Village Squire, 1977-06, Page 6Schultz because of a similar shaped sign that she saw in
Amsterdam, the actual sign itself was shaped by the hands of
Mary Mitchell.
Inside the Curiosity Shoppe, the atmosphere is cozy, not
cluttered. There is a feeling of intimacy and familiarity as one
looks at the surroundings.
Candy sticks at the counter bring back memories of the
days when candy was even more of a treat than it is today and
less expensive too.
The Mennonite figures on the shelves remind one of the
surrounding countryside and a tradition that hasn't yet gone
dead.
Beautiful reproductions of old dishes remind young girls of
the ones mother has set aside for their wedding day.
The pine tables are a remembrance of when more care and
less hurry was taken in the making of fine furniture.
The Curiosity Shoppe has brought back tradition in its
acceptance of local people and their handicrafts. It almost
looks out of place sitting there on the main street with the
regular shopping stores. No hustle bustle in this store and
there's even time for a word with the shop owners.
Inside on the shelves of the round shaped windows which
on the outside add to the English look of the shop are assorted
knick knacks which make one curious to go inside and look
thus giving more credence to the shop's name.
Inside the shop there's practically every curiosity you could
name, most of which are local handmade crafts, the local area
being around Mornington Township. •
There are quilts, paintings, jewellery, pickled corn and
preserves, macrame, candles, plants, teas of Russian and
Oriental brands, English Breakfast tea, and special fruit
flavored iced tea.
Along with the handmade crafts, the shop also has a
commercial gift line.
Some of the people who make the crafts include a man by
the name of Urias Martin from Millbank who makes some of
the bigger pine furniture which adorns the store.
Emmanuel Gerber from Millbank makes handmade knives
out of hacksaw blades for the store.
Then there's Caroline Horley who does weaving, and who
adds a little something to it in the summertime with a little
help from a friend. She borrows some fur from her llama.
Along with the products of these people the Curiosity
Shoppe also carries a lot of products form the Mennonite
self-help organization from workshops in places like
Bangladesh and Haiti.
The paintings at the store which are done by local people
include oil, water and barnboard paintings.
People of all ages contribute handicrafts. One girl who
makes homemade soap is only 15 years old and some of the oil
paintings are done by another girl who is only 16 years old.
There are also people who bring in maple sugar and knitted
baby outfits for the store.
Selling of the local products are done by consignment and
then one-third is added on to the price the people want for
their products.
The Curiosity Shoppe also sells macrame kits, cake
decorating kits, and crochet kits. But they have taken the
meaning of a craft store a little further and now not only sell
these crafts but teach them as well.
They teach crocheting and macrame, they had a
candlemaking demonstration at Christmas and another local
lady has come in to teach cake decorating.
The two ladies found out what the community would be
interested in and that was the basis for their courses. Along
with supplying the teaching of the craft the two women supply
the materials for the crafts as well.
The craft lessons go from the fall to the beginning of
summer with each course being of a different duration. The
cake decorating course was eight weeks long, the crocheting
course was three weeks long. They had an introductory course
in macrame for learning just the basic, knots but people
around the area have asked them for a more extended course
which will begin in the fall.
They keep repeating the same courses so everybody can
have a chance at the course they want to take. In the fall they
4, VILLAGE SQUIRE/JUNE 1977.
FATHERS DNY
Relaxer chairs by
Kroehler
Lazy -Boy
Elran
Also: Complete line of Summer Furniture, Folding
Rockers, Umbrellas, Tables, Chairs, Chaise
Lounges, Sunlite Lawn Furniture
Blackstone Furniture
Just Off The Square
WEST STREET
GODERICH
....JUNE IQ ISA SPECIAL DAY FOR
Give Him a Gift
He Can Wear
Chose from our large
selection of
Shirts
Ties
Slacks
Sweaters
Jackets
Sport Shirts
Or let him choose his own
with a gift certificate
MAIN CORNER,
CLINTON
ampDall's
Men's Vv 'ar