I made it to the JUNK BONANZA and I can’t stop talking about it.
Okay, it wasn’t enough to be personally invited by Ki Nassauer to her amazing Junk Bonanza. It wasn’t enough to be surrounded by her talented and delightful team of junkers who took care of all my demands and made me feel so special and honored. It wasn’t enough that Ki and her husband Kerry went out of their way to make our visit so effortless and fun. But there was SHOPPING… not mediocre shopping, not so-so shopping… but the kind of shopping you wait for all of your life. And while they had me chained to a table to sign my books for many people that traveled across country to visit and get my autograph (keeping me from such great junk was torture), I eeked out many moments to disappear into a magical world of well edited and recycled junk. It was a paradise of just the kind of things I collect. The best and most unusual ironstone, old metal surfaces, chipped paint tables, pedestals and chairs. Special industrial signs, utility containers and old painted pieces in shades of color that you spend your whole life searching for. And that is exactly what makes it great, its filtered, displayed, created in those marvelous decorative layers that simply make you drool and want everything in each booth. Do you get the idea that it was special? That really doesn’t cover it. I bought a pair of cast iron urns, some giant old hand blown glass fish bowls. A couple of wooden compotes, some vintage game board pieces, old aluminum store hangers and typewriter keys with the best brief sayings that seem so relvant to today.
Here I am upon my arrival at the Bonanza. I walked immediately from the car into three days of signing books. I might have minded if I didn’t have a revolving door of such great people with engaging stories and lots of fun. All of my books were popular, but Halloween was a hot topic amongst everyone that stopped to see me. Jenny went shopping as well, but I think there might be a few Christmas gifts coming my way because she didn’t share every purchase with me.
Now to the REVOLUTION. Like Cher, Ki has re-invented the reinvention (of junk). Like the French Revolution she is bringing her fresh style to the people… decorators and devotees alike. Best of all, we are on the front line as Ki reinvisions a decorating style as a real movement that has always been green… always been inovative, always been smart and always been engaging. I can’t wait to see what she does with this brand. I’ve joined the REVOLUTION, have you? Leave me a post and tell me what you love about Ki and her junk empire.
Best, Matthew
September 19th, 2008 at 7:35 am
what fun!
i would love some old , very rusty urns myself!
my teenage daughter and i were in the grocery store last night and saw your magazine….i told her—” i know him…..i won one of those”.
i’m not sure she was as impressed as i would have liked her to be, but the lady behind us sure was!!
September 19th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Hi, I met you at the Bonanza, talked for a minute and met your lovely wife. Ki is truly wonderful.
Margo
View my Blog at
http://www.robolady.blogspot.com
September 19th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
My Mom and I have been hoping for several years to make it to this wonderful sale! Your description only makes me continue to hope we can make it!
We have long admired Sue and Ki’s great taste and creative ability to pull junk together beautifully! I love their ideas because they are fun and functional!
So glad you got to go!
September 20th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
I can NOT say enough good things about Ki and Kerry and the Bonanza. My store and my full time nursing career keep me flying, but I would not miss the chance of having a booth at the junK BonanZa. It is the best time of the Fall. The people, the Kudos, the great finds - what fun…. and as Ki says, ” the hugs are re-guvination” …… I can’t say enough good things about her genuine spirit and kindness. Myself and my staff felt ultra welcome…..and the GrEAt sales didn’t hurt either. Mathew good luck with the books. I hope you are enjoying my bag
September 21st, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Hi, Matthew! I also met you at the Bonanza and had a booth right next to where you were signing, and I saw first hand how they sure kept you busy! It was a fabulous time and my sales there were awesome, as were those who shared the booth with me. It was a great venue to sell and Ki did a phenomenal job! I will definitely do it again next year. Hope you experienced some Minnesota nice while you were here! Thanks for coming!
October 1st, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Hi Matthew! My sister, mom and I met you at the Bonanza. You and your wife are awesome! Ki really rocks and I can’t wait to visit her show again when I visit from So Cal - she is really a sweetheart! Please check out my blog for a photo of us after you signed our books!
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:47 am
Well…… I missed the bonaza but my sweet matthew, I found it in your new mag! You amaze and inspire me!!
Now ~ will you please sell your house, leave your job and come live next door to us so you can decorate my house for Halloween and make yummy things for me and lou and the girls?
Please???
October 31st, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Great info.Very good article.Bookmarked your blog plz keep it up
November 13th, 2008 at 12:35 am
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