“Drapery and variety,” plants, handiwork

Press, 17 November 1981, Page 16

“Drapery and variety,” plants, handiwork

The Linwood Drapery and Variety Shop was the first new store to open in the second stage of Linwood's new shopping complex. Besides knitting wools and accessories and women’s and children’s nightwear and undergarments, there is a surprisingly large number of women’s and children’s outer garments, from casual to dressy. The main brand names are Chelsea, Miss Jennie and Jennie Casuals. A Nice Girl Like You, Cotura and Lyn Maid. @ At the far end of the newest new block is the “Finishing Touch,” formerly the “Pot-pourri” of Kaiapoi. It is primarily an indoor plants shop but there is much else besides. For example, in addition to plant containers of all kinds, Mary Hazeldine specialises in novelty ceramics and cane goods. The novelty ceramics Mary makes herself for use as planters. Also rather special are some pieces of Canadian Blue Mountain pottery. There are cane pot plant stands as well as wooden ones, macrame hangers, cane pot containers and even a few cane lampshades. ®By the alleyway at the opposite side of the development is Buck-wood Crafts, a mind-boggling profusion of mainly hand-crafted articles. The prices are highly competitive, as things are sold on a consignment basis for people working at home. There are machine-knitted and hand-knitted jumpers marked at around $26, soft toys from $1.50 upwards and a selection of dolls’ clothes, many at $2 or less. Garments for babies and

children range from $5 to $2O and there are tailored shirts at about $22. Other items include wooden toys, leather sandals, embroidery, macrame, cane work, ceramics, beaten copper work and a host of knick knacks.