Okay . . . yesterday I visited the location for
The HayLoft at Port
Royal—it’s a barn sale that will take place Oct 19 & 20th—and to say I
was
blown away would be an understatement! The host, Shirley Thomas,
had a vision; with the help of her husband, Knox, and friends, Bubba (introduced
as “like a son”) and Dave, she has brought that vision into reality.
Shirley has been a long time customer and, as I tend to do with my customers,
we have becomes friends. Often she will stop by Hodgepodge just to kick-around
an idea for decorating, but about six months ago she brought the idea of a barn
sale with her. We talked about it for quite a while. I told her I had been
hoping to have something like that take place here in Clarksville for years. I
have been invited to participate in numerous barn sales in the past few years,
but I am often stymied by the issue of distance. (I just can’t be away from
the shop—with inventory—for very long.)
Anyhoo, long story, longer . . . Shirley and crew have been working like
animals to get their former milking barn ready for the big event. So I went out
to see it yesterday.
On my way to find it, I was happy to notice a few barns were being utilized
for smoking tobacco. I am fascinated by this practice, which is rather ironic,
as I really abhor the use of tobacco products, but we all have our vices, don’t
we? (As I live in a glass house, I will leave it at that!)
Back to smoking (as in, “curing”) tobacco . . . the scent is a herald of the
season for many folks living in the south. Imagine my thrill when I pulled-up
to The HayLoft location and saw those wistful plumes of smoke billowing out of
the eaves!
Shirley was gracious enough to stop her hard work and take me on a tour of
the place.
We started here—Shirley refers to it as “downstairs;” she was originally
going to to just offer spaces on the main floor and had spent most of her time
preparing that space, but the interest in this event has grown to the degree
that she needed more space!
Those are tobacco sticks she has used to fashion a
wall to delineate spaces for the vendors. Love it!
Here is the main floor. It is vast and wonderful. I love the chandeliers—a
barn isn’t a barn without chandeliers! Be sure to take a look-see at those
lights around the perimeter of the Hayloft—they’re fashioned from Mason Jars,
ingenious!
Tobacco sticks—I’m obsessed.
Here is a view of the chandeliers Shirley has constructed. She plans to add
burlap slipcovers to those shiny new chains—a woman after my own heart!
A view of The Hayloft—food services will be available there in the room with
the windows (she has thought of and provided for
everything).
The smoking barn . . . major l-o-v-e!
As I was leaving, I turned around for one last shot—this is going to be so
much fun!!!
Our booth will be located on the upper level, right next to
Elizabeth Vaughn, of Artistic
Works by Lu. I will have a full stock of Chalk Paint™, a few creative items, as
well as some painted furniture samples; I will also be doing some demonstrations
with Chalk Paint™. My sister, Kendall Welsh, will share the space with me. She
will bring along some of her signature window designs and picture frames, as
well as other items.
At last check she had more than 30 creative vendors beating down her door to
participate! There will be handmade items, one-of-a-kind creations and antiques
for the home and for yourself. You will not be disappointed!
I provided a link to her blog at the beginning of this post, but here’s her
facebook page, too.
(it’s her personal page, where she seems to be doing most of the posting about
the event.)
One more item to note, there will be a special preview event on Thursday,
the 18th from 4 – 7 pm. The cost is $10, which will cover your entrance to the
event, food and music! (I say come early!)
Hope to see you at The HayLoft!
Thanks for your indulgence,
