Get your fill of hobbies, large and small at My Eclectic Mess
When you are constantly dealing with "a little bit of this, and a little bit of that" it might dawn on you that it's all just an eclectic mess.
Beth Oberle is so ingrained in that concept that "My Eclectic Mess" was the name of her blog for those who enjoy crafts and, even more importantly, it has become the name of her first business venture -- a store at 930 W. Main St. in St. Charles.
"The name really came about as an affectionate term for a crafter," said Oberle, who has plenty of retail experience in her background, but never her own store. "We just kept with that name because the store represents constantly trying new things and new crafts."
My Eclectic Mess has been open since May 1, but will have its official introduction to the community with a ribbon-cutting at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at the store, which is right across Main Street from the Thompson and Haines middle school athletic fields.
"We are steadily growing as the news has been spreading," Oberle said. "We really have something for everybody, from beginners to more advanced crafters, and our kits, books and patterns help people gauge whether they really like something, before they spend a lot of money on it."
Different types of crafts go through various cycles of popularity, Oberle said, with the most recent being an upsurge in scrapbooking.
"A lot of my knitting friends are turning to sewing now, as well," she added.
Oberle feels that a slower economy could boost her store because more people are looking to do things at home and make things on their own.
"I think people are tired of the Wal-Mart mentality, where everything is the same," Oberle said. "My store will have that hard-to-find stuff that people sometimes only see online.
"The more seasoned crafters can come here and see it, and try it out before making a big investment in it."
Oberle can be reached at her store at (630) 443-4770.
Saw the future: It appears that "Waggle," a book written by St. Charles author Joe Tigan, might have been like a crystal ball.
I mentioned Tigan's book in a past column. It's about friends in the real estate business and their conversations on the golf course about the potential for a real estate crisis. Ironically, it was in print well before the current doldrums and foreclosure epidemic hitting the nation.
"Waggle" has been getting good reviews from readers and editors in the iUniverse publishing circles, but Tigan is mostly proud that his book was on target, with all of its key characters having a vested interest in widespread real estate and commercial growth -- and its potential problems.
Tigan summarized his thoughts in a follow-up note, saying, "In the past year since we talked, it looks like some of the book's perspectives on the ravenous appetite for real estate development in the suburbs really came to light with the sub-prime lending crisis."
On the golf topic, he was quick to point out that "people like the golf parts, too!"
And Tigan enjoys his golf. He is preparing to once again join the fray in an event in which he has enjoyed past success -- the St. Charles City Tournament at Pottawatomie Golf Course in late July and early August.
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Those holiday laughs: If you have an aspiring "Ralphie" in your house, it's not too late to put that young lad on the stage. Noble Fool Theatricals is conducting auditions from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at Pheasant Run for its production of "A Christmas Story."
Many movie buffs view that story as one of the funniest ever made about the holiday season, so it's a safe bet that plenty of those laughs can translate to the stage.
The best thing about this late note regarding auditions? No appointment is necessary. Open auditions for the available parts, portraying children ages 7 to 11, will be held on the theater's main stage.
Just super sweet: The marquee at Dairy Queen was advertising a "Cotton Candy Blizzard" on its menu. Now there's a toothache waiting to happen. I love my Blizzards at DQ, but this one might be a tad too sweet?
dheun@sbcglobal.net