New Consignors and a Second Location

It has been TOO long since our last blog... sorry for that! We've been busy working on the nuts and bolts of the store. These past few months have been about developing our vision for Shabby Shed, bringing new consignors on board, and trying our best to fill the store with quality items that customers can be excited about.








While we like having surprises and variety for you here, we're also working on stocking the store with a steady stream of useful (and beautiful) furniture items that you will consistently be able to find here. Toward that end, we have recently added on Sarah from Nu4U Redesign as one of our artisan/suppliers.

Sarah and her husband build and restore a variety of furniture pieces. They have agreed to keep us furnished with end tables and barnwood-style picture frames. These are solidly constructed pieces available in a variety of finishes, including an organic stain that involves vinegar, tea, and steel wool (very mysterious, but the end result is beautiful AND non-toxic).

The frames are absolutely stunning. They are built so that you can hang photos with either a portrait or landscape orientation, and either way they remain centered. They look wonderful with sepia, black and white, or color photos... you decide.







Another husband / wife team are building quilt ladders for us. These can be left rustic or painted to fit your color scheme. They make great displays for quilts but can be used in other ways... we just sold one for use as a towel rack in a bathroom!













Another SUPER exciting development is that we have furthered our relationship with Carmen of A Cute Bead in Menomonie. We've been carrying her hand-crafted jewelry for awhile now, but as of March she will also have our items at her store.

Carmen has a BFA in Graphic Design, working in that field for 8 years while living in Milwaukee. She began learning about jewelry-making after a move to Arizona. She discovered she had a knack for it and loved it, so began working as an artist and teacher in that field.


Not long after moving to Menomonie (to be near family), Carmen and her husband took the plunge and opened up their own bead store: "A Cute Bead" on Broadway Street in downtown Menomonie. A very busy lady, Carmen has run her store for eight years while growing her family (she's the mother of four young children). She teaches classes, sells beads and finished jewelry, and now will be carrying a sampling of our product line at her store, as well.

We will be complimenting her jewelry with scarves and (of course-!) jewelry boxes, but will also supply an eclectic sampling of decorative and small furniture items. So if Menomonie's closer for you, check her store out! As I mentioned previously, our items will enter her store in March.

So Shabby Shed in two locations-! Yay :).

I should add here that, along with our new consignors, we still proudly carry the work of our favorite original consignors, who continue to amaze and inspire us with their fabulous creations and finds. If you haven't been in the store lately, come by to see what they've been up to.

And stay tuned for more exciting news. There's always something interesting brewing at Shabby Shed...

Raffle and Sale, Yvette, and Introducing Dana of "Not Too Shabby"

Elisha in front of Shabby Shed

It's chilly here in Bloomer, but don't let that stop you from getting out to shop! There are only a few weeks left until Christmas. We promise to make your shopping experience fun with good smells, tasty treats, and lots of great stuff to sort through.


Here at Shabby Shed we have a little bit of everything... unique seasonal and home décor, antiques, knitwear, jewelry, and gifts for all ages.



Hot chocolate mix from Legacy Chocolate!

We have good quality chocolate, coffee, tea, honey, candles, and (as of this week) hot chocolate mix from Legacy Chocolate in Menomonie. And don't forget:  almost everything we sell in the store comes to you from the hands of local people.

Hand-made cards

Example? Our large selection of all-occasion cards. Each one is unique and made by hand.

Tea pot bird feeders

The unique quality of hand-made gifts means that you can find something for that hard to shop for person who already "has everything." Do they have a bird feeder made from a teapot? Probably not :).

Mittens and knitwear

Many of our items are wearable, including mittens, hats, scarves, boot cuffs, cowls, and jewelry.

Stylish scarves and hats

Our hand-made soap, body butter, bath salts, lip balm, and mineral-based make-up will help you give someone (maybe even YOU) a spa-like experience. Everything we sell is as wholesome and healthful as possible.

Character hats

We have things for children, including babies: onesie and bib sets, sweater, character hats, room décor and more.


We also have larger items like quilts, furniture, and antiques. We have books by a couple of local authors-- one on "up-cycling" as well as a set of children's books.

Decorative signs and children's items

So stop by sometime in the next few weeks during our winter hours. We're open Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday 10 - 4 pm, and Friday 11 - 6 pm.


Each day you come in during the month of December, you can sign up for our holiday raffle. On December 21st, one lucky winner will receive a generous gift basket full of an assortment of Shabby Shed wares. There will also be drawings on the hour for smaller items, so lots of chances to win!

Potpourri and scented oils, now in winter fragrances

Saturday, December 21st will also feature a store-wide sale. EVERYTHING in the store will be 10% off. We'll have hot chocolate, coffee, and holiday treats to nibble on.

American Girl knitwear

One big change we'd like to mention is that our partner, Yvette, has decided to transition from being a part-owner of the store to a consignor. We'd like to thank Yvette for all of her hard work and energy. She helped get the store established under new ownership, and we went on to have a successful Grand Opening. We're glad we'll continue our relationship with her as consignor, customer, and friend.

Dana, creative force behind "Not Too Shabby"

Many of you who are regulars at Shabby Shed will recognize the brand "Not Too Shabby" as a name that comes up on the tags of many of the most original items in our shop. This brand belongs to our consignor Dana, from Chippewa Falls. We'd like to introduce you to her today.

Remember this? Dana.

Dana started crafting seriously during the 1990's, when her and two sisters and a sister-in-law started a business called "Nettie's Plum Tree". They sold their wares at home sales and a big annual sale held in Dana's house.


The name Nettie's Plum Tree was inspired by their grandmother. As Dana said, "She was from the old country. I never saw her in pants. She wore dresses every day, and if it was cold she wore two dresses."


"She would walk all of us five little kids a mile, out to this plum tree. We would pick the plums, and then she would hold her apron open and carry the plums home that way."

Her pieces have a soulful quality

After awhile Dana took a break from crafting, but had just started to get back into it when she discovered Shabby Shed (under original owner Randine). Soon she was back into crafting full-swing and selling her wares at Shabby Shed.


Dana's crafting process begins with the piece itself. She finds unique vintage or household items at yard sales, and then lets each piece "speak to her." Using paint, upholstery, and embellishment, she makes it into something one-of-a-kind. She doesn't like mass-produced things or copy-cat art. She likes things with imperfections and quirks.


Dana's favorite projects are dolls: "I get attached." She also likes reading, going on motorcycle rides with her husband of 26 years, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.


So there you go! Another insight into one of our marvelous crafters. If you come see us at the store, you can see the new things Dana just brought in last night :).

A Successful Grand Opening and Introducing Charis B., Crochet Artist



 

 

 

We'd like to begin with a sincere and enthusiastic "thank you" to everyone who stopped by Shabby Shed to celebrate our Grand Opening. It was a whirlwind weekend, but FUN.

 

Elisha outside the store during our Grand Opening

 

 

We loved seeing the familiar faces of our "regulars", but were also heartened by the large number of first-time customers who came through our doors.  We've always thought that if we could just get people to come in and see what we have, that the store would "take off", because what we're offering is unique. Where else can you find so many quality and affordable items, brought to you by local hands?

 

It was fun offering our customers champagne

Our consignors should be happy with October sales, because a lot of their creations found new homes. But rest assured, the store is not empty! Almost every day we make way for new things. It'll be worth your while to keep checking back with us throughout the holiday season.

Gorgeous antique dressing table, now in the store

Our line of baby stuff keeps growing

Felted hats... warm and fashionable

 

Potpourri and fragrant oils

 

And now: a visit with one of our consignors...

 

 

Meet crochet artist Charis B.

Charis, crochet artist

Charis is a 23 year-old Bloomer native who crochets baby ties, baby cocoons, hats and mittens, pins and hair clips, and flower headbands for Shabby Shed. She also has different types of clothing items at another consignment store in Bloomer-- The Turnaround-- which specializes in clothing. Her items there include the June Bug vest she's wearing (which is a cross between a vest and a scarf), clutches, dress vests, and ear warmer head bands.

Charis models one of her headbands

We thought it would be fun to feature Charis because she is such a convincing model for her own creations. She drops items off to us and we find ourselves ooh-ing and aah-ing over whatever crocheted fashions she's wearing. She's quiet and shy and always sweet. But when we started asking her about herself for this interview, we were surprised to discover that there's a big story behind her handiwork.

The crocheted back on one of Charis's June Bug vests

Charis uses her crochet earnings to help finance mission trips to other countries-! She has been to Bolivia, England,  and Vancouver, Canada (during the 2010 Winter Olympics); also Chile, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Israel, Kenya, and Uganda. She is currently saving for a return trip to Kenya.


Besides her crochet work, Charis babysits for four different families and is a volunteer youth leader through her church. Her overseas trips are group efforts led by a deacon from her church and a few other young people. But these are self-financed trips. The focus of the trips is relationship-building and supporting whatever improvement efforts the local pastors are doing for their area.

Leg warmers make a nice boot cuff

Charis started crocheting at age fourteen, with the help of a book and a few pointers from her mother. But it came easily for her and she now thinks of herself as a "natural crocheter." She no longer works with patterns... she sees things she likes and then comes up with her own version. (But she points out that she does NOT know how to knit). We are big fans of her boot cuffs, pictured above, which are simply leg warmers folded over the top of boots. We suggested she make some of those for Shabby Shed when she gets the chance :).

 

 

Even her belt is crochet!



 So another great consignor and another great story!

Until next time...

Grand Opening Details and Introducing Natalie of West Hill Honey

 

Elisha by our new wrapping paper shelf

We have been "busy as bees" here at Shabby Shed, getting ready for the Grand Opening this coming weekend! Sale dates to remember are October 11-13th. We're hoping that all of our customers and consigners (along with some folks we haven't met yet) will make it over during the weekend. We've extended our hours, to make that easier.


Grand Opening Hours:

Friday         10-8
Saturday       9-6
Sunday         9-5


There will be lots going on. New items, a storewide 10% off, drawings for prizes, and refreshments.

Shabby Shed

We've been talking to the local newspapers, so you might see a story about us this week in the Colfax and Bloomer papers. We're trying not to be such a "secret".

Our sign out front

We share a building with Real Estate One, and now we share a sign. The easiest way to find us is to remember that we're across the road from the new McDonald's in Bloomer.


We've been calling our consigners and encouraging them to bring as much new stock as possible. And the store has been filling up.


Right now we're kind of straddling two decorative seasons-- fall and Christmas. We've added a beautiful line of quilts to our other fabric creations: table runners, crazy quilt pillows, pillowcases, potholders, bibs, dish towels, baby towels, strip skirts and headbands.

Filling the store!

Throw-size log cabin quilt in batik fabric

 

 

Pretty painted table surrounded by harvest accents

We've got your holiday decorating needs covered

We have one gorgeous Christmas quilt...
a king size log cabin in red, green and white.
Red and white gingham backing.
 

Warm up your house with a cozy scented candle

But we also have "timeless" stuff to offer you, like antiques, furniture and special accents. Just this week we received a new assortment of infinity scarves, which are great... unlike traditional scarves, they come in a loop of stretchy material. Instead of tying, you twist the scarf a couple of times before putting it over your head. Very comfortable and easy to style.

Infinity scarf

And our jewelry assortment is growing. Besides our fused glass necklaces and plates, we now have original beaded jewelry made by Carmen of A Cute Bead in Menomonie. Her earrings and necklaces are offered at a variety of price points, depending on the materials used and intricacy of craftsmanship. The necklace below is one of our higher end items from Carmen. Gorgeous, isn't it??

Hand-made jewelry

 

We also supply mineral-based make-up and an assortment of fun hair pieces. We have hand-made soap, soy candles, locally produced honey (more on that in a minute!), and loose-leaf tea. This week we introduced coffee from Backroads Coffee in Hayward. And we'll debut chocolate from Legacy Chocolates in Menomonie at our Grand Opening.

Our tea, honey, and coffee area



Theresa from Backroads Coffee in Hayward
 helped us set up our coffee dispensers.
 We offer complimentary samples of the
packaged coffee grounds we sell.

So as you can see, we have lots to offer you!

 

 

And now, as promised, a closer look at one of our consigners and her products...

 

 

West Hill Honey

 



You've probably noticed our West Hill Honey products, available in the store. They are produced in Chippewa Falls by a 14 year old young woman who first got into beekeeping five years ago as part of a 4-H project. The hard-working owner of West Hill Honey, Natalie Abbott, tends her bee hives on a wooded hill in an urban area outside her family home. The whole family helps out, but the workload got easier after a successful fund-raiser last year to buy state-of-the-art honey manufacturing equipment. You can read about the entire project at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1766386210/the-story-of-a-blossoming-honey-business.

Bee hives along the West Hill

Making the honey

Natalie in full beekeeping gear

 

Natural, raw, unprocessed honey is SO good for you (and delicious). But locally-produced honey has even greater health benefits. Local honey contains pollen particles from around your area, so eating it will lessen the seasonal allergies you experience.

 

 

Beekeeping is also good for ecological stability. Everyone's heard those stories in the news about bee colonies collapsing... whether because of pesticides, disease, or changes in the environment, the disappearance of healthy bee colonies threatens our food production. We need bees to pollinate many of our different food crops. Any time beekeepers are willing to help colonies along... that's a win-win for bees AND the surrounding community.

 

 



West Hill Honey is just one of the great local products we offer. Come to Shabby Shed's Grand Opening October 11-13th to see for yourself.