By AML Publisher
Photos Courtesy of Respective Vendors
Featured Homepage Photo Courtesy of Tuyet Wong

Shipley Shops is a popular tradition that brings together premier retailers and artists from throughout the United States and attracts customers from within and well beyond the Shipley community. Pictured are stockings from Shops’ vendor Boxwood Linens.

It’s shop till you drop at the Main Line’s premier holiday shopping event, nine weeks before the hectic holiday season descends upon us. And locals don’t have to brave the crowd at nearby malls to find a gift for every person on their list! Shipley Shops, now in its 49th year, kicks off next Wednesday evening with a preview party and runs through Saturday October 24th. The annual popular fundraiser for the school offers Main Liners one fantastic variety of beautiful retail products with vendors from across the Delaware Valley-and across the country.

Shipley Shops features perennial favorites like Bella Casa (fine home accessories), Jacques Ferber’s (luxurious furs and outerwear), Jane Roth (vintage jewelry), Occhio Bags (one-of-a-kind handbags), and Tuyet Jewelry (handcrafted custom jewelry). Some new vendors include The Belted Cow (handcrafted belts designed by artists), Boxwood Linen (fine linen home accessories), KEP Designs (fun and feminine jewelry), The Pink Mink (select collection of personal accessories and home goods), and Sea Bags (custom totes crafted from recycled sails, recently featured in Martha Stewart Living).

Seabags is a New England company who is a first time vendor with Shipley Shops. They will be showcasing their popular line of custom totes and accessories constructed from recycled sails.

Jennifer Irey, Director of Special Programs and Events at Shipley, spearheads the annual event. “Shipley Shops began as a holiday shopping event for the Main Line and 39 years later it has evolved into so much more than just a seasonal experience. Shipley Shops is a shopping experience for the Main Line unlike any other event. We have everything from children’s clothing to men’s apparel, to linens and more. I got all my holiday shopping completed last year at ‘Shops!’ We work hard to have a strong variety of new products, but maintain our companies that have become favorites throughout the years,” explained Irey.

Attendees should be sure to check out Shipley’s Four Corners. Foodies will love Culinary Corner, where they’ll find baking and cooking supplies from Viking Culinary, as well as a selection of gourmet food items and kitchen accessories. Unique crafts, made by Shipley colleagues, can be discovered in the Community Corner. Hungry shoppers can take a break to grab a cup of homemade soup or a sandwich in the Cuisine Corner. Finally, stop by Collectibles Corner, where someone’s donation may become your new treasure.

Tuyet Wong Bracelet: Black Spinel gemstones, Bali sterling silver, fresh water pearl, mother of pearl, Swarovski crystals.

Becky Snyder Fawcett, cofounder of HelpUsAdopt.org and ’88 Shipley alum, is one of the beneficiaries of this year’s event. HelpUsAdopt.org is a national non-profit financial grant program, formed in 2007, which helps couples and individuals with the high costs associated with adoption. HelpusAdopt.org provides up to $15,000 towards adoption expenses to those who qualify. “Adoption is very expensive. It does not matter who you are or where you live-it is very costly period. An average adoption costs $30,000 and that is just the average. My husband and I felt very fortunate when we adopted our son Jake that we wanted to give back to those who would not have this opportunity,” explained Snyder Fawcett.

You can feel guilt-free about splurging at Shipley Shops because a portion of every purchase benefits The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr. Pictured: Fashion by Charlotte Brody

Snyder Fawcett is considered a Shipley lifer, having attended kindergarten through twelfth grade. Her presence at Shipley Shops will be tied in with Denise Cox of Denise Cox Designs (denisecoxdesigns.com) who is HelpUsAdopt.org’s jewelry partner, and a friend of Becky’s. Don’t miss the booth hosted by Denise Cox Designs, which is donating 5% of sales to HelpUsAdopt.org (100% if you purchase the signature HelpUsAdopt.org bracelet).

Tuyet Wong (tuyetjewelry.com), a former registered nurse, is a very successful jewelry designer based in Radnor who creates distinctive one-of-a-kind pieces using semi-precious stones and freshwater pearls. Wong is part of the local artists and designers who are Shipley Shops regulars year in and year out. “For me, Shipley Shops defines community service and I feel very strongly about taking my time to help out a great school. Of course The Shipley School is a great Main Line school, with outstanding faculty. But, I enjoy participating each year in Shipley Shops because they are always so supportive of local artists and they have helped to put me on the map with so many of my clients,” explained Wong.

SIX SHIPLEY SHOPS’ VENDORS TO SET YOUR SIGHTS ON:

1) CPC Designs, Wayne, PA
www.cpcdesignsinc.com
Spearheaded by Main Line moms magnificent trio of Caroline Linz, Carrie Grau and Gaby Evers, CPC Designs offers fashion forward mix and match designs(moms choose the fabric and trims) for the customized outfits which includes sundresses, courdoroys and overalls.

2) Seabags, Portland, ME
www.seabags.com
Beach bunnies in attendance at Shipley Shops do not want to pass by Seabags! Since 1999, Seabags has been making customized bags out of recycled sails. Each uber-preppy bag is designed and inspired by the sail itself and all vary in texture and fabric.

3) Charlotte Brody Designs, NYC
www.charlottebrody.com
A first time Shipley Shops participant, Charlotte Brody Designs, out of NYC, offers high quality designs in luxurious fabrics such as Italian cashmere, Scottish tweed, linen and silk.

4) Flee Bags, Chicago
www.fleebags.com
Flee is a boutique brand specializing in oilcloth products and designed exclusively for busy women with “on the fly” lifestyles. The Flee product line utilizes oilcloth, most originally known for tablecloths in the 1950’s, and features carry-alls such as handbags, totes, diaper bags, backpacks, laptop carriers, lunch boxes, coolers…and of course tablecloths & placemats.

5) Boxwood Linen, Mount Pleasant, PA
www.boxwoodlinen.com
Boxwood Linen makes and designs decorative home accessories from 100% linen cloth. Table linens, aprons, pillows, guest towels, sachets and other gift items are meticulously handmade in Bucks County, PA in a variety of colors. Their line bridges the gap between European classics and clean modern design.

6) Polka Dots, Paoli, PA
www.shopatpolkadots.com
The popular Paoli boutique offers fashion forward, affordable, fun clothing and accessories.

The 49th Annual Shipley Shops

Denise Cox Designs will be featuring this bracelet at Shipley Shops. Proceeds benefit the charity Helpusadopt.org, which was founded by Shipley alum Becky Snyder Fawcett.

WHEN: October 22-24, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Thurs. & Fri.
10:00 am – 3:00 pm on Saturday

WHERE:
The Shipley School, Bryn Mawr, PA
Shipley’s Yarnall Gymnasium
The Shipley School
814 Yarrow St. Bryn Mawr, PA

Wednesday, October 21
Preview Party 6:00-9:00 pm, Yarnall Gymnasium
All are welcome, $75 single patron

COST: Admission is $10 on Thursday and Friday.
On Saturday, Family Fun Day, Admission is Free.

Open Bar
Featuring innovative and delicious cocktail fare from Bryce’s Catering
All are welcome to attend this fun and festive evening. It is an opportunity to shop and socialize in a casual and exciting atmosphere! Be one of the first to see (and purchase) unique items from our very exclusive vendors from New York, Maine, Washington, D.C. and local vicinities.

Thursday, October 22
Shops Open 10:00-6:00 pm All are welcome
Lower School Parent Get-Together 12:30-2:30 pm-Gather, socialize, and shop!
Shipley Past Parents Tea 3:00-5:00 pm

Friday, October 23
Shops Open 10:00-6:00 pm All are welcome
Shipley Grandparents Coffee 9:30-10:30 am
Middle School Parent Get-Together 12:00-2:30 pm-Gather, socialize, and shop!
Shipley Alumni Tea 3:00-4:30 pm
Shipley Alumni Cocktail Party 5:00-7:00 pm

Saturday, October 24
All are welcome and admission Saturday October 24th is FREE!
Family Fun Day featuring children’s activities and Cradles to Crayons collection

For more information at www.shipleyschool.org/shipleyshops