Amelia's Coastal Treasures: SL's Largest Coastal-Themed Store: Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) Reporting ~ The SL Enquirer

Amelia's Coastal Treasures: SL's Largest Coastal-Themed Store: Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) Reporting

I had just come into possession of new digs, and I set about the daunting task of furnishing the place. I wanted a place that was functional, yet contemporary looking. A place where I could comfortably reside, without breaking the bank to do so. It was during this search that I stumbled, quite literally, on Amelia’s Coastal Treasures. As one of the newest furnishings stores sporting a Coastal theme, I happened upon Amelia, the owner, and asked if she might take a few moments out of her busy schedule and answer a few questions for the benefit of our SL Enquirer readers, and she graciously consented to do so.

Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) (JB): So tell me Amelia. Can you share a little about your SL experience and your initial involvement here in the Virtual World?

Amelia Corryong (AC): I started out like many, just exploring and finding out what all SL had to offer. Learning how to walk straight, transform my orange avatar into something halfway appealing, all the things. *Laughs* I had several relationships, friendships and of course went through the various trends such as Bloodlines, dancing, club ownership, MC life-then found out I had a talent as a DJ. I got my start at Turbo DJ (The Rock) and from there went to various clubs including Wet Willies, Ohana, Big Daddy's, to name a few. I very much enjoyed DJing and although I DJed for a few smaller clubs under this avatar, I did most of my DJing through another avatar named Shannon Celestalis. I met someone in world and it evolved into real life and not only had I found my Prince Charming, but my Prince Charming's castle was 10 or 11 blocks from the beach-so two life-long dreams came together for me at once. I met my now RL husband and lived my dream of being literally a few blocks from the ocean and surrounded by all the things I love with the man I love. We knocked around on SL for a while longer, but at some point, thereafter both of us were in a place where we did not desire to be in SL. We both took fairly long hiatuses from SL and it was only when I got a little bored and wanted an outlet to create that I returned.

JB: So then, do you still DJ from time to time?

AC: Sadly, no. The only left-over from any of that is my radio station, Iron Horse Radio, which is a rock and metal themed station. I started that up whilst living in Florida. We streamed to many clubs and MC properties during that time. Once I came back regularly, I dusted off my SAM and restarted the station, although at this point it mainly just plays on my sim. Shameless plug- you can listen at

http://gostream.store:8774 .

JB: That seems like quite a direction change. How did you make the jump from DJing to creating?

AC: Initially, my interest when I returned to SL was in photography. Once I got into the photography a little deeper, I wanted to add effects to my photos and that led to my learning Photoshop. Learning PS in turn, led to the starting point of designing and creating and bringing me to where I am now.

JB: So, what was the thought process behind creating your store, Amelia's Coastal Treasures?

AC: My opinion has been that most successful money-making ventures have a niche so to speak. The business needs to offer something that sets them apart or has enough mass appeal that if there are several of you doing it, you can still have some interest and success from other residents. I thought about it and it seemed to me like most SL residents were of the same mind as me with regard to their living preferences. It seemed to me that most wanted a beach- themed property or at the very least, a water-front property of some sort. My idea was to cater to that. It was, after all, what I loved and I figured there were plenty of others who had to feel the same. During the time I really started concentrating on the store, my husband accepted a job in another (not a coastal) state, which took us away from the beach living that I so loved, so not only was I designing and creating these things for hobby purposes, but also for therapy, so to speak.

JB: In your opinion, what sets you apart from other stores that offer tropical or beach-themed items?

AC: To use your words, the fact that they offer tropical or beach themed items sets me apart from many of them. I think the sheer size of my store, variety of items and immense array of items offered is what I feel sets me apart. I have knowledge of some Tropical - themed stores in world and think they are great! I have shopped at many of them, will continue to do so and admire their work and their creativity. That being said, most of the ones I was and am familiar with, did not offer the scope or size of what I wanted to. I offer everything from coastal front door mats to coastal tp holders. Every single item such as components of living room furniture, bedroom furniture, kitchen items, etc. all have a coastal or nautical theme or color palette. At my store you can furnish and decorate literally every room in your home, top to bottom, in one shopping experience. Inside and out.

JB: Is your focus on decor and the above mentioned items, or do you also offer coastal themed homes and skyboxes?

AC: Of course I had to venture into home building! I have many coastal homes for sale and although I am planning on creating some in the future, currently I do not have any skybox homes.

JB: What is the one thing you would like people to know about you and your store?

AC: If I had to pick one thing, I would have to say that I would like them to know that I do this because of the sheer joy it brings me. While it has become more profitable in the past few years for me, the impetus for me doing what I do has nothing to do with trying to make money and everything to do with loving the creating and designing side of what I am doing. Every time a customer messages me to tell me how much they love my store I take such pride and joy in hearing it. I am honored and so appreciative that people love what I do and as long as I continue to find pleasure in creating, there will continue to be an Amelia's Coastal Treasures.

JB: Where can people find your store on SL Marketplace and in-world?

AC: Sadly, probably less than five percent of my content is on my MP right now. It is something I have not kept up with and now it has snowballed to the point where it is absolutely overwhelming to think about trying to get it all uploaded to MP. It is my intention however, at some point when I can find more time, to do just that. The best option is to visit the in-world store which is located at

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fernandina%20Beach/120/255/22 .

If you are just looking at MP, you are missing the bulk of what the store offers.

JB: Thanks so much for sharing your experience and taking the time to talk with me about the store. Best of luck to you in this new adventure.

AC: Thank you as well for the opportunity and thank you to SL Enquirer as well.

So there you have it, Folks. For those of you who are in the market for some of the newest home furnishings anywhere, whether you want a full room of furniture, or accent pieces to dress up what you already have, you are sure to find something to your liking at Amelia’s Coastal Treasures. I wish to express a special Thanks also to Annalise Dawn, who aided in the completion of this article. So, hop on by. And when you do, tell ‘em Josh sent you. You’ll be glad you did.

Be there! Aloha!