Thursday, October 3, 2013

seed to stem


You know how I love anything related to nature, so when I heard about Seed to Stem in Worcester, (Massachusetts) I had to go. Filled with natural objects and curiosities, it's one of those stores that's really loved by its owners. You know what I mean?


Fun and interesting, science and nature and art.


Everything beautifully displayed.


Filled with air plants, succulents, and cacti, in a marvelous variety of containers.


A year ago I closed the doors to my own nature-inspired store. I know the hard work that goes into a store like this--time, money, effort. You have to be passionate about what you're doing. It's about sharing something you love as much (if not more) as it is about selling.


Inspiring, educational, beautiful, weird, it's all here.


Cute, and he doesn't eat the birdseed.


I fell hard for this starfish fossil, so it came home, along with the little air plant in a geode. For someone, like me, who hates to shop, this is a great place to buy gifts. A bit of fresh air in the polluted world of buy, buy, buy. Do you have a place where shopping is enjoyable, positive, not a chore?

Something fun on their Instagram page.
Seed to Stem website and blog here.

23 comments:

  1. Hello Jen, What a wonderful shop. I could spend all day there and find quite a few things, but it looks like you made off with their coolest object, that starfish fossil.

    In Taiwan, there are many small shops like this (although not usually so beautifully designed), where I try to go as much as possible. I live right near several fancy department stores, most of which I never enter.
    --Jim

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    1. I've never seen a starfish fossil before, and it's so beautiful.

      I would love it if you posted about the small stores in Taiwan!

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  2. I love fossils. There used to be a geode/fossil store at Faneuil Hall--not sure if it's still there--that I used to love to poke around in. I love the starfish fossil. I'll let you have the squirrel though.

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    1. I have only recently started to appreciate fossils. Some of them are so delicate and lovely--like Chinese brush paintings. And when I think about what they actually are, it's amazing--history, natural history, geology...These's something poignant about them.

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  3. this place looks great. my favourite shop is amazon. I know it's not what you had in mind, but it truly is the only place I can think of where shopping is not a chore :)

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    1. That's fair. They make is so easy! I would like to be able to say that I buy all of my books at my local indie, but I don't.

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  4. Do you know where the starfish fossil came from? It is very interesting.

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    1. No, i wondered that too. Should have asked. I'll send the owners an email and let you know.

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  5. No, can't say I have a favourite place to shop... I loathe shopping, as a rule, and have to wait till I'm in the mood, or I lose heart after 10 minutes and go home. Online shopping is ideal for me, as it sits and waits patiently while I dither/research/read reviews/make endless cups of tea and then may or may not buy!

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    1. When I stop to think about how much the www has changed our lives in such a short time it blows my mind (an overused but apt phrase).

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  6. Oooooo. I love this stuff! and it's close. I'm going!!

    Have you been to Evolution in Soho?
    Tighter space, but so much fun to buy a porcupine quill!!!

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    1. I have been to Evolution and was overwhelmed in a good way. Seed to Stem is definitely worth a trip. They also doing weddings with therir air plants etc. which might be interesting to you. Also there is what looks like a good antiques collective in Worcester, but it was closed when I went there. Seed to Stem had their cards.

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  7. Wow...you sometimes find out some unusual shop. I've never have my own but I can imagine how difficult to keep their enthusiasm on it.

    I like to see and look for something in flee markets, but difficult to find special one.

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    1. Yes, flea markets are wonderful for treasure hunting and people watching. If you ever go I would love to see pictures of a flea market in Japan.

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  8. That fossil is incredible, Jen and actually the whole shop is great! I do like those succulents in the containers! Wishing you a happy day! Christa

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  9. I'm not sure about the stuffed furry animals Jen, they give me the creeps! I do love the nature pictures and I love your starfish fossil.

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    1. Funny what mixed reactions taxidermy gets. It used to give me the creeps too, but now I like some of them

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  10. What a beautiful fossil and airplant. I'm particularly taken by anything made from trees as in that first photo. We went to Mendoza, Argentina once and booked a horse ride up the Andes followed by an "asado" which is something like a roast. It took place in the home of one of the partners. He had built the home and everything in it from trees he had cut down himself, his wife cooked everything and we ate at this huge wooden table he had built, sat on some funky non-matching chairs which he had also built and all the food was served on wooden trays carved from tree trunks. He had also made the serving utensils. It was really amazing.

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    1. Whoa, that does sound amazing. Would love to hear more about Argentina!

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  11. What an interesting shop! The starfish fossil is amazing. The plants and containers charming. The squirrel reminded me of a favorite Chevy Chase movie, Funny Farm, where the local antique shop also had a very inspiring preserved bushy-tailed critter. Thanks for sharing this unique shopping experience.

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    1. I might have to look up that movie. Sound like fun!

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