ThE JunK GypSY ManiFESto

March 3, 2010

The way I see it, life is a beautiful adventure. 

a WiLD, MagiCAL, ChaoTIC, madly-beautifully-unplanned adventure.                  

There is something great and inspiring and liberating about hitting the open road…driving with the windows rolled down, Janis Joplin cranked up, letting your hair and all your worries blow in the wind…in search of something new. Something different. Something yet to be discovered out there in the wild blue yonder.                  

{JaNIE, AMiE, & JoLIE at the ArKANSaS farm circa 1980}

That’s how we, my mom-Janie…she’s the relentless, never-say-die fanatic of all things junky, my sister-Amie…the eclectic, wild-at-heart creative soul, and myself-Jolie…the spirited southern girl with a rock n’ roll cornbread soul, got caught up in a business that has taken our lives down a path we never could have planned for. There were no stodgy business plans for this ride . . . just grassroots dreams and starry-eyed faith!       

We set out to find a great business, but instead found a great life.                    

It all started long, long ago in a one-light town – Overton, Texas. OuR little MayBeRRY…where the twang is as thick as the gossip, the folks are friendly, and the football field is a spiritual experience.
 
 Amie and I were raised in a hard-working, down-to-Earth family. Our parents Janie and Phillip opened Overton’s first and finest pizza restaurant when we were just kids. We didn’t know it then but we were learning the basics of business firsthand. Basics that can’t be taught in a textbook. Through mopping floors, baking pizzas, and learning from our customers and co-workers, our pride of knee-scrapin’ hard work and our entrepreneurial genes laid the foundation for the road ahead. We worked together as a family and as business partners in the restaurants for almost twenty years when we decided it was time to hang up the chef’s hat and move on to junkier latitudes.       

      

{JunKIN at the WaRRENTOn AntiQUES show}

We are THE JUNK GYPSIES and we reside in our junky little town of Gypsyville …The raucous and rowdy home of gypsies, junkers, dreamers, and true-blue rebels across the globe! We believe every man’s trash is truly our treasure, junking is a way of life, and garage sales are our Rodeo Drive. We’d rather be at a fleamarket collecting chippy-peely cast-offs than anywhere else. That’s what we do. We find character and charm in unlikely pieces and then chaotically and beautifully mix them with other found objects and vintage elements to create our own unique JUNK GYPSY style. It’s a little bit hippie, a little bit rock n’ roll, and a whole lot of repurposed Junk Gypsy flair!                   

{AmiE & JoLIE cleanin out the cobwebs!}

 We began in 1998 with $2000, a beat-up pick-up truck, and our share of blood, sweat, and tears, selling vintage fineries, roadside treasures, and custom-designed clothing.      

{OuR fiRST set o' wheels for junkin...}

{AmiE & DaD in the early days...}

 Our journey hasn’t always been easy, we’ve taken a few wrong turns and hit a few roadblocks along the way BUT we have fought from the trenches with our never-say-die attitude and always DREAMED big!      

{LoaDIN trailers in tha mud....}

                     

We believe in loving what you do and doing what you love…in learning something from every pitstop and every path along the way. We believe in the beautiful, wild human spirit and that it only grows richer and stronger day after day, year after year. We believe in big love and big dreams. We believe in family. And above all of this, we believe in BELIEVING.                   

{JaNie takin a midnight ride}

So head on over to Gypsyville – take a Greyhound bus or a midnight train ride. . . just get there some way, somehow cause it just might change your life!                   

And then with a little wanderlust in your soul and a rebellious gleam in your eye. . . take a magic carpet ride through our wild and spirited world!   

To all of you…WELCoME HoME!                

 

**NeXT on our RaMBLINGS from the RoaD…ThE MiRANDA LAMBERT-JuNK GypSY AiRSTREAM ChRONICLES**

CLiCK here for a viDEO preview!           

{MirANDA LamBERT's AiRSTREAM-gettin' gypsy-fide!}

54 Comments

  • Reply keke March 3, 2010 at 4:33 pm

    I love it!! I’m so excited that you have finally made the leap into blogland! I look forwward to reading more~

  • Reply Molly Arnold March 3, 2010 at 4:39 pm

    Your blog is as fabulous as everything else you do. What interesting reading. Best!

  • Reply Mandi March 3, 2010 at 5:13 pm

    Love it…

  • Reply Deb @ Retreat March 3, 2010 at 5:36 pm

    What fun – Welcome to Blogville, GypsyGirls! Can’t WAIT to see your magical transformation of Miranda’s silver bullet!

  • Reply Chesley Turner March 3, 2010 at 6:07 pm

    Y’all are too fabulous. I’m havin’ a rotten ole day, and you have just reminded me exactly what it is that is worth cherishing in this life. Long Live the Wanderlust, Long Live Southern Family Love, and Long Live the Spirit of the Dreamer! Giddy-up, Destiny! Let’s Ride!

  • Reply Joe Pete March 3, 2010 at 6:15 pm

    Maurice,the Gangsta of love ,Do love his Gypsies!!!
    See u in a few short weeks!!!!!!!
    Then its ON.

  • Reply Julia March 3, 2010 at 6:47 pm

    I love what you gals have created here. I hope to be able to attend one of your events soon. I noticed that ya’ll have your annual prom. Well i have a band that might be up ya’ll alley. I have followed them for years and they would fit right in with the gypsy life style. Check them out.
    http://www.facebook.com/notifications.php#!/ElvisTBusboy?ref=nf

  • Reply Theresa-Garden Antqs Vintage March 3, 2010 at 7:04 pm

    I am super excited that you’ve made the leap into blogland. Can’t wait to see y’all in about 3 weeks, the countdown has begun to be in Junker’s Paradise! See you soon, T

  • Reply Jessi March 3, 2010 at 9:14 pm

    This made me tear up! Beautiful! You inspire me to reach for my dreams too ladies!

  • Reply CARLANDA March 3, 2010 at 9:20 pm

    I am so glad your blog is here!!! It will be great fun along your journey. Love you all. xoxo

  • Reply Cathryn March 3, 2010 at 9:25 pm

    LOVE!!!
    Can you come and decorate my house when you are done with the airstream?!?!
    http://www.farmerstophywife.com

  • Reply Rolane The Vintage Barn March 3, 2010 at 9:46 pm

    LOVE you gals!!
    Rolane
    The Vintage Barn

  • Reply April March 3, 2010 at 9:57 pm

    I’ve got Airstream envy! Can’t wait to see the end result! Hope to see you again at Cause for the Paws. . .and my sweet baby Miranda. . .XOXO!!!

  • Reply Izabella March 4, 2010 at 12:26 am

    You gals are pure inspiration!!! Love your introduction, I am so happy you are here in blogland, so many new friends to be found~ can’t wait to follow your blog journey!
    xo!! ~Bella

  • Reply Cyndi March 4, 2010 at 12:49 am

    No one can make an outhouse so famous! What a hoot seeing you two as little girls, Mama Tried! and Loved it, so happy you all never gave up, I wish my $2 grand had worked out so well.

    I am so glad to follow you though blogland with Miranda’s new little TINY trailer and to the fun Spring Event 2010 that happens twice a year. I will wiss seeing you ALL so badly! But, I will be there in my gypsy spirit. Smiles, Cyndi /frstyfrolk

  • Reply Jeanine Burkhardt, ChiPPy!-SHaBBy! March 4, 2010 at 6:56 am

    OMG!*!*! ~ Saw you Ladies for the First Time @ Warrenton this past Fall!!! ~ You’re both just darling!*!*! Bought an AwEsoMe Crusty… Rusty… Chandelier/Lamp & Fab T-Shirt in your booth!!! YOU are AwEsoMe!!! Glad you’re blogging… Jeanine, ChiPPy-SHaBBy in Wisconsin

  • Reply Debbie York March 4, 2010 at 7:13 am

    I sure hope you saved me a seat on the Magic Carpet Ride! I like to sit next to the window!
    Doncha just love when what you do loves you back?
    Debbie

  • Reply Lindsey March 4, 2010 at 10:18 am

    I LUVV my GypSY MaMas!!! Can’t wait for WaRRenTON in a few weeks!!! Adios warehouse….HELLO blacktop!!!

  • Reply Sheri and Sophee~a March 4, 2010 at 10:20 am

    Love,love,love your style and web~site….
    my, “Love me~Love my Junk” shirt is my FAV!!!!! I wear it when I go to flea markets and everyone chats about the cute~tee.

    Welcome to blog~ville…..enjoy. One day I hope to see you gals in Texas 🙂

  • Reply Debra@ Common Ground March 4, 2010 at 11:01 am

    Love hearing your history, and so glad you will be blogging, part of this great community of all thngs “junky”.
    blessings ,
    Debra

  • Reply artistickitty March 4, 2010 at 11:06 am

    Many moons ago I ran across a Houston newspaper article about you gals. I cut it out and saved it. Was so cool to know that there were other “junk gypsies” out there in the big ol’ world. You gals rock. Marge included! Been visiting y’all at Warrenton for the past 5 years and can’t wait to see the goods in 3 weeks.

  • Reply Pam Aries March 4, 2010 at 11:53 am

    I am thrilled with your blog… yes..you gals embody the gypsy spirit and ya’ll ROCK! I loVE you… Peace ..LOVE and Happiness…and Freedom too.

  • Reply Amy March 4, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    Thank you for letting us be a part of your family and for being such an inspiration!

  • Reply fancy March 4, 2010 at 1:46 pm

    love it. love y’all. great job, chica!!!!!! kisses,fancy

  • Reply kelly ellis March 4, 2010 at 2:28 pm

    love your blog…and the gypsy spirit….and i wish i lived in texas!!

  • Reply Anne March 4, 2010 at 4:47 pm

    Welcome to blogging!
    I met y’all last year as a customer, and this month I’ll be back as a vendor! Woo Hoo!

    Can’t wait to see y’all again! Come on over and say howdy if you get a chance. 🙂

    XO,
    Anne

  • Reply Kristal March 4, 2010 at 5:24 pm

    So glad ya’ll have a blog now! And reading your first post was inspiring as well as emotional! I haven’t had the pleasure of attending an event yet, but it’s on my List of Things To Do Before I Die!!! LOL!!! And I will have to hog-tie Hubby with me, just so’s he can see that I’m Not The Only One who loves J-U-N-K!!!!
    XoXo,
    Kristal

  • Reply Junk Gypsy Co. March 4, 2010 at 7:13 pm

    thank y’all sooo much for all the sweet words! we truLY,deARLY love hearing from you!!! y’all are the biggo-mile-high-can’t-live-without-it meringue on our coconut PiE!!!

  • Reply the gypsy chick March 4, 2010 at 9:00 pm

    Welcome to blog land!!! best of luck on your new adventure!!! & I can’t wait to see the gypsyfied airsteam. I have a 1965 trailer that I am working on right now. Hopefully it will be able to make it to the fall show…

  • Reply Aussiej March 5, 2010 at 4:26 am

    Wish there was Junk Gypseys down under or maybe you girls can come on down and start a following? Great blog well done looking forward to more.

  • Reply Tina March 5, 2010 at 4:25 pm

    I live in Australia, but I adore everything about you guys…thankyou for sharing your story, it’s true inspiration, and I am so happy you finally have a blog. From a fellow gypsy at heart x

  • Reply susan March 5, 2010 at 7:41 pm

    I am blessed to live nearby and my loyalWarrenton-trudging husband and I make the show spring and fall every year. I cant imagine missing even once! Love to visit your booth and all the inspiration you bring! Now I have your blog to look forward to also! Welcome!

  • Reply Celeste March 6, 2010 at 9:25 am

    I got a little tear in my eye reading this. The family ties ya’ll have are so awesome. It reminds me of my family, though I’m positive we could not work together as well as you do. Happy Junkin!!! See ya Easter Weekend!

  • Reply Ecj March 8, 2010 at 6:14 pm

    Omg!!! This blog is soo cool shout out to my aunts the gypsies themselves!!!

  • Reply jDeby March 9, 2010 at 2:57 pm

    Yall kick ass!! Love all yer crazy ideas. Love your style, your gypsy hearts and everything else about ya. Keep on being cool.

  • Reply Tattered Rose March 9, 2010 at 7:42 pm

    I just love the blog. Just love everything you three do… It never stops getting better. See you soon at the show. Vera and I are coming in early. Do you think I should have red hair for once in my life? An over the hill hippie little bit cowgirl. Red hair, a scooter and a ruby red heart. Looking more tresures to add to the overflow of stuff I already have.

  • Reply Suzanne March 10, 2010 at 10:19 am

    LUV the blog! But then, I luv everything you do! your style, your saying..your love of life….keep it comin”!

  • Reply Dana March 10, 2010 at 11:01 am

    I was introduced to ya’ll bout 6yrs. ago and have been in love with your stuff ever since. I always get comments when i’m wearing your stuff and sing your praise to the top of my lungs.

  • Reply Sara March 10, 2010 at 11:13 am

    LoVE the BloG!!! Can not wait to see the final product of the Airstream:) Are you going to have pics and video of Ran’s reaction?

  • Reply Joe Bob March 10, 2010 at 11:55 am

    Wow, what a mouthful already in your blog!!!! Well what should a little young west Texas boy like me think. I cannot wait to see the finished airstream product. I am voting we ask the keeper of the National Treasures Archives to add your creation to their list. Love you ladies Joe Bob….

  • Reply Lynn March 10, 2010 at 6:55 pm

    a northern transplanted texan who still wishes she was in the warmer climes… we’re still buried in snow here in the north & i’m sick of it! i long for the spring wildflowers of the lone star state!
    BTRcomment1

  • Reply April March 10, 2010 at 7:18 pm

    Is there anything you gals can’t do? Love the pics of you gettin’ down and dirty! Have a drink on me, girls, you deserve it! XOXO!

  • Reply April March 10, 2010 at 7:20 pm

    Oops, forgot to mention that at least it is March and not July! Talk about toasted!

  • Reply Anecia March 10, 2010 at 7:26 pm

    The blog is marvelous! Been a huge fan of Junk Gypsy Co. since I discovered ya’ll last summer..Keep up the good work,ya’ll! 🙂

  • Reply Shannon March 11, 2010 at 3:55 pm

    Love the Gypsies. See ya’ll in Warrenton soon.

  • Reply SquirrelGirl March 11, 2010 at 7:48 pm

    Yall rock!!!! I cannot believe yaal know MIRANDA herslef IT IS SOOO KOOL make me a shirt to advertise at skool!!!!

  • Reply Christine March 12, 2010 at 11:57 am

    So Glad to see your Blogging! I look forward to seeing Melissa’s finished Trailer! I know you gals will do her proud, and make something Magical! I have a Tiny TinCan Cottage myself, I would love to do a Tiny “Gypsyville Trailer” and come to one of your shows….that would be a blast!
    Have Fun ! It’s gonna be Beautiful!
    Christine The TinCan Cottage

  • Reply SquirrelGirl March 13, 2010 at 7:48 pm

    HI!!!

  • Reply auntie di March 13, 2010 at 7:49 pm

    Love the way the Airstream is looking ! Ya’ll are creative genuises. Love you all.

  • Reply SquirrelGirl March 13, 2010 at 7:49 pm

    YOU GO AUNTIE DI!!!!!

  • Reply GeorgiaGypsy April 15, 2010 at 9:53 am

    Hey Girls! Greetins’ from the Peach State! Ya’ll know how to do it right in Texas!!!! Can’t wait to get over that way sometime and go junkin’ myself! I really aspire to attend a gypsyville prom one day!!!! I love your spirit and you have a divine sense of style!!!!! You’ve got me dreamin’ of summer days and entertaining!!!!! You are so right when you say “all who wander are not lost”!!!!

  • Reply Laticia Guanio March 21, 2011 at 1:31 am

    I came across your site while searching on MSN and have now added you to my rss reader. I Just though i should say

  • Reply Connie January 13, 2013 at 7:55 am

    Ya’ll gotta hook up with Sister’s on the Fly for an episode…love your junk

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