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Seminole Medicine Man And Jewelrymaker Goes Retail

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By CLOE CABRERA | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 16, 2008

Bobby Henry, a full-blooded Seminole Indian medicine man known for his sought-after healing necklaces and bracelets, has opened a new retail store at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino.

The store, called Rainmaker after the title bestowed on Henry in 1985, is an authentic Native American arts and crafts store that features colorful clothing and jewelry, one-of-a-kind wood carvings, beadwork, paintings, dolls and other handmade merchandise from the Seminole and other North American tribes.

"I've been wanting [to open] a retail store for many years, before the Seminole Hard Rock was here," says Henry, 71. "I want to share the Seminole culture and traditions. I'm so proud that I'm able to do that now with Rainmaker."

Henry says he does not plan to sell his medicine at the store. He makes that only for special requests within the Seminole Tribe. He will have monthly demonstrations of woodcarving and bead working at the store.

Rainmaker will be run by Henry and his family. It's open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The store is located on the casino level, under the escalators leading to the south garage.

GEORGETTE'S GETS NEW DIGS

After 20 years at its Hyde Park locale, Georgette's and The Shoe Salon is settling into a new home at 141 S. Dale Mabry Highway.

The move takes the popular boutique from a 2,500-square-foot storefront in Old Hyde Park Village to a 5,200-square-foot space formerly occupied by Norwalk Furniture.

"I'm beyond excited," owner Georgette Diaz says. "I'm breathless. It's the first time in 30 years we've had an actual sign. We've always had a little sign in the window, but nothing like this one."

Diaz and daughters Tashia and Tiara opened the Hyde Park store the day after Thanksgiving in 1988. The store quickly became known in the Bay area and beyond for its elegant gowns, party dresses and accessories.

Georgette's was one of three original stores operating in Old Hyde Park Village in October when Diaz received an eviction notice from the center's management.

A STYLISH BOOK

You may not be able to afford those Manolo Blahnik alligator boots, but you can still indulge the style maven on your list with a gift of high style —and this one will last a lot longer.

"Style File: The World's Most Elegantly Dressed" by Ike Ude (Collins Design, $65) profiles 55 of the world's most influential style arbiters, including designers Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Zac Posen and Diane von Furstenberg. The subjects are photographed and asked amusing and revealing questions. It'll make a smart addition to any well-dressed coffee table.

HOLIDAY MUST-HAVE SWEATER IS HERE

In my Dec. 7 Hot Pursuits column, I featured a green cashmere sweater as a hot holiday look. It is so hot, in fact, that many fashionable readers contacted me wanting to know where to find it. The sweater is available at Kohl's department stores.

Got a fashion idea? Cloe Cabrera can be reached at (813) 259-7656. And be sure to try on the blog at TBO.com, Keyword: Hot Pursuits.

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