The wheels are a turnin', and the Junk Jubilee II train is starting to move! It starts off slowly and builds up steam until set-up day arrives. I think set-up day is the hardest and longest day, but also the best day for me, personally. Jan & I, along with our vendors, finally get to see the show come together after months of planning! Last Spring, it was incredible to start the day walking into the 4-H Building and seeing it completely empty. We marked off booth spaces and then started to set up our own booth, so it would be under control by the time the vendors start to arrive. It was so awesome to see everyone so excited and to watch the vendors completely transform the building . I wish we had had a slow motion camera set up!
The excitement continues to build and that night I don't think I slept a wink! First time show, first time vendors...Jan & I were nervous wrecks!!! Friday morning, vendors arrived early to add last minute touches to their booths. A line starts forming at the entrance! Here we go, it's show time!
We were very blessed to have had a wonderful first show! It was so gratifying to see our hard work laid out before us! Our vendors and our attendees were all having such a good time! It was so nice to be surrounded by those who "get it" and even, better, watching the faces of those who were "getting it" for the first time. And we, along with our family, had a great time!
Now the process starts anew! The initial contracts have been sent out and are coming back in daily. We are kicking around what needs to change and what needs to stay the same. We're working on new t-shirt designs, dreaming up new ways to draw more attendees to the show, trying to figure out the floor plan, ordering signs to make the building easier to find, etc., etc., etc. So many things to think about!!! Jan and I talk almost daily. We are constantly bouncing ideas off each other. We share every little step forward and celebrate every success, no matter how big or small!
Our little junkin' journey has been an extraordinary one! Not just for Jan and I, but for a lot of people who, before Junk Jubilee, had never set up at a show before. Several of these vendors have gone on to start their own occasional sales, been vendors at other shows, and/or open their own storefront. Congratulations! It has been an awesome year for so many of us!!!
Many think this business is all about networking, and it certainly is! But I really like to think that we have created our own little Junk Jubilee family! We look forward to seeing our old friends along with our new ones, who we have only met electronically, at Junk Jubilee 2012. The journey continues as we all work diligently to provide a quality show for one and all! We hope you will join our junkin' journey, too!!!
Junk Jubilee
4-H Building on the State Fairgrounds
Des Moines, IA
April 27,28, & 29th
9-6 Friday & Saturday
10-4 Sunday
