If there’s anything constant about Brilliant Stranger — the vision, the business and founder Dawn Patel — it’s change. It all began as a sleepy dream in 2005, she says, and has transformed into many ‘dreams come true’ over the years.
“One constant always flowing quietly beneath the change has been the feeling the dream evoked in those early morning hours 14 years ago,” Dawn says today. “The feeling that each of us shines and is a point of light, unknown to ourselves until we see ourselves reflected in another’s light. That recognition brings laughter, tears, joy and awe…the fruits of the creative act of encountering each other in the world.”
It might seem even stranger still that this dream has evolved into clothing. And yet, clothing is a universal way we express ourselves in these encounters. Clothing is what we place between our naked selves and the world we meet. How it feels, how it looks and especially how it is created, is more important than often recognized.
And with this purpose always in mind, of creating clothing that enhances each Stranger’s Brilliant Light, Dawn Patel has introduced a 2019 spring and summer line of Brilliant Stranger fair trade collaborated clothing. Combined with the handmade one-of-a-kind jewelry by Sister Bay artist Mary Beth Mead, this is a cause for celebration! And we are not alone in the Garden Courtyard, our neighboring shops are full of fair trade and handmade treasures. Glass Door Studio is a precious Cooperative Gallery full of Door County artists, with work ranging from handmade paper, local honey, photography, painting, jewelry, chocolate and pressed flowers. Studio 768 features a carefully curated collection of ethical unique goods from around the world, as well as Camilla Hitzeman’s Door County tees, fast becoming a collectors obsession for both visitors and locals.
So what about the party? Memorial Day weekend Brilliant Stranger will be kicking off its 2019 Door County season with two days of live music and handmade guitars. Join us in the garden courtyard behind Ecology Sports in Sister Bay with Tony Bessen (Unity the Band) and Dale Kumbalek (Dale Kumbalek Tonewood) for live acoustic music and handmade one-of-a-kind guitars. Dale’s guitars are made with ethically sourced materials, using primarily hand tools and traditional techniques. The guitars are on display from 12 – 5pm on Saturday, May 25 and 12 – 4pm on Monday, May 27, with the music starting at 2pm on both days.