I attended classes at MECA and any other local classes to realize my interest in making jewelry was solid. I was fortunate to get an apprenticeship with a local jeweler where I learned all the skills I needed. After a year and a half I had two collections and was selling in NY and Baltimore wholesale shows.
I sold wholesale for 15 years. I now focus on retail shows and sell exclusively in a few Maine galleries.
My inspiration currently is the Maine coast and landscape. After traveling to other states for shows I have heard so many Maine love stories. I realize my muse was ME. I continue to explore my surroundings for the next inspiration.
I continue my education as regularly as I can. Maintaining a home studio in South Portland I continue my journey as a designer and metalsmith.
Tidal Force Creations
Posted by Kyle Neugebauer & filed under .
At Tidal Force Creations, we specialize in crafting unique embroidery products using environmentally friendly materials that embody the essence of Maine and its coastal beauty. We currently offer four product lines: Can Cardigans (can koozies), coasters, kitchen towels, and throw pillows.
From my home studio in Old Orchard Beach, I meticulously design, cut, sew, and embroider Can Cardigans (can koozies) using 100% wool felt. Wool is a natural, renewable, and biodegradable insulator — an excellent alternative to neoprene and other synthetic foams typically used in koozies. In addition to Can Cardigans, I create coasters made from cork fabric and wool felt. Cork is a sustainable, plant-based material that offers both heat and water resistance. As part of its natural beauty, the grain of the cork shifts making each coaster unique. I add simple, beautiful embroidery designs to soft, yet durable 100% cotton kitchen towels. Finally, I sew throw pillow covers from 100% linen which I then embroider with designs that will complement any decor.
For our stock products, I embroider designs inspired by Maine and coastal themes. I also offer custom embroidery services, allowing you to personalize these products with your own logos or designs.
Concepta’s Studio
Posted by Concepta Jones & filed under .
Born in Cape Town and raised in Durban, South Africa, I embody a multicultural heritage shaped by my East Indian father and mixed South African mother. South Africa, with its diverse blend of indigenous African, Dutch, British, Indian, and Malay influences, has cultivated a rich culinary experience. Having grown up in a multicultural home, I carry the DNA of authentic fusion of South African Indian cuisine, Durban curry to be precise.
As 4th generation Indian born into the height of apartheid South Africa, my products trace back to the migration of my great, great grandparents from India to the city of Durban, South Africa. Alongside a multitude of fellow Indentured laborers on the sugar cane plantations, their resilience nurtured the birth of a new community. Since then, Durban has become home to the largest Indian population outside of India, and due to improvising with limited spices from their homeland, the iconic “Durban curry” was born.
Concepta’s Studio transcends mere spices! It’s a cultural fusion hub, offering a unique experience through spices, food, and creativity. Now residing in Maine, where there is an appetite for diverse culinary experiences, I feel a responsibility to share my roots. I bring forth the simplicity and authenticity of homemade spice blends that encapsulate the unique identity of South African Indian cuisine.
I’m not just about spices; I’m about sharing stories, inspiring palates, and embracing cultural diversity. Join me on a flavorful journey that celebrates identity, community, and the extraordinary history of South African Indians.
Bloodroot Metalworks
Posted by Zoe Howell-Martin & filed under .
Zoe spent much of her life working with children, individuals with mental and physical disabilities, animals and in the fiber arts world teaching knitting, dyeing yarn and weaving. With a background in herbal medicine, she started a seed garlic farm and now, finally, has found a home as a metalsmith.
The artists metalsmith journey began in Pauline Warg’s open studio series. After that series concluded she went on to take two blocks of the same style class with Rachel Flaherty. She has continued enrolling in classes of interest at places such as Haystack with with Addison de Lisle, at Metalwerx with Alex Boyd and a stone setting intensive with Kirk Lang.
All work is hand fabricated from recycled precious metals and stones sourced from the US when possible. Inspiration comes from observation throughout life and while traveling. Ideas simmer and bubble up and become the pieces seen today. Many of her hand fabricated pieces use interesting textures while also playing off the world around her.
The artist grew up in Maine. She works out of her home studio in Bowdoinham and lives with her husband, dog and crazy cat. In her off time she enjoys rowing her Annapolis Wherry, riding her road bike, growing garlic and flowers and spending time with family and friends and traveling.
Judy Gates, Textile Artist
Posted by Judy Gates & filed under .
As a plant scientist by education and an environmental policy professional by trade, I’m continually inspired by natural landscapes. A relative introduced to the natural world and horses in my pre-teen years and I’ve never looked back. As I’ve progressed from botany student and nascent outdoors person to an environmentally-focused regulator, policy advisor, and planner, I’ve maintained a sense of wonder about nature’s forms and functions. Parallel to this progression, I’ve created useful objects from beautiful materials, whether it’s quilts from fabric or socks from yarn. I’ve gone as far as owning small flock of sheep and fiber rabbits, spinning their coats to satisfy my creative cravings. The days of owning animals are in my past (except for my adopted Greyhound!), but I’ve never lost the sense of taking something that is in one form and making it into another, hence fabric to collage. My first go at fabric collage followed my becoming acquainted with Kate Furbish, a late 18th century/early 19th century botanist who traveled through Maine on her own to catalogue native wildflowers. She was atypical for her time, traveling alone and for weeks at a time, using watercolor and charcoal to document the unique plants she found. I find her drawings compelling and her fortitude inspiring. These are attributes I try to apply every time I sit down at my table to start a collage. In the spirit of taking risks, I started to consider myself an artist in 2021 and shortly thereafter began to look for venues to display and sell my work. I still work in a corporate world part-time, which really cuts into my creative pursuit, but I’m planning for a full metamorphosis in 2025.
Sambob
Posted by Samuel Roberts & filed under .
Sambob began in 2021, in Logan, Utah, as a Covid hobby, turned business for Sam Roberts. As a wildlife biologist and avid backpacker, Sam spent much of his working hours and free time in the outdoors. Always in search of the perfect mid-layer, Sam learned to sew in late 2020, and started making fleece tops right way. As the interest for his creations progressed from friends and family to strangers on Instagram, Sam was eager to share his fun designs and cozy layers with others and the brand was born!
Jennifer Visscher Art & Design
Posted by Jennifer & Douglas Visscher & filed under .
Color is one of Jennifer’s brightest joys. She embodies her slogan, “Live In Joy and Color!” Color gives energy and elevates our souls. She loves nothing better than when people tell her that her work makes them happy!
Her Mom told the story of a piece of art she did in kindergarten of an autumn tree. There were very positive reactions from teachers and family. From that early age Jennifer was an artist and in 1991 she received a Bachelors in Fine Art from the University of Massachusetts.
Then, in Jennifer’s 30’s she was challenged by a very difficult autoimmune disease called Axial Spondyloarthritis. One symptom called uveitis actually caused her to lose her ability to see colors correctly. It was such a confusing and devastating loss and painting became strained and frustrating. After starting treatment, the heaviness of the disease started to lift. It was like a dense fog had been covering everything and finally the sun was burning through and the colors were starting to appear once again. Her friends – magenta, turquoise, deep golden yellow, grass green, and sky blue, were back by her side. Because of experiencing the loss, she now celebrates colors!
When she finally started feeling better she needed to share about what she had just gone through and she decided on a creative avenue to do so, launching a year long daily “art apple” 2D piece on a blog where she talked about the disease, the challenges, and the need for better diagnosis protocol. After the successful completion of her 365 daily “Art Apple A Day” project, she founded a non-profit called Walk AS One to help other people with the disease.
In 2019 Jennifer finally decided to walk away from the corporate and non-profit world. The pull to devote herself to creativity and art was SO strong! This was a shift – a deep, confident, knowing – and all the stars aligned. In the last few years Jennifer has developed a strong and solid look that excites her to get into the studio every day! In addition to using bright, bold colors, Jennifer loves to create with an imprecise-ness. Life is messy & complex and Jennifer wants people to see immediately that her images are made with an energy by her hand using paint and ink. She does create digital images but mostly from hand drawn shapes first to keep a digital feel out of the work.
Gardens are emblematic of life, beautiful yet full of complexities and chaos. She also loves juxtapositions. Fast bold initial strokes of color vs. the minute details. A matte sheen vs. high gloss. Bleeding colors vs. controlled patterns. Jennifer also loves to innovate and experiment with materials. She’s bound and determined to create not only beautiful original fine art but to also design products with her art.
Jennifer has studios in Maine both near Portland and on the island of Vinalhaven where she lives with her husband Doug and their very loyal and charismatic doodle, Lola, and her reluctant sidekick, Lulu the tabby.
US Felt Company Inc
Posted by VINCENT BORAGINE & filed under .
As a felt manufacturer we have produced felt and fabrics for many applications. One of those being a major clothing and boot manufacturer. US Felt supplied this company with a fabric used as a boot line. After more than 10 years of making this material, we thought this US Felt fabric could be used in other applications. As a trial we had a dozen tote bags made using this material. Although the thickness of the fabric varied from the boot liner, the material retained its superior feel and durability. The material is made of Natural and Recycled fiber that is 100% manufactured from fiber to finished product, sewn, and assembled in Sanford Maine. We received positive feedback on the prototypes and have elected to add a sewing department to US Felt and create these felt tote bags to supply in a commercial setting.
Bootleg Jerky
Posted by Tammy Snider & filed under .
Adaptability and a strong work ethic are important for Maine living. Bootleg Captain, Tammy Snider, has a bounty of both. Raised in a rugged coastal Maine fishing and seasonal work community, I learned as a very small child to rake blueberries in the summer, make Christmas wreaths in the winter and go worming, clamming and lobster fishing in the spring, summer and fall. As most of us know, life in Maine is not easy. As a child we learned to grow our own food and preserve it for the winter months. I enjoyed learning to improve on the basics and add flavor to the food we grew. Then, as an adult, I discovered jerky making. Using a small home-kitchen style dehydrator, I started out making homemade gifts for my nephews and other family members. I soon discovered I had a knack for creating unique and flavorful beef jerky. Watching my nephews tear into their holiday gift packages seeking out the greatly anticipated jerky treats, I realized I might be onto something big.
Soon my family members and friends began requesting and sometimes downright begging me to make some of my jerky. They gladly paid me to make one Cabela’s dehydrator worth at a time. And so, Bootleg Jerky was born. As friends, family and local fisherman gladly snatched up as much as I could make, I knew there was a definite small business opportunity for me and my family. An opportunity that would provide financial stability for my hard working family. Armed with a belief that every experience in life is a learning opportunity, I began taking the steps to transition from a local friends & family bootleg operation to a legal jerky small business that provided a way for everyone to obtain delicious and flavorful beef jerky. It was a challenge I was ready to tackle. It’s been a long, frustrating, and sometimes overwhelming journey but very rewarding at the same time. Progress meant both success and failure. The support and input of my family and close friends was instrumental in my pursuit to keep going. They have been my eager taste testers, supporters, task helpers, and driving force through it all. Several years, headaches, and miles of red tape later, Bootleg Jerky is a thriving business with plans for a small retail shop in the near future. Featuring 14 delightful and unique beef jerky flavor profiles, it is no surprise that there are talks of having to expand the crew in the near future. Currently a one woman show, with occasional help from my mom, I look forward to the not so distant time when I will be able to offer stable income to hard working locals as my business expands. Well on my way to making my own dreams a reality, I offer these words of wisdom for others with a vision:
“Sometimes the best things in life are the hardest to obtain but always strive to reach for your dreams! ”
White Pine Bath & Brew
Posted by Elaine Kinney & filed under .