Meet The Owner
Meet The Owner
Embedded Files
Melissa (Owner)As Melissa navigated through her school years, she always had a creative mind and a way with words. Melissa spent many late nights reading and creating stories. As life swept by, Melissa became a mother to three amazing children and during her experiences of becoming a wife, motherhood, working in healthcare for almost twenty years, a manager of a dance studio (although she was never a dancer!) for ten years; Melissa knew she was missing something. Although she worked in a creative role, this job also allowed her to take time to begin college at the age of 35. Before her 40th birthday, Melissa graduated from Lakeland university with a BFA in Creative Writing and a minor in psychology. Melissa had found herself again and what she had been missing...that creative spark. An author once told her that she needed to, “Find your people.” She had while attending college and wanted more. Melissa decided to turn her love of reading and writing into something she could share. In addition to working for the Lakeland Newspaper "The Mirror," assisting and hosting the Great Lakes Writers Festival, and publishing her own book where she hosted her public reading at Amplify in downtown Port Washington, it almost felt full circle when a space became available in the heart of downtown Port. Melissa has carefully handpicked each book in the store to begin curating a vast collection (which will forever grow). Melissa thrives in creative spaces with creative minds and believes everyone has a story to tell!
Photo by: Wildrose Photography
Meet Our Vendors
Meet Our Vendors
Dan Laurence (Photographer)Better known in the area as “Port Photos”. Over a span of five decades, he hastransitioned from the magic of his first basement darkroom to the sophisticated digitaldarkroom of modern Photoshop. This technical mastery has allowed him to excel in every facet of the medium, from traditional wedding and portraiture to commercial and fine artphotography. None of these milestones were reached alone. His wife of 50 years has been an indispensable partner in his creative life—acting as his sharpest editor, his logistical anchor, and his greatest inspiration. After a celebrated 15-year chapter in Port Washington, Wisconsin, the couple has brought their shared legacy to South Carolina. Even in retirement, Dan remains a dedicated student of the image, carrying 50 years of published excellence and award-winning vision into every frame he captures.
Norma & Angela (Pretty Plate Jewelry)Pretty Plate Jewelry was started by longtime friends Norma and Angela after a memorable Crafts & Cocktails event sparked a creative idea. What began as a fun experiment quickly grew into a passion for transforming vintage plates and silverware into one-of-a-kind jewelry and gift items. Every piece you see is handcrafted, giving beautiful materials from the past a fresh new life. No two items are ever exactly the same. Norma and Angela also love to work with customers on custom orders from their families vintage china or silverware to create meaningful pieces made just for them.
Lisa (Farm Made)In 2013 Lisa was diagnosed with B Cell Lymphoma shortly after she had lost her grandfather to his courgaeous battle with the very same cancer. Lisa's young daughter was also diagnosed with a very rare triple autoimmune disorder at the exact same time. After encountering these road bumps Lisa decided to do something healthy for her family. Try to eliminate as many of the chemicals she and her family uses on their bodies as possible. Lisa started with the food they ate and moved to wash they washed their bodies with. Lisa's skin gets very dry because she and her family live on a farm and spend a lot of time outside. She learned that by making her own quality soaps, not only could she eliminate the preservatives and parabens in her soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotions but she could also create a product that made her skin smooth and helped seal in her natural moisture. Now, her entire family and animals use her products which led to the creation of her Handmade Soaps and Such in Neosha, WI. Quality ingredients and 100% essential oils instead of fragrance oils are used in her products giving peace of mind that her products are safe and made with quality, hand selected ingredients.
Tonya Sherwood (Nonnie In Bloom)
Tonya Sherwood, founder of Nonnie In Bloom, lives in Port Washington with her husband Robert, their son Connor, and their two dogs, Raylan and Greta. With 15 years of experience in the landscaping industry and education in Landscape Design, Construction, and Horticulture, plants and design have always been a big part of her life. What began as a hobby of creating succulent arrangements in thrifted containers blossomed into her business, Nonnie In Bloom. Tonya now offers in-home succulent planting parties, pop-up planting events at local small businesses, and seasonal container planting services. Her creative succulent designs can also be found featured in local shops throughout Ozaukee county.
Kayla's Blacksmithing
Kayla is a local blacksmith who frequently demonstrates at some of the historical parks in the area like Pioneer Village, Richfield, and Manitowoc. The most common question asked to Kayla is: How did I get into blacksmithing? Kayla is a fourth-generation metal worker, so you can say it's in her blood. Kayla absolutely loves working with fire and metal! To take something and create something else entirely different fascinates her. Another common question asked is: Is Blacksmithing a trade or an art? It is both. Many of the pieces for sale are made out of horseshoe nails. They are used to make the hearts for the necklaces, key chains, rings, and hooks. Bottle openers are a top favorite. Kayla loves her art of Blacksmithing and continues to work on creating new things.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse