IGNITED Arts & Design

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My name is Jack Windsor. I am a former tradesman, an armchair historian, and a fan of gaming across multiple genres and platforms. Board gaming, and the personal interaction that naturally comes with it, continues to be my absolute favorite. I have also always had a strong interest and affinity for art; as a child, I plastered my bedroom walls with detailed pencil drawings of people, creatures, and maps of fantastic places that only existed in my mind. I was definitely inspired by the fantasy genre, but that genre also opened the door to the world around me, and in particular it’s past – indeed, history is as involving and interesting as the works of Tolkien, Lewis, and Howard, to name a few – who all drew from historical themes for their own stories. My love of classic fantasy and old school gaming led to strong interests in the medieval periods of history, and in particular the Viking Age, but there have been a great many fascinating cultures throughout the ages, and all of them enjoyed not only art but the pastime of gaming. It would eventually become my passion to merge the two and create beautiful handcrafted wood-burned games; functional pieces of art that would not only be pleasing to the eyes but challenging to the mind.

As a young man, I attended art school in Philadelphia, and honed my talents with the methodology and insights of some very gifted people who taught and learned there. Unfortunately, in time I found my chosen curriculum of advertising art to be too restrictive, and my style just didn’t match the current trends, so I entered the trades – carpentry, masonry, and lastly, electrical. During those years I was still very creative and ‘crafty’; but it became a hobby, not a vocation, as I had originally intended. ​

Slowly, the blocks building the foundation of today were laid; as life progressed and time passed, sometimes blocks were torn up and reset in a different pattern; ready to build anew or support an addition. Through it all, my imagination and my creativity continuously found new channels or paths to follow. ​

IGNITED Arts & Design is my outlet for that enduring creativity. Since starting this business from the sale of a Hnefatafl board I crafted several years ago, I have found continuing inspiration from a great many aspects of life – from the storied past, the contemplated future, the fantastic, and my immediate surroundings. Now living in the peaceful lake and forest country of Downeast Maine, just a few miles from the gorgeous north Atlantic coast, I may never in my life create all the things that come to my mind – but I am surely going to try!​

My business name, IGNITED, refers to my chosen medium of heat and fire, of carbonized pyrography art; but more poetically, what I experienced when I undertook this new journey. Surely, I was always imaginative and creative, but given an outlet as well as a goal for all these ideas I have, I set alight my imagination. It is kindled by the world around us, and constantly fed with new ideas.​

It is my continuing goal that I may share that creativity, that brightness and warmth, with those who seek fine handcrafted items and beautiful unique gifts.

Town & Country Cabinets, Inc.

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Town & Country Cabinets was established in 1974 and became a family owned and operated business in 1976 when ownership was assumed by Ronald and Grace Smith. In 2007, Ronald and Grace retired, turning the operation over to their son, David. David, who has been working at the business since 1985, designs and builds custom pieces – ranging from replica furniture to custom cabinets and furniture. We have the capability and experience to produce one-of-a-kind items or literally thousands of the same item.  We recently began offering our very own line of Shaker style furniture, designed and produced at our facility in Gorham, Maine.  This furniture is currently available for purchase through ETSY or directly from our shop.

Cast & Carve

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Cast & Carve is a creative woodworking studio inspired by the outdoors and the love of lakes. Located in Maine, we are the makers of custom wooden name cribbage pegs and 100’s of custom peg designs. Pair these with our best selling Travel Cribbage Boards that are also custom and personalized, and can be made with any US State, and paired with any unique pegs of choice. Our boards fit right in your pocket and are made 100% with real leather and solid wood.

In our Central Maine workshop, we also make unique epoxy lake art, cribbage boards, and many lake products. Our cribbage pegs, travel cribbage boards, and select other items are available for resale, with all pegs and designs catered to your location. Contact us for custom order requests for your store. We are also available on Faire: https://faire.com/direct/castandcarve

 

Blue Barren Distillery

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I grew up in Scotland and studied Zoology before working in Africa for a Safari Company before settling in Maine and opening and running the Hope General Store in Hope Maine for 9yrs. I worked briefly for an Elephant rehabilitation center as the Executive Director before opening the Drouthy Bear Pub in Camden Maine in 2015 and Blue Barren Distillery with my partner Jeremy Howard and opening to the public in 2019 with our first spirit made from 32,000lb of Maine blueberries

Copper Tail Farm

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I taught myself how to make soap from a book, back in 2009. I have always been crafty by nature, and making soap seemed like a fun thing to try. Friends and family were my first customers, and I quickly realized I had a product people would pay for! I joined the local Farmers Market (I lived in Eugene, Oregon at the time) and sold there for 5 years. In 2014 my husband and I started a goat dairy and moved to Maine. I started making goat milk soap (which is the only soap I now make). We make several other products as well, including cheese, yogurt, cajeta (caramel sauce), caramel candies and fudge, all from goats milk! Goat health and happiness are our priorities, and all of our goats are treated like members of our family. We are currently the only Animal Welfare Approved Goat Dairy in Maine.

Bar Harbor Tea Company

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In 2006, Bar Harbor Tea Company introduced a collection of all-natural teas artfully blended in small batches in Bar Harbor, Maine. The tradition of excellence continues today using fresh, high-quality ingredients that steep a superior cup. A natural and delicious way to enjoy the best tea blends from the coast of Maine.We use Maine grown wild blueberries in each of our three best selling selections. We also offer other “local” flavors such as Maine Maple, Cranberry, and Downeast Breakfast Blend. All teas are available loose leaf or in teabags.

Maine Maple Products

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In November of 1993, Marc and Heéleène Larivière of St-Zacharie, Quebec, bought a small business in Maine called Maine Maple Products, Inc. This acquisition was the next progression of their growing family business. Marc and Hélène hoped to transform a family tradition of making maple syrup in Maine into a self-supporting enterprise.

Hélène’s grandfather Napoléon Larivière, began making maple syrup in Maine in the early 1900’s. He operated a small sugar camp in Big Six Township; a remote area nestled in the northwest corner of Somerset County near the Canadian border. Despite the many changes, which have taken place over the years, the Larivière’s continue to make maple syrup from the same area.

In 1915, Napoléon sold the sugaring operation to a cousin – Napoléon Larivière-. He was in fact Marc’s father. By 1955, Napoléon Larivière, in turn, sold the maple syrup camp to two sons Marc and Ange-Aimé Larivière. At this time, the two brothers were using teams of horses to gather sap fro 3,500 maple trees and stoking a wood-fired evaporator to boil the sap to syrup. During their tenure at the sugar camp, they experienced tremendous change and growth.

By the 1980’s, tremendous technological advancements were revolutionizing the maple syrup industry. The implementation of plastic tubing, vacuum systems, reverse osmosis machines, and oil-fired evaporators triggered growth in the industry for the Larivière’s. Ange-Aimé departed the business in 1984. At this time, Marc and Hélène oversaw the family maple syrup business, with their children Jean-Pierre, Martin, Fabien and Brigitte pitching in to help when and whereever needed. The Larivière’s had become the largest maple syrup producers in the state of Maine.

When the opportunity arose in 1993 to purchase Maine Maple Products, Inc, Marc and Hélène responded. This well established business was Maine’s largest packer and distributor of maple syrup. With its purchase, the Larivière’s hoped to secure a market for their product and expand their family maple syrup enterprise.

In 1999, Pierre, Martin and Fabien purchased the maple grove from their father. They now produce maple syrup from a grove of 80,000 trees, with the help of the next Larivière generation, their seven children, while Marc and Hélène continue to oversee operations at the packaging facility.

Enjoy many years of maple syrup experience and family tradition in every container you buy from Maine Maple Products, Inc.

Belted Cow Company

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When we started the Belted Cow Company in 2004, ribbon and motif belts had been a staple of casual fashion for decades, but the designs and materials had not improved much. The same white sailboat pattern worn by your grandfather for 30 years was still offered in stores. It was high time to re-invigorate this classic casual fashion accessory.
What’s with the cow?
Though we’re based in Maine, the Belted Cow Company name comes from my college days in Vermont, where cows typically outnumbered people. One breed – the Belted Galloway – stood out. Also known as “Oreo cows” for their resemblance to the popular cookie, Belted Galloways are a hearty Scottish breed with a striking white belt around the middle. When you come upon them, you can’t help but do a double take.

We started with a goal of creating belt designs with this same look-twice appeal and rugged quality. Our name and cow logo reflect our attitude toward designs and product development – we will always offer products that let our customers stand out from the herd.

An artful twist
As we set out to make classic casual belts with better designs and better materials, we decided to invite Maine’s skilled artisans to try our belts as their canvases. The result was a fresh take on the familiar ribbon belt – and customers approved. We asked more illustrators, potters, water colorists, and painters to be part of our team, and the Belted Cow Company continued to grow.

Meticulously made in Maine
We also insisted on doing this right, with first-quality materials such as casted brass buckles, rugged cotton canvas and the Midwest’s finest Latigo leathers. We make Belted Cow products in Maine, where we’re based. First and foremost, this supports American workers. It also allows us to closely monitor quality, quickly incorporate new ideas into our product line, and deliver finished goods in a timely way. We have a skilled and dedicated team that cares deeply about quality products.

Vena’s Fizz House

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Vena’s Fizz House is a cocktail/mocktail bar and mixology shop located in Portland, Maine. Founded by Steve and Johanna Corman, the business began in 2013 specializing in old fashioned, all natural fizz sodas, and “mocktails”.

In 2015, Vena’s obtained a liquor license and created a custom cocktail menu. The use of bitters and hard-to-find nostalgic ingredients, like shrubs and switchels, are now the shop’s claim to fame.

In addition to the bar, the venue houses a brick + mortar shop offering an array of items for beverage enthusiasts to dabble in the art of mixed drinks (with or without spirits). We sell bitters, shakers, muddlers, vintage glassware, coasters, and more. Additionally, Vena’s has created a retail line of products including infusion kits (all natural, freeze-dried fruit in mason jars that are ready to drink by simply adding liquor), bitters and syrups that are available in-house and at our online shop.

St. George Candle Co.

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With an emphasis on clean, elegant designs and fresh scents, St. George Candle Co. provides environmentally friendly products without sacrificing candle quality.

Years of experimentation have shown us that Coconut Wax makes a superior candle, both in appearance and fragrance; while being far more eco-conscious than its competitors.  Unlike the processing of soy wax, coconut wax production does not involve hexane rinses, GMO seeds, or deforestation.