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170 Years of Unbridled Passion:
The Women
of the Victorian Heart Shoppe
by Victoria Laurian Otto
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Spectacular
one-of-a-kind "Victorian Teacup Wreaths", designed
with treasures from the past and present. Each
"original"
creation is assembled using roses, vintage teacups &
china, jewelry, pearls, rhinestones, lace and
vintage teaspoons from
Treasured Heirlooms. |
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Ranging in age from
35 to 70, their bios read like the pages of a 19th
Century romance novel. Meet the women of the
Victorian Heart Shoppe and take a walk into
history through their passionate dreams
fulfilled.
They came from all
walks of life as their paths crossed, from
shopkeepers to innkeepers, from artists to
teachers,
from home-schoolers to thoroughbred race horse
trainers,
from writers to
illustrators, from secretaries to classical
musicians, from “Cookie Queens” to runway
models. Let these women weave you into their
lives, but beware, as you will become entwined
in the common thread of all things Victorian. |
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C'est Chouette
is devoted to rescuing vintage needlepoint and
recreating them into today’s beautiful pillows
using the finest silks and designer trims. |
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This “Gathering
Flowers Jewelry Music Box” opens with a lovely "Greensleeves"
melody to retrieve rings, bracelets or trinkets.
This box is richly lacquered cherry with a green
felt lining and can be found at
Diane’s Fine Things.
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Although they own boutiques,
galleries, home studios, bed & breakfast inns, gift shops,
and booths in antique malls most of them have created their
Somewhere in Time moments in a virtual reality known as
the “web”. Diane, who lives in upstate New York, described
her 15 minutes of fame as “having the courage and faith to
start my own business and to do what I always dreamed of
doing!” And, they have all shared a passion to create and
collect! |
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Pet Scribbles
provides pet lovers with a unique line of greeting
cards. Many of the designs feature Victorian
illustrations of dogs and cats, and are enjoyed by
all people whether or not they own a pet. |
Our women’s online Victorian
businesses gathered at a quaint little “town square” website
appropriately named Victorian Heart Shoppe. Since
January of 2004, when Victoria’s dream of coordinating a
“window shopping” Victorian mall was realized, she mused:
“With the help of my husband and webmaster, we built it and
they came!” |
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At
Roses and Teacups, a portion of the
profits from their sterling silver spoon
bracelets with broken china charms goes to their
own “Broken to Beautiful” program for women
ascending out of abuse. |
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This Victorian Hat is appropriately named the
"Spirit of Morena". It is perfect for SASS events.
Darna’s hat designs transcend time at
East Angle Harbor.
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The women of the Victorian
Heart Shoppe have been modest when it comes to their
accomplishments. Their shops and products have been
featured in magazines such as Romantic Homes, Romantic
Country, Country Victorian, Elle, Greetings Etc. and
more. Their artwork has been incorporated into books and
even on puzzles, such as Shelley’s “Please Mr. Postman” done
by Ravensburger in Germany. Darna had 36 of her amazing
hats worn at the Kentucky Derby this year. Lisa had her
children’s book Matilda Private Eye: The Case of the
Missing Socks published, and Galia had a book of
inspirational poems published. Nancy and Julie are in the
process of expanding their Broken to Beautiful
program, an outreach to women in domestic violence
situations. They love every minute they spend volunteering
for many organizations. |
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The Tea Cup and Saucer Tote is a
wonderful way to take your favorite teacup and
saucer to your next tea party. See a variety of
fabrics and styles at
Sweet Necessi-Teas. |
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Angels Bed & Breakfast Inn
provides guests with non-smoking accommodations in a
restored Queen Ann style manor, centrally located in
Missouri Wine Country's largest and most scenic
village, Hermann.
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These women are an inspiration
to young women everywhere. Nancy, an interior decorator
said, “I am semi-retired…very ill with Lupus and Sjogrens
Syndrome…in pain 24/7, and it’s not over till I win.” For
the most part, they would rather talk about their husbands,
children, grandchildren, and pets than themselves. Linda’s
pride shone when she spoke of her “daughter Tara and her
husband Derrick [who] are both active duty Air Force”, and
Eve spoke of her teenage children who “have been and are the
light of my life; they have awarded me with all richness of
the world. It couldn’t get any better than that.” There is
an overwhelming sense of contentment as Debra suggested, “I
love all I do and wouldn’t trade a thing”, or as Elizabeth
described, “My life is very full and blessed.” Michelle
reflected, “I am looking forward to a bright and prosperous
future, by God’s grace.” |
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Old World
charm meets New World function with this
Victorian Cottage Mouse Pad featuring a lovely
Cottage and beautiful landscaping sure to please
the Victorian Lover. Find gifts from the heart
at
Millani’s Antique Cottage. |
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Visit the women of the
Victorian Heart Shoppe and take a walk through a secret
garden, to a haven, to a simpler time, to another era, to
their Victorian world.
Web site:
www.victorianheartshoppe.com
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Victorian Laurels
will romance your
life with their exclusive designer
perfume and fragrance line. Stop by and see
this elegant “Victoria” and “Laurel” silver
spoon jewelry. |
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Author’s credits: Victoria Laurian Otto along with her husband, Jeff, created the
Victorian Heart Shoppe back in January of 2004. They are
both semi-retired and love working together on this
endeavor. Victoria describes it thusly, “He’s the brains
and I’m the heart, both vital organs!”
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