The Plum Cottage Coming to Sherborn

The Plum Cottage, a retail store featuring handcrafted artisan gifts, botanicals and art enrichment lessons for children and adults, will be opening this Saturday in Sherborn.

Dianne Sullivan, an area resident who has taught art in public and private schools for the past 10 years, came up with the idea of opening her own store in June after beginning to feel the burnout from working in public education.  After originally looking in the South Natick area for a location and not finding a place she felt was a good fit, Sullivan remembered seeing this location in Sherborn and decided to see if it was still available. It’s all happened pretty quickly, but it’s come together, according to Sullivan.

“It’s been three short months,” she said. “They’ve been short and long.”

The Plum Cottage will feature three different things: handcrafted arts and gifts, botanicals and classes.

The handcrafted arts and gifts cover a wide range of things, both in the types of art and in the price range. Various types of jewelry are available, including beaded, silver and fine jewelry. There are pillows, pillow covers and table runners with printing on them. Soaps, metal-smithing, framed photos and other things will also be available.

Right now Sullivan will be featuring the work of about 35 local artists. She carefully selected which artists she would feature in her store. Many of the artists she has met and has developed connections with from her experience running the South Natick Art in the Park art fair.

“I got a lot of good feedback at the fair about their high quality of work,” Sullivan said about the artists whose work will be on display at The Plum Cottage. “I’m extremely proud of my artists.”

Sullivan is planning on having fresh and preserved flowers, as well as terrariums in the botanicals category.

“I’d like to have a weekly flower delivery program,” Sullivan said of the botanical aspect of The Plum Cottage. “It’d be hand-tailored. A very specialized service with weekly delivery.”

The unique part of The Plum Cottage is The Art Studio. Sullivan, who has a BA in Art from San Diego State and a Master’s in Art Education from Framingham State, will be teaching regular classes with various themes. Other artists will also teach classes with Sullivan observing and assisting. Friday and Saturday evenings, for example, will feature a Parent’s Night Out. This class will give parents an opportunity to drop their kids off for an art class while they enjoy part of the evening with each other without the kids.

Another class that Sullivan specifically mentioned is her Thursday night Art Night Out. This class will be for adults only and will be an opportunity for people to socialize with wine and light snacks while creating an art project.

“I’m really looking forward to Thursdays,” Sullivan said. “I’m looking forward to working with adults. I’ll be there as a support if an artist is there. I love to see people’s reactions when they complete a piece.”

This weekend will be the Grand Opening of The Plum Cottage. On Saturday at 10 a.m. there will be a kids craft tent. Musician Kevin Jones will also be playing jazz guitar.

Then, from 11-1, there will be a book signing. Illustrator Jennifer Donnelly will be signing An Octopus Called Mom.

That evening, from 6-9 p.m., there will be an artists’ reception. There will be wine and light fare for a mingling cocktail mixer.

On Sunday from 10-2 there will be a brunch and another book signing. Anita Shaw will be signing Always Flowers. The Adam Rochelle Jazz Trio will be playing, and there will be juice and pastries.

The Plum Cottage, located at 25 North Main Street in Sherborn, opens this weekend. They can be reached through their website, or by phone at (508) 651-3000.