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Wednesday, February 4, 2009

A DREAM COME TRUE

About three or four months ago I decided to take charge of my life. Now I don't mean organizing the cupboards, or doing the laundry more efficiently (God knows my husband would love that!), but nothing like that, more bigger picture stuff. I finally decided to stop waiting for opportunities to come my way and to start creating them for myself.

I've been a wife for 20 years and a mother for almost 13 and I love it but I knew I wanted more; something that would feed my creative soul. I've always loved decorating my house, scouring flea markets for great pieces and attending country auctions. So for years I have thought about opening my own shop as a way to combine my passions into a business opportunity. As time went on I started to read about women like The Farm Chicks, Sue Whitney of Junk Market Style and Ki Nassauer of Junk Camp in some of my favorite shelter magazines. They're women who are passionate about the same things I'm interested in and found ways to make a business out of it. They've been very inspirational to me.

About three years ago a group of women from my town in Maryland started holding a twice yearly Barn Show and the first time I went to it, I walked in and thought "this is what I want to do". They set up shop in a really cool barn in the community and offer vintage finds, antiques, architectural salvage pieces, etc., and it's a hugely popular event. Well for years I longed to be a "Barn Girl" because I knew I had the passion for what they were doing.

As time went on I secretly hoped they would recognize my talent, realize they needed me desperately and I'd be asked to join them at The Barn. Well, that didn't happen. So, last fall I was sitting around thinking and wishing and hoping and praying that somehow there would be some type of divine intervention that would get these women to see I could be one of them. And then it hit me. Why was I spending my life waiting for others to make my dreams a reality? I could do my own version of a barn show! It was a real ephiphany and I decided to run with the idea. I asked my friends and family what they thought and they all encouraged me to do it. So I started down that path.

Do you know what happens when you voice your dreams and plans to people outloud? You start believing in them. The confidence builds and your entire attitude starts to shift. It's more "I can do this thing" instead of "Oh, gee, I wish someone would ask me to join them!". So, that's how "The Kramer Angle" was born and for the past five months I've been working on planning for my first show. I've been shopping auctions, buying inventory, filling up the garage and considering venues.

And along the way, I kept running into a couple of the women who are part of "The Barn" and so I told them about my dreams, my blog, "The Kramer Angle" show and I even found the courage to tell them about my secret desire to be a "Barn Girl" . But at the same time, I kept plodding away, doing my own thing. Doors were opening, people were helping me, I was excited. (And I was also terrified! Could I really do this thing? All by myself? There's no way!)

And then another door opened, just like that and changed my life. I got a call from one of The Barn Girls asking if I'd like to join them! And I said YES! Just like that, no question about it. Now, truth be told a part of me did question whether I was giving up on myself. But I realized it's still my dream, it's still the "Kramer Angle" because I'm free to bring in the type of merchandise I want to sell at The Barn but now I'm going to be working with five other women who are all fabulous and all bring a unique perspective to a collaborative effort to make The Barn Shows a success! It's all good!

The goal is still the same. I'm still following my passion. It's just now I'm working with other women who are just as passionate about the same things! And it feels good. Really good. You might even say, I'm giddy...........

So, please keep checking back because I am going to be a blogging fool - I have so many things I'm going to tell you about (like when and where the show is!). In the meantime check out these websites:

Click here to find out more about my new venture: The Barn Show
Plus remember a couple of posts ago I told you how I was going to be a contributing writer to a great new blog called Project Create A Home? Well I'm going to be blogging about this new chapter in my life there as well, so be sure to check that blog out too. It's full of great information. Find it here: www.projectcreateahome.blogspot.com.

Thank you so much for your support!

17 comments:

Maisy said...

Are you kidding me? This is soooo amazingly AWESOME!!! I'm verrrry proud of you. This dream thing keeps popping up everywhere. Must be everyones creative energy.
I am truly inspired by you. YOU ARE MAKING IT HAPPEN!!!
YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!
XO

Kasey said...

now that's wonderful!!
good for you.
xxoo

Kasey said...

oh, and how did the family room turn out???

SudsnJewels said...

Gail - ooops, I mean Barn Girl ! Good for you!!!! No wonder I didnt hear back from you - you're walking around in a stupor from excitement ! You will be great at this~ Truly !!!1

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Gail, so much exiciting news! Congratulations and best wishes on all of your new ventures. You go girl! laurie

Bethie - Chic Junque said...

This is so exciting. Wish I could come! Good for you for not giving up on your dream! Can't wait to see pics and hear how the show went.

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

Wow.... way to go...so good to hear wonderful news!!! Enjoy your Sunday!!!

Ki said...

Congratulations! You are lucky to be able to share your passion with others! You will do well! Can't wait to see pics!
Thanks for the kind words.
Peace,
Ki

Anonymous said...

Hi Gail..it was really inspiring reading about the dreams and desires in your heart becoming reality. I love that name...'barn girl!" Best wishes to you!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!! Sounds so very exciting! Have you stepped down out of the clouds yet- I can never sleep for days when something (and not even as exciting) exciting happens like this!

blessings
mary

oops- guess I should introduce myself- I saw you via Chrissy! I'm Mary-

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

Hey you thanks for the nice comment you left me... means alot!!!

3CHEERS4MOM said...

Congratulations on your new adventure. I can't wait to see how the show turns out.
-Cheers, Amy

Unknown said...

Thanks for the visit and comment to my blog today. That prompted me to visit you! I just love your attitude and how you are making things happen in your life. Taking the chances on your creativity and making it all work for you. I'm very much in that 'space' myself reading your account has inspired me very much. I've signed on as a 'follower' here b/c I want to support you in your dream and I'll be checking back to see how it all unfolds. Come on back and see me sometime too. My nascent blog is a work in progress and I have some ideas about how I would like to see it grow. Let's support each other! It's awesome that you are in The Barn and your dream for that became a reality...all because you decided to take that risk on your OWN! I love it.

Journal Swag said...

AWESOME! Way to go! Keep it going you're on the way to living the dream! I admire you so!

Hugs,

Sheila

American Homemaker said...

That is so awesome!!! I'd love to do something like that too!

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