Our family is just beginning to settle back into a routine after this year’s Farm Chicks Fair. I was so happy with how everything came together and incredibly thankful for the community I have surrounded myself with. I thought it’d be fun to share a re-cap of how it all came together.

The theme that ran throughout my vision for this year’s show was flowers. This began with my marketing materials and played out in everything from the poster, to the Curator, guest, and set-up day badges to the installation that greeted visitors when they arrived.

After countless ideas I ran through my head for the entry installation, I was sparked when I saw a car that an acquaintance owned and that I thought would be so amazing filled with fresh flowers. The problem was that it didn’t have an engine, so I had to have it trucked in and pushed into place. I talked with Amanda with House of Found about my ideas for the flowers and how I intended on putting them into place and keeping them fresh for the weekend and she was quick to offer advice. And after chatting with her about the fine details, I decided to have her be the one to build it out. It’s definitely the most expensive installation I’ve ever created but was definitely worth it and Amanda and her assistant Mia did an incredible job. (Some of you who have been following me for a while may remember Amanda who managed the short-lived little Farm Chicks Shop in Spokane).

I wonder if anyone noticed the paintbrush flowers that I placed throughout? I always love to include a common object that can be treated as special and of value too. These objects represent the days of my childhood where I would find ways to something out of nothing.

Whenever I would go to mist the flowers with water to help keep them from getting droopy over the weekend, visitors would come up in shock saying that they had thought the flowers were fake. It was so beautiful that I could see why they would have thought that.

Image above: Kate Jennings Photography

On Saturday when I was making my way through the Plaza, I looked up and came face-to-face with an old friend from my high school days in Yreka, California. I stood there in shock and disbelief that Stacey was standing in front of me. After a few minutes of complete shock, I burst out into tears. Stacey was in a higher grade and was incredibly kind and good to me. My life was really challenging and in addition to my home life being tough, there were a group of popular boys who called themselves the Klan who would pick on me, and call me Fathead. I felt fat, ugly, and awkward and she was always there to try and make me feel good. I will never forget her for that. She had traveled to Farm Chicks from California and had brought her daughters along too, and once again, here she was to support.

The weekend went smoothly and there was such a happy spirit that I could feel running throughout each day from set-up though to closing. This Farm Chicks community is an uplifting and supportive one and I’m so thankful for that.

Image above: Kate Jennings Photography

The Curators did such an amazing job again this year and I was so inspired by them and their wonderful displays. I’ll be sharing images from their spaces throughout the year ahead.

If you’re interested in visiting The Farm Chicks Fair next year, the dates are June 6 & 7. (It’s always held the first full weekend in June).

Thank you beyond measure for your support and for visiting year after year. I put my heart and soul into this and it means the world to me when it resonates with you.

Much love,

me