Okay, one more shout out for the shop, Bluff Gardens in Harbor Springs, MI.
They. sell. ceramic. fruit.
I can't believe I missed this vital piece of information in my first post about Bluff Gardens.
I know you've seen ceramic fruit in design magazines like House Beautiful, but have you ever seen it available for purchase? I didn't think so.
When I am out shopping, I'm always on the lookout for hard-to-find things: paper buildings, Swedish dishtowels, pretty salt containers, paper lace doilies. I hadn't even considered including ceramic fruit on my list because it was so hard to find. My heart leapt when I say this beautiful display.
True to size - check.
Realistic - check.
Adorable - check.
I was called away to look at something and I didn't find my way back to this display to make a purchase. But now I know where to find the end of the Designer Brick Road...Bluff Gardens at 721 West Lake Road
Harbor Springs, MI 49740, or call (231) 526-5571.
You're welcome.
I admit, I was a little disagreeable when I heard my mom and aunt decide that we were leaving the downtown Harbor Springs shopping-area to go get "vegetables." I pictured us roaming the surrounding farmland looking for a particular roadside stand that had good corn or something. Don't get me wrong, that is fun too, on the right day, but we were supposed to be shopping and I hadn't been to this area in years.
Then, a whopping 5-minute drive later, we arrived at Bluff Gardens, a freestanding storefront next to a large cutting garden. We went inside and I saw a beautifully arranged gift shop (see above) featuring a display of fresh miniature vegetables front and center. Then a tiny water mister came on, spraying the tiny vegetables with moisture. Where am I? What is this place?
I loved it immediately because I could see that the purveyors of this fine shop had a vision and were doing things according to plan. Aside from the technicality of a private line of fresh dips, jams and spreads, they only seem to sell miniature fresh vegetables and Quimper Fiaence pottery. A super specific offering, no?
I applaud them. It felt like an alternate universe. In a fast and quick world, it was lovely to see a shop that treats tiny beets and adorable zucchini with reverence.
If you are having a party, only these crudite will do. Can you imagine veggies being any prettier?
Mind you there is no website that I could find. Just a Pure Michigan business link that says "Bluff Gardens: Purveyor of fresh miniature vegetables, fruits, dressings, sauces and spreads since 1934."
While I was wrapping my mind around the fact that people would never stumble upon this shop (721 West Lake Rd., Harbor Springs, MI); that customers would have to know that miniature vegetables were on a rack inside this gift shop, I walked into the adjoining room.
Quimper Faience heaven. I have never ever seen so much of this French pottery in one place. Soup bowls and platter and teapots, oh my.
I have a soft spot for Quimper Faience. I don't own any of the pottery (yet), but I fell for some of their cookie tins filled with French butter biscuits. Of course I did, you say. And I've kept the empty tins thinking that I could make one into a super cute purse by lining it with fabric and adding a handle. Sounds like me, right?
Word of mouth is a wonderful thing, but I want to help out Bluff Gardens. Here is an online shout out for Bluff Gardens - buy their darling miniature vegetables and fill your cottage with Quimper Faience!
