Much of Ann Patchett’s novel, Tom Lake, takes place at a cherry orchard in Michigan. The main character tells stories to her daughters while they are out picking cherries in their fields, and with Patchett’s vivid prose, you can almost taste the season’s fresh fruit.
A Michigan retailer capitalized on this connection and created a special batch of cherry jam in conjunction with the book. You don’t usually see a book inspire the making of preserves, but in this case, it’s a perfect pairing.
Where can you find new inspiration for your next project or product? This dot came from shopping in a boutique while on vacation. Shelby Van Pelt was inspired by an octopus documentary (dot #4190). A contest was spurred by the unlikely partnership between an ice cream company and a hippopotamus (dot #3505). Look beyond the usual sources to create connections that become the cherry atop your sundae.
