The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Old Oak Country Decor
by Melanie Sharpe-Lessen, Quill Reporter
Even at 16, Sheila Graham was refinishing and reusing, recreating furniture she found at auctions.
She actually bought a Bentwood highchair that she refinished, having the foresight of children one day in her life.
She has been refinishing, refurbishing and recreating furniture and about anything else that inspires her ever since.
Old Oak Country Dˇcor is owned and operated by Sheila Graham for about a year now. She is located on 1373 East Route 96 in Lomax. It's a tan ranch style home just before the ball diamond and gas station in Lomax.
Sheila's store is actually part of her home, a nicely renovated attached garage. She and her son renovated the garage when Sheila was between jobs.
She had some time to spare and wanted to have her own store since she and her sister, Wanda Karatzer, had been showing their handmade wares at craft shows for years.
It is truly her hobby and creative outlet. She reuses and repurposes about anything she can get her hands on. She hears her work is unexpected and unique, that is why many of her customers stop by frequently, just to see her latest creation.
The store is filled with rustic items from antiques to furniture, crafts, primitives, and yard dcor. Currently Sheila is setting up for her Christmas Open House, scheduled for this Friday and Saturday the 11th and 12th.
Besides furniture, one of Sheila's other specialties is hand sculpted Santas.
She sculpts the faces and makes the bodies out of rich material like fur, old quilts or corduroy. The pose able little men sell out yearly.
Shelia says the response from customers and neighbors to her work are great encouragement.
She feels appreciated and is happy to be able to meet her neighbors this way. She is pleased she has been able to meet so many fabulous people in the area.
Sheila is married to David Graham and the two have been together since Sheila was 13. They have two children, Justin of Burlington, Iowa and Josie of Burlington as well. Sheila also has a 4-year-old granddaughter, Jenna.
Look for the ad in The Quill this week about Sheila's Christmas Open House, and be sure to visit this weekend. Her phone number is 217.449.3814.