It takes a Village

You have heard the saying, 'It takes a Village to raise a child.' Well, around here- It takes a Village to create an Amazing Barn Sale!  The Barn Sale is in the planning stages for months and months- just one of the reasons why it is only held once a year right now!  I thought it might be fun to share with you a bit of an 'inside scoop' on the makings of the sale

 - For starters- this year we took a plunge and did a segment on Great Day SA- some of you saw us..... The SA being San Antonio!  It was their morning show and we took a 'few' of our Goods that we would have at the barn! This was an after photo with some huge supporters of the Barn Sale- my Mom and my kiddos! 

That show was just a bit of the advertising we did for the sale. There were Newspaper articles, ads, radio ads, postcards, fliers, blog posts, Facebook posts, Pinterest posts- we tried it all! And, our vendors post too!  They share information about the sale with their customers, family, friends...you get the picture!

There is so much to do ahead of time- and I wish I had photos of it all- mainly for myself so I can remember from year to year!  The hands, hearts and minds that help collaborate for this event are truly amazing!  So- these are just some of the photos that were taken pre barn sale- Come take a little tour!

I have a pretty amazing guy that puts signs wherever requested- so here we go.....

My friend Marisa came over and helped me with these- once we got started I just kept painting!  It was a beautiful day to work on these tin signs!

We had several of these ready to go- all pointing to the field where shoppers were to park, however, heavy rains just before the sale put a stop to that!  Thank goodness there is enough parking in other areas of JB Wells park!

Into the Barn We go......

Early Early on- This place looks HUGE!  Well, it is.... We just think by adding over 70 handpicked vendors that it feels a little more cozy once all of you arrive! We are so fortunate to have this facility here in Gonzales- it has been a great location for the Rusted Gingham Barn Sale the past 3 years!

Here she is- the iconic rusty truck!  A few weeks before we hosted the Barn Sale at JB Wells for the first time we were invited to a wedding reception there- Yes- in the showbarn!  It was very unique!  I was able to create the cake for the bride- her decorating taste is awesome so I was delighted to be part of their day!  The barn had a rustic elegant feel for their celebration. And this truck, well, it was the bar!  They used the back end to serve drinks from!  I loved it!  I asked the family if the truck could be used for the barn sale and they graciously agreed.  So, now 3 years later- I call- and here she comes!

Hard working bunch here- the two on each side of me had been working cattle all day trying to keep them away from river bottoms- remember I had said we had some heavy rains the days before the sale...... However, they were still all smiles as we started unloading trucks and trailers at the barn!  Gracious doesn't even begin to describe all the helpers that make the Barn Sale what it is. When I see friends like this show up, my face lights into a smile.  As people offer to help I realize, it will all get done, this will happen, it will all be ok!

And there is this sweet lady- Katie from Bluebonnet Smile. She kept me in line for months! Her and my Momma both!  Katie would tell me- 'Don't worry girl, we got this!' Best part, I knew she meant it!  I could not have survived without her skill and talent!  And on the day before the sale- her sweet husband even got in on the fun by helping mark off booth spaces!!!

The junk un load starts..... Trailer by trailer they come!  For us, we have a trailer full of just things to 'set up' with!  Then there are the Goods to be sold! I know we look like we are only having fun- but we really are working!  We just like to combine laughter and love with the work! Family and Friends behind the scenes helping with kids and meals makes the time so much more enjoyable and less stressful.  Even after a long day to come home to a prepared meal- after everyone has been working- WOW- I cannot pass out enough hugs and smiles- you know who you are and I love you for it!

A little glimpse into one of the trailers- crates, cowboy hats, extension cords, feathers, fake trees, suitcases, gourds, bougainvilleas, mums, and fresh cut foliage. Just another load for a Barn Sale!

Getting the entrance ready.... We cannot have just a plain entrance- it has to be inviting!!!  I adore these wooden planters every year.  Thanks to Ellen for the pumpkin and flowering delivery!  You brightened our day!! This is just the start!  Thanks so much to friends who take off from normally scheduled activities to help put all this together- Melissa & Tammy were in charge of this side of the entrance and the front.  Ladies did a great job!

Mr. Ploetz- the sweet owner of this fully restored 1952 Ford truck.  He has graciously driven this centerpiece to every sale!  I get so excited every time he drives in!  I think it is so cool to have the bright shiny truck out front, and the rusty one in the barn!  Just like what we do- bring something 'old' or vintage to life in a new way!

As vendors came in there was a special place for them to go....Thanks to Cheryl and Annie for manning that table and Janet from Scott Dierlam State Farm Insurance for hosting the Vendor check in booth with snacks and drinks!

Thanks to sweet Megan from Salvaged for these awesome vendor tags.  I had a little idea for tags- but she had a great one!  Loved seeing the roofing caps along with canning lids come to life as chalk signs for vendors to write their names on!

 Vendors and friends alike jumped in just before sale time to get last bits of decorating finished!

Getting the FEED sign up was highly important!  Shoppers must know where they can get fed!  The best part- using old feed sacks to make the sign!

Yards and yards of burlap........  Melissa and Becky were finishing with paper fans to blow in the wind. It looks like a festive fall party at the front- Just what I was hoping for!

 The entrance..... I almost cried when I saw the finished product all together!  This was a vision I gave sweet Kate of Lucky 1300.  She took it and ran with it- and pulled in our friend Darcy as well.  Girls- this is Just the vision I had!  The sign should say by: Rusted Gingham & friends!  I couldn't do it without them (have I mentioned that yet.......).

The two that did so much.... Kate and Katie- you will never know what your support and help meant to me!

And here are Tracy and I- the ground work on the web and technical stuff all started because of her many talents, time and skills!  Thank you will never be enough.......

 The following three were smiling workers greeting each of you at the front- there were one or two more that we didn't get a pic of- but you were still smiling!  Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!  I love going places and being greeted with a smile- each of you were chosen because of your smiles and kind manners. I know shoppers appreciate being greeted with a smile- even if the line is long!

The owners of the rusty truck- as hard of a time as Mr. Neitsch gives me about junk- he still loves to come and look around!  And, his girls have really good taste when it comes to re-purposing junk...so he gets to help with projects year round. Notice how he is standing 'away' from all us girls?? He loves us (well not me- but the other three!)

And then there is Jolie- she is the 'keeper of the computer' in my mind.  I am limited (some say challenged) in the area of technology....so she allowed me to call with questions and concerns multiple times......Thanks for answering questions and 'handling it'- for so many things.




 So while family, friends and myself are working to get it looking good for all of you....Vendors are working too!  This picture below is hours after the empty barn photo- you can see what the vendors did in that time!


 

Ready and waiting.....Lori Raabe took as many pictures as she could- and I love this one!  It is a very different look than the empty one of the barn!  I see so many little details when I look at a photo like this and think of more people that helped that never made it in a photograph.  It is these that you see in pictures and so many others that make this weekend so special for so many!  All of you know anytime you are at a 'production' that there have been many hands involved to pull it all off!  That is definitely the case here.  I could never express my gratitude enough to each of you that make the Barn Sale the special thing that it is!  It would take me another paragraph to list all the names- names that are Highly Important to me!  I will keep this list to myself- as they know who they are- and why they are special!

Last picture for now..... This guy means so much to me.  Who knew that his cattle trailers would one day be filled with junk GoOds to go to shows..... (I have to check his schedule before I book any shows to make sure his trailer is available!)  So often words are not spoken, but for those of you who have an understanding and supportive spouse you know what I'm talking about.  For some reason, I think most of our vendors and volunteers fall in this category!  It's just the way couples are supposed to work! He makes time to get me through this weekend. I can never thank him enough!

So from Rusted Gingham headquarters to your home- Hope you enjoyed your tour before the Barn opens.....
Next post will have more pics from the Barn Sale....
(Yes, I do realize the sale was in November and we are now at the end of January.....let's just say I've been swamped since the last trailer was unloaded.  So, please be understanding as to the tardiness)  And, feel free to find us on   Facebook  for more wonderful pictures from the barn sale! 

Thank you to each of you that comes to be part of the sale- If it weren't for you- All that work wouldn't mean a thing!!!!!

Suzanne











 

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