Did you know that every lobsterman has a unique color scheme for his or her buoys to mark the location of their traps? No two lobstermen have the same buoy markings in the same state. The markings are painted on by the lobstermen to mark their territory.
They are often bright in color so they can easily be spotted in the ocean waves. You will also see those same patterns on the lobster boats, which is required by law.
To many, the buoys represent works of art. Hand painted with purpose and pride, a testament to their livelihood and heritage. Many businesses and homes in Maine have a display of found buoys attached to the exteriors nailed on the weathered gray cedar shingles. What a perfect backdrop to feature this vibrant coastal art. A true tribute to the hard work and lifestyle of the lobstermen.
When you travel to The New England States, Maine specifically, you may see scavenged buoys for sale at local antique shops. When I saw a bin of chippy, colorful buoys, my heart skipped a beat.
I bought all I could and mailed them back home. I envisioned a big nautical display in my booth space. Authentic decor for the lake house, beach house or nautical inspired home. Such a perfect nod to summer.
The most recent time I was in Maine, the prices of these found buoys had spiked considerably! They had become featured in magazines and now highly sought after, and out of my price range.
Cue the crafter in me…..We were staying in South Harbor Maine at a local AirBNB and saw signs for fresh lobster on our street. One afternoon my son and I decided to ride bikes up the street to see what we could find. After meeting this kind weathered lobsterman and his family I asked if he had any old Buoys for sale. (Cue the eye roll from my son). He didn’t but said, to ride to Joe’s house because he might. So off we went, looking for Joe.
Joe didn’t have any old buoys at the time, but directed me to this overturned rowboat on this property. As he lifted up this boat he had a big pile of old, and unpainted buoys. He said, you can have those if you want. My mind was racing with ideas. Workshops, Chalk Paint, Window Display etc, I said I’ll take ‘em!! And off we went back with a bike full of blank lobster buoys, waiting to be filled with color.
