Posted by Carol Tanner Proctor & filed under .
Starting with my mother’s mustard 1930’s all natural, gluten-free, and salt-free recipe, we have existed to make food enhancers that are reasonably priced.
Since 1982, using the best ingredients, we enjoy combining and creating different, unique flavors and smells to make many combinations of Mother’s Mountain products to add to our different lines.
Posted by Trent Schriefer & filed under .
Hickory Arms hand crafts hickory practice swords for Eastern and Western Martial Arts, stage combat, historical reenactment, fitness, cosplay, and gifts.
In history, when the swordsmith provided you with a commissioned sword, he also provided a wooden version of the same sword for practice. This sword was called a waster. It was the weight and balance of its metal counterpart and saved wear and tear on your valuable metal sword.
I trained with a swordsmith waster maker to maintain this historic craft. Personally I have always had a passion for swords and history and love sculpting and art. This combination allowed me to become an excellent craftsman of hickory practice swords.
Modern uses for the practice sword are varied: from tactical and fitness gear, to historical demonstrations, costuming and regal gifts.
Hickory Arms is the U.S.A. and Maine made choice for the wooden practice sword.
Posted by Tessa Flannery & filed under .
Our dream started many years ago as we sought for more efficient and effective vegetable production on a quarter-acre lot in our quiet Houlton neighborhood. We quickly realized that we were able to produce enough vegetables for us, and most of our non-farming family, utilizing just over 200 square feet of garden.
We reached out to a farmer friend, who was thrilled to provide us with all the truckloads of aged cow manure that we could ever want. Sure, it smelled a little funny around here for awhile, but our plants exploded with growth and vegetable production. As we sat on the back deck one evening, we pondered: “Exactly what are we going to do with all that food?” A momentary panic set in, since we didn’t really have any sort of plan in place for harvest storage. But we managed.
As the family got more involved in our backyard farming “experiments”, we felt that focusing on making sure the granddaughters (aka. “grandmonkeys”) were exposed to as much agriculture as possible would be a Very Good Idea™. Because of them, and a growing number of local friends who participate in 4H, we had some long discussions about how we could get the grandmonkeys interested in 4H, and learning about animals and gardening and how everything in the world around us has its place and purpose. We did some digging around and discovered that most kids were showing rabbits and alpacas, and even joked about keeping a couple alpacas at the house.
Our research into rabbits introduced us to angora rabbits. Not only are these beautiful animals, but their fur is used for spinning yarn. That felt like a win-win, especially having raised rabbits in the past. Little did we know that it would lead us down a dangerously slippery slope, which quickly led us to purchasing a large chunk of land and start over, on a much larger scale.
Eventually, we added chickens, alpacas, Icelandic sheep, ducks, an emu, and we helped rescue a neglected old tom turkey to round out our farm family. Most of what we do is “trial by fire”, with a great deal of video training from YouTube University. But we’re getting the hang of it, and are already poised to expand on both vegetable and egg, as well as fiber, production in the next couple of years.
Posted by Harry Smith & filed under .
Harry Smith is an artist, graphic designer, author, sculptor and miniaturist. His miniature furniture, sterling silver miniatures, sterling silver Christmas ornaments, and fine art paintings are in numerous museums and private collections worldwide. Harry creates designs for many nationally known companies and has written and illustrated several books. Harry was chosen one of America’s top traditional craftsman by Early American Life.
Posted by Erik & Cindy Laustsen Laustsen & filed under .
We began dipping candles in 1980, after apprenticing with an uncle at his candle factory, in the lovely village of Karlebo Denmark. After returning to upstate New York we began making candles in a friends barn and circa 1810 schoolhouse. In 1982 Danica Design moved to the coast of Maine. We then occupied three floors of a Victorian carriage barn and expanded our line of hand-dipped tapers. In 1991, we designed a building with candle making, retailing and architecture in mind, and moved to West Rockport. We added scented jar candles, votives, scented and unscented pillar candles, and tea lights to our line. In 1992, we were given the Commercial Building Award from the Camden Rockport Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce, and in 1995 the Retailer of the Year Award from the Maine Merchants Association.
Posted by Kathleen Perelka & filed under .
I was born and raised in Canaan, Maine. I was surrounded by farmland and woodlands where I spent 75% of my waking hours, including winter. I kept bird lists and planted wildflower gardens. I watched the night sky and learned to identify various constellations.
From the time I could hold a implement in my hand I drew, painted, and created. When I was indoors I drew, painted and sculpted. I also sewed, knitted and was an avid reader.
I taught art for 32 years and then switched careers to full time art at the age of 56. I loved teaching art and doing art and feel fortunate to have had the best of both worlds. When I discovered pastel painting about 30 years ago, I knew I had found my medium. I love the immediacy and vibrancy that pastel provides. It speaks to my need to create expressionistic and impressionistic works of art.
Posted by Roger & Sarah Buzby & filed under .
In 1999 Sarah and I went to Jamaica on a cruise and discovered specialty coffee for the first time. It was a game changing moment and started us on a quest for the perfect cup of coffee. In 2011 my brother introduced us to home coffee roasting and we spent the next several years learning the science and art of roasting coffee using various methods including fluid bed roasting. We attempted to teach others to roast coffee at home but found that folks would rather just buy it from us. So in March of 2018 we launched Mainely Coffee. After a few months we both decided to try our hands at blending teas using cascara, which is the dehydrated fruit of the coffee plant. These teas have been well received and we are expanding the line.
We live in the shadow of Mount Katahdin and the natural beauty of the area is a constant source for inspiration. We name all our blends for places of interest in hopes that those who drink our coffee might be inspired to visit the places that have inspired their favorite blends.
Posted by Gabrielle Doane & filed under .
We are an eco-conscious maker of gender-neutral, minimal and stylish baby and toddler shoes. All of our products are handmade in Maine using exceptionally soft, vegetable tanned leather. We invest time and care in sourcing the best, most eco-conscious and non-toxic, safe leather we can find. We do this not only because we care deeply about our impact on the environment but also because we want our shoes to be safe for the children who wear them, play with them, and likely chew on them.
I started making shoes in 2015 when my son Gus was about 6 months old and have spent the past few years refining the product and strategizing about how to grow my business (in between having a second child and keeping up with my existing design clients). I am excited about this coming year, where I will have more of a focus on growing my business and turning it into a successful enterprise!
Posted by Danielle Lehoux & filed under .
Danielle Lehoux (pronounced “Lehoo”) creates graphic artwork out of her studio in Wells, Maine. Using a stylus and her laptop, she digitally paints subjects that evoke joy and nostalgia. Whether it’s a popular landmark, a serene coastal scene, or a favorite bird, she hopes her art will make a meaningful connection with others.
Established in 2015, Lehoux Art offers high-quality art prints, cards, magnets, coasters, stickers, and more. Products can be found throughout ME, MA & NH.
Click here for wholesale information.
Click here for my online shop
Posted by Carol Bryan Field & filed under .
Scythe Supply offers European style scythes, scythe blades, snaths, whetstones, hammers, anvils and equipment.
We are scythe enthusiasts and want others to discover the rewards of using this elegant tool.
Light, sharp and effective this scythe will mow, clear and harvest with ease — while you stand comfortably upright.
Our goal is to provide the tools and the supporting information to help you enjoy this healthy mowing alternative.
Scythe Supply is a proud member of “1% for the Planet”.