Well, it sounds a bit like selling ice cream to the Eskimos? As we all know, it’s the Nor’easters that churn up all the great sea glass. But instead, I drove up to Portland, Maine through a crazy storm to sell my sea glass jewelry and hair accessories on Commercial Street at the Maine Pottery Co. on Sunday. I went with no expectations as I knew that many travel plans were canceled, cruise ships were delayed or diverted, and airline passengers were stranded.
What I found was a pleasant surprise! Indeed, there were plenty of hardy travelers seeking “retail therapy” and looking for cozy, inviting places to linger and ride out the storm. Rather than sit and finish the work I brought with me, I met wonderful people from all over the country. From memory, I can say that there were folks from California, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Caroline, Tennessee, and of course nearby Massachusetts and New Hampshire. A particularly memorable moment was meeting a woman who bought a barrette at the Cape Ann Museum during the Hopper show a few years back, saw online that I would be in Portland (her home) and came to find another one! I was so impressed at what a melting pot Portland has become for travelers seeking a northeastern experience!
I had to write this up because it was one of the most unexpected and enjoyable experiences working with a shop as the “visiting artist.” Kudos to my friends at Maine Pottery Co. for their fabulous attitude and the beautiful selection of work and great location on Commercial Street. Together, we made a lot of people happy on what could have been a gloomy and forgettable day!
