Rustburg Vines: hand-made custom wreaths, home decor, and more
In 2017, Ruth Sholes’ husband George was involved in a life-changing motorbike accident which left him out of work for months during his recovery. After multiple reconstructive surgeries over the years, George would eventually need a leg amputation.
Ruth, who was working in education and management, began making and selling 18-inch grapevine wreaths as a way to raise funds to help cover the cost of the surgery.
Because Ruth is well known in the schools in Rustburg, as well as being known through the community of Concord and Appomattox County where she grew up, she had several friends and acquaintances support her venture by buying her beautiful hand-made wreaths. Her fundraiser really became quite a success!
Days before her husband’s surgery appointment, her mom Patricia King, unexpectedly passed away. Twelve days later, Ruth's father, Irby King, (who was a well-known roofer in Appomattox at King’s Roofing, Inc.) fell from his porch, breaking his neck. This accident left him paralyzed. Ruth took time off of work to help give continuous care to her father, along with her sisters, for the next year until his passing. All along, George still awaited his surgery.
Ruth continued making wreaths as a way to raise funds, and in January of 2022, George received the amputation he needed.
Home Decor and More
Not only is she creative and crafty, Ruth Sholes also holds a doctorate degree in business, which comes in handy these days as Rustburg Vines is now her full time business. Her shop is located just a short distance (maybe 20 minutes or so) from Appomattox on Campbell Avenue in Lynchburg inside a log cabin behind a winding and wooded gravel drive.
Her wreaths vary from simple and sophisticated to fun and sassy. The “vines” part of her business name - and the exposed vines in her wreaths - carry a special meaning for her. To Ruth, the vines represent the crown of thorns that was worn by Jesus.
Ruth will tell you that she is a powerful praying woman. She prays over each wreath she makes as well as for each home where it will be hung and the families who dwell in those homes. Ruth’s faith in God has remained steadfast even after having been through an unusual amount of obstacles and tragedy over the last few years. Her faith, now, is stronger than ever.
....And More!
Ruth has a passion for wagon wheels, and she loves to create wagon wheel wreaths- donning greenery, ribbon, and artificial flowers onto a wheel. This unique wall accent has been a huge hit, adding beauty to something that’s traditionally rustic, and bringing the outdoors in.
Another creative home decor item that Ruth makes is her Red Truck centerpieces. Each model-size traditional red farm truck comes with a seasonal bouquet of artificial greenery, flowers, ribbons, and more which sit in the truck bed. The bouquet is interchangeable, and when the seasons change, for example, you can simply remove a current bouquet and replace it with a new arrangement for the next season or holiday.
Recently, Ruth added car freshies (air fresheners) for sale in her store. These are wooden ornaments which are made to be hung or placed in your car. Each wooden freshie is topped with beads, including a lava bead. Simply add 3-5 drops of essential oil (which is included with your purchase) on the lava bead or on the wooden ornament and place it in your car. The fragrance will last a good while and when it starts to fade, simply add a few more oil drops to the freshie. Each freshie comes with an oil dropper filled with 50 drops of essential oil.
Ruth also creates t-shirts (sizes small - 3XL (with the ability to order 4XL and 5XL, also)), bleached shirts, earrings, luxury throw blankets, pillows, doormats, mugs, cups, and more by adding images onto each item through the sublimation process. She has already-made designs ready for purchase, and she can also make a custom design specified to your liking.
See you at the market
Many weekends, you’ll find her set up with her wreaths and other items for sale at vintage and vendor markets around the area, including the Vintage and Artisans Market in Appomattox, the Chippy Hippie Market in Gladstone, the Mountain View Vintage Market in Bedford, the Christmas on the Farm in Amherst, and Lakefest in Clarksville. She will also sell her wreaths and decor at the Historical Annual Railroad Festival in Appomattox this year.
If you’d like to visit the Rustburg Vines shop, it is open each week, Wednesday through Friday from 10am to 7pm. It’s located at 3937 Campbell Avenue in Lynchburg, just four miles after turning left onto Campbell Avenue when you’re visiting from Appomattox.
Learn more or shop online at rustburgvines.com. Check out Ruth on TikTok. Like and follow her on Instagram, her business page on Facebook, and be sure to join her private Facebook group, too, where she often goes "live" to show her recent projects! You can also email rustburgvines@yahoo.com or call 434-546-3143 to discuss custom orders.
This post is a paid advertisement. Some photos provided by Rustburg Vines. If you're interested in promoting your business on the Appomattox Happenings website, email, and social media, contact Teresa Davis through the contact form below or email appomattoxhappenings@gmail.com
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