When you think back on all the jobs you've ever had, and choose one that was your favorite, what comes to mind? It may not be the role that you job searched for the most, or the one you've had the longest, or even the one that paid the most. But it definitely was the one that made you the most joyful. Maybe even helped mold you towards a new career path you never saw coming for yourself.
One that came to you unexpectedly.
That for me was working my summers at Cobwebs Gifts & Antiques from 2010-2012. The most picturesque little gift shop just down the beach in Bay Head, NJ. Cobwebs had been in that location for over 11 years, owned by the kindest woman named Sandy, who also has the most amazing sense of humor. To this day I say she was my favorite boss, but ultimately I consider her a wonderful friend.
You have to imagine, this little cottage by the shore, painted red shingles (later painted beige, sadly) and large glass windows, sunlight pouring onto this place. On our front lawn you would pass pinwheels, flower pots, vintage beach signs, delicate wind chimes, and usually step over trails of sand that would come off the flip flops of beach-goer guests. Entering you smell a seagrass candle, you can still hear the ocean waves and feel a slight breeze. (We liked to keep the door open as much as the summer heat would let us). If we had music on, it was usually Jimmy Buffet or Dave Matthews. This place was filled the brim, from the floor to the walls to the ceiling, with the most beautiful and unique pieces of handmade jewelry, local art, antiques, furniture, boatwood frames, home decor... hence the name "Cobwebs".
(Apologies for the low quality photos below, at the time I was very new to Instagram. Had to dig up these gems.)
I worked at Cobwebs until about a week before my wedding in August 2012. After the wedding my husband Soren and I moved to New York City, so I had to leave my favorite little shop.
A few short months after, I learned some devastating news.
Our beloved Cobwebs was destroyed during the shore hit from Hurricane Sandy.
That entire street was flooded for days, so much of Sandy's inventory was lost, and it was difficult for her to gain enough access the building to salvage the rest. And we were also kind of old school, (used hand written receipts), so all our ledgers and paperwork were lost.
Below you can see Cobwebs in the aftermath, building on the far right. The white signage still out front.
To keep her business alive, Sandy had moved into shop spaces in Point Pleasant Beach. They were smaller, sometimes shared spaces with other boutiques, so it was just not the same as where we once were. Sandy was a true local in the Bay Head area, everyone knew her shop there, so rebuilding 11 years of establishment wasn't going to come back easily.
But she never gave up.
Now almost 5 years later, Sandy has gotten a new fresh space, all her own, down the main shopping street in Point Pleasant. She has already put her amazing creative touch in this place, and bringing back to life all the beautiful pieces that had been salvaged and in storage (due to space constraints in previous spaces).
I remember joking with Sandy the summer before my wedding, that even though I was moving to New York, she wouldn't be able to get rid of me.
So here I am, back again.
So excited to hear the news that Cobwebs was officially re-opened, I wanted to help get the word out in anyway I could. With my new venture into developing my photography skills and creating a business, I offered to come down the shore and do some interior and product photography for Sandy, create photos she could use for her new marketing. I have never done much product photography before, but being inspired by local boutiques in my area, and knowing how much a well-curated social media post could draw in business, I wanted to give it a try. I'm so happy she let me.
Below I have posted several of my favorites, but be sure to check out and follow Cobwebs Gifts & Antiques Facebook page for weekly updates from Sandy! And if you are ever in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, be sure to check out this lovely shop filled with treasures.
If you are a NJ/NYC boutique, small-run, or self-owned business, and would like to have some fresh marketing and product photography of your own at an extremely reasonable rate, please send me a message inquiry here. It would be my pleasure to work alongside you in promoting your business!!! :)
