Big Pin, Needle, and Spool

Sheffield, MA - We were riding through Sheffield Ma and my wife spied this store, M Design Reupholstery, with the big pin, needle, and spool of thread. So we turned around a took a few photos.


A closer look.

The Wandering Peacock

Westfield, MA - When in Westfield, MA, stop by The Wandering Peacock for some unique gifts. Their specialty is Nantucket Baskets made by Karen Novak the proprietor of this shop. If you want something more personal why not make one of this baskets by yourselves. They run classes to teach you how to make one of these baskets yourself. They also run other kinds of classes, art, knitting, and even fishing rod making; I took this class and now have a new fly rod I made myself.


These are some of Karen's work.


Basket Molds, Nantucket Baskets are made around these molds.


A view inside the Wandering Peacock.


Another view, go to visit, there is even more to see.

I stole this from their website Click Here ==> THE WANDERING PEACOCK <==

The Wandering Peacock is located in the Pilgrim Candle Marketplace at 16 Union Avenue in Westfield, MA 01085. We are in the same building as the Black Dog Gallery and Soups On Cafe'. The Pilgrim Candle Marketplace is conveniently located off Exit 3 of the Mass. Pike.

Go to the website to see hours, new classes, and directions.

Gloria's Pantry and Bake Shop

Cuttingsville, VT - Not being able to resist a bakery, I stopped at Gloria's Pantry and Bake Shop on my way up to Castleton, VT to pick up a new soapstone sink for "The Grangehouse". Gloria's Pantry doesn't just do fresh made baked items, it's main business is selling Jams, Jellies, Relishes, Honey, and Maple Syrup. Gloria will create a "Vermont Made Gift Box" and ship it anywhere you would like. View her website ==> Gloria's Pantry <== and you will be amazed at how many items she makes.

Here is a quick view of inside the bakeshop. I bought one of her cookie bars and I was not disappointed, if I remember correctly it had chocolate, nuts, maybe caramel. All I know is I wish I bought more!


Here is a photo if the entrance to the shop, which is in back of her house. So on your way up to Okemo Ski area, make sure to stop by Gloria's, you will not be disappointed.

Gloria's Pantry Link click HERE

Swift River Candle Co and Gate 8 Bait Shop

Pelham, MA - The "boys" and I took another ride today and ended up going through Pelham MA. I saw a sign that said Swift River Candle company and decided to check it out.


I walked in and was met by Bill Martell the owner who runs this business with his wife Kathy. He explained that he started with just the bait shop but fishing started to slow down so he started making candles. He told me he enjoyed making the candles which he does in an adjacent building. He told me most of his business was before Christmas and slacks off after the holidays. During the fishing season he is open seven days a week so you can pick up your bait; in the winter he stops selling bait. He told me that if you continue down Packardville Road, you go through a gate and come to a boat launch in Quabbin Reservoir, hence Gate 8.



Some of his stock of candles.



Even more candles.

If you are driving to Pelham, the shop is just past the Belchertown, MA line. This time of year it is open on weekends only. So, for all your candle or bait needs, stop in. If it is not summer you might want to call ahead.

The location is: 200 Packardville Road, Pelham, MA
Telephone: 413-323-7117 or 413-323-9183

King Arthur Flour Baker's Store

Norwich, VT - On the way back from Vermont today my wife and I stopped at the King Arthur Flour Baker's Store. At this store you can buy flours, baking mixes, have a cup of coffee and freshly baked pastries, take a cooking class, watch a cooking demo, or even check your e-mail with the free Wi-fi. Of course anything for baking that you could want.

This is the outside of the store.



I got this girl to stop what she was doing for a photo.


A photo of some of the pastries. We took home a loaf of artisan breads they make there for dinner...delicious. Excellent crust!



I asked this woman to stop for a photo in the demo kitchen. Another woman came over and said that was her station and this woman would make the Internet...again. All in good fun.


A photo of King William taken by my wife.


Information about the store CLICK HERE

E.M. Smith Pottery

Cummington, MA - The boys and I took a trip to Cummington yesterday. Along the road I saw a sign for a pottery sale, so I followed the signs to E.M.Smith Pottery. Outside the building is kind of nondescript...


but inside was all these wonderful pottery. There was quite a variety of items, Teapots, Candlesticks, Platters, Oval Bakers, Casseroles, Salt Shakers, Mugs, Storage Jars, and Vases.


Along the wall were some mugs of which I bought one of, the shape fits nicely in your hand; less accidents.


The pottery wheel is in the corner during the sale. I was told that the studio looks quite differently when he is working.



The pottery is currently fired in an electric kiln but outside his studio are bricks in which he is going to build a wood fired kiln for a more traditional firing.

You can contact E.M.(I forgot to ask his name..sorry)at (413)634-5751 or
smithe73@hotmail.com the studio is located at 156 Nash Road, Cummington, MA 01026 I think you would want to call ahead.

Maple Syrup Bottles

Ferrisburgh, VT - A display of Maple Syrup bottles in Dakin Farms, Route 7. It is a retailer of cheese, hams, maple products, etc.

I currently have this photo as my screen saver.

Williamsburg Blacksmiths

Williamsburg, MA - Williamsburg Blacksmiths specialize in authentic reproduction hardware. This is where I buy all the hardware for my house, I have a 1770 Saltbox house. (I have been slow to post photos, that is why there is snow). This barn is the workshop where the hardware is made.



This is the showroom...obviously.



Samples of hardware.



More photos of the showroom.



This photo is taken in the workshop, looks like templates.



The modern way to heat the iron, a gas flame replaces a coal fire.



Williamsburg Blacksmiths website - CLICK HERE

Nash Dinosaur Track Quarry and Rock Shop

South Hadley, MA - This is the building at the Nash Dinosaur Track Quarry and Rock Shop (formerly Nash Dinosaurland). The quarry was first opened to the public in 1939 by Carlton S. Nash. In 1997 Carlton passed away at 82 years old and his son Kornell Richard Nash continues his fathers work today.


The photo above shows the quarry that still yields tracks. I saw where they layers of stone are cut away to yield the next layer of tracks.



These are just some of the tracks on display in the shop. Most of the tracks are for sale so if you have that hard to shop for person, think of giving them one of these. Many notable families own one of these such as Maytags, Skinners, Carnegies and Pattons and last but not least Laural Hardy?(direct quote from website...at least one of them).


Also for sale are all these cool colorful rocks,psychedelic man. I don't know too much about them...but they look good!


Also for sale are other fossils and stones from all over the world. These fish are from China.

Click on this link for the full story and direction to Nash Dinosaur Track Quarry and Rock Shop

ARTOMAT

Northampton, MA - I spied this vending machine in front of a store in Northampton MA; sorry I did not get the name of the store. This machine dispenses small pieces of art instead of cigarettes...cool.

Thanks to MJ who let me know that this machine is in the lobby of "Faces" 175 Main St. Northampton.

MJ also gave me the website for the Art-o-Mat

PEASE CLOTHING STORE

Chester, MA - While in Chester I went into this store and I will tell you one thing it has a lot of character. It reminds me of the L.L. Bean Store in Freeport Maine before they built the one they have now. It is the kind of place you can go and get good quality work clothes or a nice wool coat. The store was built around 1892 and is very Victorian. You can just imagine the railroad workers wives buying material for a new dress or maybe the railroad bosses wives picking up the latest fashions that came in on the train from New York or Boston.


Here is a boy trying on a hat at the glass case in the front of the store.


On the wall are these sewing notions. Now I don't know hold old these are but I remember my mother having these in her sewing kit in the early 60's. Hooks and Eyes, 15 cents...cheap. They are probably worth more as antiques.


They even have a sleigh and old wood cooking stove in the window.

ELM STREET MARKET

Stockbridge, MA - I took a photo of this market because it seemed like the place where all the locals hung out. I was there on Sunday morning and right after church people and dogs(outside) were flocking towards this store for breakfast. I found their website and it is quite interesting. They have a camera on the frozen foods at least at 9:00PM; they even have a poem about the store. Chicken must be big in this store, there seems to be quite the chicken theme on the website.

I WANT CANDY - PORTSMOUTH NH

Portsmouth, NH - "I want Candy" - My wife and I took a road trip up to Portsmouth this Saturday and this is one of the places I stopped. This candy shop looked very interesting from the outside and even more inside. I'm not sure how long it has been open, earlier in the year I think, but it is off the beaten path so I hope it makes it throught the winter with less tourists in town.



As you walk in the door you are greeted with this whiteboard with candy trivia on it.



This is one of the rooms with all kinds of candy.



Here is another room full of candy. They even have a lot of imported candy, I've seen on other peoples blogs they are always looking for candy from home or a candy they had when they were on a trip. So if you are in the area stop in, I Want Candy is located on Chapel Street in downtown Portsmouth, NH. For information, call 603-373-8211, maybe they can hook you up with that hard to find candy.

One reader who went here said that they are CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY'S.