Barbara Veale, Lucerne Valley resident since 1942, has opened the Country Cottage Boutique, a consignment shop for local artisans. She wanted to thank the Lucerne Valley Leader newspaper for helping to make her grand opening Saturday a success. Many local residents responded to the article and ad in last week’s Leader and dropped by to browse and buy handcrafted goods.
LeAnne Peterson, and her friend Lynn Rose, looked over the quilts and bags fashioned by Jan Morosco and purchased a few items. Dave and Laura Mount long time local business owners also stopped by to support many of the local artists who have their creations on consignment there.
“I really enjoyed the atmosphere of her shop,” said Peterson.
“Very professional,” said Anne Roark who came in with her husband Hop, after picking up lunch next door at Café 247.
“We had a very nice turn out,” said Barbara Veale. “I also picked up six new artists who will be putting more things on display here.
Veale, who make dolls from pouring the molds, painting the faces and features to creating their clothes, has dreamed for years of having her own shop where she could not only sell her own handiwork, but provide a place for other artists to sell their works as well.
Local artists include Barbara Veale with her dolls, Kandy Hoyt – ceramics, Pam Thompson – Vintage fabric Aprons, Norma Rambaud - jewelry, Carman Fox- Window paintings, Martina Ward - Earrings, Jan Morosco – baby quilts, and large quilts, tote bags, Dish clothes and doilies, Manual Rubio – Silver jewelry and bird houses, Betty Murie – Terrariums small and large , Karen Williams, who is Jean Magee’s granddaughter – jewelry, Emmalena Dennis – picture frames and cutting boards, Katie Dennis – fringe blankets, Harriet Calfy – t-shirts, Sara Postlewait – crocheted Baby Sacques, & Pot scrubbers, and Leslie Pasa will soon be bringing in her wrapped silver and gold jewelry.
At one time during the day, her shop was filled with friends and customers enjoying the table full of cookies, brownies, lemonade and ice tea.
“My shop is not very big, so it did get a bit crowded in here at one point,” said Veale. “But most of the day people trickled in one or two at a time.”
Barbara’s children George Veale, David and Millie Rader, Emmalena Dennis, and granddaughter Katie Dennis also stopped by to help with the preparations and to greet customers.
“I’m proud of her,” said daughter Millie Rader. “She has talked about doing this for a long time, and after having been retired for over 20 years, she jumps in and opens her own business. That takes a lot of courage.”
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The Country Cottage Boutique located just west of Café 247 on Old Woman Springs road is a little white shop with green trim and a little white fenced rose garden in front. Barbara is there to greet customers from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm every Tuesday through Saturday, stop in and say hello.