THE INSIDE STORY...

I guess I have always been a collector, I just didnt know it until approx 15 years ago!

I remember when I was in school,not that long ago, I wish!

One thing I loved to collect was paper, I had drawers full, and I always loved to craft...

Then when I moved into my own place, well lets just say, anything and everything came in twos and threes, ahhh, collecting!

I think that is when I started to buy fabric, lots and lots, and at 21 I was sewing my own clothes, curtains and furnishings with my own sewing machine hubby gave me. I also made and sold crafts and woodwork projects at local markets weekly.

We had a bus we travelled in, and I think it was my first big project, from painting, to recovering furniture,transforming and sewing as we travelled.

Dad was, and is a huge inspiration to me, he always fixed things, built things, and  as a child, most days you would find me in the garage helping him with a project or two!

He taught me most of the skills I have today, to help me create and build and fix around the home. He doesnt do much these days, but he still gives advice when needed.

When it comes to crafting and sewing, full credit goes to mum. She made most of my clothes growing up, and had , and still does have every craft under the sun! If I dont have it, I know I'll find it in her craft cupboard!

When I started going to garage sales and op shops years ago, I realised there was so much wastage. I found it hard to comprehend why people were practically giving away perfectly good furniture, clothing, and decor.

I too, fell into that trap, Im sure we had a few new lounges that lasted a year if that, until I bought an antique lounge setting that lasted for years! I sold it eventually, and made back the money I paid for it, and then some!

That was one of my my first sales on ebay.....6 years later, and I have sold over 1000 items!

In 2008, I decided to create Junkstudio to have more interaction with customers, and have the feel of a shop, without the cost of one, or the responsibility of opening it everyday. Having a sale once a month suited my lifestyle, and gave me time to work on projects, and still sell on ebay.

With the growth and regularity of my customers, my next step was to start a website,

 Junkstudio-on-karabah.com

Im not one to follow directions properly, ask any of my family and friends, so I put it together almost totally blind folded, so to speak!

Actually, a new and dear blogging friend on the other side of the world took me under her wing, and gave me such confidence and guidence,I felt I could do almost anything!

The website still has a few hiccups, and will always be a project for me, but the feedback my customers have given, has encouraged me to continue plugging away, and maybe one day, I will ask for some professional help to improve my sales.

So here I am, 5 years down the track, and still learning, still building on the business...

It may not be bringing in the 'big bucks' at this point, but I feel Im succeeding none the less, as Im happy, Im creating, and Im selling to pay the bills!

The biggest impact this challenge has given me, would have to be this place we know as blogland!

If it wasnt for discovering all of you, and our similar interests, I would not have had the courage to put myself out there....it has been a life long dream which transforms constantly!

Not everbody understands 'us' junkers, but it is good to know we are not alone...

Thankyou for visiting

Sue