Something borrowed, something blue and, eventually, something for baby, too.
Cindy LaFontaine has been crafting baby christening gowns from wedding finery for a number of years. She also owned a shop that sold primitive handicrafts in the Amish area of the state for the past 14-15 years. A desire to move her shop closer to this area has led to Material Things, a corner at Something Special, A Street of Shops, 2800 S. SR 100.
"I wanted something unique," LaFontaine said. "So I started with the christening gowns. I make them out of old wedding gowns that have been passed down. I love hand-sewing in detail, and this is a way to do that."
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PHOTO BY CATHY WILLOUGHBY
Cindy LaFontaine holds one of the christening gowns she makes and sells at Material Things, part of Something Special.
"When you enjoy something, you don't keep track of the time," she added.
The area is filled with unique items, whether handmade by LaFontaine, or chosen by her from numerous suppliers. Her goal is to offer a selection of items, whether purchased by parents for their children, or friends and family for gifts, that can't be easily found locally.
Some of the brands she has chosen are decorative, soft leather Robeez shoes, with plans to offer more sizes in the fall, from infant to styles that fit 5-year-olds. Also available are Thymes baby collection of lotions, soaps, hand sanitizers and diaper creams.
Fact Box
Store hours at Something Special are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The shop is closed Sundays and Mondays.
Quirky animal prints, nursery-inspired picture frames and funky animal alphabet plaques are some of the assortment of items that share space with handcrafted finery, such as the christening gowns and crocheted sweaters and fun blankets, made in flannel and chenille, or bassinet skirting made of past finery.
"I'm looking at offering special occasion outfits for infants and children," LaFontaine said. "Special dresses, knicker pants outfits, something different that you can't find anywhere else."
