One of the jewelry cases Peapod Jewelry marketing manager Diane Walsh has turned into homes for fairies. (Christine LaPado-Breglia photo)
Tiny houses made of leaves, moss, pine cones, and rocks were recently constructed inside the glass-top jewelry cases at Peapod Jewelry in Edgecomb. Seemingly the work of fairies, they were actually made by the store’s marketing manager, Diane Walsh. Walsh, whose resume includes work as a visual merchandiser on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, created the little eye-catching abodes to complement the delicate, sparkly necklaces, rings, and so on inside the cases.
“Maine is big on fairies in the woods and we figured, why not bring them into the showroom,” said Walsh in a recent interview at the store. “And we want everyone to come and enjoy them!” Peapod Jewelry encourages members of the public to drop in to check out the fairy houses and the jewelry, and have a treat and something to drink while they are visiting. A new video in the cozy showroom tells viewers about the Peapod jewelry-personalization process.
Lugosch, who is also a jewelry designer, is gearing up for what she anticipates will be a busy Mother’s Day weekend, as Peapod Jewelry creates personalized pieces – such as the popular Mother’s Peapod and Peapod Lighthouse necklaces – that can feature the colorful “birthpearls” of children and grandchildren. Lugosch describes the resulting jewelry as “a mixture of family and memory.”
From left: Ronna Lugosch, owner of Peapod Jewelry in Edgecomb, and Peapod Jewelry marketing manager Diane Walsh. (Christine LaPado-Breglia photo)
Lugosch said she brought back a number of stones from the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, which she attended in February, that are in precisely the colors of Maine buoys, such as bright-orange and salmon. The Pod Buoy necklace, she said, is a favorite gift of lobstermen for their wives. “So many lobstermen’s wives are walking around with those,” she said.
While Peapod Jewelry will be closed on Mother’s Day itself – Sunday, May 14 – it will be open Saturday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Even on Saturday afternoon, we’ll be able to personalize a gift within a reasonable price range – and something unique,” said Lugosch.
“And we gift-wrap, too,” Walsh said.
The jewelry store also does a significant amount of business online – about 35 percent, Lugosch said.
Peapod Jewelry is located at 40 Route 1, Edgecomb. The store is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is online at peapodjewelry.com. Call 882-9500 for more information.
