Archive for the ‘Spotlight’ Category

Head upstairs to Susan’s Country Accents and meet Sweet Annie, Angel Bear, Kit E. Cat, Cinnamon Rabbit, and many others.  Susan has been a crafter of one sort or another for longer than she can remember, selling her creations to friends and at craft shows.  As a young mother of three, she was stenciling homes and tapestries as a creative outlet.  Always expanding her repertoire, Susan discovered dollmaking, candles, ornaments, and much more.  After the kids grew up she found her passion – primitives!

Surrounded by bolts of fabric in her converted garage, Susan creates dolls.  Handmade from start to finish using only quality materials and when complete, each doll is signed and dated.  Some are primitive and some not so prim, but all embody Susan’s love of dollmaking.

But dolls aren’t the only items you’ll find here.  Handmade child-size muslin prairie dresses – carefully aged, hand rolled candles, room sprays, decorative bowl fillers, seasonal items, wreaths, etc.  Besides being a valued dealer at Laura’s Emporium, Susan has her own website at http://susanscountryaccents.com.  Visit her website and stop by Laura’s to see her fabulous handmade creations in person.

Bob caught the ‘bug’ at the early age of 13, when he began accompanying his uncle, an antique dealer, to auctions.  He was hooked when he purchased a maple kitchen table for $1.00.  Bob and Pat moved to Port St. Lucie in 2002 when he retired from teaching.  They began doing antique and collectible shows at Reninger’s in Mt. Dora and expanded to others in Florida.  During July and August each year they return to their cabin in the Adirondacks in New York and spend time acquiring more items at auctions.  They also do shows in Washington County and Tupper Lake, NY.

They have merchandise here at Laura’s and at Maggie’s in Jensen Beach.  Pat specializes in linens, aprons, hankies, vintage clothing, etc.  Bob does a lot of Pyrex, Fire-King, kitchen items, etc.  They also carry many collectibles and glassware.  Among their finds have been an egg chair, 50′s cigarette machine, 70′s driftwood lamp and other unusual items.  So be sure to check out Booth #47 to see what’s new.

Oh, the table that Bob bought for $1.00 way back when?  He’s still got it and it serves as a computer desk.

[ed. note:  Norma's has Booth #73.  You'll recognize her friendly face, she minds the store one day a week, and we so appreciate her!]

Looks like i’m the “chosen one” for this month, so let me bore you!

I was born Norma Ellen in Hartford, CT on Dec. 3rd, 1941, the middle of three girls (which explains a lot!).  My dad, who was lousy at remembering birthdays, etc., could always remember mine, give or take a few days, thanks to Pearl Harbor.

We lived in Wethersfield, then moved to Somers when my dad was offered a job at Southern New England Telephone Co. which he held until his retirement.  One of the 36 members of the first graduating class of the newly built high school, I continued my education at Junior College in Bronxville, NY, taking business and secretarial courses.  Among my teenage jobs was car hop (yep, on rollerskates), department store clerk and working on tobacco farms.

Back in Conneticut, as a secretary at Hamilton Standard, I met my co-worker and husband-to-be.  I’m very proud of our three children – great kids, all college grads, and all doing well.  Gary, a financial analyst, and wife Donna live in CT with Jake (almost 10) and 6-year-old Morgan.  Glenn is an expense group analyst and lives in GA with wife Susan and Ryan (8) and two golden retrievers Dixie and Ozzie.  Daughter Wendy and hubby Matt live in Jacksonville with their beloved pooches Dallas and Marco.  She’s a senior human resources manager with a Swiss-owned staffing company.

After 25 years of marriage I was divorced and started working in small local shops.  When an old friend hired me to work in her Antiques and Folk Art Shoppe, I gladly took the job and that, my friends, was the beginning of my ‘addiction’!  Almost 25 years later, I’m still at it.  I still enjoy it all – the search, the clean up, the sale. I’ve been at Laura’s since the day it opened and love it here.  Such a good, fun, polite, and helpful bunch!

I also enjoy reading, cruising, Las Vegas, movies, tending my flowers and the area penny arcades – such fun!

See you at the store! ~ Norma

Years ago I inherited a vase and, just for the heck of it, decided to look up the bottom mark on my new computer.  “Hmmm, that’s interesting,” I thought.  Though the vase was long ago broken by my uncoordinated cat, and I’m now on my second computer, my interest has never waned. 

I’ve been with Laura’s Emporium since opening day and I love the friendly atmosphere and helpful people.  I don’t specialize in anything, but look for items that are interesting, unusual, and that I think someone will enjoy having in their home.  I personally collect crackle glass for its beautiful colors and unique appearance.

Not quite a computer geek, but getting there.  Besides maintaining our website, I do graphic layout for the bi-monthly e-magazine Saponifier and will soon be proofing an anthology of short stories.

I have two sons – Derek and his wife Jenn live in California (soon to visit, I hope!); Justin and Gina live in Port St. Lucie with my adorable grandchildren, Damien and Gianna.

[You all know Rebecca, she mans the shop several days a week and helps with all our events.  Rebecca and her mom Marilyn (Carol's sister) just moved their Booth #9 with a complete redo to the right at the top of the stairs.]
“My Mom and I have talked for years about opening a little shop that carried a variety of things.  When I got laid off from my corporate job for a local builder my Aunt Carol had just opened Laura’s Emporium, so my Mom and I took a small spot to see how it would go.  I am a confessed shop-a-holic and love clothes, especially vintage!  My Mom is a great crafts-lady and makes beautiful dolls and bears, especially at Christmas time – her Santa’s are amazing!  So our “Little Shoppe of Hodge Podge” carries all our favorite things: clothes, collectibles, vintage, crafts, etc.  We put a ton of love and TLC into the new spot upstairs and are so pleased with how cozy it turned out!”

Introduced to the world of antiques at any early age, Becky horrified her parents by referring to their priceless antiques as “dead people’s things.”  From that less-than-auspicous beginning, she not only ended up collecting, but selling.
A Fort Pierce native, Becky found herself running one of the first antique malls in the area, while doing craft shows with her dad.  When he passed away, she felt a bit lost and faded from the scene.  Slowly she discovered primitive decor with a blending of antiques, and then it was full steam ahead.  In addition to Laura’s Emporium, Becky is active online with her own eBay store – Becky’s Country Cottage.

Originally from New Jersey, husband Steve is a Major with the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s office.  After years of teasing Becky about her ‘junking,’ Steve discovered he had a knack for it. Now when on vacation he and Becky can be found in old barns and at true northern auctions.
Son Matthew, 20, was just accepted into the Paramedic program at IRSC and plans to become a firefighter.  A Port St. Lucie Police Officer, Steve, 23, is engaged to Julia (finally – a daughter!).

“Sue, can you …?”         “Helmut, will you…?”

You hear that a lot here and, luckily for us, they can and will and do. Always ready to fill in, fix and contribute, we’re very happy they’re part of our Laura’s family.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Sue arrived here in 1983 to be near family. Introduced to the world of antiques by a friend, she now incorporates her enjoyment of decorating by concentrating on collectibles and decor she likes for her own home. A friendly greeting and helpful attitude have made Sue one of our customers’ favorite people.

A chef from Germany, Helmut worked in Europe and New York and owned his own restaurant for many years. (This might be one reason why our buffets are so popular!) He retired to St. Lucie County in 1992. Helmut’s carpentry skills are revealed in the wonderful reproduction primitive furniture they offer at very affordable prices.

Together they have a son, two daughters, and a grandson. Their 7-year-old Maltese Molly is the boss of potbelly pig Timmy who’s 11. Working in the yard, gambling and cruising are some of the activities they enjoy. Next time you visit Laura’s, say hello to Sue and Helmut, chat a while, find out if Timmy’s gotten the upper hand yet.

Jimmy and Gail’s Plants can be found outside of Laura’s Emporium under two big canopies on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

They offer a large variety of plants, for both indoor and outdoor use. A majority of their plants are flowering – year-round or seasonally. They offer plants that can be planted in full sunlight, some that need shade, and some that can be kept indoors. Jimmy and Gail will do whatever they can to meet your particular needs, and are always happy to fill special orders.

Although only selling Nursery stock for a little over a year, they’re proud of the knowledge they’ve accumulated and eager to share. When you take your choice home, you’ll have instructions on placement, planting, and maintaining a healthy, happy plant.

Stop by, chat, and browse their large selection of plants on Friday and Saturday, and in the afternoon on Sunday.