Maine Etsy Love

There are loads of wonderful Maine Etsy Shoppes...

While shopping for holiday presents....check out the local shops!!!!

Here are a few of my favorite Maine ETSY things!

jesse janes

indigo twins

sock monkey cards

                                                                                  rocky top studios

winchell clay works

 
dimalimmhome

Holy Yum!

The Meat House
Have you been to the meet house yet?
I have driven by many times, thinking that it was a smelly butcher shop,
(meat smell makes me a bit ill).
But, this was so far from the case,
it was a wonderland of yummy stuff.
(That is what they should have named it.)

This is why I LOVE THIS PLACE!
It was started in New Hampshire by these two guys...
they we successful in starting a small business! Yay for them!

The South Portland store is great!
Very clean.....Great customer service
Especially the guy behind the meat counter, he was so nice.....
He introduced himself, asked my name,
and remembered it on my departure.
He gave me loads of samples to try....
In fact the store was loaded with samples...
which is brilliant, because I bought items I never would have...
like their mashed potatoes.
Generally pre-made potatoes stink.....not these, they were delicious!!!!!
They also had samples of their chicken pie and shepards pie,
both were very good!
I left with the chicken pie, and will be going back for the shepards pie.
They had loads of local produce and products.
I bought cheese from Pineland, and Olivia's mixed greens, both Maine businesses.
There were loaves of bread by a local baker....
and different oils to dip and try.
They had a great selection of alcholic beverages, along with a nice selection of wines.
The best part may have been the sandwich samples,
which included my favorite... The Gobbler,
(which was a Thanksgiving themed sandwich which had fresh apples)......outstanding!
However, it was a close second to the dessert sample area!
Which includes chocolate covered macaroons!!!! yum!
Unlike so many specialty, I felt that it was very much worth the money.
I purchased...
chicken pie
mashed potatoes
garden greens
blue chees
red onion
apple crisp
gourmet vanilla ice cream
a big container of spice....
and an extra little package of marinated tips...courtesy of the butcher
Total bill was $35.00.
This fed 4 people, with left over greens, cheese, and dessert.
The best part is I didn't have to cook!!!!! This made me very excited!
There is loads more that I haven't mention..... including meat.
Yay, for the "MEAT HOUSE"

handmade goodness

As I stated in my last post....Christmas is fast approaching....I went to wal-fart the other day, and within a minute or two.... I had a headache, and was wanting to abort the whole trip. I generally do not go there, but there was a specific mission that needed to get done. I would much rather buy local, and handmade goods, but often wonder if those on the receiving end are as "into it" as I am. I would say NO...... with a few exceptions.  It seems people who enjoy making things, enjoy getting thing handmade.  Lets face it, if I get my son a wooden airplane, he would ask why there was no sound, and how come the propeller doesn't spin on its own.....
However, I have still decided not to buy (a lot) plastic toys, and crap.
I went to a lovely artisan show the other day, it was put on by this
LOVELY PLACE, that also teaches classes that I have attended and loved.
They were all fiber artist.
All the materials are hand dyed, spun, and harvested in Maine.

A lot of the items at the show were really expensive, but then I got to this one woman's table, and couldn't resist these items.
The brown scarf is 100% wool - it won a blue ribbon at the Ossippee Valley Fair this year,  how cool is that! I love the pattern!
The hat is Fabulous!!! Angora and Silk; it is just amazing. It feels wonderful, and the craftsman ship is superb!  It also won a blue ribbon at the Fair!
The teal scarf is 100% angora, hand dyed, and harvested in Standish, Maine. and guess what??? it also won a blue ribbon at the fair!!!!! Unbelievable.
(I think they have different categories at the country fairs, based on fiber.)
The socks are dreamy, and I think I may keep them for myself. I do love a good pair of socks.
The little stocking was by a 12 year old girl...who was just dying to sell something.
I think its pretty darn cute!
I was a little disappointed in the turnout at the show, I think the artist were as well. The woman I bought these from was quite excited about the purchase, and so was I!!!!

I have been making these felt pouches recently, they are fabric samples from a fabulous company called Maharam. (Sorry, but you have to be a designer with an account to get some:( )

they will be in my ETSY SHOP soon, along with these necklaces...








I made these using vintage buttons that my Mom gave me from her collection.
 I really love them, and may keep one:)

.... as you are out there in the hustle, and bustle of Christmas shopping remember the small local shops, and you local craftspeople!!!!!  Also, remember that spending just $10.00 per person a week on local goods would do amazing thing for the economy.....and if you can, buy more to make up for those who don't!!!!!

ahhh....Christmas is fast approaching.

Here is my wish list from Anthropologie.....start securing your second mortgages now.

Love this little clutch
only...$298.00
I would put a chain on it,
and wear it around my neck...
maybe then I could justify the cost.

gorgeous cashmere scarf
$98.00
love, love!

leather bag with a bow
$258.00

Gulp! $338.00
maybe if they had taps on them....
then I could justify them as an entertainment expense.

Hanging Bell Flower Bib
$138.00

Grand Exit Boots
$468.00

 Men's Club Heels
only 98.00

ahh at last....something affordable!!
Pearl Bush Earrings $38.00

I sooo Love this hat.
not sure it would fit my man size head.
Snow Fort Hat
$48.00

Sally Gloves
$68.00
I like these...
but I don't think they are worth the dough!
However, I would love to say "where are my SALLY gloves?"
"has any one seen my SALLY gloves?"

Old and New Necklace
$38.00

Corvus Earrings
oooohhh...ahhhhh!
$38.00

$178.00
lovely bracelet!

$18.00 hair clip

Head band. so cute!
wonder if it hurts?
$32.00

good smeeellllly
$9.00

I am into socks lately. love these thigh highs $16.00

This is my selection from accessories, I haven't even hit the clothes or home pages yet!!!!!!

what I have been up to.....

I've been making mixed material necklaces.









I use bits and pieces of vintage jewelry.









I use vintage lace, and ribbons.




















I take pieces apart.
I put them back together....
in a completely different way.



















They are unique, one of a kind pieces.


















They will be in my shop soon.......

Tried, True, and Recommended

For all your teeth cleaning and preservation needs, the buck (actually the $150.00 buck) stops here....
there is nothing better. This brand the R910, is amazing! There is so much power, and it has a bunch of different settings, depending on the level of cleaning you desire. I know its a hefty price, but so is going to the dentist!  If you use this, and the water pik, I can (but won't) guarantee, your dental needs will a whole lot less!

Ahh, what can I say about Sofft shoes....they are cute, and oh so comfortable....and I'm a sucker for a pair of Mary Janes, especially ones with bows!  Lamey Welleham in Falmouth is having their side door sale. The original price of these beauties were $99.00,  I was lucky to find them for over half price.

This Hummus is far superior to every other brand that I have tried....it is so smooth, and delicious.

I use to throw out half eaten containers of hummus quite often...not so with this brand, we lick the container clean!!!!

Bounce Dryer Bar - makes the dryer and everything in it smell really nice.

yard sales.....and more yard sales

loads of fabulous yard sale treasure.
vintage white Sunbeam batter bowls  $1.00 set
vintage pyrex 50 cents
"Japan" color block mugs 50 cents each
Avon crock 25 cents
oven bowls with handles $1.00 each





lot of print making supplies $2.00
paper and books $1.00






amazing embroidered textiles
$5.00 each

 old baskets $1.00 each

angela adams bag $3.00
Lucky Brand leather bag $5.00









Ivan's favorite Magic Tree House Books
set of 8 $1.00