incaster Country Creations features homemade crafts BY SUZANNE KEENE STRASBURG - Shirley Groff’s farmhouse in Strasburg has become the showcase for the many country crafts she and her family create. A sign at the end of her sidewalk announces that hand crafted gifts can be found inside and summons visitors to in vestigate her “Country Creations” shop. Located deep in the heart of Lancaster County’s tourist district, where people from all over the country come to see the Amish and to enjoy Pennsylvania Dutch food and crafts, Shirley’s shop is in an ideal location. Tourists and locals alike find their Shirley’s 16-year-old son, Brian, does much of the woodwork for folk art like this bear puli toy. Her daughter, Lori, also helps with the shop by doing tin punch and waiting on 'irs. r wmhn, Saturday, Novambtr 3,1984 way to her small, but well-stocked shop which is situated along North Star Road, a short distance off heavily-traveled Route 896. Observant shoppers receive an extra bonus when they stop at Country Creations. In the meadow across the narrow road in front of the Groff’s farmhouse, Shirley’s husband, Ken, can be seen working with sleek harness racing horses which he trains on their farm. Occasionally, an Amish buggy will clatter by, reminding visitors of the origin of many of the crafts they seek. Once inside the shop, visitors can select handmade country gifts from Shirley’s abundant in- ventory, which includes wreaths, decorative straw hats, dolls, Christmas ornaments, wooden fruits and other crafts. While some of the crafts in the shop are on consignment from other craftsmen, Shirley and her children make most of the them. Her 16-year-old son, Brian, a sophomore at Lampeter Strasburg High School, does a lot of the woodworking for the folk art, and her daughter, Lori, a seventh grader at Martin Meylin Middle School, does all the tin punching. Shirley’s other son, Steve, is a sophomore at Albright College and has little time to help with the shop. ♦ Nt- Shirley Groff operates a craft shop called Country Creations in part of her farmhouse where she sells a variety of country crafts. Shirley carries most of the responsiblity for the shop, but Ken, Brian and Lori take over when she can’t be there. She also gets some help from her mother, Dorothy Eshleman, and her sister-in-law, Lois Eshleman. A lot of Shirley’s time goes into making the crafts for the shop. She does much of the hand painting, stenciling and sewing and raises and dries flowers to use on wreaths or to sell “as is.” She said she likes to add a little personal touch to all her crafts, making each one unique. “1 think putting that little per sonal touch makes the difference,” she said, noting that she gets personal satisfaction from adding those extra little touches. Shirley gets many of her craft ideas from visiting other shops and (Turn to Page 829)
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