Lisa Langford discovered her passion by way of an accidental shattering of glass. Teaching in the nursing field for years, she found herself disabled after a surgery and a stay at home mom with 2 boys. So how did shattered glass launch her new career? While remodeling a bathroom, she was reaching for a drill and accidentally shattered some glass shelves that landed onto an old antique window frame. The frame was intact, and the broken glass looked pretty laying on it. Being creative, she placed her mermaid plaque from her bathroom onto frame among the glass pieces and was surprised as to how attractive it looked. Lisa began her research on how to work with resin art and various techniques and came with up something quite unique and beautiful. Friends and family began to ask her to make something for their homes, gifts, etc., and the seed was planted. Could she turn this talent into a full fledge business and open a store? With her new passion brewing, she bought more windows from a salvager and began to make more decorative frames using sand, glue, glass and a variety of trinkets and sea shells. During the 2018 Chasco Fiesta, she sold 54 pieces at her friends business downtown in “just two weekends,” she states. Obviously, the next step was to open a shop. Her husband, Paul saw a “For Rent” sign in the old Boulevard Building, next to the Gateway Gallery and Emporium. They signed the lease and “that was it.” There was no turning back now. As renovations were underway, people were stopping by. Word on the street spread of the opening and some local artists began to show interest in what she was planning. “We wanted to give local artists an avenue to get exposure and sell their art,” and had no problem finding artists to sign up to be vendors inside her store. To make her story even more interesting or serendipitous, Lisa and her husband were on their way to an estate sale in search of display furniture. Along the road they saw 2 women selling artwork and repurposed furniture in their driveway. They bought all the furniture for the store. The two artists were curious and excited about her reason for the purchase and became vendors that day, and remain vendors to date! The story continues! They opened during the 2019 Chasco Fiesta parade, and made over $1000 on opening day! 3 months later, she had more vendors and found she needed more space! When it became available, she expanded, going from 800 sq. ft. to 1600 sq. ft., then, 3 months later the upstairs became available, (2700 sq ft). She decided to take advantage of the ballroom space to use for workshops, events, teaching classes and more. Her store now has 45 vendors. The wide variety of inventory ranges from paintings, soaps, hand and body creams, jewelry, funky sunglasses, shabby chic furniture, greeting cards, hand-made children’s clothing and more. An eclectic collection from like-minded artists! Lisa says “It was very serendipitous,” for all things to happen and to end up where she is now. One thing after another just seemed to fall into place. And staying true to her gratefulness for success and giving back to others, she gives away monthly donations of window hangings to various organizations. So it has all come together for Lisa and her husband Paul. A second chapter in her life and a new found passion. You can find Lis’s Pieces Artisan Boutique at 6214 Grand Blvd, Port Richey, FL 34652. 727.364.0841. www.lisspieces.com.
