As you approach the Freeland Keystone Building at the corner of Commercial Avenue and Seventh Street in downtown Anacortes, there are signs for all kinds of attractions: Shabby French Market, Elisabeth’s Cottage, Bead Store, Jewelry, Antiques, Vintage, and Furniture. All of these are part of Elisabeth’s Cottage by the Sea, an eclectic business run by Elisabeth and Tom Freeland.
Photograph by Jessamyn Tuttle
The Freelands, originally from Arizona, had visited Anacortes on vacation, but moved there permanently to open their business 20 years ago. They had been selling their handmade jewelry on the gem show circuit, but wanted to settle down so their kids could attend school.
Photograph by Jessamyn Tuttle
They started with just two small rooms, but now the business takes up much of the building and, in addition to jewelry, contains antiques, new and used goods, furniture, and home décor, plus an entire bead store. Their location in the heart of downtown Anacortes draws in both locals and tourists, although looking in from the street you’d never guess how far back the shop goes, or how much there is to see inside. The store has multiple rooms, including a Beach Room and a Cabin and Lake Room, and downstairs is the Shabby French Market, filled with vintage, antiques, furniture, and new gift items.
Photograph by Jessamyn Tuttle
“We have a great mix,” says Tom. “Anybody that’s into antiques loves our store, and then anybody that normally wouldn’t go into antique stores loves our store.”
The pride of their shop is a gigantic carved turquoise, set in a mirrored case, which the Freelands claim to be the largest piece of carved turquoise in the world.
“I grew up in the turquoise business,” says Tom. “That’s why you see so much turquoise in here.”
He learned to work with turquoise from his father and has passed his knowledge on to his sons Nick and Tommy as well. Nick makes a lot of the turquoise jewelry sold in the shop.
Photograph by Jessamyn Tuttle
“When Nick first started driving, we said you’re going to have to make rings for us for gas money,” laughs Elisabeth.
The bead store, which they opened nine years ago, has its own storefront connected to the rest of the shop and is well supplied with everything a beader could possibly want. The combination of the bead store and jewelry shop works well, as people come in for supplies, advice, and inspiration.
“We inspire a lot of creativity,” says Tom. “They see finished pieces and it inspires them and then they want to go home and make something.”
Elisabeth mixes their own line of chalk paint that she uses to refinish old furniture pieces, and the shop carries products like stamps, Moulds, and Re-Design by Prima. They also plan to offer classes in the future.
“A lot of people will come in to buy paint to paint furniture and then the other products go along with it,” she says. “So Tom’s right, we have tons of people that come in to be creative.”
The shop is open every day except Tuesdays and Thursdays. 619 Commercial Ave., Anacortes, 360.588.1890, elisabethscottagebythesea.com
