New Stuff at Music for the Eyes

Happy in Their New Home at Music for the Eyes

During the time of Covid, we have missed writing about our trips abroad looking for new treasures for Music for the Eyes.

Photo of Maestrale taken by Bob Segui.

In this blog, however, we will tell readers about new items we acquired from Maestrale, a friend’s store just across the water in Port Townsend.

Jennefer Wood

Our friend, Jennefer Wood, successfully traveled for 30 years and sold exotic handmade goods, from SE Asia, primarily Indonesia, Thailand, India and Nepal

Old Indian Snake Chain

Turquoise

Even though she started out as a computer science engineer, Jennefer left to follow her degree in art, specializing in textiles.  She first worked helping a small business in Sardinia, Italy; traveling to India and Indonesia; and learning the ins and outs of importing.

Jennefer and Friends

In 1996, Jennefer moved to Port Townsend and opened “Maestrale”, the Italian word for a strong northwest wind.  This reminded Jennefer of her connection to Italy, and evoked the feeling of a strong wind carrying her imports from Asia to the Pacific Northwest.

Amber and Coral

Finally during Covid, the price of shipping containers from Asia increased ten-fold.  Jennefer decided to close her business and move on to the next stage of her life.

Music for the Eyes was lucky to have the chance to buy most of her stock of jewelry, beads, buddhas, wayang golek puppets and wonderful textiles from indigenous cultures from around the world.  Our shop has improved its looks, finding a home for Jennefer’s new cabinets of beautiful jewelry and beads, as well as textiles and tribal artifacts.

Ethnic Jewelry

So in some sense we carry on her vision and celebrate the production of artists and craftsmen throughout Southeast Asia.

Antiques

Meanwhile, if you visit Port Townsend, please stop in at “Secret Garden’s Nursery”.  The new owner, Brittany Lin, will be expanding her current business into this space this spring.