The beginning of a bunch of good things...

Who likes Junk?  Who likes to talk about Junk?  And we all know if we are any of those two things, we sure as heck like to SHOP for JUNK!

As most know, I love finding the ugliest pieces of furniture and restoring them.  Ever since I was a kiddo, I always had this heart that believed there is and was beauty and good in all things no matter what.  Most think I'm not for real, or out of this world.  I get the question quite often  as to which planet I come from.  Actually, I find all that as quite the compliment.  I love the fact that I am unique and I am very happy in life.

I just find a great thrill out of helping someone or something that most ignore.  With all that said...my passion and kind heart has lead me to great adventures and all kinds of things!

I truly get a healing in my own heart when I create or restore a piece of furniture.  It's an art and a talent, yes.  But to me, it's comfort and passion.  Also, with the great love I have for God, I spend alot of my time while working on these pieces of furniture listening to Bible scriptures, and preachings!  It's a rejuvenating time for me, and it's my place for Peace!  Did you know that some of my pieces of furniture, depending on it's original state....bare a Bible scripture about "restoration"?   I figured maybe, If I place a message on it...when that woman is really mad at her husband and fixing to hit him across the head with the chair....she might just find the message and it change her life!

I do this business to inspire someone..and to show that all things are possible.  I never gave up on myself or what I wanted to do.  Believe me, it's a struggle.  And it's not always glitzy, and you are broke half the time.  But as long as you put all the effort you can into it, God will do the rest.  And then once you believe that...you will see how everything will fall into place as it has for me.  If I had all the time in the world to write my testimony on How God has worked for me....you would all be hooked and understand why I have such a strong relationship with the Lord.

Last Wednesday I had no idea my day would start with an amazing radio interview with the Junk Mafia radio station out of MO.  I was able to call into the "Junk in my Trunk" radio show and give a very fun interview!   That was so much fun!  They guys will be out and about in Warrenton at the Antique show coming up in a month!  I would make it a point to hunt them down and let them interview you about your junk!  Great guys, and so much fun!

Please click on the link I just provided to listen to my full interview.!  Special Thanks to Darren and the Junk Mafia Team!

http://junkmafia.podbean.com/

www.shabbyjunquecouture.com

www.facebook.com/shabbyjunquecouture

It's raining, it's pouring, this ole gal is going....

Rain, Rain, and more Rain.  Mud, and just a big ole huge MESS.  Maybe I shouldn't complain because this is going to make all my beautiful flowers look so pretty this Spring. 

I spent the last week in some kind of FUNK with this weather and all.  No fun!  Kinda had a pitty party too...which isn't like me.  No worry, I pulled my underpants together and quickly restored my brain back into overdrive times 1000!

As you know, I risked my LIFE last week trying out the Little Mexico Flea Market down in San Antonio, Texas.  Then I headed over to Salsa Momma's hood.  Salsa Momma had the hook up with the fancy mirrors as mentioned in my previous post.  Therefore, I was itching to get started on the painting and distressing on one of these bad boys!

So Fabulicious lady here was in a funk and I just told myself get your butt in gear and just GO already!  So instead of switching up colors and going all FuNkY as usual....I decided to paint several pieces all the same color...just to make things a little easier that afternoon.  Normally I like to make things harder than what they really are.  I didn't feel like using the paint sprayer, so I decided to stick with the whole brush, wax on/wax off....bit.

I was able to paint all this, and most of it has all SOLD!  Yay for me, but blah for you...so keep checking my inventory so you don't miss out again! I hand painted each item then distressed it myself.

I had a custom job as well, and it was an old pine end table that I turned around and painted a rustic turquoise like color, then distressed too.  This time I had to use a putty knife and a bottle opener to distress.  My sander is crapping out on me...and honestly I like the really chippy look that you distress by hand anyways.

 

While I waited on the paint to dry on the custom piece above, I went ahead and turned this table I found wasting away for months outside a vintage shop Into this HOT little minty number.  You do know what they say about mints right?  this table was SOLD right away. It's going in a baby's nursery. AWE!

In order to keep this business running and help keeping y'all so entertained without having to pole dance...I do have to manage to throw in some small home decor a time or two.  Here are a few items that sold this week.

And a few more items below that are STILL AVAILABLE for PURCHASE.

Thanks y'all! 

 And if Country Living magazine or Nate Berkus (wish he liked women, and I was single.  He's so hot) is reading this....I can tone my mouth down for public TV and a page in a magazine.  I did work in the Engineering field in Corporate America for almost 10 years...so I do know how to come off softer, elegant, and professional!  : )  Actually, I'm pretty elegant, but I like the fact that I'M THE BEST OF ALL THE WORLDS because it makes me so very unique and quite intriguing...along with being a GREAT CONVERSATION PIECE!

Keep up with all my stories at www.facebook.com/shabbyjunquecouture

www.shabbyjunquecouture.com

Always available for hire!  All over the USA! 

The El Camino Project...

A couple of weekends ago we were sitting in the office aka around the fire pit.  while looking on Craigslist for a new cargo trailer, I all the sudden had a mirror ball go off in my head.  I say mirror ball because it's more my style than just a plain ole light bulb.  anyways, I told everyone that I want to purchase a vintage Chevy El Camino.  Reason being, you can haul a trailer with it, and it has a bed of a truck to load more junk in.  What if I want to go shopping when I'm at all my shows?  Where would I put my stuff?  Also, I think it would be great when you are having one of those days when you can't afford a hotel room....and you need to sleep.

If you don't know, an El Camino looks like this.

A lot of times, you see images with some tasteless lady posing next to it..just like in this photo.  I would like to add, that I will look much more appealing to my El Camino than this chick. 

 Seriously?? I'm glad I have some class.

Everyone must of thought I was joking, but I honestly wasn't.  I even added that I would like to locate some longhorns to place on the grill of the car.  I'm thinking I will add some burlap, lace, and some jewels to my longhorn.

The mount would look something similiar to this.  I don't think anyone would take advantage of a lady driving a Chevy El Camino that had horns on it? 

As a true Junkin' girl, I'm always looking no matter what.  While dropping my kids off at school one morning I saw some horns sticking out of some junk on someone's front porch.  I'm glad I ended up stopping there because she had all kinds of neat things.  I even found a quilt for $2!  I know all of you will be jealous of these, but don't get too mad, because I've already dressed them up, and they no longer look this gorgeous!

I took a trip to the local flea market on Saturday to check out what was happening.  I ran into this guy, and he assumed I was really crazy.  When I told him the story of what i wanted to do with an El Camino, I'm not sure if he understood my language, because I thought the story was hillarious, and he didn't even crack a smile...he just looked at me like I was stupid.  Some people just don't get it! 

I took a pic of these and decided that these were bigger and better.  They were only $40 bucks! 

Don't worry, I don't plan on doing anything to this extreme.

All in all...I honestly think the El Camino would be an excellent addition to my stash.  Plus a GREAT project that will be so fun and Exciting!  Keep checking back for the EL Camino project updates!

www.shabbyjunquecouture.com

www.facebook.com/shabbyjunquecouture



Texas Road trip and Birthday celebration...

Today I woke up 32 years young.  A very excited and happy woman, but more like excited and happy like a child.  Which I guess is what keeps me young? 

The plan was this: 

Hit the road, and some vintage and junk shops, have dinner with some friends, sleep in a hotel, then come home to my family.

Here is a pic of Farrah and I fixing to hit the roads.

However, the day went more like this: 

Listening to some iPod tunes such as Miles Davis, George Thorogood, Fats Domino, Wade Bowen, Hayes Carl, Earl Thomas Conley, ect ect and loving life and the roads! 

Quickly lead to:

Lost in a strange part of town with strange people, and a bunch of places/business type things that started with the same first name with a different location or business type such as salvage, mechanic, liquor, bar, pottery, metal works.  I'm guessing the same lady or man owned all of those???  Not really sure? 

I found a few bars such as the "El Flamingo Lounge"....of which does not believe in being open on a Tuesday afternoon and was completely shut off with  burglar bars and chains around a fence and a "watch dog" that looked like  the Taco Bell dog instead of a "real" watch dog. 

 Then, a quick pit stop to answer some emails in front of a Liquor store that was tempting me....and to let Farrah do her thang.  Of which she just shook because a cool front blew in.  So she just hopped back in the junk car. 

So back on the hwy we went.  I couldn't find the salvage junk lady I found on Craigslist as her response to me when I asked for her address was "hwy 183 and 21 area"???  I'm assuming that should have been a red flag.  So when I FINALLY got to the area..I was kinda nervous and looking for some type of salvage area that didn't involve rusted old cars I couldn't tie on top of my car or load in my trailer. 

When you are a "TRUE" junker, you really just don't care where you end up cuz normally it always leads to something.  Well, I was led to something alright.  I somehow ended up over here...of which I'm glad I had a knife and rope...I didn't bring the concealed handgun because...I just have this thing about packing guns...even though I love guns...but I get a bad feeling from having one in my vehicle for some odd reason. 

So this is the parking area I ended up in. 

Probley should have not stopped, but I was trying to look on my phone map, haul a trailer,  deal with Farrah, and phone a friend around the Austin area to help me locate myself.  So I was really desperate.  Not to mention I had not had anything to eat all day and it was 4:00pm.  Forgive me.

After telling the guy washing the sidewalk off (I really do not want to know what was on it) that I was NOT his "live" entertainment for the night....I finally stopped at some storage shed or something that managed to have a few nice things that I could rummage through. 

I finished up there and started to head back towards the City...and quickly found myself lost yet again...and somehow got turned around off one of the main hwy's...and back into some scary part of town.   At this point I decided it was best to go back the route I came because Traffic was unbelievable!   I was still lost and saw a lot of weirdos (no offense) walking down the street selling things or themselves along with some guy walking with a guitar, and a lady...that I wish I could help  because I know exactly what she was doing on that corner.  Unfortunately, I felt really sorry for her because she did NOT look like Vivian from the movie "Pretty Woman".

I was thirsty...and I'm so Glad my Dad and PoPo taught me how to survive in the Wild because I had my first aid kit with me. 

It's just not about band aids ladies and gents.  You need to pack the whole sha bang!  Such as a gallon of water, toilet paper, blanket, jacket, matches, beef jerky, beer, and a flashlight.  The beer should be on ice.

I only needed the gallon of water on this trip. 

So now Farrah and I are on some strange road again.  Finally my friend from the Austin area answered the phone...and helped calm me down and figure out where the heck I was at.  I realized I was by the Austin Airport..and decided to keep going South.  Got to the road I needed to turn on and "Hello" Detour..because of construction. 

 So another 15 min down the road...I finally got back to where I needed to be. 

 At this point, FArrah and I were so exhausted.  But she was a party pooper hours ago and slept the entire time.  How lame! 

Once again, at this point, I was too tired, it was almost dark, and I just wanted to cry and go home.  So I cancelled the hotel reservation and started the drive home.

I arrived at home and was greeted with a gorgeous man that is about 3' tall named,  Gunnar.  He picked Flowers out of a field and told me "happy New Year"!  I was so excited to see my kids, and Knew God had me where he wanted me to be.

Then all the kicking and screaming and fighting started between my two kids...and i thought, "Oh Dear, I should have kept those reservations so I could at least have Peace and Quiet. 

All in All...I spent $84 in gas, $1.50 on a beef jerky stick, $2.50 on a tea and a few $$$ on a couple of finds.   And some $$$ on my WiFi data overage. 

But as a determined woman, I managed to still come home with a couple of nice finds.  That does not include the donut seat I had to purchase to be comfortable on this 12 hour journey.

Now time for that beer on Ice!  Cheers!

Hey Y'all go on over and check out the NEW website......

That's right, Shabby Junque Couture now has an AMAZING website!  Make sure to go on over and check it out.  It's got everything on there.  Shopping, locations, hours, links to other shopping locations, and all that Fancy Print stuff.  You'll Love it!

click the Link!

www.shabbyjunquecouture.com

~XOXO

You Hollering at me, I'll get back to ya...

2011 was a very Successful Year!  Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!  I couldn't have done it without you, my family, and most important GOD!

Above is a list of the new hours I will be replying back to everyone's messages and such.  I have to ignore my phone a few hours out of the day in order to operate my business professionally.  Still FUN, but I need to be one of those organized kinda people to function properly! 

Lots of fabulous changes are headed your way, so stay tuned!  Be sure to check out my facebook page

www.facebook.com/shabbyjunquecouture

Vintage Lace & Burlap....

To all of my fellow junkers..we all know that we have been in love with Vintage lace and burlap since the day we were born.  Seems as though the craze has left our brains and seeped into new comer's brains as well.

I'm a sucker for natural colors, and nuetral colors.  If I could do my whole house in rustic wood and White..with a little burlap, I would!  With lots of LACE!!  But seeing I have 2 kids, 2 dogs and a man to tend to, that's nearly impossible right now.  A girl can dream..

Yesterday I needed to relieve some stress.  I really need to add to my home decor collection over at the shop.  So I wanted to make some wall crosses.  Since the hubs decided it would be fun, to trash all my scrap wood, I was left with this:

It's a small shelf unit I found in a storage shed in Some town outside of San Antonio.  The hubs insisted it was not solid wood and that my idea would not work.  REALLY?  Cuz i think it just did!  Never under estimate a woman with a Saw in her hand and a determined mind.  I know some of you can relate.  I hacked into this as you can see. 

Below is what I made out of it.  Of course after I sanded it, painted it, and added my vintage lace, burlap, and some glittered fabric, along with a vintage broach.

EnJoy!  yes, this beauty is up for Sale!

Visit my Facebook page www.facebook.com/shabbyjunquecouture

hOLLY hOLLERING COW!!!

Whoo Hoo, Thanksgiving is over and now it's my favorite time of year!!  Christmas! 

First, I want to Thank all of my fabulous customers, Facebook fans, ect!  You guys have really helped me get my small business going!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Well, I finally did it!  I rented a space in a little vintage shop called The Chicken Coop in Downtown Floresville, Texas!  Yay!  So go on by and visit my gussied up spot...please. You will not be disappointed in this place!  As my daughter would say... "it's da bomb!"

The Chicken Coop is located at:

1006 C Street

Floresville, TX 78114

I've been crazy busy like flies on XXXX!  Love every 2nd of it and all of it!  I have GREAT passion for Junkin' and creating, and stepping back, looking at my work and saying "WOW"!  Even the hubs who insists that I just burn the junk...has complimented my work.  So in the joy of all this fun, I'm going to share some photos with you in my next few blogs.  Enjoy!

www.facebook.com/shabbyjunquecouture

Diva's, Junquers, Rebels, and shoppers....Twice Upon a Lady Consignment Sale in New Braunfels, TX

OMG!   YA'LL ARE GUNNA HAVE TO CHECK THIS OUT...

You don't want to miss this gig LADIES!  A huge, huge sale coming up in the Gorgeous, one of the most Famous Texas towns called New Braunfels!  Hurry and MAP it now, and make sure to put this on your calendar with ALERTS!

Twice Upon a Lady is hosting a HuGE consignment sale with Vendors, and Entertainment!  That's right.....VENDORS & ENTERTAINMENT!!!   Guess who will be there?  None other than your Favorite, Funky Rebel w/o a cause, fellow Junquor.....Shabby Junque Couture designer, Crystal! 

Visit www.twiceuponalady.com for all that fancy print to view the date and times, along with location, location, location.  Snag your REBEL ROAD SISTAS, and put on your shopping linens, cowgirl boots, stillettos,top hats,  and come visit us!

Yes, I will be one of the vendors showcasing some of my fabulous pieces that have just been created.  Wait for it.........in SOUTH Texas, hot as HELL (but none of us know what HELL feels like right, because we are all Angels.  Ok, our horns hold the Halo)   Home Garage...with no AC.... in the 200 deg temps!  

Lots of sweat, and Tears have been poured into my work, and I will continue to keep pouring until the days of the event.  I'm excited to share some of my fabulous art, furniture, home decor, odds/ends.  If ya like, bring me a glass of wine...I prefer a Riesling.   I will also have my REBEL appointment book.  So you can book a consultation with me for a new design, or letting me FIX up that piece you just keep staring at with a blank look. 

 Or if it's a hunk of JUNK you can't stand anymore, I will be glad to come take it from you so you can stop looking at it. If it's broke, that's FINE & DANDY cuz most of the time I can use that for parts.

Let me just add that because I love what I do so much, It's very hard for me to part with each one of my pieces.  I have a fun and exciting story that always follows my work and each item I create.  But I don't want to become a Hoarder...so It's best I pass onto you.  Each piece is created with Love, and devotion to a very unique FETISH.  You know the kind that involves a GYPSY soul and understanding of an incredible talent?

Now, because I'm going alone...You know, cuz someone has to stay and watch my kids...(the hubby), I will not be bringing my super large items, such as a super Shabby Entertainment Armoire.  But, because I know you all love it so much, I will have an album created with the larger pieces I have up for GRABS, along with some of my before and after photos.  And my personal portfolio of work I have done for clients.   This will give ya the chance to purchase as well.

This crazy gal will have some items such as unique photo frames, end tables, coffee table, lamps, lamp shades, mirrors, unique chalk boards created from things you never could have imagined being a chalk board.  Lots of fun, funky, shabby, whimsey, crazy stuff too.  Some of the colors I've been using are of course White, ivory, coral, turquoise, sage, robin's egg,  blue, black, pink, pink, pinks..cuz it's my fave color! All aged and distressed for your crazy taste. 

In order to achieve the most unique, one of kind item, I spend days and hours (in this heat 111 deg today), rummaging for vintage jewelry, buttons, lace, linens, books, tiarras, bling..to VAMP up that cute and shabby center piece for your HOLIDAY cheer party, or your ROMANTIC bedroom, and of course whatever room in the house you run to CHILL at so you don't take your frustrations out on your spouse or kids. 
(but none of us ever do that right?)

 I've collected sea shells from our FABULOUS beaches in TEXAS and MEXICO! I use the shells to, I guess you call it DECORATE different things. 
How about deer horns?  Any of you like those?  Did you know you can add deer horns to your decor w/o making it look too rustic?  Deer horns are no longer limited to a man or being rugged and rustic.  They can be very ROMANTIC and feminine as well.  And let's be honest with ourselves, this is SOUTH TEXAS...I'm pretty sure most of us REBELS/DIVAS/Gypsies/Junquors all own some type of  .243 OR 22 rifle, and have a HUNTIN License and a concealed Handgun License!  But If not, that's okay too, because I've got a little of everything.

I do not own or rent a building to have an actual physical store.  But, I am interested in a vendor spot in a shop if you know of someone needing a vendor???  HELP!

Once Again
 I AM AVAILABLE FOR HIRE AS A FREELANCE DESIGNER HELPING YOU TO ACHIEVE A LOOK YOU COULD NEVER IMAGINE UPON YOUR WILDEST, FUNKIEST DREAMS.  Ok, maybe not the really funky dreams.  ; )

I also have a side job as a Thirty One Gifts consultant.  But ladies, we've got a fellow Consultant already showcasing our beauties at this shin dig.  So I will not be there to make a sale on my Thirty One products.  You can however, click on the Thirty one link above and it will direct you to my website.

All major credit cards are accepted.  Including American Express.  The receipt will be emailed to you, cuz I don't have a printer.  haaaaa!  I also accept cash and checks with
a valid DL #.

I'll SEE YA'LL THERE!

~XOXO~

All Fancy-fied on a Saturday night...

Occasionally, I put my rebel side on the shelf and get all Fancied up.  Not often, but I guess it keeps it exciting when I actually do.  Ok, Ok...So the rebel side never gets put on the shelf, but I do contain myself a time or two. 

Yesterday was a very big day for one of our Family members.  Our little cousin is all grown up and became a Bride.  She is also a graduate with her Master's degree from UT!  Hook em Horns!  It was a very fun and relaxing wedding.

Most of you that see me daily, see me as pretty darn worn out lookin'.  I usually have paint splattered all over my body or on my clothing. It's unusual to see me wearing make-up or something nice.  If it isn't paint, it's sweat or whatever food particles were left on me from carrying around the toddler guy.  I've just learned to accept it since I know I'm a hard worker.  It also gives the so called "lurker" in my neighborhood something to drive by and look at.

SOOOOO, I wanted to share my little story behind my "little black dress".  I guess about a year ago, I was supposed to go to a BUNCO party with a "Breakfast at Tiffany's" Theme.  So I started looking on Ebay for a LBD.  I found this one and was happy with it, and it was the right size.  (ok so I thought?)  I paid $8.50 plus shipping for the dress.  When it arrived it was in NEW condition with the price tags still attached.  The original price was $108.00.  No LIE!  It's also a Ralph Lauren dress.  I'm assuming it may have been purchased at a Bridal shop as a Bridesmaid dress??  Also, It didn't fit until just now.  DANG, FINALLY!  I even had to have some alterations done to it.  YIPPEE!

I was a little skeptical of wearing a strapless.  Still not brave enough for that after having the Toddler boy 2 years ago.  So I added my own touch to it by sewing the black lace on it as a halter top.  Then I added some lace to the back of it for some scalloped detail.  It was so much prettier this way!  And I was way more comfortable.  I packed up my cowgirl boots, but never had the oppurtunity to wear them.  My little man got exhausted after dancing with all the HOT chicks and was ready to leave before I could ever pull them on.  : (

Next up was my daughter's dress.  We were on a MISSION and stopped in at Dillard's one afternoon.  We saw the clearance rack and snagged this fuchsia beauty in her size (it was the only one like it) for a whole $10.49.  It was a little plain.  My darlin' princess had the idea of adding the lace around the sash and the bottom of her dress.  She also stole one of my vintage broaches off my lamp shade and pinned it onto the center of the sash for some "BLINGING" attitude!  I purchased 4 yards of Lace at the local Wal-Mart for $1.29 a yard.  And I still have a yard left!

My Daughter and I usually find our AWESOME jewels at a little shop called FRIENDS AND COMPANY in Floresville, TX located right off Highway 181.  You can't miss it, she has the crazy zebra, flamingo in her front yard!  Beda's shoes that are actually my shoes, were purchased at THE CHICKEN COOP in downtown Floresville.  And my fancy footsie covers are a steal from ROSS.  Also, both Beda and I have rhinestone flower clips in our hair.

Final outcome and total of our dresses put together was less than $30, and I thought they were SMASHING!

Just a little note:  The outfit my son is wearing in this photo cost me more than mine and Beda's dress put together.  That's INSANE!  And men say women are expensive...PAALEEZ!

It was so much fun gettin all fancy!  The best part about it was the fact that I did not stress one minute over "what I was going to wear" to this shin-dig.  That alone made the day!