Frances Mahoney Wears Many Creative Hats & Started Her Own Design Studio In The Midst Of The Pandemic

Jordan & Madison Give Cut & Sew Another Meaning; They Create Fashionable Pieces Inspired By Different Cultures: Jordan Carey and Madison Poitrast-Upton started Loquat with the intention of crafting fashion and apparel pieces inspired by various types of cultures and lifestyles. Both graduated from Maine College of Art and brought their fashion and textiles skills to their business to offer a variety of unique pieces such as pineapple leather handbags, form-fitting masks and so much more. I talk to Jordan and Madison about their journey starting their business, their projects and experiences while attending MECA, and future projects they are working on with Loquat. by Makers of the USA

42 min listen

Rose Barboza Lifts The Voices Of Black Owned Businesses Here In Maine: Did you know that an online database of black-owned businesses never existed in Maine? When the unfortunate event of George Floyd hit the press, Rose Barboza and Jerry Edwards came together to start a website that promotes tons of black-owned businesses here in Maine. From Augusta to Biddeford to Lewiston to Orono, black businesses, designers, craftsmen, etc. reside all over the state. Rose tells me what prompted her to start the project which is now turning into a non-profit organization, future projects she plans to take on, and what it was like growing up in Maine. by Makers of the USA

24 min listen

Becky McKinnell Handcrafts Nautical Rope & Leather Handbags While Running a Digital Agency: Becky McKinnell is all about getting creative with her hands and encourages others to do so as well by inviting old and new friends to craft nights at her house in Cumberland, Maine. Who knew that Wildwood Oyster Company would be brought to life by beginning the craft of her first handbag at one of those craft nights. by Makers of the USA

34 min listen

Makers Market At The Point Series - A Hand Weaver, A Quilter & A Lifestyle Brand: Thompson's Point in Portland, Maine puts together a series of Makers Market events where craftspeople around the state get together to showcase their work. Kristan Vermeulen kicks off the interview series at their September event where she interviews a hand weaver who recently started her business, The Cultivated Thread, a quilter who started this as a side gig and full-time is a frontline worker, JP Quilts, and a woodworker who laser engraves, cuts and dye-sublimates, Benoit Design Co. by Makers of the USA

63 min listen

Jemma Gascoine Crafts Pottery With Clean Lines & Solid Colors; She Is Based In Monson & Has A Focus In Sculpture: Jemma Gascoine, a potter who is known for her focus on sculpture, is originally from England but came here to Maine with her husband who is also a maker as he is a photographer. Jemma brings so much to the table with the skills she obtained from her time with Barry Guppy, who is a well-known potter in England who crafted Princess Diana's china. Tune into this episode to hear more about Jemma's story in how she got into pottery, her studio in Monson, and what she is working on today. Also, stay until the end to hear a track from Half Way Home. by Makers of the USA

45 min listen

Mark & Stephen Ferguson & Barry Worthing Started A Shop That Crafts Maine Pattern Axes & Restores Vintage Axes: When you walk into the Brant & Cochran shop in South Portland, the smell of cold cut steel blended with the sweet smell of red hot iron, the sounds of metal being hammered, and the heat of oil firing surround the facility. Mark and Stephen Ferguson and Barry Worthing, came together to bring the craft of axe making back to Maine. Mark and Stephen fill us in the history behind axe making in Maine, how they came up with the idea to start their shop, the craft behind axes, and how they have curated a team of blacksmiths and artists to teach them how to craft a Maine pattern axe so that the craft and tradition can be continued in Maine. by Makers of the USA

41 min listen

Bethany Field & Chris Korzen Brings Back Maine's Original State Flag by Makers of the USA

36 min listen

Tighten Up, Lets Go & Learn About The Craft Behind Dog Sledding with Kevin Slater & Polly Mahoney: Mahoosuc Guide Service offers an experience unlike no other. An experience of getting to know the land, nature, the Maine culture during the cold months, and the main event, the mushing lifestyle. Kevin and Polly have been guiding for over 31 years in Newry and not only do they offer dog sledding overnight camping trips but they offer canoeing and fishing adventures as well during the warmer months. Kristan Vermeulen takes you on her adventure discovering the craft behind dog sledding from sitting in the sled crafted by Kevin himself to sleeping in a tent lined with fir and heated by a wood stove. by Makers of the USA

76 min listen

Meet Sarah Kelly & Leah Robert Who Are Providing A Clean Beauty & Body Care Line For All The Salty Girls: Have you ever thought about what goes into the products that you put on your body? From lotions to scrubs to mascara to lipstick, there are so many products individuals use on their bodies on a daily. Sarah and Leah take us on a journey on how they went about their research in clean ingredients and how they put together a fabulous collection of products that not only feels good but looks good too. They tell us about how they handcraft their body care line out of their office in Kennebunk and how their beauty line is manufactured out of New York City. The sisters also touch on the non-profits they lead and support as well as how they built their SaltyGirl community. by Makers of the USA

49 min listen

Doles Orchard Is Not Just A Family Farm, It Is Also Known For Its Wooden Crates Crafted By Emily Chelate: Earl and Nancy Bunting bought Doles Orchard in 1993 and have continued to grow its history of farming and even expanded on the fruits being grown in the orchard. One hidden gem many folks don't know about the farm is that there is a woodshop located in the building over from their house. Many assume it's a place to keep farm supplies but instead, it is where Emily Chelate, Earl and Nancy's daughter, and her team design and craft wooden crates, gift boxes, and so much more. Emily tells me about the history of the farm, how the woodshop came about and grew due to a well-known brewer located in Maine, and what they're working on today. Stay tuned until the end to hear a track from Troy Hudson and The High Road. by Makers of the USA

57 min listen

Frances Mahoney Wears Many Creative Hats & Started Her Own Design Studio In The Midst Of The Pandemic: Makers of Maine kicks off 2021 with its makers Behind The Lens mini-series. Many folks have asked for this series and it is a new project that will be taken in 2021. The first guest is Frances Mahoney who graduated from Maine College of Art (MECA) with a degree in Graphic Design. She talks about her design career and experiences at well-known businesses such as Sea Bags and Pulp + Wire. She recently started her own design studio called I Before Design E Design and she is a social media influencer who educates folks on the best places to eat in Maine. Listen in to learn how a young, female entrepreneur is juggling all of these fun projects and how she is learning and enjoying it every day. by Makers of the USA

41 min listen

Jody Johnstone Brings Wood Fired Pottery To Maine By Building A 24-Foot Long Anagama Tunnel Kiln In Her Backyard by Makers of the USA

49 min listen

Kristen & Joe Camp Use Techniques Like Raku To Handcraft Ceramic Pieces That Brings People Together: Pottery brought together the Campfire pair, Kristen and Joe Camp, as their love began while taking a pottery class in their home state of Georgia. They opened their studio at the Dana Warp Mill located in Westbrook, Maine, and shop off of Washington Avenue in Portland five years ago. They use a variety of different clays and techniques including Raku which is a Japanese style ceramic process. Kristen and Joe take us on their journey on how they got into pottery in the first place, what brought them to Maine, how they started their business, and what the vision is behind their products. by Makers of the USA

37 min listen

Welcome to Makers of Maine: When folks come to visit Maine they dig their toes in the sand at Popham Beach, hike up Katahdin, crack open a craft beer and a lobster, and go sailing off Casco Bay. But the one thing many people may not know about Maine is the craft that makers from across the state get into. From cut and sew to woodworking to farming to photography and art, there is so much craft that happens in Maine and I want to tell you all about their stories. I may not be a born and raised Mainer but I have learned over time what it means to be a maker of Maine, the unique stories that come along with it, and the success each maker has. Tune in to hear about my story and what inspired me to start the Makers of Maine podcast. by Makers of the USA

7 min listen

Kazeem Lawal Brings His Life Experiences Through A Curation Of Craft To The Local Community: For Kazeem, craft is a very broad term because he touches on it in so many ways between curation, fashion design, and showcasing his own life through his brand. He wants each customer to have a unique experience when they come into his shop. His shop reflects anything he is into at that moment from food, to travel, to cultures, to his own journey. Kristan chats with Kazeem about his past life before coming to Maine, how he got to Maine, the inspiration behind opening up his own shop, and what the future holds for his business. by Makers of the USA

70 min listen

A Historical Lodge Filled With Memories & Traditions On The Island Of North Haven: Nebo Lodge is a historic landmark filled with history and memories from presidential visits to various families who managed the facility and the many guests that stepped foot into the home. Each room is named after an island off the coast of Maine and the dining area is filled with conversations, delicious smells of seafood, and some nice bubbly. David Hopkins, Chellie Pingree, and Angela Ruffolo are all very familiar with this landmark as they share the history, traditions, and life stories this facility holds during this podcast interview. Also, stay until the end to hear another popular track from Sean McGowan. by Makers of the USA

82 min listen

Sascha Deri & His BluShift Aerospace Team Successfully Executes The First Commercial Launch Of A Rocket Using A Bio-Derived Fuel: blueShift Aerospace makes history by conducting a commercial launch of a Maine made rocket using bio-derived fuel. This team of highly skilled aerospace experts did this because they're passionate about space and they wanted to bring the aerospace industry to Maine. Kristan Vermeulen grew up watching planes and rockets in the beach town she used to vacation at in Maryland and when she stumbled upon this team and watching the success of their rocket launch through her television screen at home, she had to learn more. by Makers of the USA

42 min listen

Roxi Suger Is A Renowned Fashion Designer That Crafts Plant Based Apparel In Biddeford's Pepperell Mill: Picture a space that is built of all brick and towers and makes you feel like you're going back in time. A time where manufacturing and production were at its peak due to the river it sits next to. Pepperell Mill located in Biddeford, Maine started as a place where linens, towels, sheets, and much more were crafted. Now it continues to be a place where various manufacturers get into their craft including a fashion designer, Roxi Suger, that came from Oklahoma where she was born and New York City where she first started her Angelrox clothing line. When you walk into her studio it is filled with apparel designs that make your jaw drop. Roxi tells me what inspired her to get into fashion and how she ended up in New York City, how she met the love of her life, and moved to Maine to continue her craft, her new collection called Suger and much more. by Makers of the USA

44 min listen

Briana Warner Introduces Kelp Farming -- A New Way Fishermen Can Work On The Water While Improving The Health Of Our Oceans: Briana Warner, the owner of Atlantic Sea Farms, came to Maine after years as a development economist in the Foreign Service. She noticed that the kelp was gorgeous here in Maine, healthy and clean. Bri describes her craft as kelp, in general, and said, “the motivation behind it is mostly around looking at climate change along our coasts, and figuring out ways that crafts in one way or another can help the coast both adapt to and mitigate some of the effects of climate change.” Briana takes us on a journey through her career as she was a former diplomat for the U.S. Foreign Service and owned a bakery in Portland hiring refugees who are new to Maine. She also talks about the craft behind kelp and the impact it has on climate change. Not only do you get to know Bri, stay until the end of the episode to hear a special tune from Lady Lamb. by Makers of the USA

54 min listen

Linda & Ken Perrin Share Their Love Of Glass Blowing In The Heart Of Ellsworth: Atlantic Art Glass is quite the staple in Ellsworth as they're known for their innovative practices behind the art of glass blowing. Linda and Ken Perrin, the owners and founders of Atlantic Art Glass, met in California and made their way up to Maine to establish their studio in Ellsworth. Not only do they craft beautiful glass-blown vases, cups, and creatures like birds, Linda is quite fond of jewelry and has played around with her skills to come up with beaded glass that looks like sea glass. Tune in to learn more about Linda and Ken's story and to listen to Caroline Cotter's single, Eternal Light. by Makers of the USA

46 min listen

Welcome to Makers of the USA: The United States of America, home of the brave. A place that is filled with different cultures, diversity, beautiful scenery, a place I call home. But one thing many people may not know the USA is the artisans, craftsmen and women, photographers, musicians, creatives… makers of all sorts that come with this beautiful country. Kristan Vermeulen shares stories of makers that forge steel to make knives and axes, sew skirts, hats, and handbags with materials of all sorts, paint and capture visuals that are forever in your home and carried in your heart, share stories through music and writings, make special treats and bubbly beverages and much more. Join her through the journey through the lives of makers across our country to hear how they get down with their craft. by Makers of the USA

7 min listen

Sadie Bliss & Emily Shaffer Coordinate An Annual Event That Brings People To Makers To Learn Their Craft: Sadie Bliss, Executive Director of Maine Crafts Association (MCA), and Emily Shaffer, MCA Program Coordinator, have coordinated Maine Craft Weekend for many years to help bring the people of Maine and outside of Maine to makers all over the state's front doors. Tune in to hear more about Maine Crafts Association and how their group started Maine Craft Weekend. by Makers of the USA

27 min listen

Andy Cook, Founder & Executive Director of Made in Baltimore, Shares His Passion For Makers by Makers of the USA

49 min listen

Makers Market At The Point Series - A Potter Who Uses A Sgraffito Process & A Expert In CBD Who Mellows Out With Her Chill Pills: Thompson's Point in Portland, Maine puts together a series of Makers Market events where craftspeople around the state get together to showcase their work. Kristan Vermeulen continues the interview series at their November event where she interviews a pottery business, Zwellyn, who specializes in Sgraffito, and a CBD expert who recently rebranded and is known nationwide. by Makers of the USA

46 min listen

Kyle Lamont Captures Compelling Stories Through Award Winning Video Projects & Her Podcast, Concert Cast: Kyle Lamont is an award-winning producer and the founder of Good To Go Studios, a multi-media company based in Maine. She also recently worked as a commercial Producer/ Director for Matador Network, the largest producer of branded travel content in the world. Her storytelling skills work naturally not just in the film world but through her podcast as well. Concert Cast is a sonic road trip to America’s best music venues. The show includes conversations with notable venue owners and popular bands that make for entertaining stories about travel and music. by Makers of the USA

50 min listen

Ric Della Bernarda Brings Plein Air Art Back To Ogunquit: Ric started his career as a fashion illustrator as he studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and then moved to work at different department stores in New England. He decided he wanted a change in his career and got into oil painting. He runs his own studio out of his home in Ogunquit and leads workshops at Cliff House Resort. His goal now is to continue to bring plein air art back to the Ogunquit area as it has a long history of artists who have a focus on that particular form. Ric talks to Kristan about his workshop, creative process, his career, and much more. by Makers of the USA

41 min listen

Ryan McPherson And His Team of Farmers Craft The Perfect Oyster & Grow Millions Of Them In The Damariscotta River: Oysters are a highly popular seafood cuisine people look for when coming to Maine. One oyster farm that offers the only tasting room off the Damariscotta River is Glidden Point Oyster Farms. Ryan McPherson and his team of farmers work hard every day to tend to each of the farms they have along the river, culling the oysters they bring in, and teaching folks that visit their tasting room how to shuck. Tune in to hear about how Ryan took over this farm five years ago and where they are now, the process of growing an oyster farm, and how to shuck your own oysters at home! by Makers of the USA

41 min listen

Cryogenic Protection Gear Handcrafted In Trenton Used In Handling The COVID-19 Vaccine: Tempshield started forty years ago by a husband and wife duo, the Sweeney's, Laura and Ted, on their kitchen table. They lived in Massachusetts at the time, and they were responding to a need in the marketplace. They developed their very first cryogenic protective glove and from there they developed aprons and gators because liquid nitrogen is a liquid, and it can splash on your clothes. If it gets on your clothes, it will absorb into the clothes and then of course right onto your skin. In 2018, Jim Woldenberg took over Tempshield and had continued to grow its operations and team. They even started a sister company called My Mainers that crafts gloves for outdoor recreation use. Tune in to hear more about how this protective gear is made and how Jim appreciates their Maine-made focus. by Makers of the USA

34 min listen

Geoffrey Warner Provides Comfort Through His Handcrafted Wooden Stools: A wooden stool handcrafted in Stonington, Maine that gives the bodies that sit in it a healthy posture; sign me up! Geoffrey Warner came up with the idea of crafting an ergonomic stool back in 2008 when the economy was at a slowdown. After grinding two holes and smoothing out the wood, he took a step back and looked at his craft and thought this looks like an owl. Tune in to hear about Geoff's journey as a furniture maker. From his time spent in Rhode Island with Tage Frid, to moving to Stonington with his family to continue the growth of his furniture collection, to patenting one of his stool seats to be manufactured and used in schools and by dentists, Geoff has come along way and has quite a story to share. by Makers of the USA

58 min listen

Chandlyr Jackson, Illustrator & Print Maker, Brings Vibrant, Fruity Designs To Your Home: Chandlyr Jackson, a former UX/UI Designer who missed crafting with her hands turned to illustration, block-printing, and other forms of printmaking. Her brand, Freckled Fuchsia, is known for its fruit-inspired illustrations and sustainable practices. The small business has grown over the years as it started in Providence, Rhode Island, and now resides out of a small studio in downtown Portland, Maine. She has partnered with a handful of like-minded brands in launching one-of-a-kind products. She has also connected with many businesses in Maine that now carry her products in their stories. Tune into this episode to hear more about Chandlyr's story in how she got into traditional printmaking, her studio in Portland, and how the Maine community is helping to continue the growth of her business. Also, stay until the end to hear more about local musician Spencer Albee and his track Love's Not Lost. by Makers of the USA

41 min listen

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Frances Mahoney Wears Many Creative Hats & Started Her Own Design Studio In The Midst Of The Pandemic

Frances Mahoney Wears Many Creative Hats & Started Her Own Design Studio In The Midst Of The Pandemic

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