LEBANON, Ohio -- Amy Doyle and Jayme Kuenkel have seven children between them and a strong, seven-year friendship.
Kuenkel connects to household projects and decor. Doyle connects to her farm and flea markets.
Going into business was far from their minds on the many days they chatted while their children played together after school. That they would combine their interests to launch Charm at the Farm Vintage Market June 3-4 was a case of kismet.
The new market brings together 50-plus vendors of creative, hand-crafted art, jewelry, rustic furniture and "farmhouse chic" items targeted specifically at women aged 25 and older. It will be held in the fields and in an old Clydesdale horse barn on the 56-acre Lebanon farm owned by Doyle and her builder-husband, Justin.
The market is designed to be a unique opportunity to have "time with the girls," Kuenkel said.
Blume Home of Lebanon is one of the market's sponsors as well as a vendor. (Photo provided by Charm at the Farm)
"The idea is to take the day, enjoy the day, take a break with your best friend, mom or sister, and come out and enjoy the farm," Doyle added.
The market will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 3 and 4. In addition to shopping opportunities, there will be 12 food vendors, a photo booth, a henna station, a massage center and DIY opportunities in media such as paint, wood and string.
Doyle said the pair, who met seven years ago at Grace Baptist Church in Mason, envision their market as an escape from their daily lives -- something they want to do instead of have to do.
"It's an opportunity to have an outlet other than being a mom, which we love," she said.
Jewelry vendor White Dog Rocks is relatively new to the crafts scene. (Photo provided by Charm at the Farm)
As Doyle's and Kuenkel's families grew, the pair found they wanted to pursue a passion outside of motherhood. Doyle said she drew inspiration for Charm and the Farm Vintage Market from a similar market she attended in its operator's backyard in Arizona when she worked in student services at the University of Phoenix.
Her husband grew up on a farm and yearned for an open space where they could have more breathing room. They bought the farm 2 1/2 years ago.
City girl Amy didn't want to deal with farm animals, but she loved their property's ambience and has enjoyed sharing it.
Kuenkel is a Milford Christian Academy graduate whose Oil + Co. is a social-media-based business offering lifestyle tips and how-to directions for household projects that range from cooking recipes to making cleaning products. She said she gravitated toward interior design projects while rearing her four daughters.
"I like DIY projects, so if I see something I want, instead of buying it, I try to make it myself," Kuenkel said.
Willow Creek Barn Wood Furniture is coming to the market from Edinboro in northwestern Pennsylvania. (Photo provided by Charm at the Farm)
"Jayme definitely is the creative force here," Doyle said. "When I asked her, 'Do you think this idea is crazy?' her answer was, 'No.' So I asked her, 'Would you like to do this with me?' and her answer was, 'Yes,' " Doyle said
The two researched flea markets throughout the region, venturing as far away as Columbus to determine what kind of market they wanted and what kind of vendors would make it a success. So far, their plan is working.
"Now we've got it so that vendors are coming to us," Doyle said. Charm at the Farm Vintage Market already has a waiting list of vendors for the summer and fall shows as well as the spring, summer and fall markets scheduled for 2018.
"I'd love to eventually have it be larger," Doyle said, "but I don't want it to be so huge that it loses its ambience. I'd say our sweet spot is 100 vendors."
Charm at the Farm Vintage Market's "best of the best" vendors include:
- Hand-made and vintage home decor curated by Amanda Kelley-Marsh and sold at her downtown Lebanon shop, Blume
- Colorful and displayable one-of-a-kind artwork by Anderson Township resident Allie Guard, who has Down syndrome
- Sculpted sheet-metal art by Justin and Brittany Murch of Oberaw Industries in Camp Washington
- Original, graphic hometown-oriented designs on textiles by Courtney and Ryan Hart of Clayton, Ohio (formerly of Madeira)
- Necklaces and rings made of gems from around the world by Jill Hamblen of White Dog Rocks in Fort Thomas
- Lovable, eco-friendly stuffed toys by Melissa Brack of Happy Groundhog Studio
- Tables, doors, chairs, racks and more by Willow Creek Barn Wood Furniture of Edinburg, Pennsylvania
Ink and Co. is one of the vendors at Charm at the Farm Vintage Market in Lebanon.
Vendors pay $100 for a table in the barn, $150 for a 10-foot by 10-foot booth, and $325 for a 10-foot by 10-foot corner booth. Parking and booths will be in the front 10 acres of the Doyles' 56-acre farm.
