Category: Iowa

Iowa

Friday in Franklin County: Forever Yours

— Katy Flint5 Comments

Have I told you how much I love the town I work in? I do!  You see, I get the privilege of working in one town and living in another…both within Franklin County!  One of the many things I love about Sheffield are the small business owners like Lori Sanders (and her husband Scott)!  They are the owners of Forever Yours on main street in Sheffield.

Unconventional Beginnings

While a lot of small business owners have always dreamed of owning their own brick and mortar store, Lori did not start out that way.  In fact, over 11 years ago her mother-in-law persuaded her to purchase the existing flower store in town from someone else and take it over.  Not wanting to see a business close in town, Lori took the risk and learned almost everything she knows about the business from Rita Reiter (who previously owned the flower shop under the name “A Family Affair”).  The rest as they say “is history”!

Continue “Friday in Franklin County: Forever Yours”

Iowa

Friday in Franklin County: Jennifer Gruelke Studio

— Katy FlintLeave a comment

Friday in Franklin

I’m so excited to introduce you to today’s Friday in Franklin County business…probably because I spend time there every Tuesday & Wednesday morning at 5:30AM!  I’m so happy to introduce you to Jennifer Gruelke, owner of Jennifer Gruelke Studio!wp-1463104253259.jpg

Jennifer moved to Franklin County 17 years ago to be near her now husband Butch.  Since being here she has worked a variety of business jobs in Hampton and she has had the honor of meeting and working with dedicated and hard-working individuals.  Now, in addition to running the Studio, she and Butch own and operate Butch Gruelke Auto Body and they continue to raise their son and family in the area.

Continue “Friday in Franklin County: Jennifer Gruelke Studio”

Iowa

Friday in Franklin County: Jaspersen Insurance & Real Estate

— Katy FlintLeave a comment

Is there anything better than a locally owned family business?  Yeah, I don’t think so either!  This week we’re visiting Tim Christianson from Jaspersen Insurance & Real Estate in Sheffield (very Northern Franklin County).  Jaspersen’s has been a fixture on main street Sheffield since January 1, 2000 and in that time they’ve earned the trust and confidence from their customers and grown exponentially!  So much so in fact that they are in the process of expanding from the current building into the building next to them to make room to bring more people on board.  Now a growing, locally-owned, family business…well, it just doesn’t get any better than that!!

Continue “Friday in Franklin County: Jaspersen Insurance & Real Estate”

Iowa

Friday in Franklin County: Sheffield

— Katy FlintLeave a comment

I might be a little biased (I work there), but the town of Sheffield located in northern Franklin County is a pretty great little community! They have a lot going for themselves and yet are working hard to battle the typical small town community demise.  Their efforts vary and come from the heart, which is why I decided to feature the entire town today in “Friday in Franklin County”!

This quaint town is located on the northern border of Franklin County and is population 1172 (at the last census).  The current mayor in office is the youngest Mayor in the history of the town and they are home to one of the busiest Casey’s General Stores in the state.

SSS

Continue “Friday in Franklin County: Sheffield”

Iowa

Friday in Franklin County: Christensen Jewelry

— Katy FlintLeave a comment
Friday in Franklin County: Christensen Jewelry

Welcome to Friday in Franklin County! I love the place that I call home and the businesses that are here that I’ve decided to share a piece of it with you every Friday!

First up is Christensen Jewelry and owner Russell Gibson! Russ first got started in jewelry making in high school when he took a metals & jewelry class during his sophomore year at Washington High School in Washington, Iowa. The art teacher did jewelry work on the side and was very involved with everything the kids did. During the class they learned the proper techniques to hand make everything, cut and finish the stones, etc. They were required to produce a minimum of 30 designs before they were allowed to create a piece itself. One semester in this class and Russ was hooked.

Owner of Christensen Jewelry, Russ Gibson
Owner of Christensen Jewelry, Russ Gibson

Continue “Friday in Franklin County: Christensen Jewelry”

Iowa

Friday in Franklin County: Christensen Jewelry

— Katy Flint8 Comments
Friday in Franklin County: Christensen Jewelry

Welcome to Friday in Franklin County! I love the place that I call home and the businesses that are here that I’ve decided to share a piece of it with you every Friday!

First up is Christensen Jewelry and owner Russell Gibson!  Russ first got started in jewelry making in high school when he took a metals & jewelry class during his sophomore year at Washington High School in Washington, Iowa.  The art teacher did jewelry work on the side and was very involved with everything the kids did.  During the class they learned the proper techniques to hand make everything, cut and finish the stones, etc.  They were required to produce a minimum of 30 designs before they were allowed to create a piece itself.  One semester in this class and Russ was hooked.

Christensen Jewelry Owner, Russ Gibson
Christensen Jewelry Owner, Russ Gibson

Continue “Friday in Franklin County: Christensen Jewelry”

Iowa

I Created with Kelly Gau Studio

— Katy Flint6 Comments

Last year about this time, I met up with some of the North Iowa Bloggers for one of those wine and painting parties…I’m a terrible painter!  Then, I tried my hand at making my own Christmas wreath and was so in love with

Me and my abysmal painting!
Me and my abysmal painting!

the results that I ended up leaving it hanging on my house until the very end of February!   So, up until this point I had faired a solid 50/50 on my DIY events/projects, so it was all up in the air when I went to the West Fork Wharf in Sheffield the other night to create a mixed media item with Kelly Gau Studio!  I knew that regardless of what my piece of art looked like, I would have a great time because I was with my dear friends (Alicia of Pork Diaries, Laura of Life On Sky View Farms, Val of Corn, Beans, Pigs, & Kids, and Donna of donnahup.com)!

Continue “I Created with Kelly Gau Studio”