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So how’d I come up with that idea?
You never know when a good idea is going to strike. One day when visiting my Mom I noticed her wind spinner hanging on the wood shed. I had an idea to design a bowl that had a similar look. When I started working on a prototype I figured that it would be multiple rings glued up and was cutting some of the smaller rings from inside the larger ones to save wood. Through a couple attempts I came up with a design that would be cut from one flat piece which was a very efficient use of wood.
The first prototypes were cut using a scroll saw and I knew if I was going to make a marketable product out of it I was going to have to come up with a faster way to cut them. I found a local business with a Laser cutting machine who could cut them for me. I now own three machines and my entire business is operated right out of my home.
It is a family business that is growing fast. My daughter and sister work with me now and we have plans for expanding this year.
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True North started out as a passion project born from the inspiration I found while going on a journey through a difficult time in my life. I had just turned 40, my skin was changing as I aged and reacting poorly to the stress I was feeling in my life. The products I was using in my 30’s no longer worked for me and I knew I needed to find something to address these new skin issues I was facing. So that began the search for a new skincare routine.
I had always loved luxury skincare, but a desire to lead a healthier lifestyle drove me to explore natural skincare brands. Disappointed with what was available on the market and a desire to have the best of both worlds, I decided to formulate my own skincare products. Around this same time I found myself among birch trees in my back yard, where I saw the unique and powerful Chaga mushroom growing. I recalled stories of people in Asia consuming Chaga tea for its healing and anti-inflammatory properties. I knew my skin would benefits from the valuable properties and my skincare products needed to contain this antioxidant-rich ingredient.
By using Chaga and other natural ingredients to create luxurious formulas for our skincare products, we are committed to helping every person find their True North through healthy, clear, skin. Our products are designed and formulated to reveal your natural beauty, and with it, boost your natural confidence – without sacrificing luxury or simplicity.
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My art is about joy of discovery and transformation through vitreous enamel. Powdered glass is transformed into brilliant depths of color and texture that go beyond the surface.
I started this journey through a metalsmith class 30 yrs. ago and continuous classes whenever available.
My love for this medium is ever growing. To see the melted enamel emerge as I touch torch and cool to expose brilliant colors, creates a sense of wonderment and excitement every time. I walk the beach and gather stones and other found objects. I am drawn to their complexity, patterns, surfaces, and colors. I use these objects to trace their organic shapes on copper for my jewelry designs.
My present work combines the technique of fold forming copper into bowls, spoons, sculptured jewelry, then enameled with multiple layers of powdered glass, each individual piece fired 5 or 6 times by torch. This produces a detailed, textured look and feel.. My current work also focuses on geometric and abstract patterns with contrasts of shape and color.
My work can be seen in specialty shops and galleries throughout the seacoast of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine.
I am interested in pieces that are colorful and vibrant, that just may bring a joyous smile when worn, used, or displayed.
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The Fairytale began years ago, with making my childrens clothing. As time went on the grand children were added to my VIP list. Co-workers encouraged me to begin marketing my items. I sought the assistance of the “Maine Marketing Program which was extremely helpful. The program has opened up new and exciting possibilities. With overwhelming feedback to my “Maine Made” items I was encouraged, and I knew I was on my way. I love color, design, texture and creativity. Fairytale Beginnings offers all of the above with 100% guarantee. Beautiful, vibrant, and easy to care for items. Each piece is made with tender loving care, super soft comfort, right from the “Heart of Maine”. Create a basket with items of your choice. Gifting for all occasions.
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Steep Falls Furniture Company is owned and operated by David Drouin. David has been building furniture for over 30 years and has been involved with construction and engineering since the 1970’s. He’s always admired the simplicity and beauty of American Shaker furniture and that’s why he builds in that style.
When David is not building furniture, he can be found behind Steep Falls Furniture Company tending the garden, chasing his cats and his Grandson Waylon or on the porch enjoying a cigar.
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I am a Registered Nurse who also runs a sporting camp and snowshoe company. My background is in the medical field, but upon purchasing a sporting camp with my husband, we also became owners of Maine Guide Snowshoes. I am not the best operator of an office, but I am a good teacher and customer service rep. I love making snowshoes because I value the tradition of the art, I love teaching others how to do it in our “Make Your Snowshoes Weekend Getaway” packages, and I love feeling the passsion when people tell me about their grandparents snowshoes hanging in their camp. My husband is my inspiration because he has amazing ideas and doens’t accept “no” for an answer.
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Jared grew up as the youngest of fourteen in what could easily be described as “The Partridge Family”. At one point or another all of the children played in the family band, and all children played multiple instruments. All family gatherings consisted of a jam, where each individual would rotate instruments and rotate family members on stage. Years later, Jared has played in numerous bands but also was trained and worked as an HVAC technician for 15 years where his flameworking skills easily translated into glass blowing and crafting skills. The combination of his love for art and music have fueled his love for creating these glass products.
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Grown Local – American Made – Worn Around The World
Bartlettyarns Spins Wool Like No Others
The business:
Since 1821 along the banks of Higgins Stream sits a woolen mill that runs the last remaining spinning mule in the United States. With over 70 colors of wool yarns in various weights and round roving for felting or crafts, this mill also produces the Somerset Blanket and sweaters, hats and socks A true Yankee ingenuity!
Custom Processing: Two options are available-Guaranteed Custom and Traditional Custom. The guaranteed custom processing allows for producers to bring in their natural fibers and have Bartlettyarns wash, card or spin (or combination of any of these services) and you receive your very own fiber back. the traditional custom processing allows for producers to bring in their natural fibers and based on a yield percentage and processing fee, the customer has a variety of options to select from-our yarns, rovings and our own finished goods.
The owners:
Lindsey and Susan Rice met in NH 4-H as youth. Lindsey’s main project area was sheep, he had an award winning flock of Hampshires and Susan’s was clothing, and was a state award winner and had received national recognition. Lindsey was a sheep shearer on his days off as a professional firefighter in Salem, NH and the family traveled thru New England shearing sheep and other fiber animals. This led to the creation of the first business, Have Ewe Any Wool? and eventually evolved into the purchase of Bartlettyarns about 11 years ago. The Rices had been customers of Bartlettyarns for approximately 25 years before that, participating in several farmers markets offering many different products from their 175 acre farm in the seacoaast of NH and major wool festivals during those years. The Rices along with their children are involved with many sheep and wool festivals, wool pools and various educational talks.
Special event:
The doors are open to the public each August on the first Friday and Saturday from 10-4 each day for free narrated tours.
Modifications will be announced for the 2020 Open House.
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At Healing Harbors, our mission is to bring help, healing, and care to as many lives as possible — by redefining how we care for ourselves and our loved ones with CBD-infused products made right here in Maine.
What is CBD? Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most prevalent compounds of the Hemp plant — with enormous therapeutic potential. By interacting with receptors found throughout the skin, brain and body — known as the endocannabinoid system — CBD helps regulate critical quality of life functions like pain, inflammation, sleep, mood, appetite, and immunity.
CBD is non-intoxicating and legal when derived from industrial Hemp — one of the first crops cultivated by ancient human civilizations. And because we only work with CBD from US Hemp, no prescription or special medical designation is required to use Healing Harbors products. They can be purchased and shipped throughout the United States.
All of our products — like Daily Defense Oils, Hand Crafted Soaps, Body Butters and Pet Drops — are carefully crafted so that you (and your pets) can live your best life every day. Because when you feel better, you’re able to share your best self with the world.
We are Maine-based, Veteran-founded, and Women-owned.
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The love of nature is where it all began. Even at an early age, I loved the outdoors and all the wildlife that surrounds us. The forest as a playground surrounded me in the beauty of the trees and birds while inspiring me artistically. I continuously made drawings, learned to paint, and used images of animals, flowers and birds. Being an artist was my direct connection to the natural world.
I have a two year degree in the Fine Arts but I have to Thank my Grandmother for the natural talent that I have been gifted. She loved to use oils and painted beautiful landscapes. My subjects range in North American wildlife, such as Wolves, Moose, Deer, a variety of native Maine birds and landscapes . I also offer pet portraits and custom orders on the birch bark to make these paintings even more unique.
My hope is to create what touches others in their lives and keep us all connected to the natural world.
