Maine Makers Who Are Shaking Things Up

Imaginative and industrious people are helping Maine become a showcase for great examples of “Maker Culture.” Anyone who has wanted to craft, tinker, or make exceptional things, has discovered that Maine – and especially the MidCoast – is a place to share ideas and to showcase their work. It requires skill and time to create new products or ideas, the but the challenges are what lead to rewards. You can see that passion in the arts, crafts, foods, small farms, music and more that are on display in shops, galleries, and of course, online.

 

IndustrialME – Wiscasset

These handcrafted, stainless steel, home goods are truly functional art. The iconic Maine lobster claw is the theme for nearly everything made from mirror-finished stainless steel platters to very chill, steel key chains. Even the logo of Industrial Maine proudly celebrates the lobster claw, but that’s a clue to values of the people who work there. As recreational lobstermen, the company donates a portion of its profits to help sustain the lobster culture in Maine. Materials are sourced in the U.S., packaging is environmentally-friendly, and their lobster claw-emblazoned clothing is made from 100% organic cotton. Just take a look online at the baby onesies and baby blankets!

 

 

Casco Bay Soap Company – Harpswell

For many Makers, what started as a hobby, takes on a surprising life of its own. Learning that a grandfather had made soap decades earlier, Shannon Grauer decided she needed to try it. Using her own soap recipes, she began making soaps by hand in small batches. Her good-for-you ingredients included olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and numerous oils and herbs. Starting with one table at farmer’s markets, the business took off. Over 50 different types of soap are available through retailers in Maine and nationwide. But bigger, doesn’t mean too big. With the support of her family, she is the entire company: from soap maker to web designer, and blogger.

 

 

Maine Rope Mats – Waldoboro

As part of the efforts to protect the Northern Right Whale, lobster fishermen now use sinking ropes to connect their traps. With that change, came a need to recycle millions of pounds of older, floating rope. In Waldoboro, the workers at Custom Cordage came up with the idea of making a woven door mat from the discarded rope. That led to “The Right Mat”, a handsome, sturdy mat that became an immediate hit and can be seen outside homes throughout New England. New ideas led to using other braided cordage products for baskets, dog leashes, and colorful flags. In addition to reclaimed lobster lines, Maine Rope Mats also offer mats made from recycled plastic.

 

 

Weft and Warp – Topsham

For cooks everywhere, Weft and Warp is becoming famous for its high-quality knife rolls. Hand cut and stitched using Maine leather and 10 oz. waxed canvas, the rolls are assembled with solid brass hardware and hand-pounded rivets. These knife rolls are a chef’s ultimate friend for protecting knives in a timeless manner. The “Morel Twelve” is the most sought-after design. It protects up to 12 knives and features additional pockets and nooks and crannies for a chef’s notebook, pens and more. Weft and Warp is a one-person business owned by a well-known chef and former restaurant owner. Made by a cook for cooks, these rolls are designed to be an important belonging that will last for years.

 

 

The Maine Blanket – Washington

Is there anything more luxurious on a cool evening than a soft blanket made from 100% wool grown from grass-fed sheep? Each Real Maine Blanket from king size to napper is woven on antique looms in New England using yarn that is hand dyed in seawater using solar vats. Using fat stripes of natural sea colors called, “Mango Mint on Granite”, “Sundog”, “Calico on Oatmeal”, and more, these blankets will help anyone hibernate on a chilly day. The bigger-than-King size blanket is made with a full year’s growth of three soft sheep and the “Real Queens” are big enough to nearly fit a King.

 

 

Bixby Chocolate – Rockland

Made on the waterfront in Rockland, Bixby Chocolate’s mission is to make delicious chocolates with a conscience. As true beans-to-bar chocolatiers, two generations of Bixby women work to ensure that beans are ethically harvested and that cocoa workers and growers in different regions of the world, are treated well. The making of chocolate is a craft of subtle confections. Intense dark, white, and milk chocolates vary by flavor palettes and by the types of chocolates – natural ingredients, certified organic, and certified vegan. For an outstanding chocolate experience, try the Organic Belize 70% Dark Chocolate Bar. And for the purest chocolate anywhere, the Organic Reserve 100% Dark Chocolate Bar is unmatched.

 

 

Turtle Rock Farm – Union

From one of the smaller farms in Maine, comes a mighty relish. Open the lid of Turtle Rock’s Organic Garlic Scape Relish and whatever is on your grill will have met its match. This Good Food Award-winning relish starts with curlicued young garlic stalks and cucumbers and is seasoned with subtle organic herbs and Maine sea salt. Relishes are just part of Turtle Rock’s farm-to-larder pantry. Organic Wild Blueberry Spreadable Fruit, Country Ketchup, and Cayenne Honey Hot Sauce and all made with ingredients harvested in season from the farm.

 

 

Heath and Harrow – Rockport

Organic Otters. The kid’s organic Otter Tee is one the popular original designs from Heather and Harrow. Made by hand and printed by hand, each shirt is unique and has kid-tested-quality throughout. From their home studio in Rockport, owners Casey and Michael hand draw and print dozens of different organic tea towels, cloth napkins, tee shirts and hoodies. Otters, birds, bees, bears, and butterflies are just part of the Maine outdoors that is celebrated in bold and subtle designs at Heather and Harrow. In you’re in Camden, visit their storefront on Main Street. Or, see all of their hand-crafted textiles online.

 

 

Windsor Chairmakers – Lincolnville

Barely a minute north of Lincolnville Beach on Route 1 are two 1840’s barns that are home to Windsor Chairmakers. Browse the showroom and you’ll discover beautifully crafted furniture in a variety of native woods including tiger maple and black walnut. The classic Windsor Sackback armchairs are built and guaranteed to last a lifetime. But then again, every handsome bed, table, and case piece is built with traditional joinery, hand-cut dovetails and mortise and tenon construction to ensure durability and a timeless dyed and glazed finish. Other than occasional showroom sale items, you won’t find “Shop Now” on their website. Everything they make it built to order.

 

 

Georgetown Pottery – Georgetown

Approaching its 50^th year, Georgetown Pottery is nationally known for handcrafted fine porcelain pottery. Most popular are their Japanese themed Ikebanas and Ikebana flower vases. Ikebana flower arrangements are more like sculpture that are made from a single flower or a few branches and other natural objects. Georgetown Pottery’s porcelain vases are designed to simply and gracefully provide the foundation for a fresh arrangement. The same care and simplicity can be found throughout their pottery. Serving bowls, dinnerware, mugs of all sizes, platters, pitchers, and a classic Shaving Scuttle Mug.

 

 

North Country Wind Bells – Round Pond

Wherever an ocean breeze stirs or tides change, the sounds of bell buoys are a part of the coastal life. Those bell sounds in the small village of Round Pond inspired Jim and May Davidson to create North Country Wind Bells. After patiently experimenting with pieces of steel, they produced their first set of bells. Each of their original wind bells echoed the unmistakable sounds of harbor buoys and gongs. Today, using recycled steel and environmentally sensitive practices, wind bells from North Country capture the sounds of more than eight different bells and special holiday and theme bells. If you’re exploring the MidCoast along Route 32, take a moment to hear the pure sounds of North Country Wind Bells.

 

 

Royal Rose Syrups – Brunswick

Royal Rose has a magician’s touch in turning cocktails into extraordinary moments. Praised by Bon Appetit and The New York Times, the company has been unleashing incredible flavors from small bottles since 2010. Using whole, certified organic ingredients and zero bad stuff, their batch-made simple syrups are also delicious drizzled over hard cheese, plain yogurt and even pizza. But cocktails are the first stop for any Royal Rose syrup. Consider the Ginger Lime Organic Simple Syrup. The gloves-off punch of organic ginger and lime zest add new dimensions to seltzer, a rum cocktail, or a classic vodka Moscow Mule. For holidays or lazy days, you’ll find nearly 20 flavors to explore.

 

 

The Carpenters Boat Shop – Pemaquid

Among all of the Makers in the MidCoast, boat builders – both traditional and modern –   have several hundred years of history to work from. For adults of any age who are interested in skill-building and enriching lives, the Carpenter’s Boat Shop offers a Four-Month Apprenticeship and shorter-term programs to learn the practice of building wooden boats. Yes, they sell boats like the beautiful 11-ft. Monhegan Skiff. But they also help support the Boat Shop with sales of their unique Adirondack Chair and wooden Shaker Oval Boxes and Trays made in the traditional Shaker manner.

 

 

Sweet Monkey Business – Belfast

Granola at breakfast, cookies after dinner. Correction: cookies anytime. That’s the super-simple business plan behind Sweet Monkey Business. Their classic Maple Joan Granolas are made in their Belfast kitchen with “superfood”, nutrient-dense ingredients. Forget a mound of oats or mystery filler ingredients. From the cookie side of Sweet Monkey Business comes boxes of all-natural Cocoa Shortbread, Lemon Bursts, Pecan Sandies, and Cranberry Shortbread cookies. Enjoy each and every one them. And then happily recycle the cookie box which is made from 100% compostable materials. Even the clear bags are made from plants.

 

 

Herbal Revolution Farm and Apothecary – Union

Four acres of certified-organic farm land are the source of the medicinal herbs used to create Herbal Revolution’s delicious and versatile herbal products. Managed by an enthusiastic team of sustainable farmers, gardeners and herbalists, the company has been featured in The New York Times and Boston Globe. In their own words, Herbal Revolution is “the real deal”. They create teas, tonics, elixirs, bitters, and body products for daily health, wellness, and for the simple pleasures of living. Many products offer surprising twists. Like chai tea? Try the Chaga Chai Tea made with Chara mushrooms found on birch trees in Maine and blended with traditional chai spices. Learn more in the book, Herbal Revolution, by founder Kathi Langelier.

 

 

Sheepscot River Pottery – Damariscotta

The changing seasons in Maine inspire much of the work created by the artisans of Sheepscot River Pottery. For decades, the design, patterns and glazes of their hand-made pottery have celebrated the Maine coast, meadow flowers, fish, and wildlife. Every pottery piece is made from pure porcelain English clay, then painted and glazed in their Edgecomb studio. The results are highly durable mugs, plates, bowls, and serving dishes that can be enjoyed for generations. Shop online or visit their stores that also feature home furnishings and locally-made jewelry.

 

 

Belfast Fiberarts – Belfast

More than 28 Maine fiber artists offer their beautiful baskets, weavings, and home goods at the Fiberarts shop on High Street in Belfast. As holiday seasons approach, artists are delivering new items daily. However, more than a shop, Belfast Fiberarts offers fiber art supplies for anyone who wants to try something new. Learn how to hook rugs or make your own needlework. Better yet, sign up for classes and workshops throughout the year.

 

 

The Wooden Screen Door Company – Waldoboro

We offer many different styles and designs to complement your home or place of business. Whether it’s Traditional, Victorian, Classic or Whimsical.We have much to offer any decor or architectural design. We also welcome your design ideas for a completely custom and unique style door, all your own! We are confident that you, our customer, will be thrilled with the quality and workmanship that is evident in these unique, custom wooden screen/storm doors.