Spotlight: Amy Thompson

My name is Amy Thompson. I weave together my love of the natural world though my art and gardening. My watercolors bring joy in from my garden and community to be appreciated year round. I am a juried member of the Potomac Valley Watercolorists society and a Master Gardener. I also hold a Masters degree in Social Work and have joined my group work experience with my love of art, as an Expressive Arts Facilitator. My groups, "Art from the Heart…For the Soul", provide an opportunity to explore one’s innate ability to be creative and discover new pathways to one's soul. Participation requires no recognizable artistic talent, just a curiosity and willingness to explore personal growth in a new and exciting way.

Amy Thompson, Artist

Spotlight: Verona Wine & Design

We are Mike and Colleen Gross. Our home is on Verona Island in Maine. Growing up in Maine has given us many blessings. We are able to enjoy the changing seasons of New England and all the natural beauty that surrounds us from the wooded mountains to the crystal clear and rugged coastal areas. One of our favorite retreats is a small family island in Stonington, Maine. It is there that we restore ourselves by drinking in the beauty and peacefulness of the ocean. Imagine a beach picnic basking in the warm sun with your toes in the sand and enjoying a delicious glass of wine that was created from the grapes you grew yourself. This is where the idea of “Verona Wine and Design” began.

Mike is a talented carpenter by trade and I am an occupational therapy practitioner. The nature of our careers requires that we are continually creative in our work. There is a limit however to our ability to express our passions through our jobs. Therefore, we needed an outlet for our artistic creativity to flow. We enjoy gardening, painting, the art of landscaping and designing items from reclaimed materials. Mike’s hobby of making wine (and my love of his product) inspired us to begin our business called “Verona Wine and Design”. So you might say, "our love for wine inspires design". Our intent is to offer wine enthusiasts finely crafted products relating to their love of wine as well as fun accents to their décor and dining experiences.

We hope you enjoy the fruits of our labor and develop your passions into joyful activities as well.

Welcome to our “Great Adventure”.

Cheers, Mike & Colleen

Please, visit Mike & Colleen Gross online at their web site, Etsy Shop, and find them on Facebook.  

Spot Light: Maine Scents and Seasons

When I was a little girl my Mom and Aunt used to make candles at Christmas time. They would pour them in quart milk cartons that they had cut the tops off. They would whip additional wax and dip the molded pillar they pulled from the milk carton into the frothy wax then sprinkle glitter on them. I thought that was so great! And I thought if they could do it so could I!

Over the years I have experimented and test burned a lot of different types of candles and found out that it is not as easy as it seems:) Many years and lots of trial and error later Maine Scents and Seasons was born. My business is a mix of my love for candles, nature, and the state of Maine. I will offer natural, rustic potpourris for simmering or setting out in beautiful bowls and baskets, soy candles to match my potpourri scents, as well as tarts for your warmers and so much more.

I am so honored and excited to join all these talented artisans in this Creatively Maine Pop Up Store adventure.

Tammy Hodgdon, Artisan
Maine Scents & Seasons

Please visit Tammy online at her web site, Maine Scents and at her Ebay shop. 

Spotlight: 3 Legged Dog Ink

Lyndsey Monroe Marston of 3 Legged Dog Ink creates unique drawings in ink and colored pencil. Her artwork celebrates nature and animals, through simple lines and bold colors. A Maine native, Lyndsey is inspired by the woods and waters near her home. Lyndsey began selling her artwork in 2009 while at home caring for her dog, Enza. 3 Legged Dog Ink is named for Enza, and Lyndsey continues to draw her as a way to remember her now that she's gone. Original drawings as well as prints, greeting cards, and holiday cards are available at www.3leggeddogink.com and in the Creatively Maine shop this holiday season!

Lyndsey Monroe Marston, Artisan
3 Legged Dog Ink

Spotlight: Glass Orchids

For my 13th birthday I asked for an oil painting set and was lucky enough to receive it; unlike the drum set requested a few years later. Art instead of music; that was probably a kind twist of fate because now I create objects of beauty instead of who knows what horrors of sound that might have been inflicted on others.

Time and chance are funny things. I received that oil painting set on my birthday which was celebrated in Maine during the family vacation. Now, more years later than I’m going to divulge, I am an adult creating art objects in Maine.

I am the first one in my family to obtain a 4 year college degree. I was pre-med, then changed to fine arts, then had to get a job and eventually wound up as a computer programmer until finally landing back here in the arts. I went from Wall Street to Rural Route and have never been happier. I do not regret a thing. Everything I experienced and learned helps me today. The little girl who would not look you in the eye has become a woman who can teach a class and work a trade show.

What drives my creativity? Why do I do what I do? Where did I study and what awards have I won? These are the things I’m supposed to tell you in a bio but I probably won’t. Creativity is innate in each of us; sometimes it finds an outlet in cooking, building, singing or in fishing. For me it is in creating with color and light. I began as a painter working in oils. Along the way while working on Wall Street I discovered fused glass and bought myself a little kit to play with. Being type ‘A’ (and yes I’ve been tested), has brought me where I am today… a barn full of equipment and glass.

Warm glass is an amazing medium to work with; the technology is growing and what was once unobtainable financially is now as easy to get as a toaster. New techniques are unfolding all the time and ancient techniques can be revisited. Glass is an ancient magical material with endless possibilities and dichroic glass is a newish material impossible without 20th century technology.

Nature offers boundless inspiration in form and color. She stills the mind and soothes the soul and if you are lucky will whisper in your ear and play the muse. If red and purple can be beautiful in a flower then they can work in jewelry and that is my yardstick. I look to my garden, the fields and forests for inspiration. The combination of ancient techniques, modern technology and the artistry of nature is where my passion blooms.

I am honored and humbled that so many find my creations pleasing enough to spend their hard earned money to take them home. Without you those creations would not exist.

~Love and Light, Nancy

Nancy Tang, Artisan
Glass Orchids

Visit Glass Orchids online at their web site and find them on Facebook.

Spotlight: Maine Lights Collection

The Artists of the Maine Lights Collection have over 45 years of painting experience and 20 years of polymer clay sculpting between them. Sandy Clement is the creator of Mussel Men which are carefully sculpted polymer faces on various sized shells. Linda Leach specializes in mixed media sculptures and jewelry. Working together for over twenty years as well as teaching a variety of arts through the local adult ed program, they are constantly challenging their imaginations in order to create new art. They are also members of the International Polymer Clay Association, Made in Maine & the Maine Crafts Association.

Please visit Maine Lights Collection online at their web site and find them on Facebook.

Sandy Clement, Artisan
Linda Leach, Artisan
Maine Lights Collection

Spotlight: Tricia Griffith Arts

Tricia Griffith Arts

I have been drawing since I was five years old, and spent my childhood drawing stick horses and coloring on the margins of books. In school, my notebooks were filled with more doodles than notes, and art was my favorite class. My largest body of work is a collection of nature inspired watercolors, but in recent years I’ve been focusing on creating three dimensional art using corrugated cardboard and acrylic paint. This results in colorful acrylic paintings that literally pop out of the canvas, ranging from trees to birds and other animals. Each piece takes many hours to create, but the collection grows steadily.

I also offer commissioned pet portrait artwork in graphite, colored pencil and assorted paint mediums, and have been expanding my love of photography-including candid farm photos, product photography, and of course plenty of nature photography.

I have a degree in graphic design, but my true love is just freely creating art. Nature and wildlife are my biggest inspirations, and most of my work features trees, animals, or organic abstract images. I like my art to be organic, spiritual, and evoke feelings of peace, passion, and spirit. Art is a spiritual, creative, and healing journey for me, and I hope that my work brings a bit of that experience to its viewers.

Tricia Griffith, Artist
Tricia Griffith Arts

See more of Tricia's creations on her web page, at her Etsy shop and on Facebook. 

Spotlight: Nonnie's Knits

Nonnie's knits was created in 2013. I have been knitting and crocheting for over 40 years, and decided to share my treasures with you! For the Creatively Maine Shop, I focused on using yarns of wool, cotton, and other natural materials.

Tell me what you fancy and I will make it for you, with love...

Diane Gardiner Smith, Artisan
Nonnie's Knits

Find Nonnie's Knits on Facebook to see more images of her work.

Spotlight: SalPal Crafts

I have been knitting and crocheting for as long as I can remember, so close to 60 years. I am never without my needles, and my motto is "if I am sitting, I am knitting." My family has declared that they have enough hats, socks, scarves, etc, to last several years and so I began Salpal Crafts to share the bounty with the world. I enjoy working with locally sourced fiber whenever possible, but am willing to make an exception for silk. Still haven't found a Maine source for that! In addition to working with yarn, I also enjoy paper crafts, including card making; gardening, swimming. I do not enjoy snow shoveling.

Sarah Nugent, Fiber Artisan
SalPal Crafts

 Please visit Sarah at her Etsy Shop.

Spotlight: Weaving the Joy!

Weaving the Joy

About the Crafter- Shirley A. McAfee

I first became interested in baskets as a young girl.

Their shapes, sleek pieces of reed intertwined,

which formed something really useful and beautiful.

After some time passed I was invited to attend

a basket making class with my good friend from Connecticut.

As I listened and wove my first basket the realization

that I truly enjoyed what I was creating struck me.

I have been spending every waking moment weaving.

Making one basket at a time makes each one special and unique.

I have learned to appreciate the art for what it has taught me.

Each piece deserves to have its own unique shape and

personality; hence, no two are alike.

Basketwork has brought me peace, excitement, contentment,

enjoyment and creativity which result in new adventures of friendships.

In creating my baskets I hope to share my Joy of Weaving with you.

Sincerely,

Shirley A. McAfee, Artisan
Weaving the Joy!

Please visit Shirley online at her Facebook page.

Spotlight: Gentle Meadow Goat Farm

Gentle Meadow Goat Farm - Goat Milk Soap

COMPASSIONATE FARMING. EXCEPTIONAL SOAP. Working alongside my pet dairy goats, I use their milk to create a variety of handmade goat milk soaps that appeal to everybody in the family. My soaps include natural ingredients such as Shea butter, coconut oil, avocado oil, and olive oil. In some products, I add natural ingredients for color or essential oils for scent. GOAT MILK is the #1 INGREDIENT in most of my soaps! I make my cold-process soaps from scratch. Because each bar is handmade, there will be slight variations from bar to another, which makes each one unique! These soaps are perfect for people with sensitive skin or allergies! In fact, these are the customers I keep in mind when I’m developing new recipes. If you have any questions about my products, please contact me.

COMPASSIONATE FARMING
I pride myself on the compassionate care of my farm animals first and foremost. I believe that healthy, happy animals create the best quality soaps.

Compassionate Farming is My Passion!
- Mother goats raise their kids!
- Breed every other year so that the moms get a long break between when they stop milking and when they are bred again!
- I only collect milk that is leftover after the kids have what they need. I do not separate kids from moms!
- Lots of human interaction and environmental enrichment with a large, diverse pasture!
- No-kill policy! They have a safe home here!

Please, visit Shea and her lively herd of dairy goats at the Gentle Meadow Goat Farm web site, visit their Etsy Shop and find them on Facebook!

Shea Rolnick, Artisan
Gentle Meadow Goat Farm

Spotlight: LunaSea Altered Art

I began making altered books in 2003 and since moving to Winterport have thrown myself headlong into crafting them. My greatest inspirations are love, nature, the sea and self discovery; weaving those elements together with my poetry to create unique art objects from recycled books.



The pictures move the senses, The words the heart.

My work can be seen on Facebook at LunaSea Altered Art.

Lou Davies, Artisan
LunaSea Altered Art

Spotlight: A&E Stoneworks

A&E Stoneworks is a small business located in Swanville, Maine. Alana and Evan Hutchins spend their free time making unique stone items out of Maine rocks. They love to use Maine granite, Black Maine slate and Maine beach stones. Their top selling products are their original Slate State Cheeseboards, granite coasters and their new line of slate ornaments!

Visit Alana & Evan Hutchins online at the A & E Stoneworks Web sits, at their Etsy Shop and find them on Facebook!

Alana & Evan Hutchins, Artisans
A & E Stoneworks

Spotlight: Rose Whitehead Fiber Fabrications

Rose Whitehead began her interest in fiber arts at 4 years old by bottle feeding her grandfather's lambs and learning to embroider from her Home Economics teacher mother. As a young adult, she learned basic spinning and weaving at H.O.M.E. in Orland ME. And took Workshops with many excellent crafts people in Maine. She studied sheep and weaving at U Maine at Orno. She studied textiles at Forsaken Folkhogskola in Sweden (1987-1988). She has continued learning by practice, experience, and workshops. 

She has been selling her work at crafts shows, co-ops, shops, and galleries since 1982. She has taught Adult Ed. classes and in Waldorf School. She now teaches workshops and individual lessons in her off the grid Studio surrounded the by dye gardens and home to her angora rabbit. And of course she continues dyeing, spinning, wet felting, weaving, and sewing products. She recently added a line using her printed fabrics.

You can find Rose's creations at her Rose Whitehead Fiber Fabrications web site and on Facebook page. Rose is offering a wonderful opportunity to those who wish to create a one-of-a-kind fiber gift for your loved-ones. Check out the Creatively Maine Demonstration/Class Page for further details about Rose's felting class!

Rose Whitehead, Artisan
Rose Whitehead Fiber Fabrications

Spotlight: Studio Three 14

My daughter and I have always loved creating. So slowly we have been adding to our studio so we can make our own handcrafted jewelry and gifts.

I love making my glass and porcelain ornaments. Sammie and I make brass, sterling, aluminum and copper earrings. I have recently started working with antique silverware.... making earrings, bracelets, and rings. I love mixing my love for antiques and making jewelry.

My daughter, Sammie, is a budding metal smith and she does the scary torch stuff. She makes all our ear wires and does all the wire wrapping as well as having her own line of Hippy jewelry.

My husband joins in and helps us now. He makes our amazing displays to make our items look even more appealing and loves making tools and jigs to help us create new and exciting items. He has even taken a stab at making earrings. His pewter and copper earrings are gorgeous and have been a hit.







Please visit us online at our Studio Three 14 web site, our Etsy Shop and find us on Facebook!


Carla & Sammie Soucie, Artisans
Studio Three 14