Arts and Crafts -- Part II

There are many amazing artists and craftspeople around Cape Ann -- painters, photographers, glass-blowers, sand-sculptors, pottery-makers and (we now know) wood carvers. One of our recent guests traveled all the way here from Alabama for a wood-carving class with, David Calvo, who has a studio and school in East Gloucester. Our guest from down south, Sam Parker, spent a week in David's class. Here's a look at Sam's work -- and the tools he used to carve this piece.

Arts and Crafts

Look closely around the Blue Shutters and you'll see all sorts of interesting items: paintings, photographs and just about every nautical nick-nack ever made. There's a new addition -- one that's in one of the most visible spots in the Blue Shutters...but something you may never notice. Next time you're here, check out the fan sitting over the main room sofa. Tim Whitten from Maine stayed with us earlier this month and left this item -- a bellrope made from a single piece of string. We thought it would make a cool pull for the fan. Go to Tim's site to see some of his other work, including bellropes, decorative knotwork, and knot tying tools such as fids and prickers. Here you will find ships bell lanyards, sea chests, and sea chest beckets -- all made by Tim.

Steamahs!

We got a nice surprise last weekend when our friend Jack from Salem -- whose wife Marie has taken so many of the awesome photos featured on our blog -- stopped by with a cooler of steamers. We cooked them up and shared them with our guest Sam from Alabama -- a first-timer who needed to be schooled in the art of cleaning and buttering-up these clams. A big thank you to Jack -- and to Sam, who helped us work through this big pot of steamers (we hardly made a dent). Fresh steamers -- it's just one more surprise that could be in store for you when you visit the Blue Shutters.

Sneak Preview of Our March 17 St. Patrick's Day Murder Mystery

Innkeeper Patty -- our resident murder mystery expert -- has begun to pull together plans for our special event on St. Patrick's Day. She can't share all the details, but we know there'll be a murder in Paddy O’Brian’s Irish Pub -- but not before some Irish games, food and music. Here's a preview of some of the characters, from left: river dancer Murphy O'Sullivan, Irish pop star Ciara Walsh, rugby player Quinn Doyle and television weathergirl Bree O'Doherty. If you're Irish or want to be for a night -- or if you just want to have some fun with a bunch of great folks, call or email us today to make your reservation for that evening (978-283-1198; info@blueshuttersbeachside).

Surfing Safari...on Good Harbor Beach

Yesterday's big surf seemed to bring out more surfers today. By 7:30 we counted more than a dozen out there on their boards. We see surfers every weekend on Good Harbor Beach, but today there was a bigger crowd than usual.

On Our Facebook Page: A St. Paddy's Day Video

If you're not a regular visitor to the Blue Shutters Facebook page, you're missing out. Just today we posted a video and you just have to see. It's both a reminder for our St. Patrick's Day Murder Mystery and a birthday wish for one of the original "friends of the Blue Shuthers" -- Kathy Hill (that's her in the green wig). Check it out on Facebook -- and when you do, please "friend" us.

A Day for Walking and Waves

The waves on Good Harbor Beach were quite a sight today -- and there were plenty of folks out walking along the water to take it all in. The waves brought out a number of surfers as well -- something we see just about every weekend in the off-season. Here's one photo of the waves crashing on the rocks -- but this shot doesn't do this scene justice. You need to come and see for yourself. And when you do, stop in and say hello...or better yet, spend the night!