Many of us have material objects handed down to us (for example, my grandmother’s battered silver tea strainer), but we also inherit less concrete things from our forebears (my grandmother’s secret technique for flaky piecrust). The United Nations defines the … Continue reading
I don’t know what I expected when I went to visit to Maine Surfers Union, but it wasn’t one of the best coffees in the city of Portland. Yet here I am, sipping a perfect cappuccino from a compostable bamboo … Continue reading
As anyone who carries a bag knows, it can be tricky to balance function and fashion just right; a stylish bag can fall open inconveniently, and a practical one can be blandly utilitarian. But Alice Yardley, who makes all the … Continue reading
In a small white clapboard building on the edge of downtown Northeast Harbor, Jennifer Judd-McGee has packed her shop Swallowfield to the rafters, literally. An acclaimed artist herself, Judd-McGee has filled shelves, display cases, and the walls from floor to … Continue reading
Stepping into Evangeline out of the sunshine of a bright fall day is like walking into a cool, shady grove during a summer hike. As the visitor’s eyes adjust to the darker environment, contrasting textures swim into view: exposed brick … Continue reading
The not-so-secret secret of September in Maine is that it’s one of the best months to be outside: biting insects and blistering sun have retreated, leaving shady woods and still-warm waterways open for exploration. But for Holly Curtis and Suzie … Continue reading
Many of us daydream about starting a cool business with our best friend, but how many of us actually accomplish it? Katie Bowes and Hannah Haehn are among the lucky few for whom those daydreams turned into reality; their Washington … Continue reading
“Surface design” is a relatively new term for an art form that’s been around for a long time: the creation of patterns to adorn items of every kind. After designing a pattern, surface designers get to see their work in … Continue reading
Say the word “craft” out loud and see what pictures it conjures up. Tempera paints? Construction paper? Acrylic yarn in garish colors? Now replace it with “craftsmanship.” Suddenly the images are of finely wrought work (maybe metal, maybe wood, maybe … Continue reading
Some people’s career paths run like an allée of boxwood in a formal French garden: straight, smooth, unswerving. Others find a more meandering way, like a path in a romantic English garden that turns unexpected corners and doubles back on … Continue reading
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