It started with an idea that came to me while walking the beach in Maine; just over the bridge from where we live in New Hampshire. It was a sunny late spring day. We were earning for summer and more sunshine to arrive after a typical long New England winter...
Most beach walks involve some sort of treasure hunting; a nice piece of driftwood envisioned as a shelf, random pieces of beach toys that become props for in-the-moment photo shoots, colorful rope; salted and scented with ocean life that becomes a cat's favorite toy. And always a battered lobster trap or two or three.
The lobster traps always seem to be there, in fact it is illegal to take them. But some of them are so worn and battered they appear to be more of a hinderance. You can actually call the coastal patrol, give them the number displayed on the tag and they will call the owner of the trap to come get it. If the lobsterman does not pick up his trap after awhile, you are then aloud to remove it from the beach.
But it was those colorful tags that adorn the traps that caught my eye on this one particular day. Why had I never really noticed them before?
Bright orange, firecracker red, sky blue, faded yellow, tarnished and weathered by the salt water but never letting go. Some are older than others. The date and lobsterman's identity are imprinted in a series of numbers that ensures these are registered traps. This simple piece of plastic tells a much bigger story. A story I figured could be told through jewelry.
A story of endurance and perseverance, of an industry quickly diminishing due to environmental and economic reasons. A hidden story behind such a famed and desired meal. A meal that in all its simplicity evokes so much emotion from its circle of participants.
We aim to help tell and spread the story. We start by creating a product to help visualize the story and then commit to contribute 5% of all proceeds toward efforts to help protect the New England lobster industry. Come along, we have a big 'tail' to tell!
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