VELVET
OTTER
VELVET OTTER
The Vintage Side of Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Smooth Velvet And A Sassy Otter
An Inspiration on Inspiration Point
From Vintage to Steampunk
By sydney m. conover
One of many hot spots in Eureka Springs, Arkansas is the Velvet Otter. Eureka Springs, is home to many a fine establishment. From restaurants to original artworks, from historical sites to modern trends, from downtown to the outskirts of town it is a city that people flock to by the thousands. Some never leave. Some move away and they ultimately come back. That is exactly how the Velvet Otter came to be.
Owner Cheryl Thielemann developed a deeper love for antiques and collectibles after attending estate sales. Living in Little Rock with its plethora of estate sales for seven years afforded her much time to start a vast and varied collection of items. After her daughter went to college and a short stint in Fayetteville, Arkansas Cheryl decided it was time to move back closer to “home” and her parents. She grew up about 20 miles from Eureka. Roughly two years ago after relocating back in the Springs she stumbled upon perhaps one of the greatest opportunities. One that would enable her to combine her love of antiques and the beauty of Eureka. Hence the marriage of a prime location and a wonderful passion for upcycling and repurposing. This time though, she would own the full shop. Not a shop within a shop. Since her higher education was in merchandising she feels opening the Velvet Otter has brought her full circle. A circle that seems to spin its best in October. Cheryl likens her boosts in sales during this month to the many benefits of the changing seasons. Seems the fall colors are a boon for more than just their beauty.
The Velvet Otter is located on Inspiration Point, a rather breathtaking curve with an equally impressive view, the Velvet Otter caught my eye not only for its name (who doesn’t love otters and velvet, the combination of the two is quite intriguing) but for the four words that hang freely from below her sign: Repurposed & Vintage Finds. A sure sign I will have an interest is Artisans using materials that they recycle into reuse items as this helps to reduce items going to a landfill. There is something intensely gratifying in knowing an item is created through repurposing.
Given I work not only as a blogger but as the assistant director of a recycle center, those four words on the Velvet Otter’s sign are right up my alley. There isn’t much I enjoy more than seeing someone putting into motion Reduce, Reuse, Recycle with vintage, repurposing and upcycling. From the moment I walked through the door of the Velvet Otter I was in love. It is something about the feeling you get, when you combine a respect for the environment, beautiful works of art, vintage treasures, a spectacular view, and scents appealing enough to please any nose that knows. What you get is a shop that is so quaint you want to move in. To surround your self with all its beauty and wonder, knowing many items are created through upcycling which lends to a strong nostalgic feel. A feel I find to be extra- otter -nary. That is exactly what happened for me that day in September, when I met Cheryl and perused her shop. I wanted to move in.
I could so live here.
As the Velvet Otter’s About page so sweetly states, “At Velvet Otter we strive to reuse & recycle in a creative fashion by repurposing & upcycling home decor and furniture. By doing this we are able to make one-of-a-kind, unique items. We also carry consignment items provided by local Artisans, as well as a variety of Arkansas products, which can be arranged into beautiful gift baskets for any and all occasions. We're located on Hwy 62 West next to Castle Antiques at Inspiration Point. Hope to see you soon!”
Here is a fine example of upcycling and repurposing found at the Velvet Otter. A vintage sewing machine drawer turned into a planter box. As clever as an otter, as smooth as velvet. This piece combines a love of plants, all things environmental, with practical reuse and recycle of old vintage materials.
I asked Cheryl if she ships and she gave me a resounding oh so velvet yes. So don’t hesitate to give her a call if you visited the Velvet Otter and have regrets for that purchase you didn’t make, or even if you see something you just can’t live without on the Velvet Otter Facebook page. Either way you are sure to enjoy and once you visit the Velvet Otter you will leave more inspired than before you walked through the door. Think Recycle, Reduce, Reuse and yes, Repurposing.
When you can’t resist this temptation and make your way to the Velvet Otter, be certain to let owner, Cheryl Thielemann know you saw this article on Little Rock Our City Radio. For me, I'm otter my mind for the Velvet Otter.
If you happen to be out and about for the day, you may want to consider driving from Eureka Springs on over to Rogers and visiting Tracie at Arkansas Pickers. This vintage shop happens to be near Beaver Lake which is another location you will want to visit. This establishment helps to reduce materials going to the landfill by reselling vintage items.
Business spotlight the Velvet Otter in Eureka Springs, Arkansas ... Update: unfortunately the shops are no longer open.