Pull Up A "~Chair of Bowlies~M.E." And Sit A Spell

In my previous inspirational post, I told y'all how I had opened a shop in Lindale the summer of '96. Now keep in mind...I didn't have a clue as to what I was doing. Business plan...what was that? All I thought I needed was a key to open the door, inventory and I was good to go!

Little did I know! Thank goodness a certain little magazine hit the newsstands at just about the same time. Y'all know which one I'm talking about!

That's right...Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion! Just like the cavalry in western movies...she saved my day! You have to remember at this time the only magazines out there were geared to a...umm...well....how to say this nicely....different look. I wasn't really into candle molds, baskets and pewter plates back then (although funny thing...I love them now!). There wasn't anything that spoke casual chic or simple living...everything was either very country or very formal. Ahhh, but then I met Mary's little Ann Estelle and the party was on!

My whole world opened up to artists like Nicol Sayer...designers such as Mary Carol Garrity...women who looked at the world through glitter covered glasses like Wendy Addison and Mary herself. These women were movers and shakers, busily shaking up the antique world and forever changing the direction of it.

Women entrepreneurs like Debbie Phillips or Brown Paper Packages who took a God given talent, a great idea, and made a living using it.

I couldn't wait for the Halloween and Christmas issues to see what talent Mary had lined up and what ideas I could steal...I mean borrow!

Within the pages of this wonderful magazine, Mary not only showcased homes (and oh the homes that were captured between those covers), but the spirit of the individuals who lived in them. I saw Ann Estelle go from cover girl to paper doll showing me that life doesn't have to be stagnant...that we can and should challenge ourselves and change is not only good...it's necessary for growth.

I was introduced to so many talented and beautiful women through the ten years it was in publication, I couldn't even begin to list them, but I'll tell you this! The list would begin with this woman and I'll be talking about her next week. How do y'all feel about gushing? Be prepared and wear a slicker...it'll put Spindletop to shame!

(photo courtesy of elizabethhouseshoptalk)

I'd like to thank Debra once again for hosting Vintage Inspiration Fridays. I don't know if she knows it, but I love a good excuse to talk and boy howdy...has she given me an opening!

P.S. Are y'all visiting E's Shop Talk Friendly Window Display Contest? Talk about inspirational...these windows are doozies. Be sure and drop by here and leave comments for the participants. They've worked really hard and deserve a pat on the back. And while you're there, be sure and give E a huge hug for all the work and words she's putting in. Her words are such a kick in the pants for all of us! Tell her Trash sent you over for a pep talk and a giggle!

(photo courtesy of elizabethhouseshoptalk)I'll wrap this up by saying how saddened I was when publication ceased in 2009. It nearly broke my heart and I know I wasn't alone in this feeling. Going to the mailbox isn't nearly as much fun now!

Next week: Another magazine, more on the Divine Ms. E plus a peek at one of my other muses!

Riddle me this...are we having fun yet?