Thursday, November 20, 2014

A little Cork Board in a Little Town...

 
I live in a small town and it seems at times as though modern civilization has forgotten us.  There is one McDonald's and one Sonic and a local restaurant, most on the Interstate won't have heard of, that serves up an incredible bacon cheese steak-burger.   Mom and pop stores come and go, but most go out of business. There is however one new flea market that seems to be doing quite well in the infamous 'haunted building.' I myself have financially supported their endeavors on a weekly basis! (Shhh, don't tell the hubby...)  It's a great mix of people that bring their goods to sell. Military wives, Mennonite women, local crafters, the Knobites (born and raised here) and we all eat donuts and drink cocoa in the mornings, gathered in an old historical building established in the 1880's. 
I guess you could say that Knob Noster isn't too far removed from the map. After all, this town was mentioned in the 1983 Television movie, The Day After.  Yes,it's true, this town was always small, but in the late 1800's it was referred to as "The boomingest settlement in the county" during the decade of lucrative coal mining. Then it all dried up and the great fire happened and most of the not so big town was destroyed.  The town eventually rebuilt itself and remains to this day the small quaint quiet place with the general store, mom n' pop hardware, barber shop with the vintage light still outside, a one room library and a cute little hair and nail salon...and that's where my little cork board comes in...
I've gathered at this little hair/nail salon for over 10 years now and the people that go here don't come for just highlights and manicures. They come together for the warm coffee and friendship.  I always thought the barber shops had the monopoly on 'bonding time' but through the years I've shared in so much with these amazing ladies.  We sit around and tell our modern 'war time' stories and they share their 'WWII' and Vietnam stories with us.  It's a beautiful and wonderful thing to gather knowledge, wisdom and strength from them.  Now that my husband is recently retired from the military, I find that I have been promoted to the ranks of 'elder' where I now impart encouragement to the new military wives.  
The circle of life seen in a small town is like no other...
Aside from gabbing, eating, shopping and socializing, I also have a little store of my own. It's on a cork board, decorated up with the word CARDS at the top and on that cork board hang a few little makes that I bring in weekly.  I have the sweetest regulars that keep me busy with cards for their families. I don't charge much at all for them as I just enjoy making them, but it's not about the money.   The real payment is in the hugs these sweet ladies give me and that's payment enough.

So I guess you could say, it's okay that I don't have big craft stores, or shopping malls or even a Walmart in my town...I have so much more. I have incredible memories and friendships that I'll treasure always and that is truly something to be thankful for!

Hugs and Happy Crafting,
Lisa x 

15 comments:

Chrissy said...

OMG..what a lovely post Lisa..it almost bought me to tears..and such a gorgeous selection of cards and baubles.Love the dimension and textures and your little snowman is devine.

Luv CHRISSYxx

Sandy said...

Sweet Lisa, I would say that you are the town jewel!
Love your snow man, he is awesome and just this side of cute. Your cards are always delightful. Please don't go soft on me now that you are an elder - You have always had a wonderful sense of the ridiculous with tendencies towards the macabre. I love it!
Sandy xx




Ina G said...

You have really made my day Lisa - just after 7am here. Such a beautiful story and yes little towns are the best for valued friendships and learning as well as so much more. You could write a book if you had the time of all those treasured memories and stories of old. Your 2 for today reflect that and of course beautifully made and no doubt with much love. So happy to 'know' you. So blessed to see all your treasures. Hugs from Down Under.

Ina G said...

Forgot to mention how CUTE that snowman is and that fabulous music paper. Genies!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

What a beautiful heartfelt post! I love that you are surrounded by so many wonderful people...so fortunate for you! These projects are ALL AMAZING!!! So inspiring!

Marie-Louise said...

Small towns are wonderful places to live. I could never go back to Cities. I just loved your story as I can relate to the friendly people and the small town atmosphere. Your cards are wonderful as always.

Dr Sonia S V said...

Oh what an adorable snowman...love the music notes...they make him look so special
Cheers
Dr Sonia
Cards Crafts Kids Projects

Karon said...

This is such a wonderful inspirational post! Love love that you shared with us and as always your makes are amazing. I wish there was such a place here! Have a wonderful weekend, hugs, Karon.

Pia S said...

Loved reading your post, Lisa! Sounds like a very nice place, wonder how it looks for Christmas? I'm thinking Christmas movies, the sort of scenery where everybody is nice to each other and help each other out... Maybe that's just fantasy, but it's a really nice thought.
I live in the capital of Norway, which isn't really that big, but enough to feel anonymous in a crowd. About a month ago, walking home from the office I passed a bus stop with more than 10 people waiting. There was a man laying on the ground and people walked around him, even over him. I asked if anyone knew what had happened and called an ambulance, everybody just turned their backs, walked away or mumbled. No one wanted to help, hoped that someone ekes would assist or straight up didn't care. The man was rather filthy, but so what? It's so sad to see how people can stop care for each other. Hang on to what you've got!
Ps: and of course I love your cards too:)

Tracy said...

You live in Mayberry Twang! :-) It sounds like a wonderful place that just might not be too touched by the ugliness out in the big bad world. I'm glad you are so happy there and that you have lots of friends to love you. Congrats on your corkboard business. I recently took a huge box of my older card to church and told the ladies to have at it for free. LOL They did and I was glad to be able to be a blessing to them in a small way. You got a heart of gold there Twang. Hick

Mitralee said...

LISA! I really enjoyed hearing about your town and that cork board! And since I am guessing you frequent that salon for your pretty nails (I spied them on a recent ormanemt) might I guess you get to put your card money toward services? That is down rightly brilliant on your part! PLUS, you are known as the card queen! Who wouldn't want to buy your creations!

Kelly said...

I want to live in your town! I am so happy that you have your own store for everyone to enjoy! You should teach classes to the ladies, I know they would love your ideas and techniques, what a very nice place to settle into!
I love your snowman, he is so beautiful, I love snowmen and the paper on yours is perfect with the bright plains scarf. Your cards are beautiful also, the ladies have so much to feast their eyes on. You have a dream most of seek, you deserve it and you are bringing the town joy and excitement for living, bravo for that achievement.
Have a very happy day,
Kelly

Unknown said...

Gorgeous makes L2!! What a beautiful post, I love hearing about your daily life and I can relate to living in a small town. There's nothing like the mom 'n pop shops and quaint spaces you find in them. I'm off to a such a place tomorrow and the people there are mighty friendly. That little place would be Woodbury, TN where they have the best antique stores around and every Saturday and Sunday they host a flea market and it's a big one. Gotta love this little slice of America. :-)

Words and Pictures said...

What a lovely post... it sounds like the real American small town dream - a community that gathers to share stories and advice and exchange gossip and goods. Not to mention another wealth of crafty eye-candy - what a fabulous time I've had catching up here today. Thank you.
Alison xx

Patricia St Martin said...

People in this world do not know that their are places in this world. They have no idea what a small town is, when everyone knows everybody and you all get together at the town hall and have a get together and everyone brings something to eat. I love your store their are not many places like that anymore. I was raised in a town like that. I love those ornaments, they are just darling.
Hugs, Pat