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My name is Amy and I’m the owner, designer, and maker of Squirrel’s Nest Jewelry. I enjoy creating jewelry that suits my own style: simple, subtle, and not too fussy. Most importantly to me, it has to be COMFORTABLE and EASY to wear. I had given up on wearing jewelry because it often felt so uncomfortable; I would either feel irritated and take it off halfway through the day, or leave it on and be so relieved when I finally did remove it. I worked in a greenhouse for 12 years and would never bother trying to wear jewelry to work – it was just too impractical and would get in the way. After I made a pair of ear climbers for a coworker, I started wearing them myself and felt so excited that I had, after 33 years, finally discovered a piece of jewelry that didn’t drive me crazy! I began getting more requests from other coworkers who saw the benefits of a lightweight, out-of-the-way earring that could be worn all day.
I grew up in Freeport, and then went to Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, where I majored in Studio Art, with a minor in Art History. My concentration was in textiles/fiber arts, and that is where I spent most of my time in the art building. However, I did take one metalsmithing class–little did I know I would tuck away some of those skills for later. In fact, I’m still using some of the same silver sheet solder that I purchased for my college class (a little solder goes a long way!) After living in upstate New York for 15 years (and devoting 12 of those to gardening/greenhouse work), I am back in Maine and loving being surrounded by the ocean, pine trees and chickadees that I grew up with.
The name Squirrel’s Nest is a business name that runs in my family. From the 1930s to the 1950s, my great-grandmother Eugenie Russell owned and operated a gift shop in Rangeley, Maine called The Squirrel’s Nest. I am lucky to have the original shop sign (it now hangs in my studio) and it seemed appropriate to carry on the name.
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My husband and I met working on a very busy restaurant line together. We both fell in love with cooking & hospitality at a young age and have developed those skills over many years in the business. He has pursued a career as a chef in some of Portland’s best restaurants and currently heads up the kitchen as Magissa full time while helping Milk Bottle in production and bottling. I worked my way up from the dish pit to general manager over the course of 20 plus years in the industry. Flavors & hospitality have always been at the core of my development. When the pandemic hit we were both out of a job and had time, for the first time, to actually focus on something we could bring to the community. Build something of our own. My sister told me about the program Propeller through the Women’s Business Center at CEI and I figured I would give it a shot. It was so inspiring to take an idea, mold that into a product, and take it to market alongside other women doing the same thing at various steps in their journey. I went ahead and took Propeller 2 as well and sought out advising from the SBDC. It has been some of the most rewarding years of my life so far. My favorite part of this adventure is being at a farmers market and finding something fresh and at peak season to use for a farm collaboration. Roasting fruit and pairing it with an herb or spice to make something interesting and fun for people to enjoy truly keeps me going. Working alongside my husband is a dream come true, creating flavor pairings, new products, and testing out our mixers together is so rewarding. The community around makers, artisans, farmers, and crafters is such a welcoming one, I feel a sense of belonging akin to my time in restaurants. I have helped build a few businesses up from the ground and I have always wanted to build something of my own. I hope to take this dream all the way to the moon while staying in Maine and using Maine ingredients whenever possible.
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My current work sculpting serving wares evolved from wanting to create tools that create
connection, and focused that intersection with the spirituality in sharing food. My utensil
designs are inspired by a variety of antique serving styles, traditional metal craft techniques, as
well as minimal design and fabrication learned from my collaborations over the last 30 years
with artists, architects, and designers to engineer and fabricate their custom projects in furniture,
sculpture, and unique hardware. My process is to develop a conversation with the materials,
mostly brass, copper, and steel – and create a purposeful simplicity with focused attention on
human connection & haptic experience, enhanced by careful craftsmanship. I use both refined
and organic techniques, where areas of texture can emerge and become a nuanced detail that
documents the process while conveying the intimate sense of time, ritual, existence and
connection of the maker, user, and object. The same process is followed in my growing line of cabinet hardware.
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When we bought our home in 2009, we carved out a 90 by 30-foot garden. For many years, it was beautiful and fruitful. However, managing weeds with a tiller hurt our soil biome and our garden conditions eventually favored weeds. We were working in soil with a lot of clay, which rain turned into a muddy mess that hardened in the sun. We lost three gardens in a row to weeds despite hot summer days crawling on the ground fighting them.
The last garden we lost was during the pandemic, when we were gardening like it mattered. After that, we needed to find a better way. We wanted to get our bodies off the ground. We added hügelkultur to the idea so we could build a soil biome and get away from the marine clay that resisted our tools and weighed down our boots. We wanted a waist high solution so we could garden upright but we could not find a cost effective, long-lasting, garden-safe product. So, we decided to make one! Soon after that, we formed Ergonomic Gardens, LLC so we could share our idea with others.
Now, our inspiration is standing in a garden assembling our garden beds with someone excited to grow with us. It is the best part of what we do.
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My fascination with animals started with a white dove named Snow. He lived to be 24 years old. Who would have thought a creature with hollow bones could live so long? He inspired me to look at the world outside my studio window.
What are wild animals doing out there? What hidden dramas are unfolding? My woodblock prints probe the depths of their secret lives. I’ve learned, among other things, that flamingos can stand unscathed in highly acidic water and snails can gallop when threatened. These intriguing facts enticed me to delve deeper.
I enjoy creating funny and playful images. Often, there’s an underlying ecological theme. One example is the impact of encroachment in my piece “New City.” Despite the tragic sight of wrens carrying their home away, the image has a prevailing sense of wonder. The viewer can witness these birds enduring despite losing their habitat.
It’s difficult to imagine a world without animals, but sadly, their populations are rapidly declining. A study by Cornell University researchers revealed that nearly 3 billion birds have vanished from North America and Canada since 1970. I create art to capture the natural beauty of animals and inspire others to support conservation efforts.
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Heidi Beal, a visual artist hailing from Jonesport, Maine, originally from Beals Island, Maine, exhibited a passion for drawing from a young age. Despite lacking formal art education, she ventured into acrylic painting during her early adulthood, exploring various mediums such as airbrush, face and body painting, murals, and pen and ink over the years. Rooted in rural Maine inspiration from the scenic beauty and heritage of the Maine coast.
Since her return to Maine, Beal has actively contributed to local art fundraisers, notably the 2019, 2020, and 2023 Milbridge Theatre Art Project, aimed at supporting the reconstruction of a cherished local theater from her childhood. Her artistic endeavors were showcased at the Schooner Art Gallery in Milbridge, Maine, during the 2019 44 Degrees North Open Art show.
Noteworthy among her achievements, her piece “Christmas Rowboat” was selected for the cover of the December 2021 issue of Hobe Sound Magazine. In 2022, she generously donated her artistic skill to craft a wall mural for the Jonesport Volunteer Fire Department, expressing gratitude for their community service.
Heidi’s Maine Life Greeting Cards offer a unique and artistic way to share a piece of Maine’s beauty with loved ones. Each card begins as an original acrylic painting, , capturing the essence of Maine’s landscapes, wildlife, and coastal charm. Heidi’s creative process ensures that every print and greeting card retains the vibrant colors and intricate details of her original works. Printed and packaged in her home studio, these cards are not only a testament to her artistic skill but also to her dedication to crafting high-quality, personal keepsakes.
Heidi Beal’s creations grace private collections around the world.
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Hello! I started my maker journey in 2019 when I left my career to undergo IVF treatments. I was making mouse ear headbands (like one would wear when they visited the world of the mouse). I loved making one-of-a-kind pieces and sold them on Etsy. Shortly after, I found out I was having a baby girl and I started making her hair bows during the pandemic. I had so much fabric at home that I taught myself how to sew for my daughter so I could make her cool outfits. It was here that I found my real passion, sewing! I taught myself everything I could about how to sew, and how to sew to sell. I draw inspiration from my close-knit community of small shops that also make clothing for children, as well as my daughter and local community. For example, my daughter loves a good twirl dress, so I make a lot of those. Even special collections for events, like the Yarmouth clam fest bring me a large amount of inspiration. There are so many great ways to bring small batch, trendy clothing to locals! I’ve learned a lot from sewing groups, pattern groups, and fabric groups online.
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Handmade quality fixed blade knives and kitchen cutlery made by knifemaker Ryan Jacques of Sidney ME. Each knife is crafted by hand in my home workshop. I offer a collection of kitchen and hunting knives on my website and also offer custom builds. Visit my Facebook to stay up to date on what I’m doing and to contact me directly. http://Www.facebook.com/durenknives
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We have been dealers in antique and estate jewelry for 30 years, and gemologists and gemologist/jewelry appraisers for fifteen years. Beyond the 30 years of study in the evolution of jewelry design, construction styles, techniques and materials required of our business over those years, we have attended numerous sessions at Warg Studios, Scarborough, Maine, and have received certifications in gemology and gemology/jewelry appraisal at the International School of Gemology. Among our sources of inspiration beyond the desire to make our jewelry 100% sustainable by utilizing previously used materials are early hand forged jewelry, interesting gemstones and the incorporation of natural and narrative themes and elements of expression to our designs.
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From the bustling streets of Chicago to the serene woods of Maine, my journey in publishing spans nearly three decades, embracing both the dynamism of city life and the tranquility of nature. Armed with a bachelor’s degree from Emporia State University and a master’s from New England College, I’ve navigated the industry’s evolution, contributing to giants like Gale and Random House, and birthing 12 Willows Press in 2022.
At 12 Willows Press, our commitment extends to showcasing the talents of Maine illustrators alongside our authors, creating a harmonious blend of storytelling and visual artistry. This collaborative spirit not only celebrates Maine’s rich cultural heritage but also brings each narrative to life with authenticity and heart. Our dedication to local craftsmanship enriches our diverse catalog, which includes children’s literature, young adult adventures, and adult fiction, with a spotlight on Maine’s storytellers and artists.
