Bag Lady Tour Part I

Next Friday, the Bag Lady Tour kicks off at 10:00 a.m. The tour is a two weekend event happening on April 19^th & 20^th from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sun. the 21^st from 12 noon to 5 p.m. The following weekend, April 26^th & 27^th 10-5 and Sun. the 28^th 12- 5. By completing the tour and acquiring a stamp from each shop, you will turn in your flyer to be entered into a drawing for a $25 gas card. Along the way, however, be sure to look for the wooden shopping bag which will travel to a different store daily. The bag will be discreetly planted somewhere in the store until someone finds it. That lucky eagle eye will receive a gift certificate to be honored at the participating store of their choice.

I decided to take the tour this year myself, albeit early, and share my findings with all of you lovely readers.

Please note: all of the images on this blogsite belong to me unless otherwise noted and are not for public use without permission. The following images contain unique creative integrity and subjects are the property of the creators and not for public usage. Please contact individual shop owners concerning items you see in these photos.

Ravenwood Antiques

Ravenwood Antiques offers a large selection of unique items ranging from hutches, tables, chairs and other furniture to glass bottles and child size items.

After 10 years in the antiques business, there is no doubt you will find what you are looking for at Ravenwood. I happened to spot a lovely Saxony wheel peeking out from behind a small cabinet. Those of you spinners who appreciate antique wheels know how hard it is to find one intact! I’m not sure if it is all original to itself, but all it seems to be missing is the drive band. I also did not have time to really investigate the condition, but judging from everything else I saw in this interesting space, it should be pretty nice.

One of the owners of Ravenwood is also a wood carver and you can find her primitive style Santa figurines there as well as other hand carved items.

Don’t forget to look up while inside, as you will find many beautiful and interesting things above your head, including a child’s rocking horse.

You can visit Ravenwood Antiques at 16441 Pitts Rd. Wellington from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wed through Sun.

Farmyard Flowers 

New on the tour this year: Farmyard Flowers is housed in a refurbished barn and offers an array of floral and decorative items, from the sophisticated to simple and elegant.

Owner, Deborah Davidson started the business 30 years ago and in honor of her 30^th anniversary this year, she has added a small Café area for customers to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and snacks, visit with an old friend and enjoy the lovely atmosphere.

I found several settings around the shop that ranged in style and taste that would suit anyone’s decorating style. It also offers a selection of gourmet foods including cheese balls, soups and jellies, silk stems and bushes, dried flowers and herbs, and garden accessories. The styling ranges include Tuscan, French, Country Woodland, Garden and of course Seasonal. So if you need a custom floral arrangement in silk and dried flowers, gourmet foods for your next dinner party or just a little something to spruce up a certain space, this is the place to come.

Shop Farmyard Flowers Wed-Sat. 10-, located at 45635 U.S. Rt. 20, Oberlin. 440-775-4013 or email farmyardflowers@frontier.com.



Touched by Grace

Also new on the tour this year: Touched by Grace is a resale shop that offers good clean items arranged sensibly and displayed in a shop like manner. There is a great selection of items ranging from furniture to clothing and just about anything you can think of in between.

The selection is vast and there are wonderful treasures to be found here from vintage to modern. I found a nice selection of handbags and jewelry as well as lots of dishes and glassware among unique paintings and a little something for the fellas.

Whether you are setting up house for the first time, or just looking for some great items to add to your collection, don’t overlook this great shop. Owner Deborah Rusnak opened the shop in 2005 and works hard to find items that will suit any taste and budget.  I even saw a wedding dress or two!

Visit Touched By Grace at 44881 U.S. Rt. 20, Oberlin Tues. & Wed. 10-5 and Thurs. through Sat. 10-6 or phone 440-774-6970.

North 40 Creations

North 40 Creations is located in Lagrange and offers a nice mix of hand crafted and retail items. Owned and operated by a mother & son team, the business has been in operation for 18 years, though, recently relocated to Lagrange.

Ron is a jewelry maker who designs and casts his own metals and offers customers the opportunity to choose their own stone to go with the setting of their choice.

Lynn is a painting instructor who offers her pieces in the form of wall paintings as well as furniture adorned with her work. Here you can also find raw stones among the retail items of coffee mugs, and children’s puzzles, candles and totes.

If you’re looking for a little something different, this is the place to shop Mon-Sat. 9-5 and Sun. 10-4 at 105 Public Square #2, Lagrange or visit their website at n40c.net.

Days of Yore

Days of Yore, a unique home and garden boutique, offers a bit for our grown up side as well as a bit for our inner child. Donna, who owns the shop, opened 20 years ago, specializing in herbs and flowers. 

Since then, she has grown her shop to include Guy Wolff Pottery, House of Webster Jellies, Tea Breads from Canton, a variety of teas, bone china tea sets, and garden accessories.

For the more playful side, or our inner child, she offers a large selection of Fairies and everything that goes with them including houses and garden furniture!

On May 1^st, Herbs and miniature plants for your very own Fairy Garden will be available and during the summer there are several gardens to explore on the grounds. You will enjoy this lovely spacious shop housed in a renovated barn in the country.

On June 22^nd Days of Yore holds a Fairy Festival which includes a Fairy Tea Party at the end of the day. What a way to add a little bit of whimsy to your summer!

Visit Days of Yore Thurs -  Sat 11-5 at 4925 Jones Rd., Penfield (440) 647-2045 or visit them online at www.daysofyoreherbandflowerfarm.com

I hope you found this post interesting and also hope you will take time to visit some of my friends from the tour. Remember, if you are making the Bag Lady Tour this year, you can pick up a bag and flyer at any one of the 15 shops participating. You will also receive a little gift as a show of appreciation from each shop you visit. And don’t be afraid to sign up for individual shops’ mailing lists, as this is for their use only and it is a great way for them to notify you of special offerings and invite you to special events they have aside from the Bag Lady Tour.

The next 5 shops will be posted over the weekend.

Thank you for stopping by,

~Vickie