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Jubilee offerings include age-old way to keep clean
By LaRITA JACOBS, Times Correspondent
Published October 22, 2007
LARGO - Some hobbies get your hands dirty. Mari Blaquiere's hobby gets you clean. Homemade soap is her specialty. "I thought soapmaking would be a natural and economical way to care for my family's daily hygiene," Blaquiere, 52, said. "The reality is that it's an expensive and time-consuming hobby." She hopes to recoup some of her expenses Saturday at the annual Pinellas County Historical Society's Country Jubilee. This year's celebration marks the 30th birthday of Heritage Village, the 21-acre local history museum at 11909 125th St. N in Largo. The event will feature live music, a parade, craft demonstrations and hands-on living history activities. Participants can also meet descendants of pioneer families. Blaquiere, of St. Petersburg, is in charge of renting the craft booths and has volunteered more than 100 hours to make the event happen. All 135 booths are booked for this year's event. Blaquiere's soap booth will be filled with her bestsellers, like the glycerin bars molded around a rubber duck or eye-popping frog. Other popular bars include ducks with Halloween, angel or sports themes, and pink, purple and green frogs. "I think more go to adults than children," Blaquiere said, smiling. Blaquiere uses everything from antique gelatin molds to candy dishes to create her unexpected designs. Scents and colors can be blended. Blaquiere's original signature scent is White Russian, a blend of lavender, vanilla and patchouli. While many people use the soaps for display, Blaquiere said she has a following of people who use the high-quality product for personal hygiene. "There are people who use it as their only soap," Blaquiere said. "I sell them two or three dozen at a time." Fast facts If you go What: 30th Annual Country Jubilee When: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday Where: Heritage Village, 11909 125th St. N, in Largo Details: Admission is free. Park at the lot on 119th Street between Ulmerton and Walsingham roads and take a free shuttle to the village. Questions? For more details, call (727) 582-2123
[Last modified October 21, 2007, 23:20:17]
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