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Community Corner

Patch Passport: A Hidden Gem on Main Street

Discover Butterfly Tree, a Hidden Gem on Main Street in Medfield that you may have driven by and never known existed. Take a little trip with Patch and we'll show you the way.

Maria Piedra always wanted to open a unique gift shop and after battling breast cancer a few years ago, she decided to follow her dream.

“When you’re faced with a disease like that, it really puts things in perspective.  Life is short and you should really live your dreams,” she said.  “I always liked the name ‘Butterfly Tree.’  Butterflies are all about transformation, and I was going through a bit of transformation. Butterflies are also beautiful and colorful and unique, and I was hoping to bring in a lot of those kinds of different products.” 

The Norfolk resident knew the location at 505 Main St. in Medfield was the perfect place to launch her dream of selling fair trade, green, organic and repurposed gifts. She carefully selects each product and particularly looks for gifts, jewelry, home décor, apparel, etc. with a nice back-end story.

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“Many of these products help to build communities in developing countries, they especially help women in those countries,” said Piedra.  “It’s also important to help struggling artists and companies in the United States; there’s a mix.”

The shop also features several local artists such as Ellen Keiter of Ellen’s Arts (greeting cards) of Wrentham; Kate Creations based in Millis; Molly’s Apothecary (bath and body products) of Medway; and Medfield photographer and artist Colleen Sullivan.

Find out what's happening in Medfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Unique green or repurposed items include wind chimes created from the tops of wine bottles and beverage glasses created from the bottoms of those wine bottles; bottle openers fashioned from an old bicycle chain; and handbags using discontinued yoga mats.

Piedra also has makes sure she has fun gifts for all ages, including toys made in the USA from 100 percent recycled materials, magnetic interchangeable jewelry, and stationery made out of 100 percent elephant dung (which has a high fiber content and no odor). 

The Butterfly Tree features sterling silver jewelry made from butterflies raised in the rain forests specifically for this purpose.

“It helps preserve the rainforest because it gives them a job, an income, without cutting the rainforest down,” said Piedra.  “They only live a couple weeks then they are picked up and sent here and then they are fashioned into sterling silver jewelry.” 

Stop by 505 Main St. and discover the unique shop, a hidden gem in town, for yourself or call (508) 359-6781 for more information.

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