by Angie Lafrance –
Lewiston native, Angie Lafrance, is the artist behind Ramble Row, her art and handmade brand. Angie, who also co-owns Obscura Café & Drinkery in downtown Lewiston, started her online shop in 2016 with handmade jewelry and apparel. Ramble Row operated successfully until 2022, when she took a break to focus on opening Obscura. Now, Ramble Row is back with a whole new focus.
Shopping small and sustainable is more important than ever. That’s why Angie is saving beautiful relics of our history from landfills in the form of upcycled broken china jewelry. Every piece is made from vintage and antique dishes sourced by hand throughout the state. Antique china gives off that timeless charm we so often admire, with delicate patterns that lend themselves beautifully to jewelry. Every piece is one of a kind and handcrafted with appreciation for its individual history.
Antique china was usually cherished and passed down through generations. When our lives became more casual, these time-worn dishes and teacups began to collect dust until they eventually wound up in thrift shops, yard sales, and landfills. Now, they’ve found new life with Ramble Row. Great Grandma’s favorite blue and white porcelain can still be cherished, beyond the cupboard this time, as a pair of earrings. The souvenir plate from someone’s family vacation can now find itself on new vacations as it dangles from its new traveler’s neck.
Each design celebrates imperfection. Living this life is easier when we accept that broken pieces can still be whole and just as beautiful as ever. Broken china also reminds us how fragile life is and how it should be cherished.
The best part of it all is that purchasing from a small craftsperson or business empowers us to invest more in each other and our communities. Buying someone you care about a handmade artisan gift makes it feel extra special when we are so used to cheaply manufactured products that only economically benefit the few. Even if you are treating yourself to something pretty, you can feel good that you made a purchase that also supports a fellow human, is recycled, and has survived so much.