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CREATIVE CUES: "We're getting a lot of former customers and new ones too, who see the awning and are intrigued." Shelley Roe, owner of Roe's Petals, looks out from the porch of her studio/workshop, which opened in September at 61 Main Street in Kingston.end of caption |
New Roe's Petals Studio/Workshop Features Array of Hand-done Items
Roe's Petals is not a florist shop, owner Shelley Roe hastens to point out. The play on words, however, offers an intriguing sobriquet for her new studio/workshop.
"My theme is 'the mix not the match,'" explains Ms. Roe. "It's an eclectic style. You don't need to be limited to one look in your house. It makes it cozy to work with what you have. It's the little special personality touches that make a difference."
Ms. Roe, a former partner and painter at Birds of a Feather and the Painted Pear, is delighted to be able to offer such a wide range of decorative and functional items, including her own creations. She is also pleased to have her own shop.
"I really always wanted to have my own business," she says. "Previously, I had been in business with other people, which I enjoyed, but I liked the idea of going out on my own."
Artistic and creative from the time she was a young girl, Ms. Roe specializes in handpainted furniture, hooked rugs, and a variety of small decorative items.
"I always painted things, including rocks as a child," she reports, smiling, "and I took art classes. I have done rug-hooking for 20 years, and the design work from that got me into painting furniture.
Cottage Look
"What I've tried to present at the shop is a 'Cottage' look – sophisticated country, but with a soft feeling. I have tried to carry this theme throughout. My window treatments were made by Miranda Short, who has a shop upstairs and specializes in slipcovers and home furnishings."
In addition to the rugs (in assorted sizes and also suitable for wall hangings) and handpainted furniture, which can be customized, Roe's Petals features tableware, glassware (including decanters, pitchers, and vintage martini glasses), china, flatware, lamps, hand-done jewelry, vintage linens, selected antique pieces, the paintings of Lawrenceville artist Fay Schiarra, and triple-decker bird houses from Nesting Instinct.
"Eclectic" is truly the key word.
Also available are rugs and throws from Pine Cone Hill, pins and picture frames from Maximal Art, framed vintage postcards from "Teeny Tiny Gaga Art", fabric cosmetic bags, tole trays, mirrors, an antique pie safe, and the popular initialed leather wrist purses in pink and chocolate, with leopard-like lining. Brightly colored felted wool bags with eyelash trim exude panache, and are hot sellers.
Rose Motif
In keeping with the studio/workshop's name, roses are prevalent, and a varied selection of rose-related items is on display. Charming velour rose pillows are in pale pink and ivory, lamp shades with rose motif are shown, and a small chair completely covered with red silk rose petals is wonderful for a child's room, a surprise Valentine's Day gift, or other special occasions. Slippers decorated with roses are on the way.
Many of these items, including the lamp shade and chair, feature the imaginative embellishment of Ms. Roe. She also handpainted a handsome dining room table, with double pedestal and leaf, in charming rose accents. It is accompanied by a set of T-back chairs.
Ms. Roe's design skill also extends to the creation of decorative tassels, paper cones, handmade hooks for rug-hooking, and picture frames fashioned from vintage cosmetic compacts. For the holidays, she also provides her popular hand-done Christmas ball wreaths.
A unique feature of Roe's Petals is its series of classes on rug hooking and decorative design. "The classes have been very popular," reports Ms. Roe. "There are both afternoon and night classes, and people really seem to enjoy them. It is relaxing, and as one student said, 'with all the high tech in our society, people need to settle down and regroup.' Hand work gets you grounded, and the repetitive motion of the rug hooking is calming and soothing – a definite stress-reliever.
"We call our Monday night rug-hooking group, 'Ladies of the Evening'! Our small decorative item classes include tassels (made from a variety of things, such as vintage salt and pepper shakers), paper cones, which are very appropriate for showers, Easter, and other occasions. Small painting projects, such as jewelry boxes, will be available soon.
All Ages
"All ages come to the classes," she continues. "It is an especially nice way for a mother and daughter to spend time together. Making something together is special."
Ms. Roe says she is particularly pleased to have the opportunity to work on her own projects at the shop. "Creating these things is fun for me and very satisfying. I'll look and look at something, and then it comes to me. I feel very lucky. How many people get to do what they really like?"
Gift certificates are available, and prices cover everything from candles to armoires to farm tables. Charming dangling bracelets are $18.
"I don't think there is any other place quite like this, and that also offers these kinds of classes," adds Ms. Roe.
Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 11 to 5. Sunday hours will be available soon. 683-5514.
