I have always loved clothing. I remember details of fabrics and garments from my childhood more readily than events. My mother taught me how to sew and often helped me design and choose fabrics. As an adult I learned how to make patterns when living in the San Francisco Bay area. I wanted to be able to create the garments I pictured in my head. I love vintage garments for their quality and style. I often start my design process with a vintage garment and then try to adapt it to a modern lifestyle. My goal is always to create high quality, wear forever garments ethically. Designing and producing in Maine allows me to do that!
Tekto Knives
Posted by Marko Mandic & filed under .
In 2016 several of the early Tekto partners returned from an outdoor excursion in the backwoods of Maine with frustration and disappointment. Even some of the most reputable names in the knife space had failed in the harsh northeastern environment. The cold and brutal conditions left our knives chipped, dull, and unreliable. The ordeal inspired us to spawn a research and development project that eventually led to the creation of Tekto. At Tekto, we focus on out-the-front automatic knives that have won accord with even the most demanding users whose lives depend on the quality of their knives. Today, Tekto challenges the industry with a straightforward proposition: WE DESIGN PURPOSE-BUILT KNIVES FOR LIFE’S MOST DEMANDING MISSIONS.
Dust + Waves Textile
Posted by Brooke Biette & filed under .
I am a lifelong quilter who learned how to dye fabrics out of a need to create the types of fabrics I wanted to use but couldn’t find. After spending ten years out West, my partner and I moved back to my home state of Maine three years ago to put down our roots – which is what I am most creatively inspired by. Family, my surroundings, landscape, moments… I gain inspiration from the little, beautiful things. I put all of that love and inspiration into each piece of fabric or garment that I dye, and each quilt I make.
Fishbellies
Posted by Lisa Assenza & filed under .
MICROWAVE HOT, FREEZER COLD, CORN BAG THERAPY
Cast aside your hot water bottle and bag of frozen peas! Pamper and soothe achy body parts with Fishbellies. Heat in the microwave for warmth and relief on muscles, achy body parts, even cold hands and feet. Store in freezer, and use cold to help soothe injuries and manage pain. Fishbellies are perfect post surgery or post workout and make an excellent get-well gift to cheer your loved one. Hang anywhere for a hot or cold boost, reinforcing your body’s natural ability to heal and relax. Made with 100% cotton, cheery, colorful fabrics and filled with extra clean kernel corn. Corn has a large surface area that can retain heat or cold for long periods of time. This corn will not pop in the microwave!
Forever Boards New England, LLC
Posted by John & Cheryl Dumond & filed under .
Forever Boards are uniquely handcrafted with a solid surface (I.e. Corian) that was destined for a landfill, that we reclaim and remove from the waste stream.
Unlike traditional cutting boards, Forever Boards are nonporous; therefore, NO bacteria, NO cross-contamination and NO odor.
Forever Boards are dishwasher safe or may be hand-washed with hot soapy water.
Chilling Forever Boards before serving cold food items (cheese, fruit, sushi, shrimp, etc.) will keep your food cold and fresh.
Forever Boards may be used as a beautiful trivet for items up to 400F (excluding cast iron pots and pans).
Colvard & Company Sausages
Posted by Carter Light & filed under .
Carter Light, Chef/Owner
Carter Light makes delicious sausage with the freshest ingredients using old world techniques. Carter learned how to make sausages in culinary school at Southern New Hampshire University and has been fascinated by the process of transforming throwaway products into something delicious ever since. His love of food started at a young age when he was growing up in a bed and breakfast operated by his mother. Carter has worked for Chef Paul O’Connor at a fine dining restaurant in Jackson Hole, Wyoming where became executive chef. Carter then moved to Park City, Utah and ran Silver Restaurant. After several years at Silver and looking to move back to the east coast, Carter partnered with James Mitchell to open Coda restaurant in Southwest Harbor in the winter of 2015. Carter created Colvard and Company, LLC two years later and ran simultaneously with the restaurant. In 2020 the pandemic forced the restaurant to close and Carter shifted his focus to making sausages fulltime. When Carter is not making sausages he enjoys camping, hiking and playing frisbee with his dogs Buddy and Montana.
Sperry General Store
Posted by Liza Sperry & filed under .
Sperry General Store is a woman owned décor and gift-focused shop specializing in vintage style travel posters, prints and handcrafted artisan. The style is inspired by graphic Art Deco, specifically the Swiss poster design of the 1920s and 1930s. Liza graduated magna cum laude from Maine College of Art & Design and works outside her home studio in South Portland, Maine. She grew up in the Borestone mountain region roaming around 500 acres of family owned land, her work is deeply inspired from the natural beauty of this area.
Acadia, Casco Bay, Katahdin, Moosehead Lake and Onawa are just a few of the locations highlighted in their work. Through her love of Maine and it’s natural beauty, she donates 1% of all sales to environmentally focused organizations throughout the state—including the Natural Resources Council of Maine and the Nature Conservancy of Maine.
ISLES
Posted by Reed Allen & filed under .
In the heart of Maine, where rugged coastlines meet lush forests, ISLES was born from a simple yet profound desire: to create a moment of pure comfort and indulgence in every cup. Our small batch Latte Blends are more than just beverages; they’re crafted with care, using only the finest, all-natural, organic, and plant-based ingredients.
At ISLES, we believe that less is more. That’s why we’ve carefully curated our blends to be free from any additives or artificial flavors – just pure, unadulterated goodness in every sip. Each blend is a celebration of simplicity, inspired by the beauty and bounty of nature that surrounds us.
Our recipes are a labor of love, perfected over years of personal enjoyment. Now, we’re thrilled to share them with you, inviting you to savor the same moments of joy and relaxation that have enriched our lives.
Whether you prefer your latte hot or iced, ISLES has a blend that will envelop you in warmth and comfort, like a hug in a cup. So go ahead, take a moment for yourself, and indulge in the wholesome goodness of ISLES. After all, life is too short for anything less than the best.
Sip up, and let every cup be a reminder to slow down, savor the moment, and enjoy the simple pleasures in life.
Mermaid Meadow, Original artwork by Bevin Holmberg
Posted by Bevin Holmberg & filed under .
Bevin is an artist living and working in Falmouth, Maine. She is the daughter of a woodworker and a painter. Bevin obtained a B.F.A. in Studio Art from James Madison University, with a concentration in photography, focusing specifically in alternative processes. She also holds a Master of Education in Art from the University of Minnesota, and finished the program with summer study at Säterglänten Institute for Slöjd (traditional handicrafts) in Insjön and Stockholm, Sweden. While in Minnesota, she lived and participated in the Tilsner Artist Cooperative in St. Paul, worked as a sign painter, and taught drawing lessons to elementary-age students.
“I moved to the beautiful state of Maine (2010), and as an artist, was inspired by its rustic charm. I started painting on old boards from barns that had fallen under disrepair and lost their use. I love painting on the wood because each piece is unique and adds a layer of texture and history. Their old knots and saw marks present character, and they give me a challenge to paint on. I keep my paintings relatively simple and take into account the interesting features that the wood already has.”
Maine Coast Smokehouse
Posted by Patricia Moore & filed under .
I worked at the smokehouse for 6 years with my dad learning the process of the dry cure artisanal smoking methods. During that time, he was a proud recipient of 6 SOFI awards for a few of his creations. Shortly, thereafter, my dad lost his battle with cancer and I took a break from the smoking atmosphere to work in a lobster facility.
My new position allowed me the opportunity to work with some wonderful people (local and far away). HACCP, BRC and Internal Auditing Certifications gave me the opportunity to work in a world wide marketing atmosphere and I wouldn’t be where I am today without those friends.
My husband Gary, is a life time fisherman and captain of the Casey-n-Taya. Fishing on the water all his life doing a little bit of everything from urchin diving, gill netting and hauling traps.
The old smokehouse was not in operation and we thought it would be a great opportunity to bring some life back into the building. After some major renovating and ALOT of paperwork, we finally opened the doors in April 2021.
We put in a lot of time and energy to get a product that was comparable to the superior quality product that was smoked by my dad back in the day. Our first priority is FRESH. All Natural Organic certified hard and fruit woods are used in the facility allowing us to offer Organic smoking service to local businesses.
Stop by our retail room and try a sample of our smoked seafood items or look around at some of the other small Maine businesses that we support and help promote their products.