if you build it…
i remember the day i quit my job as an academic advisor at TeXAS A&M…i remember sitting before my graduate committee, finishing my masters degree in health & nutrition…and then telling our department head that i was moving on. not into fields of empirical research at institutions of higher education. but moving on to become a junker. to officially become partners-in-crime with my mom and sister.
i remember not knowing what the future held, but knowing that i had big time faith in junk gypsy. big time faith in my sister’s dream (which also became my dream). big time knowledge in the fact that family was the most important thing to me and that, in our family, the sum is greater than the parts. and that although i might be making a mistake, i would never know if i didn’t jump.
so i jumped. t-smitty (my husband) jumped. we all jumped together. and y’all jumped with us. we all jumped….because of one word.
FAITH.
and because of 2 words we knew when to jump.
carpe diem.
we jumped not knowing how long our fleamarket days would last…we jumped knowing that some thought we were crazy. we took it one fleamarket at a time…without a business plan and without knowing all the answers. but we kept the faith because of you. because y’all kept inspiring us fleamarket after fleamarket. because y’all encouraged us to keep on keepin on…and y’all let us know that we weren’t the only crazy ones….y’all were crazy too.
and 12 years later…
if you build it, they will come.
or at least that’s what we’ve been told. and now, we’re building it. and we have FAITH that YOU will come.
what started as just a dream in our heads…
eventually became a sketch in amie’s notebook…
and then REAL blueprints via our amazingly-brilliant & generous friend, RiCHARD LAuGHLIN…who also happened to build robert earl keen’s (moment of silence for the godfather of texas music, please) songwriting studio (aka. his scriptatorium)…
and now, an actual structure with windows, 4 WALLS … AND a ROOF.
{sunrise over the store..taken 1/26/2012}
from the pouring of the concrete…
to the salvaged texas harbor tin we’ve used as walls…
the habitat for humanity back door…
and possibly our favorite … fleamarket cupolas.
3 in all…
awaiting their time to be positioned atop our new store.
and thanks to randy zingelmann of zingelmann steel construction & jay robinson of woods creek construction, we’re finally on the homestretch…
{makin it happen. taken1/26/2012}
{pouring the slab. october 2011}
hoping to be open late spring/early summer 2012.
its been quite the journey for all of us, for our family and for junk gypsy. they say you shouldn’t be defined by your job but here in gypsyville, no one could deny that junk gypsy was our fate. our destiny. and it has shaped us into who we are. junk gypsy is it’s own being and it most definitely defines who we are. amie once said she doesn’t know where she ends and junk gypsy begins.
louis l’amour quoted: “the trail is the thing. not the end of the trail. travel too fast, and you miss all you are traveling for.”
which also reminds me of the ever-profound ferris bueller movie (an all-time fave): “life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around every once in awhile, you could miss it.” i’m looking around, y’all. ’cause i don’t wanna miss a thing.
although the trail to the junk gypsy store, has been 12 years long…we’ve loved every minute (well, almost every minute :)). we’ve learned infinitely along the way…we’ve laughed. we’ve cried. we’ve grown stronger.
our dream is that our store is a place that you love to come to. a place of fellowship. a place of happy thoughts and big dreams. a place for young and old. a place that you might spend 30 minutes or 3 hours…and whether you leave with a purchase or not, you’ll leave feeling inspired. and happy.
and in the words of the oh-so-awesomely-inspiring house of blues… “leave with us a piece of your heart. take with you a piece of our soul. ”
thank y’all from the bottom of our hearts for riding the trail with us. thank y’all for hanging on the junk gypsy karma train…because without you, there would be no junk gypsy. and so far, it’s been quite a ride…and i have a feelin, we’re just at the beginning.
63 comments
Congrats girls … I’ve been going to Round Top for quite a while .. friends with Joe Pete in Abilene. Proud of y’all!! See you soon!!
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I am loving your post and your story…….such an inspiration for anyone trying to follow their dreams and do what makes them happy!! Ya’ll are the Queens of Junk in my junkin world and I am going to have to take a lil junkin road trip and come vist you girls and your store!!! Thanks for sharing…..Hugs and Junkin Luv to ya….Cathy aka GGJ
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Congratulations to all of you!! I have fallen in love with your beautiful junky clothes and jewelry and spirit… y’all have inspired me (and my style) in so many ways! I cannot wait to have the roadtrip of my life to come visit your store when it opens.
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We are sooooo excited for all of you!! How blessed Round Top and WE are to have you guys here!!! So fun seeing and being a part of your amazing adventure!! Love you guys!!! XOXO
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So GLAD you all went for it all heart and spirit !! I LOVE JG and I pray I get to come to a prom SOON !! I’m a good friend of Ashlyn’s (Georgia) and she IS the reason I am now JG hooked !!! And once you get JG in your bloodstream…there’s no turning back !! Keep up the good work and Congrats on the new store and the show. I LOVED the show by the way :-)
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The store looks fabulous! I look forward to a shoping trip down there soon!
I have said it before—- I AM SO PROUD OF ALL OF YOU! and of course–I miss ya!
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What a wonderful story….y’all are so inspiring!
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I’m all tears over here.. such an inspiration and I’m happy for all of you. One day I’ll be there.. taking my own “jump” of faith I don’t care what Drs say or if it’s done from a wheelchair I’ll be there or if people tell me I can’t I’ll be there!!! I’m so happy for all of you and a very grateful fan.
Just remember everything you need or could want is there you just gotta take it and make it your own. Congrats on everything!!!
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OK seriously…..those cupolas…..
AMAZING!!!! Can’t wait to see them installed!!
Congrats on everything!!
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I thought that might be your structure comin’ along out there in Round Top and I was right! Woo hoo! Welcome home! Thank YOU guys for inspiring all of us daydreamers to take that leap of faith, too!
xoxo Kayli
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Just got a little teary-eyed reading your post! So very proud of you gals! What you’ve accomplished….the lives you are touching….you are truly…..TRULY an inspiration. Congratulations and I am looking forward to making a visit to the new digs!
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This blog made me smile. I first came across your AWESOME website when Miranda Lambert took the country scene with “Me & Charlie Talking” & “Kerosene.” I HAD to have that “MAMA TRIED” tank top she was wearing in a picture. After I ordered that.. the rest is history. Congrats on EVERYTHING!! I hope to visit the Lonestar state one day and get a good look at the store. You’re on my bucket list. :)
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After 12+years of having a front row seat for watching a seed of idea become a concept, then a “fee-to-me” lifestyle design and knowing how hard all of y’all have worked, I couldn’t decide whetther to laugh or cry. Then I remembered…heck fire, I’m Irish…I can do both…and so I am …in joy for being able to witness to a dream come true right before my eyes.
Girls…you’ve built a better mousetrap and me…along with countless others…are hopelessly caught. Squeak…Squeak!
Debbie
P.S. Preach on Sister Woman…me and the girls will keep singing your praises in the choir!
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P.P.S. *free-to-be* not fee-t0-me! Oy vey1
D
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Wow! They are making progress so quickly! Won’t be long before those door open to all the smiling faces! Congrats on this wonderful and blessed achieement! Can’t wait to see and hear more! Love ya! Leena
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Can’t wait to schedule my first trip to Roundtop to visit the store! I just hope I have enough money when I come!!
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congratulations !!!! onward and upward…..good for you !
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so very exciting & inspiring! i remember your tent in warrenton many, many years ago! always been a fan…wish you the very best!! and can’t wait to come visit your headquarters when it opens! ;) xoxo
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Look At That Building!!! ~ It is awesome, ya’ll are awesome, an’ it’s slap about time JG get’s it goin’ on with a big ol’ store!! ~ Whoo – Yeah!!
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Congrats on the World Headquarters!!!! Sounds like a road trip from Houston will be in order soon!!!
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Brought tears to my eyes because the first time I found you website it did just what you spoke of, it inspired me! It made me hope for something outside of the box, haven’t made it there but you girls remind me everyday that dreams really do come true! Thank you for being such an inspiration to some many of us, I would wish you luck but I don’t think it has had anything to do with your success. You have stayed true to yourselves and that is what makes you guys so special!! Cheers to and your family, one heck of an awesome bunch!
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We’ll be there opening day…congrats!
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Congrats ladybugs! So happy that all your dreams are coming true, y’all deserve it. Can’t wait to see more, I know the store will look amazing!
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I can’t wait to see it finished! and to visit. Can you please have a rip roaring party when its done!
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I am so proud of you for living your dream and following your passion. This is the way I live my life and encourage others to do the same. Peace and continued blessings
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And ya’ll will be so excited you will build a Junk Gypsy in Atlanta so I can work for you…..That would be AWESOME! We need some spice down here!
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CONGRATS!!! I can’t wait to visit the store. Going on my bucket list… NOW!
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You are so brave and inspiring. You have no idea the impact you’ve had on me. I am forever grateful and forever your biggest cheerleader. GO TEAM GYPSY!!! I will definately be there Grand Opening Day. So excited to see the building complete
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Looks AWESOME! Can’t wait to visit.
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I’m so incredibly happy for ya’ll! I can’t wait for the big reveal! I’m very proud to say that I had the opportunity to know and work for you guys! Ya’ll deserve the very best! xoxo
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I am living vicariously through you girls. I love EVERYTHING you do. If you ever need a gofer who would work cheap, let me know!!! I’d be in hog heaven. Blessings to all of you and thank you for inspiring me so very much. (Hug your mama for me, we were Skeeters together.)
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Congratulations! I love everything Junk Gypsy and am truly snappers by your leap of faith. I too took a big jump this year and I am both scared to death and excited as heck. I turned 50 this past year and decided it was now or never to take the jump and so jump I did. I pray that my jump turns out to be only partially as successful as yours. Thanks for being such an inspiration.
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Congratulations…from someone who knows the blood, sweat, tears, sleepless nights and endless faith it takes to persevere…my motto….”Let what you love, be what you do”…then everything else will fall into place. Can’t wait to see what’s next for your family…it is an inspiration to all of us!
Donna
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very proud of you girls. it is fun to see dreams come true ..with faith and hard work. hope to see you at the next warrenton. anxious for your next tv show to air too. i got myself some inspiration last show. i am bringing a lot of really funky altered art to this next show…u gotta come see. congrats on your success!
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OK, Jolie…payback…I just shed a few tears over this one. I find myself in a very similar situation. Making a big salary in a corp job, but unfulfilled…my passion is finding treasures and making beautiful things . I’m on my own and have bills to pay and must have insurance, so I’m doing what I can to feed my soul. I have faith! Thanks for reminding me why I come home at night and feed my passion and fill the hole that my job leaves empty.
XO to my Aggid sister and East Texas rooted friend!
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OK, Jolie…payback…I just shed a few tears over this one. I find myself in a very similar situation. Making a big salary in a corp job, but unfulfilled…my passion is finding treasures and making beautiful things . I’m on my own and have bills to pay and must have insurance, so I’m doing what I can to feed my soul. I have faith! Thanks for reminding me why I come home at night and feed my passion and fill the hole that my job leaves empty.
XO to my Aggie sister and East Texas rooted friend!
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Jolie Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
kelley!!! i’m so glad you enjoyed the blog!! heres to the dream!
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God bless every last one of ya! You’re an inspiration for junkers everywhere.
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Oh whata beautiful site!!!! I can’t wait to visit y’all again! You remind us all how important it is to follow your heart…..congrats!
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I think I can speak for all of Overton when I say just how proud we are of you and your family. I pray that God blesses your business and that it truly becomes a sanctuary for all who pass through its doors. Hopefully myself and my family can take a much needed trip to come check it out!! I cannot wait to see how this store takes off and garners national attention. You, Amie and your mom & dad make all us Texans proud with your original style & God-given eye for true beauty!! Well done!!
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Jolie Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
wow…thank you soooo much tim! this got me all teary! you KNOW how very special overton is to us! we feel so lucky to have known every single person there…and to have grown up in such a great town! big love to you! hope to see you soon!
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NON SIATE AMANTI DEL DENARO , SIATE CONTENTI DELLE COSE CHE AVETE POICHE’ EGLI STESSO HA DETTO : IO NON TI LASCIERO’ E NON TI ABBANDONERO’
EBREI 13:5
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New store looks absolutely incredible – very warm, cozy (how did you pull THAT off with such a large building?? lol) and inviting. Y’all should be very proud and excited as we back home are all very proud and excited for you. My only hope is there may be a corner with a mechanical bull and an area for Sissy and Bud to do some boot scootin’ after a couple of Lone Stars… Love to you all – God Bless.
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Jolie Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 1:26 pm
OK seriously, bud! this cracked me up! great idea!! i’m working on it now!!! bigggg love to y’all!!!!
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Ok, Miss Jolie you got me all tearing up now! Lol. I loved everything you said, sums me up to a T. Your whole family is so inspiring. Can’t wait to see it when it s finished, and I know you all will probably have a BIG O Party in JG style, I may have to make a special trip from AZ for it! Good luck and keep it going!
Big hugs from AZ, Tricia
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Jolie Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
awww…tricia! thank you soooo much! i’m so glad you liked the blog!!! can’t wait to see ya soooon!! XOXOX!
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A big slap on the back and 2 thumbs up to y’all. I CANNOT wait to drop in. Y’all are gonna get so sick of seein me! ☺
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Jolie Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
nope we wont…you just come on!!! and bring your friends too!
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Excellent to see the progress your family has made in a relatively short amount of time. Your hard work and dedication is evident and it’s wonderful to see you not only chasing your dreams, but gaining on them with speed.
Best of luck, joy, and blessing to you all… er, that is, y’all. ;)
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Jolie Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 1:24 pm
thanks so much matt! thanks for EVERYTHING!!! big love to y’all too!
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It was easy to tell that you would be successful when you are the only vendor at Canton reading Forbes- Small Business.
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Jolie Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
what??…that’s not normal?
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Such an inspiration! I first became aware of JG @ a Miranda concert here in NYC when I saw the “Saved by the Grace of Southern Charm” tank & I’ve been hooked ever since. I love your style, your philosophy, the website, the whole shootin’ match! Can’t wait to get to Round Top to check out the store–maybe I’ll convince some of my Eastbound & UP Rebel Road Sistas to join me!
Bless you, everyone.
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Jolie Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
thank you soooo much for finding us! you fer sure need to bring yer NYC sistas down to texas for a little southern soul vacation!!!
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I have a feeling it is only the beginning!! Can’t wait for the new show!!
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Hey there girl! I’ve said before how inspirational ya’lls story is. I remember Amie telling it to me YEARS ago & the excitement she had in her voice. Little did she know that it would stick with me & it has. This blog post really hit home for me & where I am right now, so I am EVER so glad I read it. Believe me…I’ve had some “crazy” looks & FOR REAL… I KNOW all I have to do is BELIEVE & anything I want to happen CAN & WILL. Thanks for coming to the auction, donating, & buying! You guys really are AWESOME!! xoxo – Heather
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Jolie Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
heatherrrrr!!! auctioneer-in-action!! thank you sooo much for this comment…it’s amazing to hear that you remember amie telling you our story years ago! big dreams, sista! big dreams! it’s a big ole road…
had a BLAST saturday nighttttt!!!!! XOXOOXXO!
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I still have the turquoise necklace your mom made for me- in Canton, circa 2001. I also have my original pink Junk Gypsy t-shirt with silver-black lettering (from Warrenton) circa 2003. I still love the Junk Gypsies! You are a creative inspiration to all of us who love treasuring hunting, crafting, and making beautiful spaces with a Texas twist. Congratulations!!
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Reading about your dreams coming true inspired my daughter and I to drive from NE to Texas to look for your new location while visiting my brother in Austin. Can’t wait to come back when the building is up. My teaching job in NE has kept me from coming to the Prom and Round Top Flea Market but retirement is not so far away. It is a road trip worth taking I am sure. Best wishes from a mother and daughter flea market adventurer team.
Kathi Mercure and my daughter Megan Johnson
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Thanks for letting us come along for the ride! I Can’t wait to see where this road leads! Much love!
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So excited for all of you’ll ! You have left many a boot print hunt n down all those unique junk n piecies ! What a find some have been and wished I had. You three have made us TEXAS proud. Be sure to know your road may be long but keep all those fun times and laughs as your greatest times (and be sure and add those to your Memory Jar ! I hope you will remember your Sisters on the Fly cause we want to park on your grounds one day and hope you find you a vintage trailer to join our fun !! See ya at the prom this spring!! Donna Kay and. Monnie ( the 1968 Rodeo Queens). Haaaaaas
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‘Build it and they will come’ sure hit home with this Texas girl! Because we did!
We just got back from a little anniversary trip to Round Top, where we stayed at ‘The Prairie’. Of course we just HAD to do a ‘drive by, and check on the JG Headquarters! Mighty fine place you’re gonna have there, and the only thing I found wrong with it was that it WASN’T OPEN!!!
After soothing my disappointment with a piece of Royer’s Chocolate Chip Pie, I vowed right then and there…”I’ll be back!”
Congrats to all of you from ‘Deep in the Heart of West Texas!”
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Jolie Reply:
February 10th, 2012 at 8:42 am
cindi!!!!
this post made me laugh!! thank y’all sooo much!!! we hate we missed ya but can’t wait for the next girl trip when y’all can include stopping by the store on your to-do list…right between staying at the prairie and eating royers pie!!!
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