ferdinand is a studio and storefront on Munjoy Hill and business supporter of WMPG!

There's a funky little hotbed of creativity called Ferdinand sitting comfortably at the bottom of Munjoy Hill in Portland's East End. You may have noticed a number of hip boutiques and shops popping up in the area over the past few years. Well, Ferdinand was one of the first, and it remains one of the most unique.

Ferdinand is a great place to browse, always full of surprises. You'll find original lampshades, t-shirts, magnets, cards, softheads (more on them later), patches and other unique items that are the handiwork of owner Diane Toepfer. But Ferdinand also stocks the work of other local artists; books, purses, jewelry, pillows, and, as the shop's website proclaims,"a disproportionate amount of small, strange objects." There are always unique vintage housewares and furniture in stock, as well. Don't forget to look at the walls; there is excellent original art available, too. In fact, one of my first visits to Ferdinand was for an art opening: Karen Gelardi's Pine Cone series of paintings, featuring live music from the Clown School Dropouts and a fun crowd bopping along. It was a refreshing departure from the usually reserved brie and crackers, chardonnay-sipping atmosphere of many art openings. Other artists featured on Ferdinand's walls over the years include Frank Sanfillipo and, most recently, Robert McKibbon.

Diane moved to Portland with her husband Ron after living in Oakland for eight years, but, having grown up in northern California, she was reluctant to relocate (Ron had lived for a time in Baltimore and missed the East Coast). After visiting friends in Portland, though, the two exchanged one coast for the other.

And how was the transition? "It became apparent pretty quickly that Portland's the BEST!" The two have felt at home ever since. "Opening a shop here has been an amazing way to meet people and get established. People are nice and our quality of life here is wonderful. The air is clean and it's much safer and more affordable than Oakland."

Soon after moving to Portland, Diane and Ron discovered another feature that adds to the quality of life in Portland: WMPG. "When we first moved here," Diane said, " I was scanning through the dial and came across "Radio Junk Drawer" (Wednesdays, 3pm-5pm, hosted by David Pence). It's a great show and I was psyched to find it!" So psyched, in fact, that Ferdinand now underwrites the program.

Diane's appreciation of community radio actually extends beyond that of an avid listener. "I was a pretty crummy dj on KALX, UC Berkeley's radio station for a few years," she explained. "It was fun, though! I love listening to and learning about music and I got to see a lot of live music. The other dj's were very creative and interesting people and it was a very worthwhile and fun thing to be involved in."

Her experience in volunteer-driven college radio gave her insight into the importance of supporting noncommercial radio, too. "I can really get behind community radio. I've been listening to it, wherever I've lived, since I was about 12! Also- working at one was a real eye opener. It's a ton of effort to keep a station going- just organizing a Begathon is a lot of work."

Has her underwriting of WMPG helped get the word out about Ferdinand? "YES! Tons of people listen to college/community radio. I love it because it isn't slick, you never know who you'll hear. You can get to know a dj by their taste in music- something that never happens on commercial radio. And it's interesting to hear about the different niches and tastes in Portland."

Speaking of niches and tastes, I asked Diane about her tastes in music. "It's interesting because since I spend most of my time in Ferdinand, that's where I listen to music. And since all kinds of people come through, some of the music I like just isn't what I call "shop appropriate." Current bands I've been listening to at Ferdinand are the Shins, Sharky, anything Jim O'Rourke is involved in and, of course Harpswell Sound (husband Ron's band). I like a lot of 60's pop- the Kinks, Donovon , Love, and 60's soul- the Chamber Brothers, Tyrone Davis. Also I love the Velvet Underground, ESG, anything on SoulJazz Records- like Eddie Bo and Jackie Mitoo. Plus I think I'm the only lampshade maker in Maine who listens to Bowie. Some "not shop appropriate" music I love; Ol' Dirty Bastard, the Stooges, the Black Keys, T2, Buzzcocks!"

Eclectic, to say the least! And those tastes are reflected wonderfully in her shop. Asked to describe Ferdinand, Diane replies, "It's my weird little world. In short; things I make and things I like. Handmade items by local (and not local) designers, vintage housewares and furniture... I make barrettes, handbags, lamps and lampshades, stationery, patches, t'shirts, magnets and pins...quite a variety of items in my studio at the back of the shop. In the winter I make a lot of custom lampshades, and in the summer I sell a lot more of the other items I make- the handsewn screenprinted things. It's a strange assortment, but I think that is one of the things that makes Ferdinand interesting. Changing it all the time keeps it fun for me."

The change in Ferdinnand's immediate neighborhood has also been fun. When asked if there is a sense of community among the merchants at the bottom of the Hill, Diane doesn't hesitate, "Yes! My block is great and I am so glad to have such great neighbors and to be a part of this vibrant arts community."

Why is the store named Ferdinand, you might wonder? Diane explains, "I wanted a name that wasn't too foofy and "Ferdinand the Bull" by Munroe Leaf is an excellent book. But actually, we named the shop after a song about the book- "Ferdinand" by Slim and Slam."

And about those softheads? What in the world is a softhead? "Softheads are my greatest creation," Diane says with pride. "They are ridiculous stuffed soft heads with a unibrow and grimace. There are 4 basic shapes- eggplant, tomato, hotdog, and baguette- also the giant softhead shaped like a potato. They are all differnt and kind of addictive!" So addictive, in fact, that when Ferdinand sponsored a softhead photo exhibition, she was flooded with entries. Customers sent in dozens of photos. Folks posed with them, dressed them, and digitally manipulated them. The result was a fun exhibit representing the broad range of Ferdinand's customer base. Customers were then invited to vote for favorites in several categories and a calendar featuring the winning photos was printed. Softheads are now the best-selling item on the Ferdinand website www.ferdinandhomestore.com. You could say the whole softhead contest / exhibition kind of sums up Ferdinand - a blend of community, creativity, art, and fun.

Ferdinand is located at 243 Congress St., Portland. 761-2151
Open Wednesday thru Saturday, 11 am-6 pm.
Now on the web at www.ferdinandhomestore.com