I am in here in Philadelphia for the Buyers Market of American Craft, a wonderful tradeshow where artists exhibit to gallery and shop owners, who then place orders for the Spring. Especially with hand-made craft, being able to see the work in person is very important.
There are two things I like doing whenever I first get to a new place: I like to go shopping in the local regular supermarket because it tells you a lot about a culture, and I also like to take public transit. I find you learn a lot about cultures that way (this becomes particularly interesting, when one enters into more foreign places, like the Caribbean, or India!).
Because I really enjoy good quality food, I also frequent local farmers markets. And so I found myself at the famous Reading Terminal Market here in Philadelphia, in my efforts to provision for the coming week. I had the most amazing conversations!
I got into a particularly long one with Matt Budenstein, the very young general manager of the Salumeria (which clearly sells more than Salami!). What a cheese nerd! I learned so much. Here are the cheeses I ended up walking away with: Queso Lenora, goat, Spain. The squishy Robiola, a sheep & cowsmilk cheese from Italy, a small little ripened French goats cheese, and Idinzabel, a hard sheep’s cheese from Spain. But the most amazing one appeared when Matt asked: “How adventurous are you willing to be with your cheese?”
This cheese was truly an amazing experience, you have got to try this, and make sure to eat it at room temperature: the thistle-renneted (vegetarian!) aged cheese from sheepsmilk called Zimbro.
From there, Matt urged me to consider visiting the shop of the local vineyard, BlueMountain. There, I encountered an equally excitable local producer. We had great discussions, including talking about wines made in Nova Scotia. I sampled a couple of varieties, even though it was shortly after noon, and finally settled on a local Petite Syrah. Can’t live off cheese and wine alone, so I got bread and eggs and fruit. At least I am well provisioned!
Then I had to run out to the industrial areas, in order to gather all the things that the North American so-called Free-Trade would not let me bring across the border.
Ooooh, and look what arrived at the front desk: at this cool little USB wafer, which I uploaded with my portfolio and information for the press release and prospective clients this weekend! I just love smart and pretty things like that.
The Jewellery Preview of the Buyers Market of American Craft opens this afternoon. I’m excited to be there!
