By Darragh Doiron
The Port Arthur News
May 02, 2008 04:15 pm
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ESTELLE BARBOSA
Occupation: Owner of Estelle’s Jewelry, 3025 Main Ave., Groves.
Fast fact: Visitors are impressed by her unusual white bird of paradise
Quick Quote: “I’ve always had big, beautiful flowers.”
Her fashion forecast: Big and gaudy.
GROVES — The Estelle of Estelle’s Jewelry started her attraction to gold and gems at Woolco in Jefferson City Shopping Center. Her Groves store is full of eye-catching color, but this week she also has a jewel in her Groves garden.
Even as Estelle Barbosa lamented on how her health and schedule don’t allow the blooming showcases she’s designed in years past, she guided guests toward an unusual white bird of paradise flower emerging from a plant taller than her own self.
Long, tropical leaves like those of a banana plant framed the stalk supporting a bloom that resembles the plumage of an exotic bird.
“I’m sure its five years old,” Barbosa said.
Barbosa said her cleaning woman is from South America and went on and on about the rarity of this white version. Usually floral shop customers get a more orange version, but there are red, pink and yellow “birds” as well. The Strelitzia is from South American and is cultivated around the world. The Internet site Exotic Gardening Thoughts reports that the blooms are actually a succession of blooms that open together instead of one large flower.
Strelitzia Nicolai, commonly called the “white” bird, can grow up to 15 feet high. The name “Strelitzia” honors England’s Queen Charlotte Sophia, Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz who was the consort of King George III who was a patron of botany, the site reports.
Despite this patch of color, Barbosa couldn’t help point out the area where she usually highlights bluebonnets and other colorful fare.
“I can’t fool with plants anymore. I’d rather be outside than inside,” she said.
In addition to her work schedule, Barbosa also cares for her husband, Ellis.
As for jewelry, she said “big and gaudy” is the current forecast. She started out in the business when Zales leased an area of Woolco. Back in the 1950s, people were after “big clusters” of diamonds.
“I sold a lot of them,” she said.
Now, she said she gets a lot of business out of remounting wedding stones after divorces.
All in the family
Barbosa’s daughter, Deborah, tipped off The News about this Senior on the Go and her garden excitement. The two work at the jewelry store and Deborah does nails and pedicures to help buyers show off their jewelry in the best light.
She is a cousin to Rufina Barbosa Adams, who was recently profiled as a Senior on the Go for her work making papier mache “gigante” images at Texas Artists Museum for Mercado Days.
To nominate a Senior on the Go, call Darragh Doiron at 721-2430.
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