What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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417-339-3003 www.bransonelvisfestival.com APRIL 3-9, 2022 WHAT'S UP! 39 This year's Vintage Market Days, titled "Vintage Soul," will feature 130 vendors, the most it's had yet, and will take place April 8-10 at the Benton County Fairgrounds. (Courtesy Photo) seriously," Gower says. "But he told me 'just try to paint it,' and it turned out awesome." They made one and set it out at a garage sale they were having and it sold, which proved to her that it could bring more business. Now Farmhouse Beginnings builds five to 10 custom doors each month. Most have bold colors and unique finishes or distressing, and they all come with the wall hanger. By now, the Gowers have made these barn doors for many uses: as pantry doors, entrances for the primary bathroom, laundry room and closet. "They're functional wall art," Gower says, noting that they sell everything you'd need to install it — everything but the labor, that is. "When you see our stuff, you know it's us," Gower says. She and her son even developed a shade of blue paint that they often use on the doors, which doesn't have a name but she describes as "not royal blue, not navy blue; it's just perfect." Other times she'll use a white drybrush, or plenty of neutrals with a pop of blue or black. The family business has their own version of Buffalo plaid, but aside from those elements, it's the handmade quality that gives their products a novel feel. Among the most unique projects the Gowers have done was to customize a cabin, making the window shutters and lining the hallway so that each bedroom had a barn door for a total of 16. There are a lot of early mornings and late nights leading up to the big day as a vendor, Chandra Gower says. So before the 20 doors and assembly of door hangers, signs and stands can be set out for shoppers to peruse, there's a ton of little last-minute things: dusting that sawdust off; packing up two trailer loads worth of stuff; setting up the booth, of course; and making sure everything has a price is no shortcut, either. But it's all worth it to build those relationships with customers who have come to love her family's products. "It got us in the arena," Gower says. They've built a following since their first show as a vendor in 2017. "People run to our booth to make a purchase, then at the end, they come back." FYI Farmhouse Beginnings has a little shop in Gravette that is open only by appoint- ment, which you can make by messaging their Facebook page. They offer DIY craft nights about once a month, which are popular for birthday and bachelorette parties, Moth- er's Day activities and more. facebook.com/FhBeginnings