As any of my friends will tell you, I’m a collector of foodie decor. Over the years my kitchen, dining room and entryway walls have been covered with various serving pieces, framed photos and even my own cross-stiched creations—featuring everything from leeks to lobsters.
However, in an effort to simplify my life and keep only those items that truly please me the most, I’ve thinned out my collection quite drastically. (Just because a cutting board is shaped like an eggplant or a serving tray is painted with scene of Tuscan olives does not mean I need to own it!) Plus, these days I prefer handmade foodie art.
Last July I traveled up the coast of Maine to Boothbay Harbor with some friends, where we happened upon a small arts and crafts show in the town square. Within minutes, I had scoped it all out and settled in front of stand where a woman was displaying various wind chimes made of seaglass and repurposed cutlery. Each chime features a soup spoon and six dangling strands of beads, seaglass and a couple more pieces of cutlery (generally two smaller spoons, or sometimes a fork and spoon, such as pictured in the picture at right).
The artist’s name is Sue Lipman, and as you can see by the photos, this Maine-based artist creates beautiful wind chimes. I had my eye on one chime with varying shades of blue glass and pearl beads, but another woman swooped in and snatched it before I could lay my hot little hands on it. No matter, there were others and I soon chose a different one, which is now hanging in my kitchen in front of the large window that looks out over my backyard. An open window on a warm fall day is a wonderful thing—especially in Maine, where the summers are short and the fall is fleeting but glorious. Hearing this chime tinkle softly, and watching it sway and glint in the sun brings me much pleasure as I cook and work in my kitchen.
How to get a foodie wind chime
Although Ms. Lipman has no website (she works on a small scale, and each piece is unique), she will take orders for her culinary creations via email at seaglass14@roadrunner.com. The price for the chimes is $30 plus shipping & handling.
I’m going to catch up with Sue at another art show this coming weekend in a neighboring town, and I intend to secure a few more of these chimes to give as gifts. For my foodie friends who may be reading this, as you may be getting one of these for a holiday gift this year, please pretend to be surprised, ok?
–Kit Broihier
