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I am a self-taught leather artist. At the age of 5, my grandmother taught me to sew and from there, I fell in love with textiles. Inspired by the 60’s and 70’s and the love of tie-dye, I found myself wanting to wear these pieces filled with color. The problem is that most tie-dye is cotton, and it wasn’t reasonable being in a cold climate. Cleaning up my closet, I found a swatch of black leather and wondered if I could remove some of the color and create my own tie-dyed leather. From there I was met with a lot of “no’s” on dying leather. So naturally, I accepted the challenge and the journey started.
I am constantly inspired by nature and all things around me, but mostly, it’s the leather and it’s unique story that reaches me. The edge of a hide, or the markings has the power to suddenly put an idea into my head and inspire.
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Whitney Gill’s life journey reflects intricate pathways of creativity and artistic influence. Her focus lies in functional ceramics, shaping white clay into simple forms adorned with bold brushstrokes, stencils, and sgraffito. Whitney’s pieces exhibit intuitive movement, gentle repetition, and vibrant colors. She creates small series that she sells at various local venues, including craft shows, markets, galleries, and open studio events at her home in Bowdoin, Maine. Whitney is deeply involved in the craft community and currently serves as the Executive Director of partner organizations Maine Crafts Association and Shop Maine Craft.
Whitney’s inspiration stems from the artists’ way of life and magic found in rural places. Her muses include rushing streams, underwater reflections, stacked stones, mossy logs, vivid sunsets, rolling hills, and long shadows. Through her work, she explores the deep connection between our bodies and the singular moments in a landscape that is ever changing.
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I have always loved clothing. I remember details of fabrics and garments from my childhood more readily than events. My mother taught me how to sew and often helped me design and choose fabrics. As an adult I learned how to make patterns when living in the San Francisco Bay area. I wanted to be able to create the garments I pictured in my head. I love vintage garments for their quality and style. I often start my design process with a vintage garment and then try to adapt it to a modern lifestyle. My goal is always to create high quality, wear forever garments ethically. Designing and producing in Maine allows me to do that!
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In 2016 several of the early Tekto partners returned from an outdoor excursion in the backwoods of Maine with frustration and disappointment. Even some of the most reputable names in the knife space had failed in the harsh northeastern environment. The cold and brutal conditions left our knives chipped, dull, and unreliable. The ordeal inspired us to spawn a research and development project that eventually led to the creation of Tekto. At Tekto, we focus on out-the-front automatic knives that have won accord with even the most demanding users whose lives depend on the quality of their knives. Today, Tekto challenges the industry with a straightforward proposition: WE DESIGN PURPOSE-BUILT KNIVES FOR LIFE’S MOST DEMANDING MISSIONS.
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I am a lifelong quilter who learned how to dye fabrics out of a need to create the types of fabrics I wanted to use but couldn’t find. After spending ten years out West, my partner and I moved back to my home state of Maine three years ago to put down our roots – which is what I am most creatively inspired by. Family, my surroundings, landscape, moments… I gain inspiration from the little, beautiful things. I put all of that love and inspiration into each piece of fabric or garment that I dye, and each quilt I make.
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MICROWAVE HOT, FREEZER COLD, CORN BAG THERAPY
Cast aside your hot water bottle and bag of frozen peas! Pamper and soothe achy body parts with Fishbellies. Heat in the microwave for warmth and relief on muscles, achy body parts, even cold hands and feet. Store in freezer, and use cold to help soothe injuries and manage pain. Fishbellies are perfect post surgery or post workout and make an excellent get-well gift to cheer your loved one. Hang anywhere for a hot or cold boost, reinforcing your body’s natural ability to heal and relax. Made with 100% cotton, cheery, colorful fabrics and filled with extra clean kernel corn. Corn has a large surface area that can retain heat or cold for long periods of time. This corn will not pop in the microwave!
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Forever Boards are uniquely handcrafted with a solid surface (I.e. Corian) that was destined for a landfill, that we reclaim and remove from the waste stream.
Unlike traditional cutting boards, Forever Boards are nonporous; therefore, NO bacteria, NO cross-contamination and NO odor.
Forever Boards are dishwasher safe or may be hand-washed with hot soapy water.
Chilling Forever Boards before serving cold food items (cheese, fruit, sushi, shrimp, etc.) will keep your food cold and fresh.
Forever Boards may be used as a beautiful trivet for items up to 400F (excluding cast iron pots and pans).
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Carter Light, Chef/Owner
Carter Light makes delicious sausage with the freshest ingredients using old world techniques. Carter learned how to make sausages in culinary school at Southern New Hampshire University and has been fascinated by the process of transforming throwaway products into something delicious ever since. His love of food started at a young age when he was growing up in a bed and breakfast operated by his mother. Carter has worked for Chef Paul O’Connor at a fine dining restaurant in Jackson Hole, Wyoming where became executive chef. Carter then moved to Park City, Utah and ran Silver Restaurant. After several years at Silver and looking to move back to the east coast, Carter partnered with James Mitchell to open Coda restaurant in Southwest Harbor in the winter of 2015. Carter created Colvard and Company, LLC two years later and ran simultaneously with the restaurant. In 2020 the pandemic forced the restaurant to close and Carter shifted his focus to making sausages fulltime. When Carter is not making sausages he enjoys camping, hiking and playing frisbee with his dogs Buddy and Montana.
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Sperry General Store is a woman owned décor and gift-focused shop specializing in vintage style travel posters, prints and handcrafted artisan. The style is inspired by graphic Art Deco, specifically the Swiss poster design of the 1920s and 1930s. Liza graduated magna cum laude from Maine College of Art & Design and works outside her home studio in South Portland, Maine. She grew up in the Borestone mountain region roaming around 500 acres of family owned land, her work is deeply inspired from the natural beauty of this area.
Acadia, Casco Bay, Katahdin, Moosehead Lake and Onawa are just a few of the locations highlighted in their work. Through her love of Maine and it’s natural beauty, she donates 1% of all sales to environmentally focused organizations throughout the state—including the Natural Resources Council of Maine and the Nature Conservancy of Maine.
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In the heart of Maine, where rugged coastlines meet lush forests, ISLES was born from a simple yet profound desire: to create a moment of pure comfort and indulgence in every cup. Our small batch Latte Blends are more than just beverages; they’re crafted with care, using only the finest, all-natural, organic, and plant-based ingredients.
At ISLES, we believe that less is more. That’s why we’ve carefully curated our blends to be free from any additives or artificial flavors – just pure, unadulterated goodness in every sip. Each blend is a celebration of simplicity, inspired by the beauty and bounty of nature that surrounds us.
Our recipes are a labor of love, perfected over years of personal enjoyment. Now, we’re thrilled to share them with you, inviting you to savor the same moments of joy and relaxation that have enriched our lives.
Whether you prefer your latte hot or iced, ISLES has a blend that will envelop you in warmth and comfort, like a hug in a cup. So go ahead, take a moment for yourself, and indulge in the wholesome goodness of ISLES. After all, life is too short for anything less than the best.
Sip up, and let every cup be a reminder to slow down, savor the moment, and enjoy the simple pleasures in life.
