Creative new business opens in Sleeman

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Two of Sleeman’s newest residents, Linda and Dennis Watson, are also the community’s newest entrepreneurs.
Dennis was born and raised in Fort Frances but left the area in 1972. His wife, Linda, also lived and went to school in the area, having attended Rainy River High School for two years.
Dennis entered the mining industry and travelled the world. He worked in Saudi Arabia, Alaska and the Yukon, just to name a few. For a time, he settled on the west coast in Vancouver, BC. After mining he started a furniture making and woodworking craft business. It was very successful and eventually lead him to a home renovation business.
Linda has always been a painter. Spending many years in the hotel management business, she kept her art on the side.
So when the pair reconnected a few years ago through family and friends in this area, they decided to retire and move here. After looking at several places around the district they found the former Vi Marchuk residence in Sleeman and were lovestruck. “It was the perfect setting we were looking for,” said Linda.
For the past year or so they have been using their creative talents to renovate the home completely. However, with that effort coming to completion, they needed something to keep them busy.
Hence, the start-up of L & D Creations was in the cards. L & D, uses Dennis” woodworking talents to create many different items for Linda to paint. For the past month they have been busy doing just that making many decorative items for the holiday season. “We have one room completely full in the house now,” said Dennis.
They thought this would be the perfect time to start up a craft business and are planning to do their first marketing at a craft show in Fort Frances this month and have plans to attend the Rainy River Hospital Auxiliary Bazaar in a few weeks. “We are going to hit as many shows as we can in the area and see what works,” said Dennis.
He said that when he was in Vancouver, he basically made whatever the market demanded. Sometimes it was a learning experience. “I made and sold wooden mailboxes like crazy on the mainland. Then I went over to an island and could not sell a one. At first I was stumped. But then I asked someone why they were not interested in them and discovered they did not have door to door mail delivery!”
Their craft items range in price from about $9 to $110. Dennis makes most of his stuff out of pine and Linda decorates it if need be. “We can also make it plain,” (i.e. a stool just varnished). Dennis is also open to making cabinets or furniture items upon request.
While Christmas is their main target right now, Linda is thinking well beyond that. “I have the molds to make garden sculptures and stepping stones. We will be working on those right after the holidays!” She also repairs and paints old garden sculptures. They have photos of other work they have done and can do that people can look at and place orders.
If they have an item that they only have a limited quantity of, Dennis said they can take orders and will get them ready in time for the holidays!
While they haven’t set up a store front in Sleeman, they have pondered renting space somewhere to do so. But for now they are going to see how much business is out there.
They are interested in making just about anything that comes along. If you are interested in seeing their work or ordering something specific you can call them at 852-4540 or watch for them at upcoming craft shows!