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Flipping Furniture and Finding Fun

Flipping Furniture and Finding Fun: My Journey Through Canton and Beyond!

Welcome, my fellow DIY warriors and vintage lovers! Today, I’m taking you on a humorous yet informative journey filled with furniture flipping, mother-daughter bonding, and a sprinkle of southern charm. So grab your paintbrushes and let’s dive in!

There was a time when my mom and I enthusiastically hopped into her trusty car every first weekend of the month, bound for the magical land of Canton, Texas. Yes, if you’re not familiar with this treasure trove, imagine 11 acres boasting everything from rusty, dusty relics to pristine antique furniture. Seriously, it’s like IKEA on a caffeine high—vendors from around the globe showcasing their wares like it’s a yard sale on steroids!

Now, you might be wondering: why would two lovely ladies traipse through piles of dusty decor? Simple! We were on a mission: to rescue forlorn furniture from its shabby fate, rejuvenate it with a splash of paint, and flip it for profit. Yep, we turned trash into treasure. It was like being in our own DIY reality show, minus the cameras… and the dramatic music.

As we dragged our loot back home, we’d transform the most mundane pieces into statement pieces worthy of a magazine spread. I mean, who doesn’t love a good “before and after” shot? Challenge accepted, right? Soon enough, we managed to fill several booths in different vintage stores. Talk about a labor of love! But hey, what’s a little chaos among mother-daughter bonding? Nothing, that’s what!

If I could rewind time, guess what? I wouldn’t change a single thing. The laughter-filled adventures we shared were pure gold, far more luxurious than the ten-dollar trinkets we dug up in Canton. Who could say no to a little bonding over a paint splatter or two?

Now, let’s fast-forward to our adventure in Saint Francisville, Louisiana. We strolled into this charming shop called Vintage Hive, run by the enigmatic Heather. Picture this: vintage items stacked haphazardly like a beautiful abstract art piece. Heather, our furniture fairy godmother, not only inspired me to kick off live sales but also promised shipping or in-store pickup. What a deal, right?

But here’s where the plot thickens. As I stood there, weighing in at a sassy 515 pounds (yup, body positivity was a work in progress), I felt a rush of insecurity. “Could I really do this?” I thought. Spoiler alert: I did! 

Our first live sale was nothing short of a hilarious disaster. Seriously, we had more “helpers” than I could count. Nervous energy? Check! As we huddled together, hatching our plan like it was Mission Impossible, we soon realized we didn’t need all that backup. Turns out, all we needed was the courage to dive headfirst into the unknown.

It’s worth mentioning that I had reached out to a plethora of live-sale veterans for advice, but my messages were met with crickets. Not a single response! Except for Heather—my savior! With her guidance, we breathed life into our sales, and the ups soon outweighed the downs.

So, what’s the takeaway from this amusing journey? It’s simple: follow your passion! Whether you’re flipping furniture, trying live sales, or just knee-deep in paint, don’t shy away. Connect with others in the community, and remember that every obstacle might lead to a beautiful transformation—just like that piece of furniture you thought no one would want!

In closing, if your calendar isn’t marked for the first weekend of every month to head to Canton, Texas, what are you waiting for? Join the adventure of finding treasures, laughing with your loved ones, and maybe painting your way to fame (or at least a decent profit). Until next time, happy flipping!

Brett Fontenot

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