This year, Earrings & Company will celebrate its 20th anniversary. Located on Mechanic Street, across from the L.L. Bean flagship store in Freeport, they’re conveniently located “around the corner and down the stairs” from everything that downtown Freeport has to offer. “We’ve been in the same spot since 1993,” said Carrie McBride, proprietress of Earrings & Company.
Earrings & Company carries much more than earrings, offering a successful combination of over 100 lines of handcrafted and fashion necklaces, bracelets, rings and sets, including a large selection of sterling silver chains, and jewelry for brides and bridal parties.
More specifically, in addition to the handcrafted and fashion jewelry, the shop also has the popular Chamilia and Ohm bracelets and charms, as well as three handmade bead lines, two of which are made in Maine. A recent addition to their line of collectible charms is “CharmIt!” with colorful, detailed, 3-D charms for necklaces and bracelets, it’s perfect for young girls. McBride said, “It’s very fun and very affordable.”
MaryJane Doubleday is an artist from Hope, Maine. “She makes gorgeous sterling silver necklaces and earrings.” According to McBride, “Her work is an organic, swirling-type leaf look, some evoking the waves of the ocean.” Her pieces look delicate, but are sturdy and wearable, crafted in both brushed and polished silver.
McBride is also proud to offer fine jewelry by Patricia Locke. “It is a very unique, limited-edition line of silver jewelry with gemstones and crystals.”
In addition to earrings, bracelets, rings and necklaces, “We have a large selection of hair accessories from traditional clips and claws to hair sticks,” said McBride.
Earrings & Company also carries an elegant line of handpainted and hand-dyed silk scarves from California. “The silk is soft and lightweight and can be worn year round. These scarves are reasonably priced and the colors are luscious and vibrant. We have matching earrings and scarf clips, and each scarf comes with a tying guide,” said McBride who is looking forward to receiving the new spring colors. “A scarf is a perfectly silky, flirtatious and fluttery accessory for a spring day.”
McBride enjoys finding sources for new and different lines that her customers will like. “We go into those hidden corners of the country to find things that are unique, interesting and the right price point. About 80 percent of our pieces are American and Canadian made. Probably 40 percent is Maine made,” said McBride.
Earrings & Company’s employees are professional and educated regarding the lines that are carried in the shop. “They know where each piece was made and can tell a customer which lines are hypoallergenic, what style might work best with a type of hairstyle, what colors will work best with certain features.”
McBride particularly enjoys when shoppers come in with a special need. “We’ll get husbands shopping for wives, mothers looking for jewelry for daughters, and grandmothers buying a gift for a grandson’s girlfriend, and we love helping them find something that is just right, that they will feel comfortable giving.” McBride added, “We know what trends are popular, what women are looking for, and we try to steer them in the right direction.”
Earrings & Company also offers on-site ear piercing by well-trained, experienced employees.
With on-street parking just outside their door, and more free parking in the nearby parking garage, it’s easy to shop at Earrings & Company. With so many amenities in downtown Freeport, including more shopping, dining and the new multiplex theatre a couple blocks away, it’s easy to make a day of it.
For more information about Earrings & Company, explore their website at www.earringsandcompany.com, and then visit them at 2 Mechanic Street in Freeport.