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The Cultivated Thread is a small-batch weaving studio in Wiscasset, Maine creating handwoven wearables and home goods. Owner Hilary Crowell primarily makes highly absorbent, 100% cotton towels all handwoven on a small floor loom. She also creates greeting cards, table runners, placemats, napkins, scarves/cowls/infinity scarves/wraps/shawls, and small rugs. She works exclusively with natural fibers and strives to source organic and/or U.S. produced materials.
Over a decade working in organic agriculture inspires product design and informs The Cultivated Thread’s core principles: functionality, durability, and beauty.
When she’s not at the loom, Hilary likes to spend her time listening to NPR, cooking meals, preserving food for the winter, managing the pantry, and laughing at the cats.
News:
We’re so excited about our new logo from Menninghaus Design! There’s some great merch dropping on the website at the end of February, 2023.
Production notes:
- At this time we are not taking on new wholesale accounts (2/2023).
- Scarves are available at in person events, only.
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Our founder started making copper weathervanes out of his garage in 1971, he had such a huge request for his weathervanes that he quit his day job and started his first own retail shop. He used to get a request for a copper weathervane and he would make it in the shop by hand for all to see. As the years have gone by we have managed to enlarge our designs and now have a great selection of weathervanes for our customers to choose from. Our founder has since passed on but our company is ran by his wife of many years, her daughter and two grand daughters. You can come by the retail shop in Trenton Maine and view our amazing selection of handmade copper weathervanes in person.
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James Macdonald has been creating marquetry and inlay work in his studio in Burnham, Maine since 1989. Before setting out on his own he spent time cabinet making, guitar making and boat building in Connecticut. He moved to Maine in 1984, to build a passive-solar house and has been designing and making fine furniture, guitars, art pieces, and portraiture from his home studio every since.
Marquetry, a form of surface embellishment dates back as far as the early Egyptians and can be seen on hieroglyphs. The art form came into its own in the 1700’s with the invention of the fine toothed saw blade. More recently, fresh air was breathed into the craft in the 1970’s by Silas Kopf of Northampton, MA where James studied and went on to assist Mr. Kopf in the teaching of this craft during workshops at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport, Maine.
In 2012, James received his BA with a concentration in Art from Union Institute in Montpelier, VT. Notably, he has created marquetry designs for Hinckley Yachts and the Gibson Guitars’ Custom Shop.
In May of 2018, James successfully completed a crowd-funding campaign to install his Eat A Peach Tribute Guitar in the Allman Brothers Museum at the Big House. James presented the guitar to the Allman Brothers Museum at the Big House during GABBAfest 2018.
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Judith Barker has designed and hand made silver and gold jewelry with a strong influence of the natural world. The textures of bark, lichen, twigs, and rock forms combined with the joyful elements of movement and sound that will make this jewelry a pleasure to wear.
Explore these interesting abstract designs in this elegant jewelry….. offered in earrings, bracelets,pendants and brooches. Arty handmade pieces have warmth and character!
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I began pottery classes at the Worcester Craft Center in 1978 and my studies continued at Wesleyan University under Mary Risley where I earned a Masters in Liberal Studies. She left her work in clay for 10 years to start a family.
My return to ceramics began in 1993 and soon after I established the pottery business, Handmade By Elaine in a studio overlooking the South Cove in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. In December 2006 Hollywood came to the studio to film my building her alligator teapot for the HGTV show “ That’s Clever! ”. The segment aired in February 2009.
In 2007 relocation brought me to the old historic neighborhood of the Kittery Foreside district to the former Knights of Pythias hall where I opened the Red Door Pottery Studio and Gallery Shop. Here I teaches classes, make and sell pots.
My studies continue with workshops in this country, the United Kingdom and Greece. I am a charter member of the Potters Council, a member of the National Council of Ceramics Educators, the American Craft Council, the New Hampshire Potter’s Guild, the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen and the Southern Maine Potter’s Guild.
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I have been making jewelry in one form or another from a very young age. I have always enjoyed creating beautiful things. I reached a point when the style of jewelry that I personally wanted to wear could not be found anywhere, so I began designing and creating my own pieces. I was fortunate enough to be born and raised in Maine, and have always been greatly inspired by the gorgeous coast. The beach is my happy place, where I go to clear my mind and recharge. I value sustainability and ethical sourcing, and incorporate that into my business in every way possible. My desire to learn and grow led me to a local silversmithing class, a membership at a studio, and another course at Maine College of Art. I now do all my work at my own studio in Gray, Maine.
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Owned and operated by a dynamic trio Mother/daughters team. M & D Alliance, Inc. is PATENT PENDING one of a kind Jarva Cakes and are a very unique single serving cake because you only need to add water, mix, microwave and enjoy in less than 1 minute! Inside every jar we’ve gathered all the finest ingredients that you need to whip up your very own delicious, decadent lava cake- in less than just one minute. It’s fun fast and easy! Jars and ripple cups are 100% microwaveable. Cook more than one at a time, or just grab one to cook for a single treat!
FOR SPEIAL A OCCASION:
As a unique way to thank your guests for attending your special event…Let us personalize your labels with your name & date– contact us today so that we can get the customization process started.
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Our pillows, sachets, bath salts and more are made in Appleton. Candles, lotions, and balms are made using all-natural ingredients. Your purchase of Glendarragh Farm Lavender creations helps reclaim a small farm’s agricultural heritage. By introducing a new crop to Maine, we endeavor to do far more than help reclaim and sustain part of Maine’s agricultural past — we aim to help it thrive for generations to come. Thousands of English and Dutch hybrids lead the way and we continue to expand our lavender fields toward the river.
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After years of big city and little city living, I’ve found my happiness in an old trolley station in Maine. I’m constantly inspired by the abundance of nature around me and the playful spirits of my children! I started making my Magical Creature Wings a few years ago when trying to make the perfect flamingo costume. It didn’t take long for those wings to find many adventures of their own. The original pair is still in use for bike riding, flying through the woods, sidewalk chalking in the skateboard bowl and of course for Sunday morning pancake making! Endlessly inspiring!
My aim in sewing and creating is to make items that are well crafted with thoughtful materials (eco friendly, local, washable, wearable and durable.) I’m deeply in love with Eco-Fi felt. Made right here in New England from recycled plastic bottles, such great stuff!
My many years as a florist in NYC deepened my love of a balanced composition and the arrangement of colors. It’s been a great adventure to apply this to my whimsical children’s products. Every pair of wings I create brings a smile to my face, I hope the same is true with you! Happy flying!
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One Saturday morning several years ago, Lucy forgot to bake a cake for the monthly library bake sale in her small town of East Blue Hill, Maine. Always thinking, Lucy took the big batch of granola she had just made, split it into mason jars and took it down to the bake sale. The granola sold out quickly and soon neighbors were coming to Lucy’s door requesting more. The rest is, as they say, history!
From that first summer Saturday, Lucy’s granola business took off quickly. Today, Lucy’s Granola is available for purchase online and in shops large and small in over fourteen states. From small farmers’ markets on the coast of Maine to L.L.Bean stores across the United States, it’s never been easier to track down a batch of crunchy, delicious granola.
Created in a sun-splashed kitchen that overlooks a sloping meadow and sparkling cove, Lucy’s Granola is not your average granola– it is lighter and less sweet than most commercial brands. Lucy and her dedicated “granola elves” turn every tiny batch by hand, constantly adjusting the cooking technique to ensure the perfect roast, while ten-year-old son Sam eagerly stacks and counts the brimming bags. Daughters Imogen and Cecily are off at college, but help out when they are home. Imogen is an expert baker and enjoys experimenting with Lucy’s baking mix. Husband Clifton does a little bit of everything. Keeping her business a family affair allows Lucy to be flexible, so she welcomes custom orders. Just let Lucy know what you crave, and she will whip up a special batch.
More than anything, Lucy likes to get emails from her customers. Whether it’s a fan letter, a suggestion for a new product or a recommendation on a new retail partner, she wants to hear from you!
