At Mystic Knotwork Tide and Tied are Timeless

Mystic Knotwork is a family run small business in the picturesque seaside town of Mystic, Connecticut. Since 1957, the Beaudoin family has been selling their beautiful and functional nautical knot wares to dedicated customers. Matt Beaudoin and his wife Jill took the business over in 1996 from Matt’s grandfather, keeping this heritage art alive and well in Southern New England.

Tied and True

To focus on his grandfather’s creation, Matt left his corporate job in 2008. The family turned “Beaudoin’s Rope Locker” into Mystic Knotwork with a downtown shop and online presence that opened in 2015. You can pop into their workshop at 25 Cottrell Street, Mystic, and perhaps watch the skilled craftspeople at work! The location is especially connected to Historic Mystic, as the building used to offer sail and rigging repair, so knots were never far off.

Initially, Mystic Knotwork met the most success selling their sailor’s bracelets, the signature piece that has been a symbol of maritime New England life for generations. The cotton rope and turks head knot used to create these wearable nods to the sea make them simple, beautiful, and functional. Significantly, the style of knot is an endless weave of a single strand. Perhaps it is why the turks head is favored worldwide and is found throughout cultures dating back thousands of years. Jill and Matt’s work was so popular that they soon expanded the offerings of Mystic Knotwork.

Beyond Bracelets

With everything from riffs on the sailor’s bracelet to coasters and door-hanging wreaths, Mystic Knotwork can add a nautical touch to anyone’s life or lifestyle. In 2019 alone, the company was able to play a role in over 1,300 weddings. They offer favors, table settings, boutonnieres, and more as the “just right” nautical flare for a seaside wedding. Notably, Mystic Knotwork has been featured in Martha Stewart Living, Yankee Magazine, The Boston Globe, as well as countless other publications and TV spots shows that have showcased their exceptional wares. 

Matt and Jill take great pride in the quality and uniqueness of Mystic Knotwork’s products, and have a proprietary deal surrounding the ropes they use. The company also purchases in bulk. This meant that while many supply chains were disrupted by COVID-19, Mystic Knotwork was not similarly tied up. (ba dum tss). 

Day Trip or More

Mystic itself is a beautiful destination, and Mystic Knotwork should absolutely be on your itinerary if you head that way. This is particularly true as Jill also sells very on-trend macrame plant hangers and designs, but they’re all one-of -a-kind, so you have to be in shop to get them! If you can’t make the trip, you can visit their website that not only showcases their awesome products, but gives a dive into the history and importance of their craft. We’re so impressed by the skill, artistry, and care of this little shop, we know you’ll love it too!