Half Lucid crowns in NYC and Concord, NH
As a jewelry designer and small business owner, one of my favorite things to do is take the handcrafted crystals crowns I make out onto the streets and sidewalks and snap pictures of them in motion. No matter the weather, street style photoshoots are almost always some of my favorites to do.
After almost seven years away in New York City, I recently relocated myself and my jewelry business back to Concord, New Hampshire. My time in NYC was everything you see in the movies—magical, noisy, difficult, frustrating, rewarding, beautiful, and always tinged with a sense of optimism that some new adventure could be waiting just ahead, on the next street. There's an excitement in the movement and energy of street photography, capturing a slice of life as it speeds past. I found myself drawn often to the sidewalks, crosswalks, and streets of NYC, wanting to take pictures of my crowns against the backdrop of a world ablaze with stories and opportunities.
This winter, I wanted to find a way to incorporate the magic of street photography with the unique charm of Concord's snow-kissed landscape and historic buildings. I invited four local women to dress in their finest and join me for a cold weather shoot that celebrates Concord's unique winter beauty, complete with Half Lucid crowns. Along the way, we had to stop and admire the amazing local businesses that are helping Concord marry old and new, and bringing some much-appreciated color to the wintery Main Street landscape.
Teatotaller, Concord, NH
Throughout this shoot, and during a second downtown visit a week later, I met so many amazing local business owners, and had so many delicious drinks and treats!
Teatotaller's bright pink exterior cheers up the strip immediately, even when they're closed (on Mondays and Tuesdays). Eatxactly Sweet Café similarly offers color and fun, with a neon sign inviting you to "enjoy life and eat cake, and plenty of tasty offerings inside. Their Mexican hot chocolate and jalapeno scones are both necessary to try—trust me! Old mainstay, The Works, still offers delicious bagels, specialty cream cheese, and sandwiches, as well as a limited selection of teas from one of my favorite tea companies, Harney & Sons.
Root Up is a crystal and metaphysical shop just a bit off Main Street, and features a truly impressive collection of crystals for sale. Another old mainstay of Concord is Pitchfork Records, which is packed to the gills with vinyl, CDs, tapes, and record players, offering you both a wonderful variety of music and a strong nostalgia for the days when record stores were plentiful, and a common gathering place for artistic minded folks of all ages.
The new artisan market, Makers on Main, features an interesting mix of handcrafted goods, and the Viking House is so fun to explore. As if all that isn't enough, Bona Fide is a wonderful shop that offers sustainable products for all aspects of your lifestyle.
While winter may not be the most bustling time for cold and snowy New Hampshire, Concord still sparkles in the way that only a beautiful New England city can, and boasts plenty of fun treats and delicious foods for you to explore and enjoy.
Models: Alison Downs Petrowski, Adrienne Marie Gauthier, Jenny Coffey, and Miriam Banash
Pitchfork Records, Concord, NH
Blog by Kendra Saunders, Half Lucid Jewelry
Half Lucid Jewelry creates magical, whimsical crystal crowns and fun accessories that allow you to celebrate every day, whether you're attending a gala, going to the grocery store, or lounging at home in PJs. Learn more at www.halflucidjewelry.com.
