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            July, 2006 - Metropolitan Airports Commission: "Get to Know Your Coworkers"

            As one of two women who run the airport Conference Center, Beth Bright is known for her ready smile and quick wit. But outside of her work at the airport, Beth is also known for her keen eye and talent for taking an ordinary object - what some would call junk - and turning it into something extraordinary.

        Beth has been collecting and "curb shopping" for years, turning her finds into repurposed furniture and accessories for the home. She can take an old door and turn it into a bench. An aging buffet is turned upside down and reborn as a bar. After her home overflowed with her creations, she began selling her work at local antique and crafts fairs. Her items always sold out, and soon she opened her own occasional-sale shop, Blue Star Collections in Okoboji, Iowa, where she and her husband have a vacation home. "I thought Okoboji was my niche," Beth said. "The whole junk thing is new to Iowa, and customers responded very well in Okoboji." Recently, however, Beth's husband Brian spotted a space for rent in nearby Spencer (near the other business she and Brian own refurbishing corporate aircraft). The historic building with space for rent was built in 1921 and had just the right amount of character for Blue Star. The move was made and Beth was adopted into a close-knit business community. "People are so eager for new stuff in this town," she was told by a fellow shop owner. "Blue Star is a breath of fresh air."

        A local radio station reported on her store's grand opening and members of the Chambers of Commerce joined Beth and Brian for the ribbon cutting. Radio hasn't been the only media interest - two periodicals have also featured Beth and Blue Star. "Little did I know junk would come into my life," laughs Beth. "Painting and pounding? Who knew?" But what fruits have come of her painting and pounding. Not only is her business a success, (which means she is "always busy!") but Beth has also taken two new 'junkers' in Hartley under her wing, mentoring a couple of gals new to remaking and selling unique creations.

        By definition, an occasional-sale shop is open infrequently, so Beth and Brian have time between sales to replenish supply and brainstorm. Beth is adamantly against sameness: the interior of her shop is rearranged at least twice a day, every day during her sales to keep the presentation fresh. "I generally have a few shoppers that are repeat customers that come every day of my sale to see the 'flip'. Flipping is changing the shop with a complete new look each day sometimes several times throughout the day when my big pieces sell," Beth explains. "I might have a dining room sitting under the arbor one minute and the next it will be a bedroom sitting. The customers are so funny because they hang around to see if someone buys something to see what I'm I going to bring out next." Beth held her third sale this past weekend and the sale was fun as always, she reports. "My hours are 9-5 for three days during the sale and by 8:15 - 8:30 I have window peekers waiting to see what is on the floor."

        So when is the next sale? "I'm looking at coordinating a 'shop hop' in September with some other little shops around the area. Right now were looking at the weekend of September 23rd," she said. "It is based on a passport theme where the shoppers have to visit each shop to get their passport stamped. When all completed they throw their passport in for a drawing. Each business donates a dollar amount to be used at their shop. It’s a great deal for the vendor (because they have to come in and shop and get their stamp) and the shopper. So right now I am getting a group of Spencer, Iowa business ladies together to kick it off."

        While this isn't the path Beth thought she would be following, her creativity would not be denied. She epitomizes the spirit of 'follow your heart'!