SMC Fiber Studio

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Greetings, my name is Susie Cooke and I am the sole maker behind SMC Fiber Studio. I have been felting since 2010, when I moved back to my home state of Maine after living in the desert for many years. I worked my way through needle felting, wet felting and nuno felting, learning the different techniques and working on the skills necessary to create wearables on a larger scale. As there are limited resources for learning wet felting locally, I am self taught using what knowledge I could find through books, local resources, and the internet. In 2018 I opened my business Su-Z-Q Felts, which later became SMC Fiber Studio.

I specialize in OOAK felted wearables and home embellishment items made in the nuno and wet felting techniques. I use only the softest merino fibers for the wearables I make which include scarves, mittens, and jackets and source my fiber from as close as Maine to as far away as Australia. My decorative home items are made with durable wools in natural tones, perfect for any home and include baskets, pillows, wall hangings and table embellishments to name a few. My work is inspired by the Maine coast’s natural beauty where I live and recreate, and the seasonal changes our area enjoys throughout the year. I prefer earth tones and the natural textures that wool, silk and cotton provide in my pieces.

Johnson Turning

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I started woodturning in my grandfathers shop years ago. He was a carpenter and there was always a distinct smell of sawdust in the shop. To this day I still enjoy turning on the lathe and turning a handmade item from a square block of timber.

I have honed my skills as a woodturner tremendously since those days in my grandfather’s shop. Today I pursue the craft with the goal of every item being handed to the next generation. A salad bowl can last generations if the proper care is maintained. Rolling pins can be passed from mother to daughter.

Sit. Stay. Forever.

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At Sit. Stay. Forever. I’ve spent the past decade building a wellness brand that enhances the health and happiness of pets and their families. My focus has been on creating high-quality, organic pet products, including beds, toys and grooming essentials. We prioritize safety and use organic, chemically safe and sustainable materials to ensure the best for our furry friends. My company has successfully evolved from selling to traditional brick and mortar pet stores to a robust digital marketplace, thanks to a strong online presence and targeted digital marketing strategies. This transition has been instrumental in achieving consistent annual sales growth of over 15%, driven by effective use of Amazon and Google, SEO, and pay-per-click advertising.

Portland Pudgy

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Our Story: Embracing a New Chapter with Portland Pudgy

A New Beginning with a Time-Honored Brand

Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to take the helm of Portland Pudgy, a brand renowned for its dedication to safety and versatility on the water. This new chapter for Portland Pudgy (PP) comes under the umbrella of our primary company, Triangle Design Group (TDG). With a deep-rooted passion for maritime adventures and a commitment to continuing the legacy of Portland Pudgy, I embarked on this journey with enthusiasm and a vision for the future.

Passion for the Sea, Commitment to Safety

My connection to the ocean began along the rugged coast of Maine, where my wife Jenny and I have spent countless hours exploring and cruising. As coastal cruisers aboard our 36-foot wooden schooner, Black Pearl, we understand the importance of having reliable and safe equipment. This respect for the sea inspired us to ensure that Portland Pudgy remains synonymous with safety and reliability. Our boats are designed to handle any situation, providing peace of mind for all who venture out on the water.

Leveraging Engineering Expertise and Innovation

At Triangle Design Group, we bring extensive manufacturing planning capabilities and a team of skilled engineers to support the Portland Pudgy product line. My background in mechanical engineering, combined with the expertise of our team, ensures that each boat meets the highest standards of quality and performance. Our collective training has taught us the importance of precision, durability, and innovative problem-solving—all key elements in our boat designs.

Inspiration from the Maine Coast

Living and working in Maine continues to be a constant source of inspiration. The state’s breathtaking coastline, vibrant maritime culture, and resilient community influence the ethos of Portland Pudgy. The spirit of Mainers, who thrive in diverse and often challenging conditions, mirrors the resilience we strive to build into each of our boats.

Dedication to Craftsmanship

At Portland Pudgy, we believe in the power of meticulous craftsmanship. Every boat is a testament to our dedication to quality and our commitment to providing the best possible product to our customers. This dedication is reflected in the careful selection of materials, the precision of our manufacturing processes, and the rigorous testing each boat undergoes before it leaves our facility.

Building a Legacy

Our journey with Portland Pudgy began about six years ago when we purchased our first Pudgy dinghy. We quickly grew to appreciate its innovative design, safety features, and versatility. This experience was a significant factor in our decision to acquire the company. Acquiring Portland Pudgy is more than a business venture; it’s about continuing a legacy of safety, reliability, and innovation. We aim to provide boaters with peace of mind, knowing they have a trustworthy vessel beneath them. This mission drives us to continually improve our designs and stay at the forefront of maritime safety technology.

Looking Forward

As we embark on this new chapter, our core values remain unchanged. We are committed to our customers, our community, and the environment. We strive to innovate while honoring the traditions of maritime craftsmanship. Each Portland Pudgy boat is a reflection of our journey, our expertise, and our passion for the sea.

Martha Sullivan Jewelry

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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!