tom Howland, in the neon green tee, is celebrating over 1 year with his new heart and proclaims he has never felt better! (Tom taught me everything I know about the wonderful world of flea markets and junk!)

There was some confusion as to what day to show up to shop What Cheer. We decided to take Tom's advice and come on vendor set up day.

Not everyone one was unpacked when we arrived, but we managed to snag some of the most amazing junk that most certainly would have been gone had we shown up the advertised day.


Jane and Sarah bought at least 30% of the stuff coming off of this couple's van. One stop shopping!


An entire box of bunny trophies were the perfect present for a friend that had a war on with the bunnies demolishing her garden.


The junk ran the gamut. Pretty to


practical.


Odd to


common.


If this photo makes your heart skip a beat, I shouldn't tell you everything in the boxes is $2. You might have a heart attack!


I couldn't help but appreciate the packing job this vendor from Canada has mastered!


He is able to get more junk in his van than most would get in a 20' trailer.


It was a marvelous day. We could have continued to shop for another 24 hours, but ran out of money and space in my truck.


If you ever have a chance to go to What Cheer, don't hesitate. Don't be fooled by my sunny photos, bring your rain gear!

A personal thanks to all of you that have visited and supported my new endeavour, Flea Market Style Magazine! We are overjoyed with the response and promise you will be blown away by it's pages!
Peace,
Ki

Flea Market Style Magazine Blog Official!

If you've already been there, you're probably wondering what's taking me so long to announce our Flea Market Style blog?!?! My excuse is...life!

We launched our blog for Flea Market Style magazine very late last night after a major glitch...created by me...spelling the word style wrong, without a t, when I registered the blogspot name...Since our magazine blog includes bloopers, you most certainly will read all about it in the upcoming weeks! For the record, I do know how to spell the word style...without spell check. Really. Tell me you've never done something as stupid as this?!?!

Linda and I plan to blame it all on Matthew who was in dreamland during the horrific event of launching! I am not going to ramble on...Check out our new blog site and get ready for an amazing new magazine!

You can grab a blog button off the new site to help us let the world know!

Peace,

Ki

Inspiration Junk Piles

My house is neat as a pin. My office/workroom usually looks like it was hit by a tornado. That tornado would be me! I have piles of junk on every chair, table top, and cabinet, and in every corner of the room. Inspiration junk piles!

I pull curious scraps and pieces out of bins for projects and when I'm finished...I can't bear to put them back in the bin out of sight. I need to just look at them for a while. Interesting junk comes home with me from the flea market and I automatically add it to a junk pile. The right pile, mind you.

My inspiration piles have been known to take over my office. Today I will show you just one inspiration pile. I don't want to scare you off before you know me better.

Not sure why my inspiration junk comforts and delights me the way it does and would never try to explain my piles to a non-junker. I know you understand. What's in your pile?

Heading to Oronoco MN tomorrow (August 14th), one of my fav flea markets! We will have a Junk Bonanza booth on Minnesota Avenue next to the Community Building in downtown Oronoco. Stop by to visit if you are in the neighborhood!

Peace,

Ki

Road to What Cheer Iowa Flea Market

Jane, Sarah, and I were giddy as we drove out of Jane's driveway. Girls trip! Destination...What Cheer Iowa Flea Market. What's a junk adventure without a few side trips...


Jane tried to convince us she owned the town!


Ron and Susie, owners of Ms. Mac's Antiques, (Janesville MN) will be vendors at the Bonanza. We stopped in to say Hi! Check out some of their amazing junk below!


























Jane couldn't leave without making a purchase.


Sarah couldn't pass up the cool rake! We hit more shops in Waseca MN and Clear Lake Iowa as we headed south.


Brenda welcomed us to her charming shop, JB Knackers just outside of Ames, Iowa. It was late in the day and jewelry class was in session. Wish we could have joined in, I have always wanted to learn to solder.
















Brenda is also a Junk Bonanza vendor and is stocking up for the big event!

By the time we loaded our purchases into my truck and hit the road it was dark and beginning to rain. Exhausted, we landed at our hotel in Oskaloosa, Iowa close to midnight. Big day tomorrow! Sarah and Jane giggled and talked all night about junk...those girls! I do love girl junk trips!

Stay tuned. What Cheer Flea Market did not disappoint!
Peace,
Ki