January 15, 2018

Bob’s Builds Sightings Reported all over the Planet

January 15, 2018/ Made in St Augustine/ Made In STA

Bob’s Builds Sightings Reported all over the Planet

Bob’s Builds handcrafts custom woodwork and designs using recycled skateboards. As if the concept isn’t unique enough in and of itself, each skateboard piece has a distinctive graphic design and variety of vibrant colors within the maple plies - making each piece one of a kind.

What started it all? Sasquatch. Yes, you read correctly… Sasquatch, Yeti, Big Foot – you’ve heard of the guy. One day on his day off work, Bobby Dill had nothing to do. He had a stack of his old skateboards just sitting under his bed and decided to cut a Sasquatch out of one of them. He didn’t think much of it until of a friend of his wouldn’t leave his house without it. Bobby figured if he liked it that much, maybe others would too. So he ran with it and Bob’s Builds has grown into the business it is today.

Bobby started simple with custom cutouts on skateboard decks and regular wood as home décor. From there, he branched out and now makes as many things as he can out of skateboards: tap handles, frames, lamps, bottle stoppers, keychains and earrings are just a few of the more common pieces he creates.

January 14, 2018

Indi Loves Harlie Gives Favorite Clothes a Second Life

January 14, 2018/ Made in St Augustine/ Made In STA

Indi Loves Harlie Gives Favorite Clothes a Second Life

The name of Kelly Holleran’s business was inspired by the names of her former dogs. When she met her husband in 1994, she had a dog name Harlie (after Harlequin because his face was half black and half white right down the middle.) Harlie was a great dog, which prompted her husband Dan to get a dog. He named her Indi. Indi and Harlie lived together for 12 years and it was a true love affair.

Fast forward from 1994 to 2008, Kelly had an old concert T-shirt she couldn’t part with. It was stained, made for a male and not particularly flattering. But she loved the art on it. So she cut out the design and stitched it on a zip-up jacket she had. Kelly had given her old shirt new life! So, she started digging through her clothes and sewed new life in several cherished old T-shirts.

January 14, 2018

Experience Nature at the GTM Research Reserve

January 14, 2018/ Made in St Augustine/ Made In STA

Experience Nature at the GTM Research Reserve

The GTM Research Reserve, one of 29 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Estuarine Research Reserves, encompasses 74,000 acres of conservation lands and waters from Ponte Vedra to Palm Coast. It is managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Coastal Office. The Reserve was established as a protected area for long-term monitoring, research, education and stewardship programs.

On Saturdays, you can explore ten miles of upland hiking trails and approximately seven miles of beaches on Guided Cultural Hikes or Beach Walks and have fun in Guana Lake at a Family Seining event. You can also explore the River-to-Sea Preserve or the coquina rock beach on guided explorations. If you are a nature lover, GTM Research Reserve offers multiple options for a wedding at Guana Beach, the Environmental Education Center or the Guana Trails! There are also indoor hands-on presentations where you can learn about whales, sea turtles, snakes, birds, butterflies, and other amazing life.

January 13, 2018

Simply Sweet Makes Simply Awesome Macarons

January 13, 2018/ Made in St Augustine/ Made In STA

Simply Sweet Makes Simply Awesome Macarons

Why did Colleen Campana start baking macarons? Simply put – she and her friends really enjoy eating them!

It didn’t take her long to discover that others enjoy them as much as she does. She responded to the demand by establishing Simply Sweet, her macaron bakery.

Colleen has always loved baking. Growing up in a family of three girls, she was always the creative one in the kitchen. Of course, she enjoys sweets – but that’s not why she bakes. Colleen bakes because she loves being able to express her creativity with food. Her favorite part, however, is seeing the happiness of others when they eat her baked goods.

January 12, 2018

C&R de Raadt Design Handcrafts World-Class Jewelry

January 12, 2018/ Made in St Augustine/ Made In STA

C&R de Raadt Design Handcrafts World-Class Jewelry

With an extensive international upbringing, the sisters Christine and Rosemarie de Raadt bring worldly influences to their handcrafted jewelry designs.

Born in Chile, and raised by their Danish mother and Dutch father, the de Raadts’ passion for design began during childhood. They have lived in Scandinavia, Europe and South America for most of their lives and much of their inspiration comes from these places.

Christine and Rosemarie taught themselves everything they know. They gained their knowledge through years of practice and creating pieces for family and friends.

January 11, 2018

St. Augustine Textile Arts Guild Keeps Traditions and Skills Alive

January 11, 2018/ Made in St Augustine/ Made In STA

St. Augustine Textile Arts Guild Keeps Traditions and Skills Alive

Textile arts have been part of St. Augustine’s culture since the city was founded. The Textile Arts Guild was formed in 1995 to perpetuate the textile arts of the past for the future.

The members of the group are interested in all kinds of fiber arts, both colonial and contemporary. Among their skillsets and talents are weaving, spinning, lace and paper making, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, felting, needle punching, basketry and more.

Weekly studios, monthly meetings and special demonstration events throughout the year keep members engaged.

January 10, 2018

The Lioness Proudly Calls St. Augustine Home

January 10, 2018/ Made in St Augustine/ Made In STA

The Lioness Proudly Calls St. Augustine Home

Sometimes you just know when you have found your home. That’s how it was for Alura Dye, owner of The Lioness Elite Hair and Skin Care, the first time she visited St. Augustine.

Upon graduating from Redken Academy she came to the nation’s oldest city and instantly fell in love. She took a day to visit places, meet people and admire the architecture – and was completely smitten with all of the local businesses and how much locals support them.

She immediately decided this was the type of place she’d like to call home and where she would like to start her business. So, she moved here the very next day.

Alura loved the idea of a town being drenched in love and support by its locals and how they helped put hard working passionate small businesses in the realm of success. She knew this was something she needed to be a part of.

January 09, 2018

Made-From-Scratch Business Brings St. Augustine Made-From-Scratch Pizzas

January 09, 2018/ Made in St Augustine/ Made In STA

Made-From-Scratch Business Brings St. Augustine Made-From-Scratch Pizzas

Upon retiring many have dreams of travel, leisure or pursuing life-long hobbies. Jimmy and Susan DeAcutis took a completely different route. They chose a brand new career path when they started Jimmy’s Pizza.

The DeAcutis family moved to St. Augustine from New York in 2013. Jimmy had taken an early retirement from a telecom company in 2011 and his wife, a school teacher, saw an opportunity to change their lives for the better and move to St. Augustine. When they had visited relatives here for Christmas in 2011, they instantly fell in love with the city and its people, beaches and history. They had grown tired of the winters in New York and so in July, they packed up and moved down with their three children. Sue found a job immediately, and the move and new life was wonderful for everyone.

After the move, Jimmy tried different ventures and writing. Earlier, he had published a book called Peter Cooper and the Pirate King and was working on the sequel – but thought he should probably look for work to help supplement their income and savings. However, nothing Jimmy came up with really appealed to him. He had spent his previous career tied behind a desk and knew he didn’t want to do that again. Other than writing and being a musician, there was really nothing he was passionate about. Except cooking!

January 07, 2018

Regalia Gives New Life to Vintage and Antique

January 07, 2018/ Made in St Augustine/ Made In STA

Regalia Gives New Life to Vintage and Antique

Regalia is a St. Augustine brand that has been foraged through many years of international travel and vintage collecting where each piece reflects the love of all things repurposed and remembered.

The brand comes in many (very affordable!) forms including home goods, clothing, accessories, jewelry and paper goods. From recycled vinyl record sleeve notebooks to rare restyled T-shirts, and then all the way to antique teacup candles, Regalia has made sure all the basis are covered.

From a young age, owner Rosalie Cocci enjoyed all things vintage and antique and began her collection as soon as she could earn an allowance. These collections turned into creations as she grew into adolescence. The style she chose to express herself could not be found in any department store. By combing collections of vintage and the desire to be different, Rosalie was able to create a whole line of goods with solid branding.

January 06, 2018

Knotilus Bringing Back the Art of Macramé

January 06, 2018/ Made in St Augustine/ Made In STA

Knotilus Bringing Back the Art of Macramé

Jessica Stark began doing macramé in elementary school when string boxes were the “in” thing. Jessica is bringing back the trend with Knotilus, her business handcrafting macramé pieces.

As a kid, Jessica and her friends would spend hours making friendship bracelets, anklets and necklaces for each other. Within the last six months, she decided to pick the skill back up and challenged herself to make a wall hanging for her husband’s birthday. In the process, she rekindled her love for the craft of macramé.

Jessica’s favorite pieces to create are large intricate wall hangings that incorporate different materials such as shells, beads and feathers. Some of her pieces even light up! She recently started collaborating with Lotus Island Threads to make macramé pieces for their handmade bathing suits. Jessica loves the fact that the possibilities in the craft of macramé are endless.

January 05, 2018

Ramon Personal Chef Hits it Out of the Park

January 05, 2018/ Made in St Augustine/ Made In STA

Ramon Personal Chef Hits it Out of the Park

Ramon Alvarez hit a homerun when he moved from being a professional baseball player to becoming a personal chef.

Ramon first came to the United States 37 years ago to play ball but when that didn’t go as planned, he began cooking at Chili’s. He already knew how to cook Spanish food but it turns out he showed real talent – something Chili’s quickly recognized and therefore sent him to the company’s culinary arts school. He moved up in the company becoming a corporate trainer and then managing the St. Augustine Chili’s for more than 10 years.

One of his co-workers at Chili’s branched out on his own and started the Florida Cracker Café on St. George Street. Ramon joined him as chef and kitchen manager where he remained until a few months ago when he began working full-time as Ramon Personal Chef, his food truck and catering business.

January 04, 2018

Live Mermaid Spreads Good Vibes and Positive Messages

January 04, 2018/ Made in St Augustine/ Made In STA

Live Mermaid Spreads Good Vibes and Positive Messages

Lynette Bower feels at home under water. But more than that, she finds a sense of peace and positivity swimming in the sea. By being a live mermaid, she is able to bring these feelings of joy and happiness to terra firma delighting both children and adults.

Growing up by the ocean, Lynette learned to snorkel at a very young age. She used to swim with the fish and pretend she was a mermaid by crossing her ankles together to make a pretend tail. She always felt a great connection with sea creatures. She would frequent places like the Miami Seaqaurium where she and the dolphins would gaze into each other’s eyes. She also loved watching Jacques Cousteau on television so she could learn about the fish she came face-to-face with while snorkeling.

January 03, 2018

Minorcan Mike’s Carries on the Datil Pepper Legacy

January 03, 2018/ Made in St Augustine/ Made In STA

Minorcan Mike’s Carries on the Datil Pepper Legacy

Like the datil pepper, the O’Steen family has been part of St. Augustine’s history since the beginning. It seems only natural that this fiery pepper would be part of the O’Steen family legacy.

As a kid, Mike O’Steen can vividly remember his grandfather growing datil pepper plants in his hothouse. Mike learned at an early age not only how to cultivate the peppers, but also how to cook with this staple ingredient of our local cuisine.

Ten years ago, Mike returned to his datil pepper roots and began making sauces as a hobby for oyster roasts. He figured out how to perfect his family’s recipe and create the amazing sauce Minorcan Mike’s offers today.

January 01, 2018

Lotus Island Takes Mother Nature up on her Offer

January 01, 2018/ Made in St Augustine/ Made In STA

Lotus Island Takes Mother Nature up on her Offer

As a Florida girl, born and raised near the beach, Jamie Compton has always loved the outdoors, sunshine and what the Earth provides us to enjoy.

She decided to pursue that love by becoming a Master Herbalist and create her own herbal remedies. She began by using her education to create products for herself and her family. Through Lotus Island Remedies, Jamie now passes her knowledge to the world offering ways for everyone to take advantage of what Mother Nature intended us to use to keep our bodies happy and healthy.

Jamie is a firm believer that we have everything we need right here on this planet to keep our bodies as healthy and happy as possible. She believes that in most cases for common ailments, symptoms can be curbed with a simple diet change and old fashioned herbal remedies just like those made in our grandmothers’ kitchen. Through Lotus Island Remedies, it is Jamie’s intention to provide these same types of herbal remedies for the benefit of the world to experience a healthier way of day-to-day living.

December 28, 2017

Costa Brava Brings Mediterranean Cuisine to St. Augustine

December 28, 2017/ Made in St Augustine/ Made In STA

Costa Brava Brings Mediterranean Cuisine to St. Augustine

Costa Brava brings the flavors of the Mediterranean to downtown St. Augustine with a delectable sharing menu and a comprehensive wine list. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the restaurant invites guests to start or end their day at their location inside the Casa Monica Resort and Spa.

The menu takes guests on a culinary journey along the Mediterranean with dishes inspired by North African, Spanish and coastal cuisine. The sumptuous menu includes dishes such as Mediterranean Baked Salmon, Sherry Baked Sea Bass, Kessler Calamari, Bleu Cheese Beef Tenderloin – just to name a few.

December 22, 2017

Building Handcrafted Outdoor Furniture for St. Augustine

December 22, 2017/ Made in St Augustine/ Made In STA

Building Handcrafted Outdoor Furniture for St. Augustine

Anyone driving down US 1 South has noticed the property adorned with picnic tables, swings and benches and a sign stating “Handcrafted Outdoor Furniture.”

This is where lifelong St. Augustine resident Roger LeBlanc who, as the name implies, makes items such as picnic tables, swings, benches, gliders, chairs, children’s furniture and playground sets completely by hand.

Some would say his talent runs in his blood. Roger’s father was trained as a master carpenter by his father and uncles. Roger’s father then passed his talent and knowledge on to his sons teaching them the art of woodworking and carpentry.

December 19, 2017

Martin Story Designs Pieces Together Works of Art

December 19, 2017/ Made in St Augustine/ Made In STA

Martin Story Designs Pieces Together Works of Art

Marlene Zullig is a local award-winning artist who has been working with stained glass and metal for more than 30 years. But her inspiration - and the namesake of her business - date back even farther.

Marlene named her business, Martin Story Designs, after her two grandmothers, Evelina Martin and Rosanna Story. Evelina was a true Renaissance woman who could hand-make anything. She was a master quilter and could create a dress or gown simply from a mental image. Rosanna, Marlene’s other grandmother, was the person who always encouraged her to reach beyond providing Marlene an immense amount of inspiration.

Marlene likens stained glass to hand-quilting in that each piece is individually cut out and pieced together to form beautiful art. She says she used to watch her grandmother make beautiful quilts from scraps of material, and she connects with her by working with stained glass in the same way.

December 13, 2017

Saint Augustine Garrison Recreates History

December 13, 2017/ Made in St Augustine/ Made In STA

Saint Augustine Garrison Recreates History

Step back in time and experience Colonial Spanish St. Augustine. The Saint Augustine Garrison makes it possible. This group of reenactors portrays the life and times of the Spanish soldiers and their families in the 1740s.

During this time period, St. Augustine was a remote outpost on the fringes of the Spanish empire established to protect the Spanish treasure fleets that were returning to Spain along Florida’s east coast. Daily life was extremely difficult for soldiers and their families. Not only were they under constant threat of attack from hostile Indians, they were also combatting British invaders laying claim to Spanish territory from the north. Relief supply ships and reinforcements from the New Spain (Mexico) sometimes took years to arrive. It truly was a struggle to survive in this extremely harsh environment for those who lived in the first continuous colony in the new world.