STEAM MILL - Debbie Wilson’s chocolates are a treat for the eyes and the taste buds.
The Steam Mill resident launched Debbie Wilson’s Painted Chocolates in 2009.
She started crafting the tasty treats for family and friends after finding some molds and a how-to book at a small store in Newfoundland in 1994.
“My sister tells me I’m a perfectionist,” she says with a laugh.
With some help from Community INC and the Hants-Kings Business Development Centre, the hobby eventually evolved into a specialty shop selling a wide variety of handcrafted chocolate creations.
“It’s kind of my place to go to reduce my stress,” says Wilson.
Wilson’s accumulated a vast collection of chocolate molds “for all seasons and all reasons,” she says. Popular designs include a bouquet of roses, a skull for Halloween, a bride and groom, guitars and motorcycles.
She’s commonly called upon to come up with something special for Mother’s or Father’s Day, weddings, baby showers, holidays, birthdays and - in many cases - just any old day that ends y.
Wilson works with dark and milk chocolate, coloured confections that taste like white chocolate, and Belgium chocolate. Her fan-favourite box of assorted chocolates contains mint stars, skor-filled turtles, cherry chocolates, hazelnut, Brazil nut, coconut clusters, peanut butter cups and caramels.
Each chocolate Wilson makes is poured, trimmed and packaged by hand at her home-based shop.
“It’s not like buying a box of chocolates off of the shelf that are God only knows how old. They’re fresher,” said Wilson.
“People tell me they’re too pretty to eat.”
Wilson can often be found selling her chocolates at the Horton Craft Fair, Acadia Craft Fair and various community events throughout the year. On Feb. 25, she’ll be participating in the Valley Merchants Wedding Showcase at the Old Orchard Inn from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
“I used to be a very shy person,” she said.
“This is good for me. It gets me out to meet people.”
To learn more visit the Debbie Wilson’s Painted Chocolates Facebook page, or phone 902-678-4471.
