Flint Trading Co.’s Walter McAdow Tells Stories with Jewelry
Aside from being locally known as the owner of the world’s cutest golden retriever puppy, Walter McAdow owns and operates Flint Trading Co., a specialty jeweler designing custom pieces and gifts as well as showcasing fine art from Michigan’s top artists. The shop is located above Flint City T-Shirts on Saginaw St.
“We think of it as a secret little jewel box, you know?” says McAdow. “You can come in and look at artworks that are in the thousands of dollars, but I try to mix it all together. Even though I have a painter that does paintings in the thousands of dollars, he or she will make cards or mugs with their artwork on it that’s like 22 bucks.”
As a metalsmith first, jeweler second, and a former practicing psychologist, McAdow is able to approach his pieces from a unique perspective. Rather than simply connecting the dots for his customers, he believes in sitting down, having a conversation and building a story behind each creation.
“I had worked in a jewelry store in downtown Royal Oak where basically everyone came in and wanted the biggest diamond on the smallest piece of wire. In this case I’m meeting people walking in who wanted stuff that was interesting that told stories,” says McAdow. “Flint people are history buffs. I knew I like to tell stories with my jewelry and genuinely work with people to come up with ideas, but I had no idea it was like this.”
In addition to providing his services both as a jeweler and an open art gallery, McAdow can be seen frequenting most downtown businesses and walking the streets with his puppy, Emmett, making new friends along the way.
“My newest favorite business is Xolo, that taco place. In the downtown area I try to go everywhere. Churchill’s is also a hidden little gem. People are so tied to their past thinking it’s a college bar, but I send pictures of that place to my friends in Ferndale and Royal Oak and tell them the place has over 400 whiskeys. Can’t find that in Ferndale! Of course, Emmett loves the people in The Ferris Wheel and SHIFT because they’re dog-friendly.” Of course if you don’t find Walter in his space, check next door at Cork, his usual lunchtime haunt.
Flint Trading Co. will be open to the public showcasing art and providing a spread of drinks and snacks this Friday, January 10th, from 5pm to 8pm, for Art Walk in Downtown Flint.
For more information about the Flint Trading Company please visit: https://www.facebook.com/flinttradingco/
