7 Women to Inspire Your Inner DIY Diva

Recently I haven't had as much time for junking due to our upcoming move; I have spent hours and days packing our belongings and putting them into our storage unit. Soooooo to tide myself over while I'm waiting for my new JUNK BARN (coming soon!) to be ready, I've been catching up on a lot of my favorite DIY shows AND checking out some amazing painting books from the library. A few days ago I was watching an episode of "Rehab Addict" and I thought to myself, Wow... Nicole Curtis is AMAZING! She can do it all! I started to think about all of the amazing women out there in the DIY and junk world and was inspired to write this post. There are too many to include, so I narrowed it down to 7 of the most influential women that have helped me find my inner diva and live my dream! Without further ado......

7 Women to Inspire Your Inner DIY Diva

1. Annie Sloan

{Millar, Penny. Annie Sloan. Digital image. Www.photovoyage.co.uk. 1 Jan. 2015. Web.}

ABOUT ANNIE: Annie Sloan is a seasoned painter and decorator living in Oxford, England. Many people credit her with starting the “Painted Furniture Revolution” due to her highly successful book 'The Complete Book of Decorative Paint Techniques' (also known as “The Bible” in the painting industry), and of course, Chalk Paint! Annie’s past includes a long history of painting, teaching about painting techniques, and even being a rockstar! Annie was once a member of “The Moodies” and toured with Pink Floyd, but she knew her dream in life was to be an artist.  “Being a rock star was boring, with too many sound checks and too much hanging around," she said.

WHY ANNIE IS GREAT: Annie is most well known for her amazing, easy to use Chalk Paint and decorative waxes. Annie noticed a problem with the paints on the market at the time. Many paints used shades of black to create colors (which Annie says dirties the brushes), as well as having too much uniformity. Her website states that “while teaching in Belgium, Annie found a small factory that would supply what she wanted and designed her own range of traditional chalk paints. This was followed by a range of mid- sheen paints in modern colors and a line of unique light-reflective paints that sparkle and gleam.” Annie’s paints are now sold all over the globe and used to create beautiful pieces every day.

ANNIE’S INSPIRATIONAL WORDS: "I'm an opportunist," she says. This has led to mistakes, but it has taught her to follow her own gut feeling. "You know more about yourself, your business and your own products than anyone else," she added. Trust your gut! Sometimes, it can lead to revolutionary ideas (like Chalk Paint)!

"Who Is Annie Sloan." Annie Sloan. Annie Sloan Interiors. LTD, 1 Jan. 2015. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. .

Zacaroli, Mary. "FROM ROCK TO RAG 'N' ROLL." Oxford Times Magazine. Print.

2. Nicole Curtis

{Noess, Lauren. Nicole Curtis. Digital image. http://www.nicolecurtis.com/about/. 1 Jan. 2015. Web.}

ABOUT NICOLE CURTIS: This “Rehab Addict” grew up just north of Detroit, MI and learned the ways of hard work (and repurposing) from her “Gramps” and “Gram” who owned a garbage business. Nicole’s grandparents always had spare parts around, and her Gram could often be heard saying “I can make that!” Nicole learned her skills at an early age—operating tractors and backhoes was the usual. Nicole's inspiration also came when her great-grandmother's 1890's home that sold when Nicole was a teenager. Of the sale, Nicole says "I remember screaming, 'Why isn't anyone buying this house?' My family just let it go. So this whole thing is the result of post-traumatic stress. I was heart-broken."While attending college for a degree in education, the single mom started her own cleaning business and loved being the “CEO” of her own company. “There was not a chance I could switch to working for someone and not be in charge of my income.” Nicole didn’t get into the “flipping” business for the money. In fact, she doesn’t see it as “flipping” at all.

I got interested in rehabbing because I was poor. Nothing motivates you to learn how to do something like not having the money to pay to have it done. I've never bought anything turnkey and never will. I've never "flipped" a house in my life. I really don't feel that I fit in that category. I rehab houses out of necessity. It never really started as a way to turn a quick profit — in fact, it still isn't. I've learned ways to make money on investments, but it's not by slapping cosmetic fixes together. It's by building homes that people don't even know they want until they see them. -AZ Central

Now Nicole rehabs houses across the Midwest and showcases her work on the popular HGTV show “Rehab Addict.” She even has stars like LeBron James wanting to work with her and design houses for foundations and families with special needs’ children.

WHY SHE IS GREAT: Nicole is a hard worker and a free thinker. She sees the possibilities in impossible situations—from homes that are deemed “beyond repair” by others, to supporting her family and making others’ dreams of [unique] home ownership a reality! Nicole sees potential in all things and follows her instincts. “I want to be a coach and a cheerleader,” she says. “The more I can share my knowledge, the more houses I can save.”

NICOLE’S INSPIRATIONAL WORDS: “ I love showing people possibilities and teaching them to think out of the box — or in this case, out of the trash can. But most of all, when I speak, my message is: Take pride in yourself, your home, your communities. It all goes hand in hand. Oh, and I make strangers talk to each other — that one puts everyone on edge.”

Morrison, Kara. "Nicole Curtis: "Struggling Single Mom" Turned HGTV Star." AZ Central. Gannett Company, 27 Mar. 2015. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. .
Scott, Gregory. "True Grit." Minnesota Monthly. 1 Aug. 2012. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. .

3 & 4. Junk Gypsies

{Ricapito, Marcia. Travel with the Junk Gypsies to Flea Markets. Digital image. HGTV. Web.}

ABOUT THE JUNK GYPSIES: Sisters Jolie and Amie Sikes started out in Overton, Texas with their junk-lovin’ mama, Janie and hard workin’ daddy Phillip. The family owned a pizza shop in Overton, where they gained the experience that would one day help them run one of the most well-loved businesses in the vintage industry. Jolie says, “Through mopping floors, baking pizzas, and learning from our customers and co-workers, our pride of knee-scrapin’ hard work and our entrepreneurial genes laid the foundation for the road ahead.” Sister Amie left for a full time job in Austin, Texas, where she worked until she was tired of the day to day hustle and bustle of life. She packed up her belongings and headed back home. Jolie graduated from college and headed to Houston to work as an undergrad advisor at Texas A&M, but just like Amie, the 9-5 life was not cuttin’ the mustard. Both sisters left to pursue their dreams together with the help of their mama and daddy, and of course, Large Marge! The rest is history! The Junk Gypsy Co. now operates their world headquarters out of Round Top, Texas and has junked up some of the country scene’s biggest names—from Dierks Bentley’s vintage Airstream, to Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton’s hunter chic meets gypsy rockstar wedding, and even Sadie Robertson’s (from Duck Dynasty) sweet sixteen party! The Junk Gypsies have also helped to restore many parts of Round Top, as well as throwing a rockin’ Junk-o-Rama Prom twice a year at the Texas Antiques Week. Don’t miss their awesome line of junk inspired décor and linens featured in Pottery Barn Teen.

WHY THE JUNK GYPSIES ARE GREAT: The Junk Gypsies risked it all to pursue their dreams of junkin’. Both sisters left their big city jobs (with predictable income) to chase their dreams of pickin’ and thriftin’. As the sisters say, “We believe every man’s trash is truly our treasure, junking is a way of life, and garage sales are our Rodeo Drive. We’d rather be at a flea-market collecting chippy-peely castoffs than anywhere else. It’s not just what we do, it’s who we are.” They have truly made junking their family business!

THE JUNK GYPSIES’ INSPIRATIONAL WORDS: “With $2000, and an old pickup truck, we set out to find a great business, but instead we found a great life.” Get out there and find YOUR great life, too!

Sikes, Jolie. "Junk Gypsy's Gypsyville." Junk Gypsy Company. 1 Jan. 2015. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. .
"Meet the Gypsies." Great American Country. Scripps Networks. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. .

5. Lara Spencer

{Larsen, Talbert. I Brake for Yard Sales. Digital Image. Guideposts. Web.}

ABOUT LARA: Lara learned from a young age the importance of being thrifty and finding salvaged goods. Growing up in Garden City on Long Island, Lara was the youngest of five children in a family that often had to work hard to make ends meet. Lara’s mom had a knack for decorating on a budget and taught Lara how to “create ravishing rooms using second-hand finds.” Lara says, “[My mom] loved to haggle for wonderful old paintings, silverware, furniture–anything she could breathe new life into. Mom always gave me a dollar or two on these outings and encouraged me to search for treasures as well.” Lara went on to attend Penn State on athletic scholarships, then began working for NBC as a page at Rockefeller Center. She quickly moved up the ranks by anchoring (once even running a whole news program solo out of a van) in different cities until she was noticed by Good Morning America for her creative writing skills. She also began hosting Antiques Roadshow, where she could interact with others who shared her passion for vintage and one of a kind pieces. Lara is also the host of the HGTV show “Flea Market Flip,” which teaches duos to find inexpensive and unique pieces and repurpose them into functional, funky works of art! Lara is the author of I Brake for Yard Sales, a style guide for junkers and thrifters alike!

WHY LARA IS GREAT: Lara is a driven woman with an intense career, but she manages to find the time to pursue her passions. “On any given Sunday morning at the crack of dawn, you might catch a glimpse of her flea marketing with her little girl, trolling for treasures for interior design projects like the one she just completed for her pal, comedienne Kathy Griffin.” Lara is not only a skilled picker, but a talented designer with a flair for modern and dramatic uses of color. She is proof that you can do it all—raise a family, search for junk, and oh yeah… host one of America’s most popular morning news shows!

INSPIRATIONAL WORDS FROM LARA: Life is full of joyful surprises. If you’re always looking for a big payout, you’re bound to be disappointed. But if you look for happiness, you will be blessed.

Spencer, Lara. "I Brake for Yard Sales." Guideposts. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. .
Spencer, Lara. "Lara Spencer: What's New." Lara Spencer. 1 Jan. 2010. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. .

6. Mary Randolph Carter

{Naughton, Jake. What I Love|Mary Randolph Carter. Digital image. New York Times. Web.}

ABOUT MARY RANDOLPH CARTER: Mary Randolph Carter was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, a city full of heritage and tradition. She was the oldest of nine children in a family that appreciated and had a love of all things old. Mary went on to college and, after graduation, became a Guest Editor at Mademoiselle Magazine. She also helped start Self Magazine and became the Vice President of Advertising for Polo Ralph Lauren. Living in New York City helped drive Mary’s love of junking and collecting. Mary (or Carter, as she is known to most) and her husband Howard would spend their weekends browsing antique shows, even toting their young sons along with. Carter started out as a devoted collector, but the high price tags of collectible items stalled her love of finding treasures. It was then that she realized she could use ordinary household items—kitchen gadgets, golf balls, old picture frames—to decorate and create visually appealing scenes in her photography shoots. Her transformation from collector to junker inspired her book American Junk, which features guides to some of the best junk stores in the country. Carter has gone on to write many books about the love of all things old and how to incorporate them into your daily style.

WHY CARTER IS GREAT: Carter has inspired thousands to find their inner junker through her stunning books, all of which are chock full of photos of amazing things she has found! Carter says, “No other author before me had had the guts, chutzpah, or support from their publisher (and that was a fight!) to call a book on decorating and collecting--American Junk! That was seven years ago and three junk books later--Garden Junk, Kitchen Junk and now Big City Junk, my passion for the hunt is still going strong.” Her passion for junk has carried over to her work with Ralph Lauren, where she traveled the country creating photo shoots that highlighted not only fashion, but the unique relics and décor that can be found at America’s flea markets. She is a family-oriented, driven archivist who inspires us all to “brake for junk!”

INSPIRATIONAL WORDS FROM CARTER: “Let yourself fall in love with something that simply makes you happy. If there’s a place for it in your heart, there’s a place for it in your home.”

Carter, Mary. "Carter's American Junk." Carter's American Junk. Web. 28 Apr. 2015. .

7. Joanna Gaines

{Wilson, Sarah. Joanna Gaines. Digital image. HGTV. 1 Jan. 2015. Web.}

ABOUT JOANNA GAINES: Joanna Gaines was “born in the wheatfields of Kansas and raised in the Lone Star State.” After graduating from Baylor with a degree in Communications, Joanna moved to New York to intern for Dan Rather at CBS News. She was inspired by the boutiques and shops “off the beaten path” in “the midst of the big city.” Joanna married Chip in 2003, and during their first year of marriage they bought an old industrial building and transformed it into Joanna’s shop, Magnolia. Joanna had little to no design experience, but that didn't deter the people of Waco, Texas from streaming in. Joanna and Chip began flipping homes, which eventually led to managing the Magnolia Villas, “a collection of 37 garden homes in a pocket neighborhood.” Joanna uses her natural talents for design in all of the houses that Magnolia renovates. As the Magnolia website states, “she loves the use of industrial pieces that are a glimpse of how life used to be, making old things new and seeing the potential in every project.” Joanna’s timeless and understated décor helps bring new life to the renovated homes in Waco. Catch Joanna and Chip on the HGTV show “Fixer Upper.”

WHY JOANNA IS GREAT: First and foremost, Joanna is a wife and a mother. She believes that family should be at the center of life, and says that her best times are spent with her children. Joanna’s family values help create style and décor that reflect love in each and every home. She is hardworking and positive, always finding the good in each home (even when Chip is distracting her with silliness). The Gaineses demonstrate the power of finding your passion and making it a “family business.”

INSPIRATIONAL WORDS FROM JOANNA: “Preserving and highlighting the character of each home keeps things original and one of a kind. [My] passion is to create inspiring spaces that encourage others to do the same thing in their own homes.”

"Magnolia Homes - The Story of Chip & Joanna Gaines." Magnolia Homes. RiessGroup, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 28 Apr. 2015. .
Willome, Megan. "Chip and Joanna Gaines." Wacoan of the Year. Athens Publishing, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 28 Apr. 2015. .

Have these women, or any other DIY divas, inspired YOU? If so, leave a comment below, and thanks for stopping by my blog!