Upon meeting Barbara Guffey, you can tell she has lived a full life. She is a spunky gal who moves quickly and always seems to be on a mission. That mission could be moving a piece of furniture she has painted into her booth on aisle 1 or spreading the love of God. Barbara is quick witted and always ready for a little banter at the front counter. If you are old enough to remember The Andy Griffith Show, our vision of what Barbara might have been like in her younger years is one of the Fun Girls from Mount Pilot.

Are you a native Tulsan? No, I live in Mannford. I was born in Minnesota. My family moved to Red Oak, Iowa when I was young, that is where I went to school. My husband was working on a pipeline in Red Oak. That’s where we met. I graduated from high school when I was 17 and got married the very next day. He was from Wynona, OK and wanted to move closer to home. We lived in Sapulpa and then settled in Mannford. We have been in Mannford for 48 years.

It looks like you have been a vendor at River City since 2004. Is that right? That sounds about right. I started in a booth right up by the office.

How did you get started in the re-sale business? Well I started first with craft shows. The bear craze was strong in 1989. I started designing bears and bunnies and made clothes for them. I also started designing and selling the patterns. I rented a U-haul and traveled everywhere to shows. I would sell out of merchandise the first day. It was very rewarding and lucrative. I even took my products to big Markets all over the country. There were 21 different ‘Dear To My Heart’ craft patterns and they were sold all over the world. It was fun and a lot of work! But, everything has a phase, then it is time to move on. In 1991 I opened a store in Mannford on highway 51. I liked old things, the older the better. That store was packed from floor to ceiling with antiques and vintage items. I had the store until 2012 when it was destroyed by the Mannford Fires. I had the most unique things in that store and then it was all just gone. The Mannford Fires of 2012 destroyed everything I had, except for my house.

Did you have a profession before you started crafting and junking? At 19 years old I went to Omaha to get a job. I always dressed to the nines...you know, matching shoes and hand bag...and it always worked in my favor. It was no different in 1961 when I walked into Southwestern Bell Company looking very professional. I had my mind made up that I was going to be a telephone operator. During the interview I mentioned that in high school I excelled in art. I was not hired as an operator, but as an artist and worked in the Art Department helping to design the Yellow Pages.

Do you collect anything? I used to collect and now I am an avid non-collector. I loved chairs and lunch boxes. I still have a ton of them. I was fanatical about anything that was old.

Do you have a favorite yard sale/estate sale story? I used to go to a lot of auctions. There was an auction house behind my shop. I liked to close my store early and go over there when they were open. This place was humongous. One day I was minding my own business, just looking around, when someone told me I smelled so good. I didn’t even have perfume on! I like to say it was the sweet smell of Jesus.

Do you have a particular system or strategy when you go to a sale? Before I got smart, I was just looking because I liked old stuff. Later, it had to be old and cheap! Auctions weren’t cheap, I went for the furniture. I love furniture.

Do you have a favorite find? I think I did years ago. But I have let go of things. The fires really changed my way of thinking.

Is there something you haven’t been able to part with? There is a plaque with a blessing that is special to me, I will always keep. After the fire, when the clean up crew was there, one of the workers showed me this plaque that survived the fires. It said just what I needed in that moment, “May the Lord bless and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.” It is the only thing I held onto, it still hangs on my wall. I let go of everything else.

What is your favorite kind of music? Christian Music, I listen to KXOJ. I particularly like the music of Matt Mauer and David Crowder.

Do you have a favorite childhood memory? I have a memory that has stuck with me, a memory that taught me a lesson. Back in the day, when I was three years old, cars were big enough so that you could play in the floor board. My Daddy was a salesman, we went with him on a call but stayed in the car. I noticed on the ground outside of the car was a rusty old teapot. I got out of the car and got it. Later, I felt guilty and told my Mom about it. She let me keep it saying I could play with the teapot if it would make me happy. She also said, God is not happy with you, Barbara, for taking something that doesn’t belong to you. Needless to say, I never played with that teapot.

Have you had any brushes with fame? When I was going to Market to promote my craft patterns, I met Vanna White. She crocheted.

If you could spend a day with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and what would you do? Other than Jesus, I don’t know. I would ask so many questions. I think I already know the answer, but I would ask why there is so much suffering?

What is the one thing that can instantly make your day better? Praying always makes me feel better. These days it is my chickens that make me happy. I like to talk to my chickens. When I walk out the door, they come running to me. I have named them Penny, Winnie and Harriett. I got spurred once by the Rambo the rooster. It shocked me, but I let him know who was boss and it hasn’t happened again.

Is there a piece of advice you wish you could pass on to everyone? God First! Ask him what he wants you to do and listen to your inner voice for the answer. During my life, when I haven’t followed this procedure, I have made the wrong choice.

How about some advice for new vendors? Be sure your price tags are visible. Keep your booth clean and organized. If you take time to work your booth, it will pay off.

What is your favorite thing about River City? River City is a place where I have met so many people, it is a mission place for me. I also like that there is such a variety, there is literally something for everyone in this store. And, that we have the ability to check our sales every night.