One day a few months ago, as I waited for my take-out at Pi Pizzeria, I happened to notice a small chocolate-brown box with artistically scrawled writing on the label. Taking a closer look, I divined that it was toffee – “Nantucket Artisan Toffee” to be precise, made by Small Town Girl. I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting confections (that is, early in the season, before all that “interest” starts showing up on my waistline), so I purchased a box. And, noticing a bag of Honey Walnut Caramels, also made by Small Town Girl, I bought them too.
One bite of the toffee convinced me that I must find out who this Small Town Girl was, so that I could be assured of a continuing supply of her product. The crunchy toffee was rich and buttery, kissed with a thin layering of dark chocolate, and sprinkled inside and out with bits of walnut and pecan. It was, in a word, delicious. I couldn’t stop eating it. And the subtly sweet, chewy Honey Walnut Caramels were just as good.
Small Town Girl's toffee is to die for
Luckily for me, the charming labels on the toffee and caramels had a website address: www.stgnantucket.com. And on that site, I found that the creator of those lovely confections was none other than Taylor Cullen, who is one multi-talented and prolific young woman. For Taylor not only makes toffee and caramels – she also makes a fabulous caramel sauce, assorted preserves, and various dried fruit & nut mixtures, as well as deftly woven Shaker baskets, colorful quilted placemats, aromatic sachets, eye pillows, and therapeutic neck wraps filled with lavender from Provence, beeswax candles, and pottery.
Taylor Cullen selling her wares at the Event Under the Tent
One of Taylor's beautiful baskets
Taylor learned basket weaving, as well as sewing and cooking, from her accomplished mother, Nina Webb, and quite obviously was an attentive student with a genuine talent all her own. Everything she produces is artfully done, and shows great attention to quality and detail. Her carefully hand-crafted baskets, which are signed and numbered, are beautiful, functional, and food-safe. Her quilted cotton placemats (pre-washed and pre-shrunk so they are machine washable), sachets, eye pillows, and neck wraps are made from bright & attractively patterned fabrics that are fresh and contemporary. Every food product she’s made that I’ve tasted has been delectable. And her pottery is attractive and useful – particularly the garden markers that will help you (and the bunnies) differentiate between the parsley and cilantro you planted.
An assortment of Taylor's colorful quilted placemats
Taylor's therapeutic neck wraps can be either heated or chilled to soothe sore muscles
I love these garden markers (they almost make me wish I had a garden...)
Taylor sells her wares at Sustainable Nantucket’s weekly Farmers and Artisans Market (which takes place on Saturdays in town from 9AM to 1PM at Upper Cambridge Street and North Union Street through October 13). You will find some of her food products in certain shops on the Island, including Petticoat Row Bakery and Pi Pizzeria’s take-out section. She also sells her products on Etsy (the popular online marketplace for handmade items), and if you don’t see what you are looking for there, you can always contact her directly through her website.
Small Town Girl's shop at Nantucket's weekly Farmers Market
I really love everything Taylor has to offer and, with Christmas approaching (yes, it is!!), I think you’ll find some great gift ideas among her wares – and, what the heck, a nice treat for yourself, too….Did anyone say caramel sauce?….
