Small Business - Holiday Gift Guide 2022
The seasons are changing, and we wanted to highlight some of our favorite gifts for the holidays. We have had the pleasure of meeting some incredible people over the last year! They are talented, kind, encouraging, and passionate about the products they create. There is something for everyone in this guide, and we hope you will support these brilliant makers!
Maine Shops
Carved Wooden Spoons - Brunswick
Jason Weymouth creates the most impressive handmade spoons and kitchenware. His pieces are timeless and masterfully crafted. We first came across Jason's work on Instagram and quickly subscribed to his "Spoon of the Month Club." This subscription allows you to build your collection over six months. Each month you will receive one of his carefully curated pieces: a spatula, kitchen spoon, sauce spoon, eating spoon, mini spoon, and teaspoon. I love the option to choose from either cherry, maple, or walnut. We own the measuring spoons and cannot wait to add pieces to our collection. I have my eye on the pinch bowl tray, cheese boards, and rolling pin!
Scout + Bean - Midcoast
Lauren is one of the most joyful and enthusiastic people I've ever met! Her joy is woven into every piece she makes. I have fallen in love with her harvest baskets and bowls. I used my harvest basket each day as I tended our garden, collected flowers, or picked handfuls of wild blueberries. I recently had the pleasure of visiting her booth at The Common Ground Fair. I was amazed by the ingenuity of Lauren and her husband's design. I knew I wanted to take another harvest basket home, but with each one was so stunning; it was a difficult choice! Each piece is not only beautiful but sturdy and meant to be enjoyed! You cannot go wrong with any of these beautiful designs for yourself or the ones you love!
Nautical Farms - Machias
Morgan and Jake are the brilliant owners of Nautical Farms. Their seaweed is organically certified and regeneratively grown. They harvest their seaweed from the Atlantic Ocean in the spring, dry it in the sun and create the most incredible vitamin and mineral-rich products! The health benefits seem to be endless! We add the Organic Sugar Kelp Flakes to our soups, stews, and sauces. The enhancement in flavor is unmatched! The Traditional Bath Soak from their Bathhouse line is our new favorite product. Solar-dried Maine sea salt and sun-dried sugar kelp create an indulgent and therapeutic soak. Their packaging is stunning! We can't wait to work through their entire line of products!
Liberty Graphics - Liberty Village, Portland & Camden
Liberty Graphics, a water-based ink t-shirt printer, started in Maine in the '70s and hasn't slowed down! The company began as a way for local artists and artisans to share their passion in an environmentally friendly way. The designs are inspired by nature, and the high-quality ink will stand the test of time. Our children tend to live in their shirts, and we have met many people with stories about their favorite designs. One gentleman told us that his grandchildren now wear the shirts he bought for his children in the 80s! Liberty Graphics is now entirely owned by employees. They are talented, incredibly kind, and big supporters of Maine businesses. They print the unique shirts for the Common Ground Fair in Unity each year. If you walk around any Maine town, you'll likely spot at least one of their shirts! We all have a favorite design: Blueberries for Sal, Bald Eagles, Monarch Metamorphosis, Wild Maine Blueberries, and Sunflower & Bees.
Wild Rosie - Coast of Maine
Nina Devenney and Patrick Ralls are the talented creators behind Wild Rosie. I was first introduced to their beautiful designs through a collaboration with Scout + Bean. The vibrant hues, and unique designs inspired by nature, caught my eye! Honeybees, monarchs, strawberries, and waves look even more magical in their whimsical hand paintings. Their shop also has wall hangings, flag garlands, and tees. The quality is impressive, and it is clear that each item is made with love and joy! Their designs will bring warmth to your home and a smile to anyone receiving these gifts!
One Lupine + Maine Yarn & Fiber Supply - Bangor
The founder of One Lupine, Jodi Clayton, is one of the most thoughtful and sincere people you will ever meet! Her business was created out of her enthusiasm and appreciation of natural fibers. The retail shop carries fine crafts, art, and apparel from US and Canadian makers. The first time I visited the shop, I was putting together a gift for my mother-in-law. I knew immediately she would fall in love with this cozy and inviting space. I was amazed to see such a wide array of gifts! Everything from accessories and home decor to pottery, body care, kitchen wares, and jewelry is carefully displayed. The adjacent shop carries hand-dyed Maine yarns and fibers. The knowledgeable team also hosts classes and curates lovely gifts! During my visit, I noticed how many faithful customers walk through the doors daily. I highly recommend visiting this treasure of a shop, but if you are not local, you may also order through their website!
Noisy Acres Farm - Buxton
Noisy Acres is a small, family-run farm with a herd of very lucky goats! They raise their goats holistically and hand milk them each day. The milk is turned into cold-processed soap, body care products, creamy chèvre, and fudge! I had been reading about the benefits of goat's milk soap as our family dealt with the harsh effects of our Maine winters. I was so grateful to be able to order from the farm's online shop and try their nourishing products! The soaps are made with homegrown herbs, natural clays, organic spices, and essential oils. If like me, you cannot decide which ones to try, the big bar bundle is a perfect choice! We included balm, lip butter, and seasonal soaps in a care package for a loved one. Each item came perfectly packaged and was easily added to our gift. They were overjoyed to receive these Maine-made products, and I know your friends and family will too! You can also find Noisy Acres at local farmer's markets throughout the year!
Farmer-ish - Sands End Farm
"I live in a world where farming and the arts go hand in hand. I wanted to share this world with others." -Crystal Sands. Ron and Crystal Sands are raising a family on Sands End Farm here in Maine. They have taken their love of farming, nature, and art and turned it into a beautiful project. Reading through their journal pages, Farmer-ish, is like a warm hug! It marries all the things we love most about our homesteading lives with the arts. The pages are filled with thoughtful essays, poetry, food preservation, gardening, life skills, and raising chickens. The photos and artwork are stunning! They have a blog and released a podcast last spring. It quickly became a family favorite! We enjoyed listening to new episodes as we worked on our land. They are thought-provoking and led to lovely conversations. Our family had the pleasure of meeting the Sands family this fall, and they are just as wonderful in person as I imagined! You may purchase the journal through their shop, where you will find a fantastic book of poetry written by Ron and illustrated by their talented son. Our children have read through it repeatedly, picking their favorite verses. Stunning quilts, beeswax candles, apparel, and the most perfect mug are also available!
FIORE Artisan Olive Oils & Vinegars - Bar Harbor, Freeport, Rockland, Portland
Fiore olive oils and vinegars are staples in our kitchen! We visited their shop in Bar Harbor soon after they opened in 2009. Their list of olive oils from across the world and vinegars from Modena, Italy, is impressive! Fiore's products are available at their storefronts, tasting bars, local shops, and online. The list of collaborations with restaurants, caterers, and vineyards is always growing! Their online shop carries a wide range of gift boxes, packs, club memberships, and recipe books. We love gifting a bottle of Garlic Olive Oil and Traditional Style Balsamic Vinegar with a homemade boule!
Love Rocks Me - South Portland
We are lucky to live on a long dirt road near our family. We spend our daily walks looking for heart-shaped rocks to leave as a surprise in a mailbox, on the steps to their homes, or come home to paint with their favorite color. An Etsy search for Maine products led me to Ellen Thayer's incredible designs! In 2010, Ellen took her heart rock treasures, arranged them into an outline of our great state, and photographed them for print. Her designs are unique and meaningful! The shop carries her designs on greeting cards, mugs, candles, magnets, and in framed prints. I purchased a loon print and Heart Full of Love mugs for Christmas last year. Our family was so excited as they opened their gifts!
Rocky Coast Candle Company - Freeport
Cameron is the creative owner behind Rocky Coast Candle Company! She makes small-batch soy candles, melts, and fire starters. We were excited to order the fire starters, citronella candle, and adorable glass jarred matchsticks with a striker patch on the bottom as part of a birthday gift. Everything came beautifully wrapped and ready for gift-giving! I was so glad we ordered some treats for our summer camping trip. The fire starters worked well and became the talk of our campfire! The new Home for the Holidays candle trio would make the perfect gift! We cannot wait to order more candles from her incredible shop!
North Shore Notions - Smithfield
Shop owner, Amanda Clark, is quite the powerhouse! She is an advocate for shopping locally, and runs a baked goods and artisan bread business, Nomad Bread Co., while also making colorful designs as the owner of North Shore Notions! After seeing all the fun products on her website, I ordered one of her tie-dye caps for our daughter. She was beaming after opening up her gift! Beanies, bags, scrunchies, keychains, and crochet "Cozy" wraps for your beverages! New arrivals are always a hit, so make sure you scoop up what catches your eye!
US Shops
New Englander & Company - Connecticut
When I think of small business supporters, New Englander & Company is the first to come to mind. They are some of the kindest folks we have met this year! The company's goal is to provide high-quality and comfortable clothing. They exceed this goal on all levels! Their 100% Supima® long sleeve shirts have quickly become a favorite in our home. The men's headwear quality is perfection! I have a list of items to order this holiday season, and you can rest assured you cannot go wrong with this company! Make sure to follow them on Instagram for new product launches as well!
Herd & Home Co. - The Buzzard Farm - Pennslyvania
Caliegh of Herd & Home Co. became a fast friend over the last year! Caliegh and her family live on their farm in Pennsylvania, where they raise chickens, and five alpacas while focusing on self-sufficiency. The need to find safe and effective products for her family led Caliegh to start making soap, which expanded into other body care products and cooking with their homegrown food. One of the most exciting parts of their story began when they started raising alpacas! It was a dream of Caliegh's, and now she is able to create beautiful and sustainable products with 100% natural fiber! In their online shop, you can find everything from wood dryer balls, handspun yarn, hats, soaps, soy wax candles, and whole bean coffee they roast on their farm. Everything that goes into their products is ethically sourced and slowly handcrafted!
Clyde and Rose Co. - Virginia
Lauren of Clyde and Rose Co. is so talented but is also one of the most humble people! Her family lives on their homestead in Virginia, and they do it all! Lauren designs fun farm-themed apparel and mugs! She loves to support small businesses and recently designed the Rooster Anatomy shirt after a lesson in our Chicken Study! There are over 500 items on her shop page, and her items have always arrived quickly!
Thank you for posting this! Perfect timing as I start my Christmas shopping!