Made in the USA
May 6, 2015
We’ve all had this happen. You’ve had some veggies in your refrigerator for just a couple of days, and you open the crisper drawer to get your salad fixings. Then you look inside the plastic produce bags—only to discover that your lettuce leaves are limp, peppers are pathetic, and cucumbers are composting. Not very appetizing.
Even fresh-picked veggies right from your own garden will start to deteriorate soon after they’re harvested. And putting them in plastic bags only accelerates their... more
May 29, 2013
I still remember when some of our good friends came to dinner with a incredible apple-cranberry crisp that was baked in a very handsome pie plate. Not only did we enjoy the dessert, but our gracious guests gave the pie plate to my wife and me as a gift—along with the recipe (see below).
That pie plate was made by Great Bay Pottery from Greenland, New Hampshire. Since then, it has been joined by several other pieces of Great Bay Pottery: mugs, pitchers, bowls, to name just a few. All are on... more
May 7, 2013
Finally! It’s spring (sort of) in our neck of the woods. And let’s face it, after what seemed like an endless winter, we all want to spend as much time outside as we can. Unfortunately, sharing the great outdoors with a bumper crop of blood-thirsty black flies and mosquitoes is the price we must pay for warmer weather.
You can’t bite back, but you can fend off those pesky insects with safe, non-toxic, DEET-free repellents from a super-eco-friendly Vermont company, Way Out Wax. Their highly... more
April 8, 2013
Glass making is one of America’s oldest crafts—and art fused with history. Let’s go back in time for a minute …
One of America’s oldest towns, on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, is called “Sandwich”—incorporated back in 1637, Sandwich is well known for many things, especially its long-standing tradition of glass making.
It all started with the legendary Boston and Sandwich Glass Factory (better known as Sandwich Glass), which operated from 1825 until 1888. During that same time period in the Bay... more
February 20, 2013
There’s something magical about blown glass objects that captivates people. Over the past few years, there’s been an increase in interest in this art form, as well as in studios that not only sell unique glass creations such as rondels and sun catchers, but also offer a wide variety glassblowing classes.
Novices quickly discover that it can take years to master this craft. For some, it’s an interesting hobby, but for an artist like Luke Adams, glassblowing is a way of life.
A native of... more
October 12, 2012
For many of us (including me), Halloween is a favorite holiday.
Rich in history and folklore, Halloween has roots that trace back to the ancient Celts, who celebrated the new year on November 1. They believed that the souls of the dead returned to Earth the night before (Samhain). Later, Irish immigrants brought over customs and superstitions such as carved vegetables with a demon’s face to frighten away the spirits. Among other long-held beliefs and symbols from the 1700s and 1800s is the... more
September 5, 2012
“Ohhh, it smells so good in here.” This is what just about everyone says when they come into my store. The subtle fragrances from soaps, candles, and lavender pillows provide a nice complement to the prevailing forest-fresh scent of balsam fir. Few people can resist the urge to pick up one of the dozens of balsam-filled pillows on display and inhale that pleasing, invigorating, evergreen aroma.
Customers are always surprised to learn a few things about the balsam fir merchandise that I carry... more
May 25, 2012
For many years, my wife and I owned and operated a full-service “sit and fit” family shoe store. When we sold that business a few years ago, many people asked us, “Why did you sell the shoe store? Were you tired of smelling stinky feet all day?” That wasn’t our top reason for bowing out, but occasionally it was a rather unpleasant aspect that went with the territory.
In most situations, it wasn’t the customers’ feet that were stinky; it was what they were wearing on their feet that gave off the... more
April 24, 2012
Nearly all of the products in my store have an interesting story behind them, and I’m always eager to share these details with customers. Favorite items of mine to talk about are the doormats made from reclaimed fishing rope.
These colorful, brawny mats don’t need to be imprinted or embossed with a “Welcome” message to make the entrance to your home or business inviting. But there’s much more to these virtually indestructible, utilitarian mats …
It all started with the northern right whale.... more
April 3, 2012
A year ago, my wife and I attended a local craft show. It wasn’t long before she spotted what she called a “must see, must have” product: Lorna’s Wool Needle Felting Kits. Having been judged the best new product of the previous year’s show, this item had an exhibit that was buzzing with activity.
I was bewildered. Why were these craft kits getting so much attention? I had never heard of needle felting and didn’t see the attraction of it. But what do I know? Obviously, not much about needle... more
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