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Visions of Sugarplums Rhody’s favorite artisanal lollipop maker debuts a pair of festive flavors Want the stockings stuffed with a little extra cheer this year? Goodies from local artisan candy maker Popette of Pendulum will bring an extra dose of merriment. Just in time for Christmas, Popette is rolling out two festive confections – vanilla swirl and candy-cane reindeer lollipops. Popette’s founder Brenda Swift – Rhode Island’s own Wilhelmina Wonka – created her candy company from the belief that “pure is possible.” Swift sources local and organic ingredients to make Popette’s sweet treats, which are vegan as well as gluten and tree-nut free. Before Swift donned her confectioner’s hat, she was a fashion designer in New York City. The RISD alum designed clothes for luxury retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, and Bloomingdales. While taking a break from the fashion industry, she began noodling with candy-making, and, ever the artist, added a hand-painted design to her confections. Her creative background is evident in her crafted candies. Each pop is embellished with a whimsical brush-stroke design. Swift spent a year fiddling with the recipe – which uses brown rice syrup instead of corn, organic cane sugar, and no chemical additives – before she began toting them to farmers’ markets around the state. Now Popette of Pendulum is found at specialty shops throughout the US and at Bloomingdales. Learn more at PopetteOfPendulum.com | By Karen Greco Photography by Nick DelGiudice The Bay • December 2021
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