S’Wanderings: Cape Ann, Massachusetts – The Paper Mermaid
Paper Mermaid storefront
One of the main reasons we went to Rockport was to visit The Paper Mermaid. I’d never been to the shop before (I found out about it online), so I was happy to find it exactly as I’d imagined: a cute storefront on Rockport’s picturesque Main Street, jam-packed with all kinds of eye candy. It’s my ideal kind of store—full of stationery, toys, cool office supplies, and all sorts of “nifty gifties.”
Mary Faino, The Paper Mermaid’s owner, has an excellent eye for all things funky and intriguing and pretty and irresistible. Which is no wonder, considering she is also an artist. Mary’s illustrations are featured on her own line of greeting cards, which happily share shop space with cards and boxed notes from other local artists like Amy Seabrook, Susan Woodman, and Shari S. Gallant of Blue Oar Designs, as well as from popular card companies, like Great Arrow Graphics, Crane & Co., and James Ellis, among many others.
Mary Faino greeting cards
Cards and notes by local artists, clockwise from left: Amy Seabrook, Shari S. Gallant/Blue Oar Designs, and Susan Woodman.
Cards and boxed notes sets
In addition to cards, The Paper Mermaid offers a wide selection of notepads, pens, and fun office supplies, including Moleskine and LEUCHTTURM1917 journals and a nice selection of Mudlark notepads, jotters, and other office supplies. Also available: Girl of All Work magnetic bookmarks, NPW Keyboard Stickers, Yellow Owl Workshop rubber stamp sets, and lots of Cavallini & Co. products—everything from their decorative paper tapes to rubber stamp sets to fun tins of funky clips.
Pens, pencils, and notebooks
Paper Mermaid display full of journals, art supplies, greeting cards, and other goodies
Mudlark List Pads, Pocket Memo Folios, Notes on the Go, and Page Corners
Office supplies, galore!
Yellow Owl Workshop rubber stamp sets
Cavallini & Co. stamps, magnets, Petite Parcel Sets, and more
The Paper Mermaid is also an excellent gift destination, with lots of fun treats to help you cross off your gifting list.
Cotton Pompom scarves from RockFlowerPaper
Wallets from Bungalow360, and bags, iPhone cases, kitchen towels, and more from RockFlowerPaper
More goodies, including Great Arrow Graphics cards, Mighty Wallets, paper garlands handcrafted by a Nepalese women’s co-op, Quotable Magnets, Art Bird products, and more
At this point, you may be thinking. Wow! That’s a lot to fit into a small footprint. But, wait, there’s more! No, seriously, there’s an entire other half of the store, dedicated solely to cool stuff for kids. Woo-hoo!
Paper Mermaid’s kids section
From games to puzzles to craft kits to plushy pals, Faino has made sure there is something on the shelves to fulfill any kid’s wish. Eeboo, Anna Williams Group, 4M, Usborne, and seemingly every other cool kids’-product company is represented.
Puzzles and games
Craft kits, books, and other fun activities and goodies
In keeping with the shop’s theme, there is a huge selection of ocean-, sea-creature-, pirate-, and—of course—mermaid-themed toys and activities.
All things oceany, and a veritable mountain of sand and water toys
Plush sharks from Maison Chic
The littlest members of society aren’t left out, either. Fun products from Kaloo, Les Déglingos, Jellycat, and others will keep those chunky baby toes and fingers busy.
Baby toys and books
And, once you’ve explored every nook and cranny, and have chosen a beautiful card (or two) and the perfect gift (or twenty), you can finish your shopping experience by selecting some gorgeous wrapping supplies.
Twine, ribbon, and paper to wrap it all up and tie it with a bow
You can easily dedicate some serious time to The Paper Mermaid, perusing and poking, and then trying (in vain) to whittle down your shopping list. The good news is, no matter how big or little your budget, there’s something here for you (and Faino keeps prices reasonable), so you’re sure to leave happy.
So, next time you’re in the area, be sure to pay a visit to this magical little shop.
The Paper Mermaid is located at 57 Main Street, Rockport, MA. Fall hours are 11:00 – 5:00, daily.