Feature Friday: Gresham Barn Sale

When I was 7 months pregnant with my first child, I heard about a local “barn sale” full of vintage goodness that sounded like something I had to see for myself.

I went with my mother-in-law on “sale day” (everything is 25% off the last day of the 4 day sale), bought something cute for my house at a great price (I honestly can’t remember what it was at the moment) and promised myself that I would come back again the next time the very talented Jodi Miller hosted her fun sale.

And you know what? I kept my promise! Since that spring sale, the Gresham Barn Sale has taken place every fall and spring, and Jodi has even added a Christmas sale in November with a focus on handmade goodies.  I think I’ve only missed two Christmas sales, both of which happened to fall right around the times my second and third kiddos were born. Though…I did run into a friend who had just had a baby 48 hours before, so I don’t guess this excuse holds up. Now, I feel like a total slacker!

This year, I actually broke with tradition and went with a friend on Friday, the day before sale day, so I could scope out the deals. Then I came back on Saturday to take pictures and see if there was anything left on sale that I couldn’t live without.  

If I’d had a place in my house for this awesome cane-bottom chair/desk combo in that same deep teal that I dreamed of/found for my birthday manicure, I might have had to cram it in the back of my van. I mean, really? Me and teal?…we’re likethis. 

Jodi was a bit worried I wouldn’t find anything picture-worthy since the pickings were mighty slim by the time I got the chance to snap some shots, but we both agreed that that was a good problem to have.

After all, if there’s not much to take pictures of at the tail-end of the last day of the sale (which was when I finally managed to put my camera to work), you  must be doing something right! Apparently, I’m going to have to step up my game if I’m going to snag the things I fall in love with…

…like this fun, funky chest, which I couldn’t think of a place for until it was already sold, at which point it occurred to me that it was the perfect shade of yellow for my living room. Doh!

…or this awesome table which I can totally picture underneath that big painting in my kitchen. Love the eclectic mix of industrial and cottage style.  (It too was sold by the time I noticed it).

…or this fantastic shelf, which wasn’t sold, and I wanted so badly but just wasn’t quite the right scale for the space I had in mind. Boo!

In addition to great furniture, Jodi also has lots of doo-dads, knick-knacks, and accessories, all of which fit the vintage theme of the sale.  That dress form is fabulous, no?

Loved these adorable chalkboard bunting banners!

Another favorite piece. Wouldn’t this be a cool place to store craft supplies?

And there you have it! (For now). Jodi does such a fantastic job of styling and staging everything, and she works super-hard to run everything in an orderly way. It shows too, from the table with a constant supply of yummy treats/drinks to the adorable displays to the friendly helpers always available to assist you in finding something or getting a purchase out to your car.  I couldn’t resist taking a moment to introduce you. If you’re local, be sure to stop by the Christmas handmade sale! You can find all of the details at Jodi’s blog.

Somehow, I managed not to get a pic of Jodi, so I stole this one from her facebook page. Pretty lady! : )

And here’s the only shot I got of me and my cute little helper. She’s such a trooper!

Next up for me? BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT, and a slew of errands. Let the weekend begin!

Hope yours is fantastic! See you Monday!