Twenty years ago, Naomi Schneider’s career took an unexpected change of course.

Like a lot of islanders, the Navy had brought her family here. Schneider had taught school previously and came to Whidbey expecting to apply with Oak Harbor Schools. Then she stepped into Kate Rose’s Oak Harbor art shop, Polka Dot Papery. Schneider mentioned that she was new in town.

Rose offered her a job on the spot. And this now-former teacher never looked back.

Through Rose’s multiple art-focused ventures, Schneider stuck with her. They became best friends. In 2009, with Rose’s enthusiastic support, Schneider opened her own art supply store, Collage. She later added home décor and antiques and rechristened it Frida’s, A Beautiful Mess. Frida’s “allowed me to do all the things I love,” she says today.

Wh

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