MARTHA “MARMAR” ANDREW, Owner, Metalsmith, Curator at MARMAR BOUTIQUE

For as long as she can remember, MarMar has been making and selling things. “As a child, I could often be found with a table set up on the sidewalk, selling pretty rocks, leaves, feathers, and onion grass to passersby,” she recalls. Since 2009 when she founded MARMAR BOUTIQUE on Block Island, the trained metalsmith has been selling a mix of her own jewelry designs and the handmade goods of many dozens of artisans at her shop.

In mid-January, MarMar Boutique celebrated its new Wakefield location with a grand opening. After many years on Block Island, the sale of the building which housed her shop resulted in losing the lease, perhaps a blessing in disguise. “We reside in Wakefield with all three of our children enrolled in school, so it just made sense for me to move the store. This gives me the opportunity to fine-tune my business, and operate year-round at a more reasonable pace. I once again have my

bench in the store with me, and am looking forward to new lines of jewelry in the works!” MarMar explains.

At the new space, MarMar plans to showcase a revolving selection of independent jewelry artists with meet- and-greets and trunk shows throughout the year, and recently added permanent jewelry – your choice of chain welded around your wrist, neck or ankle for a claspless custom piece of jewelry. “I’m excited about introducing a new audience to the artists behind the work. These are people who create for a living, with every purchase going directly to them. These artists are creating work meant to be worn and passed down.” MarMar considers herself lucky to be able to promote and support a small niche of artisans and cherishes her relationships with all of them. Says MarMar, “I always told myself that I would do this until it wasn’t fun for me anymore and here I am 14 years later, still loving every minute of it!”

253 Main Street, Wakefield, 215-880-3922, MarMarBoutique.com