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Decor For Any Occasion Is Right Down Santa's Lane
by
Chris Wilson
When it comes to decorating your home for Thanksgiving, Christmas or almost any holiday throughout the year, chances are Santa’s Lane, located on NW 97th Ave. (just west of I-75 and south of NW 39th Ave.), has something to help beautify your abode. Owner Betty Corwine takes great care in stocking her shelves with artistic items, cards and gifts and her favorite time of year is arriving.
“I was always into Christmas and Halloween,” says Corwine. “But, I decorate my home for every holiday. I save and pack everything away every year. I could probably decorate two houses.”
Santa’s Lane began as a company that only made lighted lawn decorations in 2002. Lighted lawn decorations still are the cornerstone of her business and her son George creates the items. He uses quarter-inch steel rods to frame the various shapes and does all of the welding and electrical work.
In addition to selling already-designed lawn decorations, the company does plenty of custom-made lawn decorations and has animated light arrangements. Corwine says she currently has her son working on a football player carrying a ball with the words “Go Tebow,” in honor of University of Florida QB Tim Tebow, of course. Santa’s Lane has created custom orders for people all over the country, from Texas and Minnesota to the Carolinas. Santa’s Lane has even hand-delivered lawn decorations to some far-off places. “Last year, we got an e-mail from somebody who wanted a pilgrim chopping off a turkey’s head,” says Corwine. “We put it all together for them and got it to them so fast that we didn’t even have a chance to take a picture.”
Corwine, who retired from work as a secretary for the University of Florida history department, says her second career actually came as a result of her love for quilting and the work of Jim Shore, an artist who creates intricate sculptures using many colorful quilting patterns.
“One of my girlfriends told me to look for Jim Shore items because they have quilt patterns on them,”?says Corwine. “I was on my retirement trip. I found some of his snowmen (figurines) in Fargo, North Dakota.” Corwine began selling the items to friends and other quilting enthusiasts. “It just kind of evolved from there,” she explains.
Now her operation has expanded to internet sales and a small shop in Gainesville.
Santa’s Lane boasts the biggest selection of Jim Shore collectibles in the area. There are Thanksgiving and Christmas figurines, patriotic sculptures and an almost-complete line of Shore’s intricate Disney designs, including all of the characters and the pumpkin coach from “Cinderella.”
Santa’s Lane has an impressive collection of Baldwin Ornaments for Christmas trees, including collegiate mascots, lighthouses and a limited edition ornament of the White House, and beautiful (and inexpensive) Legacy cards for all occasions.
The store has a line of religious cards and notepads with psalms. The gift shop also features Hope Scents aromatherapy and Cuddle Factory stuffed animals.
Of course, Santa’s Lane also carries plenty of Gator items, including ornaments, checkbook covers and mail box wrappers.
Santa’s Lane is located at 3499 NW 97th Blvd. Suite 8, in Gainesville, next to Flooring America. For more information, call 372-2102 or visit www.santaslane.com.
Chris WilsonWhen it comes to decorating your home for Thanksgiving, Christmas or almost any holiday throughout the year, chances are Santa’s Lane, located on NW 97th Ave. (just west of I-75 and south of NW 39th Ave.), has something to help beautify your abode. Owner Betty Corwine takes great care in stocking her shelves with artistic items, cards and gifts and her favorite time of year is arriving.
“I was always into Christmas and Halloween,” says Corwine. “But, I decorate my home for every holiday. I save and pack everything away every year. I could probably decorate two houses.”
Santa’s Lane began as a company that only made lighted lawn decorations in 2002. Lighted lawn decorations still are the cornerstone of her business and her son George creates the items. He uses quarter-inch steel rods to frame the various shapes and does all of the welding and electrical work.
In addition to selling already-designed lawn decorations, the company does plenty of custom-made lawn decorations and has animated light arrangements. Corwine says she currently has her son working on a football player carrying a ball with the words “Go Tebow,” in honor of University of Florida QB Tim Tebow, of course. Santa’s Lane has created custom orders for people all over the country, from Texas and Minnesota to the Carolinas. Santa’s Lane has even hand-delivered lawn decorations to some far-off places. “Last year, we got an e-mail from somebody who wanted a pilgrim chopping off a turkey’s head,” says Corwine. “We put it all together for them and got it to them so fast that we didn’t even have a chance to take a picture.”
Corwine, who retired from work as a secretary for the University of Florida history department, says her second career actually came as a result of her love for quilting and the work of Jim Shore, an artist who creates intricate sculptures using many colorful quilting patterns.
“One of my girlfriends told me to look for Jim Shore items because they have quilt patterns on them,”?says Corwine. “I was on my retirement trip. I found some of his snowmen (figurines) in Fargo, North Dakota.” Corwine began selling the items to friends and other quilting enthusiasts. “It just kind of evolved from there,” she explains.
Now her operation has expanded to internet sales and a small shop in Gainesville.
Santa’s Lane boasts the biggest selection of Jim Shore collectibles in the area. There are Thanksgiving and Christmas figurines, patriotic sculptures and an almost-complete line of Shore’s intricate Disney designs, including all of the characters and the pumpkin coach from “Cinderella.”
Santa’s Lane has an impressive collection of Baldwin Ornaments for Christmas trees, including collegiate mascots, lighthouses and a limited edition ornament of the White House, and beautiful (and inexpensive) Legacy cards for all occasions.
The store has a line of religious cards and notepads with psalms. The gift shop also features Hope Scents aromatherapy and Cuddle Factory stuffed animals.
Of course, Santa’s Lane also carries plenty of Gator items, including ornaments, checkbook covers and mail box wrappers.
Santa’s Lane is located at 3499 NW 97th Blvd. Suite 8, in Gainesville, next to Flooring America. For more information, call 372-2102 or visit www.santaslane.com.
