Ginger Blossom was, in the words of her maternal
grandmother, "born with itchy feet." "Even at a
very young age, I was sure that I'd see the world
when I grew up," Blossom said.
The route, however, was a rather circuitous one
including college in four states, a job as a tour
guide, and working as a ski instructor on three
continents.
It was while working in Argentina that the road
took a sharp curve that would lead her into a business
involving world travel, while providing others with
the possibility of making a living from their art
work and handicrafts.
The economy in Argentina that fateful ski season
had taken a sharp dive to the south. The local currency
was, for all practical purposes, worthless outside
of Argentina, and "as we couldn't buy dollars, we
bought sheepskin bedcovers," Blossom said.
These sold so well upon return to the States, that
the next year it was her intent to bring back more.
Realizing the potential of selling ethnic crafts
in the United States, Blossom began pursuing this
more seriously. Since she'd made contacts around
the world as a ski instructor, it was fairly easy
to focus the search and find the various producer
groups necessary for source acquisition.
Now, when Ginger Blossom is not out traveling the
world in search of wonderful and unusual things
for her business, she is minding the store in Richmond,
IL. on the farm where she grew up, accompanied by
her husband, Evan, and various four-legged family
members.
