2 Friends & Junk Show Archives

August 5, 2016

2 Friends & Junk Show Joplin

I was very excited today to kick off the weekend by attending the 2 Friends & Junk Show in Joplin. This is always a fun event, with booths full of repurposed items, crafts, vintage finds and junk. It’s been 18 months since I last attended a Joplin show. When 2 Friends & Junk was here last spring, I couldn’t even get in the door, the line was so long. My daughters and I purchased VIP passes this time, which allowed us to enter early this morning, ahead of the crowds.

The tickets were worth the purchase price. It is extremely inspiring to me, to wander through the booths. The vendors do a great job merchandising product and I get fresh ideas just looking around. My creativity fires up.

Adriel and I had specific items we were looking for, while Elissa wanted something to grab her attention with the “wow” factor. One of the pieces I was searching for was an old fashioned edison bulb type light fixture. My next year is already coming together, with a theme and symbols. This light bulb is part of the unfolding. One of the ways confirmation is given to me, concerning my new journey, is by way of repetition. I wanted to find a light bulb fixture, and I expressed the desire to do so.

The first booth that caught my eye provided an immediate response. There were the light bulb fixtures! Pheona’s Vintage Market was my favorite vendor today. I returned to it over and over. All of my purchases came from this attractively set up booth. And Adriel made her purchases from there as well.

It was a well set up floor. The girls and I enjoyed wandering around, exclaiming over items or discussing what one could do with an interesting piece. The wrist bands gain admittance to the show tomorrow too. We will go back, to see what new items have appeared, as vendors restock tonight. I saw several other pieces that I would like to purchase. I’ll see where inspiration leads on Saturday.

Tonight I am thrilled with my finds. The light fixture will go in my studio. The two wire cloches are going to become part of my fall decor. I’ll share more about that idea later. My favorite piece from today is a small framed quote, that I had not seen or heard before.

It perfectly captures where I am on my journey. And foreshadows what’s to come in 2017. What a beautiful and encouraging confirmation that I am on the right path.

November 14, 2015

Journey 318: 2 Friends & Junk Show Springfield

On this beautiful fall day, mindful of the tragedy in Paris, open hearted in quiet love, it was good to spend time with some members of my family. Greg drove me, daughters Elissa and Adriel, and Adriel’s fiancé Nate, to Springfield to the 2 Friends & Junk show.

My girls and I enjoy wandering through craft and junk shows and flea markets. We look for items to purchase, that catch our eyes. And we look for ideas for repurposing things that we already own, at home. Greg and Nate, while not shopping per say, enjoyed looking around as well. They were great to fetch sodas and iced teas, carry packages and take purchases to the car to stow in the trunk.

Here’s a pictorial representation of my journey today, through the always fun 2 Friends & Junk Show.

Painted furniture is still a hot item. Some booths sold chalk paint as well.

This booth had a cute idea…little Christmas trees tucked into glass jars and silver vases.

Loved the little bottle brush trees at this booth.

Seeing this display, I got an idea on how to create a simple obelisk for my garden.

Nate, Adriel and Elissa looking through tiny treasures.

So many creative ways to decorate for Christmas.

My favorite booth at this show!

My purchases. Picks of rustic red berries, rusty stars and rusty jingle bells, in a very cool olive bucket. I intend to place a tall skinny artificial Christmas tree in the bucket for the holidays. And find other way to use the bucket as the seasons change throughout the year.

A leather cuff, stamped with acorns. Acorns are my symbol this year for remembering during my journey.

We had a fun day at the show. I was inspired, being in the presence of so much creativity. 180 booths meant there was a wide variety of artistic talent on display. And I loved finding vintage items, such as suitcases and antique jewelry, tucked alongside wooden boxes, metal buckets and painted furniture.
We capped off our trip to Springfield with a late lunch at Zio Italian Restaurant. The food was delicious, the conversation lively and the laughter the type that brings tears to the eyes! I call that a great meal.

We look forward to the next 2 Friends & Junk Show, in Joplin, in February 2016. The girls and I will be there, with other family members I hope. Listen for our chatter and laughter, and join us.

February 28, 2015

Journey 59: 2 Friends & Junk Show – Joplin

After a day of resting and recovering from a stomach virus, I felt better this morning, and ready to enjoy the 2 Friends & Junk show in Joplin. Elissa, Adriel, Nate Pugh and Greg braved the falling snow and cold temps to walk the aisles too, looking for treasures.

In fact, MANY people showed up today at the John Q Hammons convention center, in spite of the wintry weather. This is the 4^th time in Joplin for this fun event and a little snow wasn’t going to stop any of us from browsing and shopping. After we all gathered near the front, my daughters took the lead and off we went. Booths were filled with an eclectic and interesting mix of vintage products, antiques, recycled and repurposed items, crafts and well….junk.

The girls and I each had a mental list of things we were looking for. I originally wanted a hutch for my kitchen and because of the weather, decided to hit up flea markets later on. It wasn’t appropriate weather for transporting big pieces of furniture in the back of Greg’s truck. However, smaller items on my wish list, such as metal containers for my garden, were easily toted home in the car.

It was fun to look at everything and chat as we browsed. There were so many things to see, great repurposed items that inspired, and unexpected treasures to uncover. We all ran into people we knew and it was great to visit with friends. I also enjoyed seeing vendors from previous shows and meeting new ones, and seeing some favorite local shops represented as well.

The girls selected some great items to purchase. I found lots of items that I liked and yet passed up. And several items that I couldn’t leave without. I picked up a couple of metal buckets to add to my metal collection in the backyard. And thanks to Elissa’s sharp eyes, I walked out with a wonderful old metal box, with chippy red paint. I am envisioning this great container in the backyard with the lid propped open, planted with cheerful impatiens spilling over the edges. It will be so cute!

I also found a surprise, a ceramic acorn. It was tucked away in a box of miscellaneous goodies. I love how this sub-symbol of my year keeps showing up in unexpected places and in unexpected ways. And from Studio Bliss I found an antique looking bracelet chain for my door charm. My sister Debbie and niece Ashley gave it to me. I can’t wait to wear it. I’m looking now for a small charm with the word JOURNEY on it to add to the bracelet. I know I’ll find it, at exactly the right time.

The girls and I left the show, happy with our finds. The guys carried our treasures. We decided to visit local flea markets soon, as we are inspired now to see what else we can uncover and create with. We all made it safely home where we can wait out the wintry precipitation in cozy comfort. Let it snow!