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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Let the dust wait, I’m going unique shopping!

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My mother had a schoolteacher friend who loved beautiful, blue-sky spring days for cleaning closets. I hold to the notion this is a complete waste of an alluring day! We’ve just come out of months of indoor project days and for me they meant zero closets cleaned, two crocheted shawls completed.

I motored through a colorful, lacey knee -length shawl in January while keeping my delicate project free from the pounce of seemingly snoozing cats. In February, I burned up the skeins, finishing another shorter fisherman’s-wool wrap. I’ll get them both blocked soon, possibly on one of these inevitable spring snow days that sets us back.

Like everyone else, I am stir crazy and need to be cut off from the couch. This time of year, known to many as pre-gardening season, I find it especially pleasurable to jump in the car and set out on a “Unique Shop” road adventure. The dealers of area antique and collectible shops from Ely to Hibbing have published and distributed a brochure. (I have redone it for you on the opposite page.) You can generally find the brochure at one of the shops, too.

There are unique finds in all of the shops. Each location has its own charm and personality. I like to think about the history that is attached to the various pieces that catch my eye. My imagination finds so much food for thought in these treasure troves while walking next to shelves filled with glassware and odds and ends. So much to feast the eyes upon with busy details of Italian pottery, design styles from days gone by, and quality craftsmanship on furniture pieces from turned piano stools to dovetailed dresser drawers.

I am especially drawn to glass showcases filled with costume jewelry. My pocketbook weakens when I see the attractive sparkly pins of all shapes and sizes. Rich emerald jewels surrounded by gold filigree, multi-colored peacock pins, you name it! They are so fun to wear to lively get-togethers or for everyday. After all, every day can be just as special!

After poring through two or three shops, you may need to take a rest at a local cafe, charge yourself with a favorite brew and consider the next stop, of course. No need to be thinking about cleaning those closets. That dust will wait!