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There is always a story behind a person. How they started, who they are, what their interests are. I am a lifelong artist but truly found my craft when I was generously blessed with some wood by a coworker.
I began to experiment with resin shortly after. The use of wood and resin has allowed me to blend the things I love most – working with my hands in a physical way while using other art elements to enhance the wood.
About 70% of the wood I use also has a story. It’s not unusual to find me on “wood hunts”. These are short adventures often resulting in treasures of local wood, some saved from burn piles or sometimes going on site where the wood is being milled. I have gathered wood from Falmouth, Peru, Northern Maine, Norway and multiple other areas. In most cases, I can tell you the location your wood came from and its back story.
The other 30% is imported – I use exotic woods from around the globe (though I have also salvaged some of this locally too). One of my main woods is Olivewood from Turkey- the wood was salvaged from 100+ year old olive orchards before a super highway was installed. This gnarly, highly attractive wood serves as a stunning base to create some truly unique pieces.
I always try to use every possible piece of the slabs, wood and other materials I procure. Smaller cuts become coasters, wall art or bottle openers. Working with clients on a custom order is my wheelhouse – I love to see your face when I hand you your order and I know “I got it”.
I am entirely self-taught and have gained knowledge and experience by both my successes and failures, leaning on other makers, and sharing with those just starting. I draw inspiration from nature around me, the ocean, the mountains and also from the materials themselves.
I am looking forward to expanding and pushing creative boundaries, and encouraging other women to get into the “trades”. I am many things and my story also includes being a wife, mom of two and a nurse. While I have been working in healthcare the better part of my life, I am currently working on finishing my BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Graphic Design, fulfilling a lifelong dream to eventually work full time as an artist.
I look forward to working on your next project.
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Someone once told me ” Creative people have to create,” and I totally understood. I had a photography/graphic design studio for 25 years and enjoyed the creative freedom of photographing people, places and products. I didn’t think I would be in business again but the bag business was just meant to be. Everything came together quickly and within 6 months we were selling on our website and at Makers and Art Shows. I bring my artistic eye for design and color while my husband helps me sew, ( yes, he sews) sell at shows and manages logistics. We are driven to show people how you can create beautiful, useful items with waste slated for the landfill. All our bags are from repurposed material. We are honored to be in the company of such inspirational Maine makers.
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I have a passion for art and to me fly tying is a true art. I’ve learned many famous fly tiers were women. And one of the most famous was Carrie Gertrude Stevens. She was an American fly fisher and fly lure tier from Madison, Maine and Upper Dam, Maine. She was the creator of Rangeley Favorite trout & salmon flies. Self-taught in the art of fly tying, Stevens invented the Grey Ghost Streamer. Maine plays a key role in the start of fly fishing.
Like Carrie and many other tiers in the industry, I love creating beautiful flies that people can fish & enjoy for years to come. Keeping the legacy of fishing with flies a tradition to carry on hopefully for decades to come.
I do all the designing of the original patterns I tie. I get a vision, study waters, fish habits, materials and other information to help create that perfect fly and name it.
I also try an replicate or re-create beautiful well known patterns.
Yes I truly love to design flies to catch your eyes. But I truly design each fly to catch the fish!
The simple about me summed up .
Learn much more about me, the flies and why I love tying on my website.
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Pug Snuggly® brand coats are designed to accommodate the pug’s unique square body structure. The coats are handmade, in Bar Harbor, ME, USA, using only the highest quality materials and workmanship. Our coats are designed for comfort, fit, and durability.
The patented design allows for easy on (video) and easy off (video). The belly strap hits halfway between the front and back legs — no more interference when tinkling!
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Liberty Graphics has been in business for 44 years, and recently became an employee-owned cooperative. The business has always been based in Liberty Village, where it was first founded. Today we sell to customers all over America and beyond. The company’s primary inspiration is to be an environmentally conscious screenprinter of fine, nature-based art on apparel and tea towels. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work and our first-class customer service,
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Each design begins with lovely bits of birch bark foraged from fallen trees in the Maine woods. I select the pieces individually, choosing only special markings and coloration best for unique pieces of jewelry.
I’ve created an original process to seal and protect the bark, while retaining its natural beauty. Backs are coated with a gold or silver resin for long-lasting wear, and fronts are sealed with a matte varnish for a natural look.
The addition of gold or silver accents and freshwater pearls adds refinement and elegance. All metals are tarnish-resistant. Gold and silver components are high-quality Argentium Silver or 14k Gold-Filled. Ear posts are surgical steel with titanium backs.
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Hüga strives to bring people together outdoors to enjoy nature, friends and family throughout the year by warming our cores from the bottom up. Our heated seat cushions are named for the Danish concept of hygge (pronounce it), which captures the idea that winter is an opportunity for coziness, comfort, and community. Each Maine-made, battery-powered, portable hüga heated cushion comes with three temperature settings. Think of the heated seats in your car, without the car.
What makes hüga stand out from other heated seats is that they were designed for restaurants with marine grade vinyl that can withstand harsh weather and repeated desanitizing, as well as our high-powered battery that lasts up to 8 hours on high and 12 hours on low. Our customers are saving time, money, and the environment by minimizing the use of propane with our clean and renewable heating alternative.
Hüga sources as much of our material and services from Maine businesses as possible. Every hüga cushion is assembled and packaged right here in Maine. We buy our vinyl and foam from Maine companies, use Maine-based design, accounting and legal services, and rely on our close relationships with our Maine screen printer and contract sewers. We are dedicated to continuing to support the Maine economy and creating jobs within our own company and our fellow small business owners.
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From Bib to bag.
I’m Taylor Strout and along with my wife Nikki and our three sons—we are excited to bring to you, Rugged Seas.
Our brand is as tough as the people who fish our oceans and live in our coastal communities. Rugged Seas isn’t just for the fishermen who work year-round and through all kinds of weather to bring seafood to the table—it’s for all of us who love and respect the ocean and what it does for us.
Our goal is to take something that represents every fishery—fisherman’s hauling pants (bibs)—and turn them into something recognizable, for everyone to utilize and enjoy.
Rugged Seas commits 1% of pre-tax profits to protecting fishermen and women, their working waterfronts and way of life. As a fishing family first, the core of our business is this industry. So, we have chosen to stand with and donate to both the Maine Lobsterman’s Community Alliance and the Maine Coast Fisherman’s Association.
With every purchase, you are helping us in this mission.
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I grew up in Bar Harbor, Maine and have frequently visited Italy where I fell in love with the cuisine and culture. I graduated from the Culinary Institute of America with a bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts Management in 2012. I continued to work in the food industry but decided to move back to Maine in 2018. I’ve been thinking about pursuing my longtime dream of starting a fresh pasta business and in 2019, decided to dip my toe in. Every year since, it has been a happy adventure.
