Stella in Stitches, Local Music, History Hunt & more!
Stella in Stitches
From yarn to profit, one hook at a time.
Making dragons, plushies, and sweaters might not seem like a way to make a living, yet that’s exactly what Stella Wright is doing. Despite only starting last November, Stella is threading her newfound passion for crochet into a crafty business venture called Stitched by Stell. With a bustling Etsy shop and a colorful booth at the Homegrown in Horizon West market, 19-year-old Stella is already unraveling knots in the crafting community.
From a young age, Stella has always been deeply connected to creativity, expressing it through painting and competitive dance. She describes herself as someone who will often get fixated on one thing, staying focused for years before moving on to the next. She shares, “Our passions are what make us happy; they drive us.”
However, her latest fascination, crocheting, has fully entangled Stella. Her inspiration sparked when her boyfriend’s mom began making little crocheted gifts for her. This, along with a growing number of talented crocheters posting their creations on social media, spun Stella’s interest. There was just one thing left for her to do—learn how to crochet. She says, “I just went to the store, bought a crochet hook and yarn and said to myself, ‘Okay, just gonna go for it.’ And then, I was hooked.”
She chuckles, “There’s a stereotype around this craft—people automatically assume that only grandmothers crochet. What they don’t realize is that a lot of the crochet community is now a lot of younger people, some even younger than myself! It’s inspiring to see the newer generations with such a passion for it.”
Now, getting lost in patterns and colors is a daily routine for her. “I’ve been making quite a lot of dragons lately for custom orders. It’s always fun to create a piece for someone exactly how they are envisioning it—it’s fulfilling to know that I am making people happy with my art.” Custom commissions allow Stella to bring customer’s ideas to life. Constructing these ideas is only limited by fabric and imagination. Visualizing just what she can do with this medium is part of the fun for Stella, “I had someone ask me if I could do a Lightning McQueen recently,’” she says enthusiastically. “It’s random requests such as this that I’ve never thought of making, but it keeps it exciting!”
Unlike knitting, crochet can’t be replicated by a machine; it must be fashioned by hand. For Stella, joy comes from knowing her handmade creations can be appreciated for years to come. “It’s incredible to think of where my creations are now, because I made that, with my hands. That’s kind of crazy.”
History Hunt
Hidden secrets and hijinxs are all mapped out.
Looking for a fun way to learn about the history of our local community? Take a walk through downtown on the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation’s re-launched history hunt. To begin, stop by the Heritage Museum on Plant Street to grab your map. Then, your task is to find twelve treasure boxes hidden throughout historic downtown. Jim Crescitelli, Director of the Foundation enthusiastically says the hunt is a “great family activity.” The quest began around 20 years ago, but it was put on pause during the height of the COVID outbreak. “It was so popular in the past, people have been asking us when we would get it up and running again,” voices Jim. Well, ask and you shall receive. The history hunt has returned, and with some improvements. The treasure boxes now come with QR codes which can be scanned for more information. Once you have found all the boxes, return to the museum gift shop to receive your prize. Happy hunting!
Market Watch
Market Must Haves
We’re taking a fresh approach to our Saturday Market, and this month, we asked local vendors to share their favorite products with us. Get ready to discover a curated selection of the very best from our market.
John German
Ligneus Creations
“I love my handcrafted wooden bowls. If I can craft a piece of nature for someone to bring into their home, I feel accomplished.”
Mary, John and Walter
European Breads
“Our sourdough breads are our most popular. They are par-baked, so you can finish baking them at home. We also avoid artificial additives and preservatives.”
Brian + Hannah
You might recognize them as our recent Best of the Best winners—now get ready to dive deeper into their story!
Hannah Stokes and Brian George, the dynamic duo who clinched the title of Best Local Band in our recent Reader’s Poll, first crossed paths at an exhilarating jazz jam at Austin’s Coffee in Winter Park. Hannah recalls, “The singer that Brian was working with at the time heard me singing and she was like, ‘You guys need to play together.’”
Their initial band went on a temporary hiatus due to COVID, but their resonance was undeniable, leading them to reunite as a duo in autumn 2020. With Hannah’s musical journey weaving through alternative, folk, and soul influences, and Brian’s background blending rock with jazz studies, their covers bring a distinctive “improvisatory and jazz twist” to the table.
Their performances are as entertaining as they are innovative. At one notable show, they performed a playful rendition of “Baby Shark,” which prompted an audience member to offer $60 to make them stop—a fond memory that continues to make the pair chuckle.
Brian cherishes a moment when someone commented on their connection, calling it “electric chemistry,” a compliment that has stuck with them. With their debut singles now officially out on major platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, Hannah shares, “We’re excited to finally share our original music,” and Brian emphasizes, “We’re focused on developing songs that truly represent who we are.”
As they celebrate the launch of their singles, Brian + Hannah are just getting started. With their striking synergy and commitment to their craft, this duo is sure to keep fans on the edges of their seats.
Brian & Hannah
perform live at the Embassy
The Local/Em Agency team enjoys a mini office concert.
Dive into the heartbeat of our community with Vocal Locals, where we turn the spotlight on our neighbors, bringing out the laughter, stories, and unique charm that make our town truly special!
Jenny Parrish
Vintage Sky Salon
If I could have any superpower? Invisibility.
If I could dine with anybody—living or dead? Donald Trump.
If I could learn any language instantly? French; it just sounds so pretty.
Kate Marlowe
Polka Dotz
If I could have any superpower? Telepathy; it would be really cool.
If I could dine with anybody—living or dead? Millicent Patrick.
If I could learn any language instantly? Spanish.
Lexie Sutter
Southern Home Bakery
Summer or Winter Olympics: Summer.
Best thing about Winter Garden: Shopping—I’m a shopaholic, and The Hive Boutique is my favorite. *wink*
Favorite thing to do in the summer: Shopping for sweaters, even in the summer!
Sunrise or sunset: Sunset.
A Very Special
Occasion
On September 13th, the West Orange Observer proudly celebrates its 119th anniversary, marking a storied journey. Founded in 1905 by Editor A.B. Newton and a printer named March, the paper began as the Winter Garden Ricochet. Over its rich history, the paper has evolved through numerous names and owners but has consistently served as a vital community voice. Today, known as the West Orange Times, it proudly upholds its legacy as “The Voice of West Orange.”
Ravings!
Sean O’Neill, the man behind the area’s rowdiest
Facebook group reshares some standouts.
Feeding the Fire
In July, the WG-RRR family felt it was time to give back to our community’s unsung heroes—the brave firefighters and dedicated dispatchers who keep us safe every day. These extraordinary individuals are not just the backbone of our community’s safety; they are our neighbors, friends, and family members. What better way to express our deep respect and gratitude? With food, of course! A huge RAVE to these local businesses for their generous donations: Frankie Liz and Daniel’s Cheesesteak House; Laurie Kelley Tarter from Chef’s Table and The Attic Door; Val Kelly and Sandra’s Seafood & Soul Kitchen; Andy Raphael and Big Boards Charcuterie; Georgia Craven Goddard and Southern Steer Butcher Orlando; Lopez Felipe, Martha López-Jimenez and Antojitos Locos; Matt Nehmatallah and Edible Arrangements.
Gentlemen, get ready to nail your grooming game! Hammer & Nails (@hammerandnailsgrooming) is now open. From precision haircuts and skincare to hand and foot care, plus shaves and beard treatments, they’ve got everything to keep you looking sharp.
Not to be outshined, the ladies are flocking to Paint Nail Bar (@paintwintergarden) a luxe, non-toxic nail experience that’s as polished as they are.
97 first year students walked through the doors at the new Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (@ocomorlando) last month—an epic $200 million investment in the community!
Speaking of investments, West Orange Chamber (@westorangechamber) brought back its Horizon West Networking Group.
It will meet the 1st and 3rd Thursday at Overture 55+ Hamlin (@OvertureHamlin), from 8-9 am.
Things are booming over in Ocoee, too! Apex Fit (@apexfitocoee) announced a 140,000 sq. ft. expansion that will include basketball and volleyball courts, outdoor turf space, a med spa and restaurant. Vasant Sports is serving up pickleball dreams for Ocoee. Though the City passed on their 44-court pitch, local fans are still hoping for a big win this fall.
Speaking of pickleball, our favorite renegade country cover artist Mark Houghton is opening Renegade Pickleball Shop (@renegadepickleball), your one-stop-shop for all things pickleball.
And last but not least, Jeff’s Bagel Run is on a roll.
With new spots in Celebration and Clermont, they’ve just bagged local favorite Otus Coffee! Bagels and coffee? We’re already in line!
