Shore artisans find an outlet
Princess Anne — Charlotte Sharf didn’t attend the Atlanta Gift Show just to shop. She wanted to compare.
Trends at the weeklong show spread over 22 floors in three buildings confirmed that merchandise at her Petite Fleur shop of gifts, antiques and functional art in this rural, Lower Shore hamlet are in vogue.
Sharf returned from the show recently with ideas for local artisans to borrow and modify into quality, yet affordable merchandise, a strategy to keep prices down, shoppers satisfied and area talent in the spotlight.
“I wanted an affirmation that our mix of gifts is in vogue with the global marketplace,” said Sharf. She dined on a salad at a café table at Petite Fleur, served up by the Olney Market cafe that adjoins her space in the trendy and historic Independence Hall mixed-use complex downtown. “We added a couple of new lines, but much of what was there, we already have.”
Ideas from the show inspired Princess Anne seamstress Dianne Boykin, who jumped at a chance to create designer aprons to stock the shop. Boykin, a retired secretary who worked 27 years at a Montgomery County school, is going retail with handcrafted aprons, tote bags and other cloth creations designed exclusively for Petite Fleur.
“This will be my first time selling to others outside my family,” said Boykin, who helps out at the shop some days. “This is the first time somebody wanted to buy my work. Charlotte has given me great exposure.”
