The Fabulous Maine Crafts Guild Show
This past weekend, while I was at my home in Maine, I made sure to visit the Maine Crafts Guild Show in Bar Harbor, as I do every year. This is a collection of the finest craftsmanship in Maine. It is a well-curated show of 60 artisans who represent excellence in Maine craft. I love browsing, shopping, and talking to these artisans, who are creating fabulous objects that will certainly become heirlooms one day.
1 Here I am with David Lancaster of Heirloom Bowls. - http://www.heirloombowls.com/
2 Heirloom Bowls are made one at a time using only native North American hardwoods.
3 This set of nesting bowls is made of a beautiful black ash burl that’s flawless with very tight eyes and beautiful coloration.
4 David Lancaster developed a passion woodworking when he was a small boy. At 13, he had his own wood shop.
5 Another set of nesting bowls made of ash
6 Prescott Hill Pottery http://www.prescotthillpottery.com/ makes useful pots - tableware, storage jars and vases - as well as evocative vessels and forms in high-fire stoneware and porcelain.
7 An example of an ash-glazed gas-fired plate
8 A gorgeous rag rug by Hutton Studios - http://www.huttonstudios.com/ - these rugs are made of cotton and cotton-blend fabrics.
9 Stunning jewelry by Holly Hamilton Jewelry - http://www.hollyhamiltonjewelry.com/index2.php - Holly creates a blend of limited production and one-of-a-kind jewelry using 18 and 22k gold, incorporating South Sea pearls and individually selected unique stones and rarities.
10 Tammy Zeh of Tamberlaine - http://www.tamberlaine.com/index.htm - makes jewelry that reminds her of nature, flowers, ancient art, and oceans.
11 Stephen Zeh - http://www.stephenzeh.com/ - is an extraordinary basket maker. These jewelry designs are hand forged and hand woven in 18k and 22k gold and in sterling and fine silver.
12 This is a collection of exquisite miniature baskets by Stephen Zeh.
13 This is a small collectible Maine potato basket.
14 And these are Stephen Zeh's small collectible fishing creels.
15 A beautiful teapot by Autumn Cipala
16 More pieces by Autumn Cipala
17 Jewelry by Jennifer Nielsen - http://www.jnielsenjewelry.com/ - Her unique designs are made of smooth beach pebbles set in silver or gold.
18 This large square platter is by Jody Johnsone - http://www.jodyjohnstonepottery.com/index.html - Jody became interested in pottery in her early twenties living and working in Japan.
19 One of Jody Johnstone's large lobed serving bowls
20 And a large rectangular platter
21 This is Stephanie Crossman of Gram J's Nets - http://www.mainenetbags.com/index.html - Stephanie makes lovely bags and jewelry with traditional knotted netting, otherwise known as fishnetting.
22 These beautiful hand blown glass pieces are by Tandem Glass Works. - http://www.tandemglass.com/
23 Each of these cups are all one of a kind made up from brightly colored and patterned glass elements.
24 This spectacular pot is by George Pearlman of St. George Pottery. - http://www.stgeorgepottery.com/ This piece is called a Fertility Jar.
25 This twenty-one-inch-tall pot is a Field Jar.
26 This stately piece is a Sprout Jar.
27 A fabulous vase
28 A stunning pitcher
29 A beautiful bottle
30 A great dish
31 And another wonderful vase
32 Ron King Gourd Vessels - http://www.rkinggourds.com/index.htm - are embellished gourd vessels.
33 This gourd is embellished with porcupine quills and pearls.
34 And this one with red beads
35 Turquoise beads and feathers
36 And this gourd has dye and scarring embellishment.
37 Fine brass wire ornamentation
38 Pearl and gold leaf
39 One kind of gourd that Ron King grows for these amazing vessels.
40 And another
41 And another
42 David Pollock of Maggie's Farm makes incredible wooden kitchen implements.
43 I loved these French rolling pins.
44 Ornamentation by Fish in the Garden - http://www.fishinthegarden.net/ - The mission of Fish in the Garden is to create new, unique and creative home and garden accents, such as this school of Blue Koi.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
All of the crafts are beautiful, but the bowls are my favorite.
I know you had a lot of fun, Martha.
Gloria!!
Posted by: Gloria | August 31st, 2010 at 12:08 am
Maine is full of talented artisans! The bowls are amazing ... I need to look at his website.
Thanks for posting great pics!
Posted by: Gloria Brown, Winterport, ME | August 31st, 2010 at 8:18 am
So much fun and talent at one event. This is a great public service announcement for Maine! Great idea! So much inspiration! I am enjoying the weather of these last days of August. So gorgeous in the Philadelphia suburbs. I hate to see August leave us.
Posted by: Teresa Touey | August 31st, 2010 at 8:29 am
Dear Martha,
I so love this post! When I lived in Maine, I worked for a non-profit that worked to promote Maine producers - artists, writers, farmers...basket makers! Stephen Zeh was a favorite and was on the cover of our "Made in Franklin County Days!"
This post brings back so many wonderful memories.
Trina
Posted by: Trina | August 31st, 2010 at 11:14 am
Wonderful opportunity for us learning about talents of crafters from Maine. August means Autumn and a time for learning about life searching beauty which can be found anywhere.
Posted by: ann | August 31st, 2010 at 11:42 am
Hi Martha, What a delightful trip you must have had up to Maine last weekend. Your fantastic blog and the Daily Wag sure showed how much joy you and everyone who went along had on this trip. I absolutely love your photos and comments about the fabulous Maine Crafts Guild Show. Oh, how I would love to be able to visit that place in person. Those artisans are superb and the items they create are truly worth buying. I thought the wood bowls were my favorite until I continued through the rest of you photos. I love every one of them! Thanks also for showing us their website. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | August 31st, 2010 at 1:18 pm
It was such a pleasure to see you again! Thanks for coming.
Posted by: Linda Perrin | August 31st, 2010 at 1:40 pm
MArtha,
Thanks for time devoted to picture taking to illustrate the talents and wares of the artisans. The beauty and functionality--even if just to visually enjoy-are so sweet.
Posted by: Margie | August 31st, 2010 at 2:14 pm
It is always a thrill to see you at our shows, Martha. Thanks for supporting our first year at this new venue in Bar Harbor.
Posted by: Jodie Perry of Aragona Designs | August 31st, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Indeed the wooden bowls are fabulous. Are the spoons made by hand? Thanks Martha.
Posted by: http://twitter.com/Geotravel | August 31st, 2010 at 2:52 pm
What kind of gourd does he use? In the picture you never mentioned it. Thanks Martha
Posted by: http://twitter.com/Geotravel | August 31st, 2010 at 2:54 pm
So pleased that you are sharing your Maine experiences on your blog Martha. Maine has many talented and gifted artisans. We are so fortunate to live in a place where we can have unique people and beautiful things all around us, all the time!
Posted by: The Gallery at Frenchman's Bay | August 31st, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Hi Martha,
I was a craftsman at that show and missed you. I make lamps with hand painted silk shades and am the only one in the country doing this.
I wish you had included me in your images from the show, feel free to pull images from my site or ask me to email you something if you can add me in.
Thanks,
Stuart Loten
Loten art Lighting
Posted by: Stuart Loten | August 31st, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Wow! I love those bowls!
Posted by: Wendy | August 31st, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Hi Martha,
Tammy and I enjoyed seeing you again at the show in Bar Harbor. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your stay on the island. Thank you for the wonderful photos of our baskets and jewelry. We, and all the artists in the Guild appreciate your continued support of fine craftsmanship in Maine.
Stephen and Tammy Zeh
Posted by: Stephen and Tamberlaine Zeh | August 31st, 2010 at 6:41 pm
Everything is beautiful. I would love to see the lamp shades too.
Posted by: Charlotte | August 31st, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Hi Martha,
I can't tell you how thrilled that everyone in the show was to see you there, it means a lot to the artist when you come into their booth and talk to them and appreciate their work.You were very at ease and not at all in a rush to leave spending quite some time with us. This was surely the highlight of my weekend. I'm really glad that you liked my bowls
Thank you Martha
Dave Lancaster
Posted by: David Lancaster President The Maine Crafts Guild | August 31st, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Martha, thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | August 31st, 2010 at 9:27 pm
Martha,
Thank you for promoting the work at the craft show. I particular LOVE the beach stone jewelry, but must admit I'm a bit biased since I have a few of Jen Nielsen's pieces. Can't wait for her to come back down to Virginia again to the craft shows here.
Posted by: Ellen Libby | August 31st, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Hello Martha and readers,
It was an Honor to be among so many talented artists!!! Thank you for your interest in my fish!!!! http://www.fishinthegarden.net/
Posted by: Tyson Weiss - Fish in the Garden | August 31st, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Martha, I love you!!!!!!!!!!
And I love the 'Martha Stewart Living' magazine.
Thanks for being vwunderful dahling.
Posted by: Sarah | August 31st, 2010 at 10:19 pm
Hi Martha,
What great photos! While all the artisans at the Maine Craft Show in Bar Harbor are certainly talented, I especially enjoyed the photos of Holly Hamilton's work - what beautiful jewelry! I will be keeping an eye out for her work in the future.
Sincerely,
Sofia
Posted by: Sofia | September 1st, 2010 at 5:37 pm
I enjoy watching your show. I have a TV at work and put it on for noise background, but when you are doing the craft part, I hear a whole lot better. They are really cleaver and I enjoy doing them as well.
I was also watching your show on make overs and became annoyed with it, because if you notice that most make overs are for long hair, 40 year olds. What about the over 50,60 short hair and wrinkles? I never see a show covering this subject. I guess everyone forgets we are out here. I liked the photo information on how to use our camera's. I take mostly quilt pictures for my guild and sometimes they come out looking yellow.
Thanks for a good show.
Posted by: Barb Bartzi | September 2nd, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Martha, one of my favorite places was the Rock Wood & Wire Designs- some very unique pieces....would be great to see some of your readers favorites in your magazine!
Posted by: Pat | September 4th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
The Etsy Maine Team is always so happy to report "Martha" sitings at these events! There are over 500 of us throughout the state. We hope you loved team-member "worthygoods" little felted acorns... we always look forward to seeing you!
Posted by: jes | September 5th, 2010 at 9:43 am
Glad you like Crafts. Nearby NH has a lovely quality crafts fair in August put on by The League of NH Craftsmen at the Mount Sunappe Resort.
Put on your hippie hat!
Posted by: Wen Redmond | September 14th, 2010 at 6:57 am
Thank you Martha for including my traditional knotted netting on your blog! Since you've seen me in Bar Harbor, my website has been updated with new items and a link to my etsy site.
Posted by: Stephanie Crossman | September 30th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Martha we would love to see you again this year at the MCG Bar Harbor Fine Crafts show! Friday Aug. 19, 5-9pm, Saturday Aug. 20, 10am-5pm, and Sunday Aug. 21, 10am-5pm.
Posted by: Linda Perrin | August 18th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
SUNDAY MORNING AUG 21, 2011....
Martha and Co. I am so sorry!! The artist you saw before the show was star struck and sorry she did not escort you into our event. She was tearful when she told me that she misinformed you about coming in (early) to the Maine Crafts Guild Bar Harbor show. You would be welcome early, late or any time you wanted to visit us!! Thank you, as the show coordinator please feel free to call me any time so I might be able to help you with a private showing outside our normal hours.
I would be happy to visit with you and share the work of the community of artists who have been so grateful for your support.
Your truly,
Linda Perrin
266-9096
Posted by: Linda Perrin | August 21st, 2011 at 11:17 am