Ramona studied psychology in college and focuses on crisis and trauma counseling. She has set out to be a trauma and crisis counselor and that led her to practice reflexology. It calms the nervous system opening the door for other treatments to work. She had a full schedule before the pandemic, seeing 15-20 clients a week. She shares that she was glad she picked up painting as giving all of her energy outward was taking a toll on her mental health. Painting was like self-care. She never considered painting professionally or creating anything that would be sellable. Who knew that not long after, her reflexology space would turn into her very own gallery. “As far as the healing arts go, you know, I really did miss that connection that I had with my clients. Yeah, not being able to connect with them hands-on, not knowing how long I would be good again, and missing that connection. So originally, Ramona Allen healing arts was my Instagram feed for my reflexology practice. And I would post different things relating to health and wellness, mostly with holistic or alternative medicine. So I began to share my artwork on there thinking that it might inspire someone else may be to explore their creativity, not thinking that it would be something that would move into a career with sellable art.”Ramona’s art began bringing joy, hope, and light to everyone in a dark time. People began reaching out to her and sharing what they experienced through viewing each piece. This gave her back the connection she was missing from having clients. What I've heard from others who know Ramona is that she is great at listening to their stories. She takes their story and turns it into a piece of art.To view Ramona's work visit her website and Instagram.Also, stay until the end of the episode to listen to Caroline Cotter's track II est Jaune.Big thanks to Zach St. Ward for capturing Ramona's wonderful craft. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

About a year ago Kristan Vermeulen was sitting in her bedroom closet recording the first episode of her Makers of Maine podcast and today, she is sitting in the same spot recording her first episode of Makers of the USA. She can’t believe the time has come to expand this project she has worked so hard on. Kristan Vermeulen is a storyteller that enjoys interviewing makers of all sorts. She finds that the term maker can be very broad and she wants to keep it that way as many people think a maker is an individual that makes something with their hands. That definition is correct but she thinks there is much more to that. What about the folks who help capture the handmade craft such as the photographers and videographers? What about the musicians who bring life to the air and fills your soul? What about the innovators behind science and technology? What about the creatives behind marketing those handmade products? The list goes on. Join Kristan in her storytelling by subscribing to the podcast, following her on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribing to her e-mail list on her website. Also, feedback is always a plus so please leave a rating and review.Thank you to the Makers of the USA band Natale as her music will continue to be a big part of this podcast as she is a good friend and partner in this project. Also, thank you to all of the guests that have already been on this podcast and for all of her followers who have continued supporting her from day one. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

“But when you are taking fashion illustration at FIT, you have to take a couple of painting classes. The most interesting thing that I've learned over time painting, is that painting is not drawing. That's one of the things that I do teach in my classes. It's not tracing something on a canvas and filling it in, you're actually painting light,” said Ric.Kristan Vermeulen sat down with Ric to learn more about his craft of plein air art and the important light is for painters. Ric describes looking at various photos to create your painting but really noticing the light in each scene. It was Kristan's first time taking an oil painting workshop and it was a great experience and her painting turned out fairly well. I had to ask him, why plein air? He has done so many styles of painting, so why is this his specialty? He shares that this part could be because of where he lives, Maine. There are so many beautiful scenes to paint each and every season. I don’t blame him for wanting to paint these gorgeous scenes - especially the ones he sees from his private studio in Ogunquit. “One of my instructors told me that you have to love the process, as well as the final result, right? So I love painting outdoors, I want to share that love with other people.”Ric shares what he has learned through the years in workshops at the Cliff House Resort. He also sells his lovely work at the resort and on his website. Also, stay until the end to hear local musician Liz Beebe's new track Try It Out.Thanks to Berlin City Auto Group for the eco-friendly option when traveling to Ogunquit and for sponsoring this podcast. Also, thanks to Frances Mahoney for joining me and taking the photos! If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

Brendan Bullock, a photojournalist based out of Bowdoinham, Maine, has won many awards for his editorial work but his photo work doesn't stop there. He is also a wedding photographer but he likes to keep each business separate as each is a different form of photography. He may use the same cameras and techniques, but it is a different mindset when stepping into each setting. He has worked on many projects including a photojournalism project in Jaisalmer, India where he got to capture community and culture for editorial purposes. To learn more about Brendan please follow him on Instagram  and his website.Cover Photo © Brian G. Peters If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

John and Tom of Lone Pine Brewing started their business in 2016 in Portland and quickly expanded to their location in Gorham and broadened its product line to include hard seltzer. The business idea stemmed from a conversation both longtime friends and former bandmates had. With help from the local community between financial institutions, other breweries, and much more, their growth continues to skyrocket and expand throughout the nation.My husband and I visited the Gorham location thanks to Berlin City Lexus for supplying us with a vehicle to show up in style. The car was dark green and matched our Lone Pine Brewing experience perfectly. “I think beer is amazing in that it's very much a craft and it's an art form. In itself, it's a blend of science and improvisation. When you kind of get into the space where you’re building out a recipe and you have in your mind's eye sort of an idea of what the final product will be, there's a lot of factors that play into making that beer exactly how you envision it. That sort of that big combination of math and science and hard work and sanitization. Every day different and every day is very interesting. That's why we keep coming back and doing it every day.” - Tom Tom shared that like many brewers out there, and similar to my husband, he learned on his porch and in his basement. He spent six or eight years working at this before they ever even started a business. Tom shared, “I studied everything you could before taking the leap. There's a lot of high-quality brewers here in Maine,  we've got award winners and national recognition all around us. They say quality breeds quality. We kind of walked into the lion's den, opening up in East Bayside of Portland.”Tom and John have grown at such a fast pace in size, geographically, product line and so much more. They were ever recognized for their fast growth in many renowned beer publications. Tune in to hear more about their experience and how they plan to continue their fast growth over the next five years.Also, stay until the end to listen to Ghost of Paul Revere's latest single Good At Losing Everything. You can find their Q&A session with Makers of Maine here. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

“One thing I really love about Great North Sound Society is that you can stay on site, it's a great place to hang out and then there are these two specific rooms that are primarily music making rooms. So, you also have a sort of focused area. It's like okay, now we're here and we're working on the record and all that fun stuff we did last night is over and we're working on the record again,” said Bridget.Lake Street Dive has a big heart for Maine and continues to come back year-after-year to perform in Portland. They will be performing this fall at Thompson's Point. I was just in awe that they had recorded one of their most popular albums here in the great state of Maine at Great North Sound Society.So how did Lake Street Dive find out about this awesome studio in Maine? “We knew Sam a little bit from his work with the Josh Ritter band. We're all big fans of Josh's music. We knew that Sam had had a big hand in what some of those records sounded like. Then, we heard that he had his own studio, which is remote, in Maine, kind of deep inland, like outside of town. So it sounded like a really great place to get away and kind of focus on the project of making the record, which for me has become a big part of how I like to make records. Making it kind of an event that is separate from your day-to-day, separate from what touring life is like and separate from what home life is like. You go to the studio and you're really able to kind of just stay in that zone for the space of the recording to take place,” said Bridget.She shared with me that the most important thing to her when picking a studio to record at, is the vibe. There is always a concern for technical capabilities, but how the studio feels will always be top priority.Her experience at Great North Sound Society, has been truly one-of-a-kind and she enjoys the vibe it brings. She continues to utilize it every once in a while as a writers retreat and who knows may she will come back one day to record a song or another album. Lake Street Dive recently came out with a new album called Obviously and a bit of their track Hypotheticals is featured at the end of the episode.To learn more about Lake Street Dive please visit their website and Instagram. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

“I've been playing music my whole life, as have my bandmates. All of us come from musical families. Both of my parents are professional musicians and music teachers. My parents' names are Susie Burke and David Seret and they play a lot of different kinds of folk and traditional music. I grew up kind of immersed in the folk and roots music community in the sea coast area. It was kind of a no brainer for me. For a long time I wasn't totally sure if I wanted to be a professional musician, but I always knew that music was going to be a really big part of my life.”Isa dabbled in a few instruments at a young age, but definitely started singing before anything else. “I was the kind of kid who would just like to mess around with whatever was nearby. I was always drumming on surfaces or my parents would have guitars and ukuleles around the house. We had a piano I would sort of plunk away on that. Thought about learning the flute for a second in school, but that didn't pan out. I played trumpet for a couple years. Then, I played guitar when I was around 10. And then, when I was 13, I started playing fiddle. That was the first instrument that I really lost my mind over.”Her experience at Great North Sound Society, has been a fully immersed, changed woman typed of experience. Isa along with her bandmates recorded their first two albums at a studio in Boston, but their third album was recorded in June of 2020 at Great North Sound Society. When they make an album, they aren’t a band that wants to chip away at it over time. When they start, they want to be fully immersed in the experience. “(After recording), then I emerge as changed woman. That's so much what that space is like because it's a house. You are staying there, so you're just there round the clock. It's not like you get up and you go to the studio and then you go home. You’re totally immersed. I think that's a really special way to make a record. That is a big part of what makes Great North so awesome.”Lula Wiles new album, “Shame and Sedition” produced by Sam Kassirer is now out! Be sure to give them a listen.To learn more about Lula Wiles please visit their website and Instagram.Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, Lula Wiles, and their new track In Dreams. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

“It's a puzzle; the shapes of the puzzle keep changing based on my interests in the music that I like at a certain time. You sort of put it together, right? You feel like, okay, I've got that puzzle together. Then, a week later, the shapes change,” said Dietrich.While viewing the behind the scenes of Dietrich's recording session at Great North Sound Society, which you may have seen in the preview video of this series, it was amazing to see the dynamic between Sam and Dietrich. They carefully listened to the instrumentals and voice build into a magical tune. The voice and individual instruments were recorded one at a time, in separate rooms. The process seems so fluid and just came naturally to both of them. I was excited to have Great North Sound be my first recording studio experience because it is like no other.Dietrich started to play music at a very young age starting with the piano. In elementary school, he was given a trumpet and immediately got really into it and play all the way up until high school, even going to music school for trumpet performance after high school. He noticed that playing the trumpet can be very lonely and you have to be really, really good.To learn more about Dietrich please visit his website and Instagram.Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, Dietrich Strause. He is also featured in the promo video of this podcast series and is one of the guests on the podcast series. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

Sam Kassirer is originally from Massachusetts and had vacationed to Maine quite a few times at a young age. He has always had a passion for music of all kinds but jazz is one genre that truly hits home with him. He has played for a variety of bands including Josh Ritter and many others. He decided to start his own music studio, Great North Sound Society, over ten years ago and the location that connected with him was out in Parsonsfield, Maine. An untouched farmhouse built in the 1700s that still has its original character.Many musicians have used this studio as a writing retreat, to record singles, EPs, and albums and even artists have rented this space to hold workshops. It is a hidden gem that offers an unplugged environment for creatives. Kristan got to see the behind the scenes of a recording session and what she found interesting was that a single instrument was recorded in a different space in the house. From the bass in the attic to the voice recording in what I call the "singing nook", a small space located upstairs from the audio engineering room.To learn more about Sam's studio please visit his website and Instagram.Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, Dietrich Strause. He is also featured in the promo video of this podcast series and is one of the guests on the podcast series. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

The episode starts out with Aidan Frazer who is the founder and designer behind Luster Hustler. She has a deep passion for supporting women's rights and believes that the woman body should be appreciated more as an art form, a functional piece, really just appreciated in general. Aidan is new to being an entrepreneur but thanks to her mentors and support system, her business has grown from solely an Instagram business to Etsy and hopefully launching a website  in the near future.The next guest on the episode is Britt Sweet who is the owner and founder of Birch & Grey Co. Britt decided to start this side gig as she found a niche that needed to be filled. To give people a chance to relieve stress with all-natural dough. It smells good, it feels good and it's made to last for a while! She launches scents by season from pumpkin in the fall to pine in the winter to grapefruit in the spring and summer. She also includes raw pieces of the scents into the dough to give it more of a visual appeal.To learn more about each of the guest's products, please visit their websites listed here: Luster Hustler and Birch & Grey Co.Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, Azariah Charles. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

Heather currently crafts her beautiful pieces in South Portland but before starting her business and starting her family here in Maine she lived in Northern California. She attended a pattern-making school in San Francisco and learned how to make her own patterns. She learned how to bring her ideas to life.She was a photographer and film archivist prior to taking the leap of faith of starting her fashion journey. Her focus is on slow fashion and bringing free movement, comfort, and beauty to her customer's wardrobes. Her pieces are in a handful of stores in Maine and she has an online store. She launches new pieces every season but the intention behind her line is that every piece can be worn any time of year.Her studio is located in South Portland and she also homeschools her kids in the back of her studio. She wears many hats by continuing to grow her brand and tending to her three boys (husband and kids) she loves dearly.You can check out herself clothing on Facebook and Instagram.Photos of Heather and herself clothing were taken by Elle Darcy.The featured musician of the episode if Renee Coolbrith and she is from Portland, Maine. Her latest single All I Need is showcased at the end of the episode.  If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

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 short film “Passive Aggressive Dads” won the best comedy at the Beaufort Film Festival in 2019 and her work for TravelNevada and Airstream was screened at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival Storytelling Series, winning four Addy Awards in Nevada as well.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.She recently launched Season 2 of her podcast where she talks to thought leaders in the live music industry who are creatively adapting and recalibrating the next rendition of concert going and culture.To learn more about Kyle please follow her on Facebook and Instagram. She is working on Season 3 of Concert Cast this summer and it's going to be epic. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

The episode starts out with Jim Woldenberg discussing his business Tempshield and what it was like prior to him taking it over in 2018. He then jumps right into sharing the in-depth process of crafting the cryogenic protective gear and how important it was to keep their manufacturing in Maine. Jim has expanded Tempshield's operations by entering into new industries and locations around the world and has grown its team that is still located in Trenton, Maine. To learn more about Jim Woldenberg with Tempshield you can visit their website or Instagram.Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, Natale, and her song Baby It's Alright. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

The episode starts out with Briana Warner talking about her craft of kelp farming and partnering with over 24 farmers throughout the nation. She then jumps right into sharing the in-depth process of kelp collection and processing and how her team does this within a short amount of time to keep it as fresh as possible. Briana has not just expanded her partnerships with farmers, she has started a product line of kelp-based snacks including kelp cubes to put in your smoothies to seaweed salad you can enjoy right from the jar. To learn more about Briana Warner with Atlantic Sea Farms you can visit their website or Instagram. Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, Lady Lamb, and her song Even In The Tremor.Photo credit: Hannah McGowan If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

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.If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

The episode starts out with Gabriel Frey sharing his thoughts around Maine craft and how it is important to share these stories with the community. He then jumps right into sharing the in-depth process of Black Ash basket weaving and how he continues to innovate the traditional practices by adding color and personal expression to his work.  Many typically think of basket packs when it comes to the traditional Indian-style baskets but Gabriel has taken these ancient skills and now crafts purses, face masks and so much more. He also uses plant dyes and locally sourced leather to add to his pieces to give it a fancier look yet still accomplishing the utility of the pieceTo learn more about Gabriel Frey you can visit his website or Instagram. Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, Hawk Henries, and learn more about his craft behind flutes.Photo credit: Brendan Bullock If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

The episode starts out with Kristan Vermeulen telling her story of her experience mushing along the Umbagog Lake and camping overnight under the full moon in the cold, wintery conditions. Then she talks to Polly to learn more about her experience in Alaska prior to coming to Maine to start Mahoosuc Guide Service with Kevin. She also touches on her mushing adventures up in the Arctic where she eats something out of the ordinary but very common up in that area. Then Kevin talks about his journey to Maine and how he has worked for various guiding services throughout his life. He also touches on how he crafts his own dog sleds, canoes, paddles, snowshoes, and much more.To learn more about Mahoosuc Guide Services visit their website, Facebook or Instagram. Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, the Gawler Sisters, and their song Red Rocking Chair.Lastly, there are a handful of Maine maker's products that were a part of this adventure including, Brant & Cochran Axes, Gabriel Frey Baskets, Knit Ware Co., Kennedy, and Co., Mainly Wool Mittens & Pyxie. Go check them out! Great gear for the cold months!Photo credit: Frances Mahoney If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

The episode starts out with Sascha Deri, the owner, and founder of bluShift Aerospace, talking about the inspiration behind the craft of the team's rocket. It was quite a long journey to launch day as they were working with Maine's state government and various organizations to assist with funding and permissions to launch a rocket from Maine and they worked with Loring Airforce Base  for setting up a launch site as it was the perfect fit for what blueShift was looking for.To learn more about blueShift Aerospace visit their website, Facebook or Instagram. Also, to see the Stardust 1.0 launch visit their YouTube channel.Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, Vander Viper and the song he specifically made for bluShift as you will hear Sascha's voice in the background when he was conducting one of his test launches.Photo credit: Lindsay Heald If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

The episode starts out with Milly Welsh who is the owner and founder of Zwellyn Pottery. She went to school for animation and her full-time job is website design and development but her true passion is pottery. Her designs are unique and the ones I personally enjoy are inspired by horror flicks. She also shares her passion for pottery with her three girls and they all reside in Limington, Maine.The last guest on the episode is Liz Kirby with Good Jane which is now Betoken CBD. Liz was undergoing stresses in her daily life and was trying to find an outlet that could help provide her with some relief. She started formulating oral capsules with CBD which became very popular and she decided to keep expanding her product line to  creams, body baths, and so much more. She is not only a maker but an educator behind CBD.To learn more about the Makers Market at the Point and to view each of the guest's products, please visit their websites listed here: Zwellyn Pottery and Betoken CBD.Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, Bait Bag, and their new hit Safe Word. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

Frances Mahoney is a born and raised Mainer as she grew up in Portland. Her passion for art and design started at a young age as she drew up fun  illustrations. She attended Maine College of Art (MECA) and started out her college career going the illustration route but then made the decision of majoring in graphic design where her heart truly gravitates towards. She has worked for many renowned businesses including Sea Bags and Pulp + Wire but found her true calling with her independent design studio, I Before E Design (Frances will fill you in on how that name came about).  She has worked with a variety of clients including small businesses located in Maine to national clients located on the West Coast. Frances and Kristan met while working at Sea Bags and became close friends and they continue to be close to this day. Frances has partnered up with Makers of Maine on various photoshoots including Maine Craft Association's Maine Craft Weekend, Makers Market at Thompson's Point, and recently with Mahoosuc Guide Services in Newry. To view more of her work visit her website and Instagram.Music produced by Natále.Photo was taken by Coco Mccracken. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

Chandlyr Jackson with Freckled Fuchsia turned to  the craft of traditional printmaking after spending time as a UX/UI designer after graduating from Wentworth Institute of Technology.  She started her business in Providence, Rhode Island, and is now operating her small business out of a small studio in downtown Portland, Maine.Chandlyr is originally from Connecticut and has been in Portland for a couple of years now. She continues to expand her network of craftspeople in the area as she has discovered that community is key here in this great state of Maine. From pillows to tea towels to prints to jewelry, you can find Chandlyr's illustrations on almost anything. Her focus on fruit has piqued many folks' interest. She even used the block print technique to craft my linen table cloth that features my wood grain logo. The craft takes precision and patience as you have to hand cut the design to place it on the material.Chandylr continues to improve on her sustainable practices by utilizing eco-friendly packaging, inks, and materials.  She mentions that it is challenging to find eco-friendly materials in the United States and sometimes has to look outside the country.To learn more about Chandylr and to view her products, please visit her website. Feel free to follow her on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram to get updates on new products and what's going on at the studio.Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, Spencer Albee. He is a nationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, and producer. Since 1995, he has toured internationally, signed multiple recording and publishing deals, and worked with artists ranging from David Bowie to De La Soul. His song Love's Not Lost was inspired by his tiredness of all the fighting and vitriol. He states, "I feel like we need to show more compassion and want better for each other. " If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

Nebo Lodge is quite a charm. A charm that will be a part of your memories and traditions. A charm that holds makers handcrafted adornments. Once you visit, you want to experience it all over again. Before Nebo became Nebo it was a part of the Mullin House which was a popular spot among the community and many non-residents of the island would stay. Life on an island can get lonely and the little things matter so much to the community including a visit from the President of the United States. An interview of a popular radio show called Yankee Yarns tells a story of how President Grant came to North Haven after a long sail off the Maine Coast as he needed a warm place to rest and a good meal. He stayed the night at the Mullin House and the word spread quickly that he was on the island which turned into a big crowd right outside the Mullin House. His stay ended by taking a drag of a cigar in the lounge of the lodge and leaving his cigar-butt in the ashtray which has turned into an artifact David Hopkins, Eric's brother, has possession of.David shares the history behind the lodge and his family's memories in the early stages of Nebo Lodge. He also shares how the artwork that is a part of his gallery is displayed at Nebo Lodge and that he owns various artifacts that came from the lodge back in the 1900s.Then Chellie Pingree, the owner of the Nebo Lodge building, shares her personal story of what it's like to live on the island, how she is a maker herself, and how she purchased Nebo Lodge to keep the landmark alive.Lastly, Angela Ruffolo, the Operations Manager at Nebo Lodge, shares her experience of managing and taking over the lodge, the traditions that are taken place at the lodge, and the people who have stayed at the lodge and who are a part of the Nebo family.To learn more about Nebo Lodge and to see his one-of-a-kind artwork, please visit their website. Feel free to follow him on Facebook and Instagram to get updates on new artwork and what's going on at his studio.Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, Sean McGowan. Sean is a fingerstyle jazz guitarist who combines many diverse musical influences with unconventional techniques to create a broad palette of textures within his compositions and arrangements for solo guitar. His song October is a favorite and blends very nicely with the journey of North Haven.Thank you to Justin Smulski and Amy Bouchard for joining me on this amazing adventure and capturing the experience through your creative skills and channels.Also, please reserve your spot to attend the Hey Day Maker's Faire which takes place November 29th. Avril has worked hard to put together this wonderful event that showcases a variety of makers and to provide you with Maine made gift ideas. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

Eric Hopkins is not just an artist, he is a kind gentleman that looks at the world through a different lens. He takes his experiences of life, death, happiness, beauty, and much more and showcases it through his work. His work is portrayed in many forms of art from watercolors to oils to photography. He enjoys the use of bright, vibrant colors and typically you will see in many of his watercolor work, small forms of trees that give his landscape texture and dimension. It is a minor detail that many see as Eric's signature and when one sees it they know exactly who created it.Eric along with his two brothers was born on North Haven Island and he and his brother David still reside there today. Eric's three children grew up on the island as well. One of his sons passed away in a horrific car accident and his other son and daughter still reside on the island raising their beautiful families. You will find Eric putting together beautiful pieces on his 40-acre property. He has three shacks that all include studios, one for his watercolors, the second for his drawings and sketches, and the third for his woodworking that best complements his watercolor pieces. Eric also has a gallery located in Rockland that showcases many pieces of his work.Eric enjoys traveling the world and capturing the beauty of nature in those areas to display through his artwork. He has a glass studio in Washington state where he visits once a year but he always winds up back in his home state.To learn more about Eric Hopkins and to see his one-of-a-kind artwork, please visit his website. Feel free to follow him on Facebook and Instagram to get updates on new artwork and what's going on at his studio.Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, Sean McGowan. Sean is a fingerstyle jazz guitarist who combines many diverse musical influences with unconventional techniques to create a broad palette of textures within his compositions and arrangements for solo guitar. His song Damariscotta is about a local town in Maine that is a part of the New Castle region.Thank you to Justin Smulski and Amy Bouchard for joining me on this amazing adventure and capturing the experience through your creative skills and channels. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

The episode starts out with Hilary Crowell who is the owner and founder of The Cultivated Thread. She has a passion for farming but needed to find a hobby during the wintertime as farming tends to slow down in the colder months. Weaving became a passion and she recently built a business to showcase her skills and people enjoy her designs and products.The second guest is Jami Bouley with JP Quilts. He started his craft of quilting by taking a class with a friend which turned into a hobby he will never stop doing. He also is a part of a quilt group where they take on projects together and learn from one another. He has built his business by going to craft shows throughout the state and even some out of the state. He's known for his Maine inspired quilts as well as his cardinal themed quilts.The last guest on the episode is Greg Benoit with Benoit Design Co. Greg's family had a long history of selling apparel in shops across Maine but now he has decided to take the family name and turn it into something else. He took a dive into laser engraving, cutting, and dye sublimation.  He is also expanding his operations by hiring immigrants in the area. To learn more about the Makers Market at the Point and to view each of the guest's products, please visit their websites listed here: The Cultivated Thread, JP Quilts & Benoit Design Co.Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, Coyote Island. Mike O'Hehir was born in England and vacationed in Maine with grandparents when he was younger. His song "Here Before", lyrically was inspired by meeting his fiancé at a full moon bonfire party, He arrived late to the party and was experimenting with “psychedelic plant medicines”, it was a wonderful night! The chorus though was written years ago on his travels out west. That feeling of going places for the first time and wondering why it feels so familiar. “I’ve been here before, and so have you" If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

Jemma Gascoine has such a unique technique when crafting her pottery. She pays attention to every detail  while on the potter's wheel, is inspired by the breathtaking environment surrounding her studio in Monson, and  uses bold, simple colors to give her pieces the final touch. She was taught by the famous potter Barry Guppy yet she has created her own style of artwork that has Jemma written all over it.Jemma is originally from England but has been in Monson for quite some time and people in her community know her very well for her work as well as teachings to students and adults in the area. You can find her student's work displayed on the shelves in her studio and their items are available for purchase.  Jemma loves supporting her students as they find their own style of pottery and some even help her in the shop with painting pieces, manning the shop and so much more.Jemma also tells me about the wonderful town of Monson. It is located near Moosehead Lake but is known for the Appalachian Trail as many hikers that go through tend to stop at this small town. The mountains are breathtaking especially when the leaves are peeping.To learn more about what Jemma will be doing for Maine Craft Weekend and to view her products, please visit her website. Feel free to follow her on Instagram to get updates on new products and what's going on at the studio.Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, Half Way Home. Their music genre is acoustic, indie, traditional folk, soft rock, and originals with beautiful harmonies. Dick Dutson, Kermit, and Alexandra Bennett are located in Monson and enjoy getting together to jam. Their song Zoom Zoom Zoom  is about local Maine backroads and nearly hitting certain animals. It is quite comical. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

Who knew that a woodshop was located on a popular "pick your own" apple orchard in Limington. Now, this isn't just any woodshop as they craft crates and gift boxes for Allagash Brewery put together retail furnishings for Sea Bags, and so much more.  Emily Chelate, daughter of Earl and Nancy Bunting who has owned and operated the farm since 1993 and still do today, started this woodshop due to Allagash's interest in being a wholesale partner where the shop would craft crates and boxes for their customers. They use a burning technique to go about putting the logo on the crates which gives it a rustic look and you typically find these crates when purchasing their house beer at their tasting room. Allagash's relationship with Doles Orchard started when they were trying to find cherries for their beer as the orchard was one of a few that grew them in the state. Allagash even named one of their beers after Nancy which of course includes the cherries and you can find it in their tasting room today. When they saw how the farm transported produced in wooden crates they both came together to formulate an idea of crafting a wooden crate for their beers and their relationship and custom products grew from there.Emily and her team of woodworkers work day-to-day on very interesting projects including a spa-like contraption that was a bit of a challenge to put together but is now making hundreds of them. Emily is a fascinating woodworker and designer. She has built a team of men and women who craft pieces of all kinds and she is someone to look up to as a female entrepreneur, woodworker, and designer.To learn more about what Emily will be doing for Maine Craft Weekend and to view her products, please visit her website. Feel free to follow her on Facebook and  Instagram to get updates on new products and what's going on at the farm. You can also go apple picking anytime on the weekdays and weekends. You can find the "What's In Season" schedule here.Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, Troy Hudson and The High Road. Troy Hudson is a Maine native that lives on the midcoast. His grandfather and brother both played guitar and inspired him to start playing around 8 years old. Their latest single, Frontline of Love, was recorded during the pandemic. All of the tracks were recorded separately in different locations by the band. Each of the band members sent their individual tracks to Troy and he mixed them at his recording studio. Listening back to it you’d never know they were miles away from each other during the process. The song is about coming out of your shell and believing you deserve happiness and love.  If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

There are many potters in Maine but one potter you need to get to know is Jody Johnstone. She spent time in Japan with a master potter who specialized in wood firing which began Jody's passion for this particular practice. She went over to Japan to be a junior apprentice for Isezaki Sensei but wanted to get more out of the experience and was treated as an apprentice as she was very hands-on with crafting wood-fired pieces.After her time in Japan, she came back to the states to launch her own pottery studio which led her to Swanville, Maine. Her property is a sanctuary deeply rooted in the woods with two log cabins. One that holds her beautiful artwork where people can  purchase and the other holds her potter's wheel, clay, and other tools she can put together her pieces.  As well as her beautiful home, 24-foot wood fire kiln, and a smaller wood fire kiln. She fires up her 24-foot Anagama Tunnel twice a year, once in the spring and once in the late summer/early fall, and fills the tunnel to the brim with many pieces of pottery that were made throughout the year ready to be fired. Sometimes these pieces are sitting in her studio for 4 months just waiting for the kiln to be fired up. The firing is more like a ceremony where a group of other potters and friends of Jody bring their pieces they would like to be a part of the firing too. The best part about this ceremony is to see what the pieces look like after the firing is complete.To learn more about what Jody will be doing for Maine Craft Weekend and to view her products, please visit her website. Feel free to follow her on  Instagram to get updates on new products and what's going on at her studio.Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, Velocipede with Julia Plumb and Baron Collins-Hill. Julia came to playing music by going to contra dances and wanting to play. A friend of Baron’s family gave him a mandolin to borrow and taught him a few chords. They both met in 2008 at Maine Fiddle Camp in Montville and loved making music together right away. They both love the tunes found in traditional dance music from a variety of places - Ireland, Québec, England, the US, and Scandinavia. Part of this music tradition is playing together with friends, which is part of how they got to know Jody at the Irish session in Belfast. You can check out their Facebook and YouTube to see more of their music but please stay until the end of the episode to hear The Birdhouse written by Baron and the second, The Cat After Sausages written by Julia. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

Linda and Ken Perrin have quite the story of how they established their Atlantic Art Glass studio. Their relationship started while attending a class at San Francisco City College and their love for one another grown further through the many creative endeavors they took on. Their journey took them to Maine as they were driving around Ellsworth and stumbled upon a beautiful brick building which is now their studio that houses their beautiful glass blown art and other art materials including lots of yarn donated by a fellow community member for their non-profit Artsworth.The process behind glass blowing is quite lengthy as there many steps yet the pace is super fast when you see it done in person. From the high temperatures of the furnace to the gathering of the molten glass to blowing into a steel pipe to give the glass its shape, it is a great sight to see.When visiting their studio, Linda and her team of artisans were putting together glass blown pumpkins for their Maine Craft Weekend event. They used unique tools to form the indents of the pumpkin and they used a spiraling technique to form the stem of the pumpkin and used a blow torch to give the piece of art a final touch.To learn more about Atlantic Art Glass' Maine Craft Weekend event click here. Please visit Atlantic Art Glass to view their products. Feel free to follow them on Facebook and Instagram to get updates on new products and events happening at their studio including what they will be doing for Maine Craft Weekend.Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, Caroline Cotter. She came from a musical family and always loved to sing. She watched her older siblings play instruments and wanted to play too. Her track Eternal Light is about her first time being in Alaska and it was around the summer solstice. Eternal Light is inspired by her experience of the midnight sun, the art and stories of Alaskan natives, and the amazing wildlife of Alaska. You can check out her Facebook and Instagram to keep tabs on her new music planned to launch in 2021 and where she will be playing locally. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

Geoffrey Warner, owner, and founder of OWL Furniture has been a furniture maker his entire life. He started his woodworking career crafting guitars and then went to school in Rhode Island to study the craft of furniture and learned from a Danish master, Tage Frid.  In 2008, he met with a group of furniture makers and came up with the idea of crafting an ergonomic wooden chair. His father had always been an inspiring icon in his work and told him to take this idea to life even if others thought the idea was crazy. Now he has gone through an ergonomic study thanks to Maine Technology Institute to help complete his craft and offer it to the public, sold thousands of stools to customers looking to better there back and one of his stool seats has been patented.Thanks to Geoff's sister, Jenifer Warner, you can see how these stools can better your back through her graphic expertise. Who knew that the two holes in his stool would provide such comfort for one's back and it gives the stool a look of an owl. While he continues to receive many orders for stools every week, he is also crafting rocking chairs, chairs, and custom pieces for his customers as well. While visiting his shop we got to see Geoff and Madison, a close family member of Geoff's, put together one of his beautiful chairs where the joinery fits like a glove.Please visit OWL Furniture's website to view their products. Feel free to follow them on Facebook and Instagram to get updates on new products and events happening at their studio including what they will be doing for Maine Craft Weekend.Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, who is Geoffrey Warner the guest on the podcast, and one of his tracks with Heather Jellison, Gotta Stay Home. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

Maine Craft Weekend falls on the first weekend Saturday and Sunday in October and offers an opportunity for the public to explore the life and work of craft artists and businesses in Maine, and for artists to connect with craft enthusiasts, collectors, and visitors behind-the-scenes. This is an educational, community-oriented, and family-friendly event for all!Typically the event is in partnership with Maine Made, and scheduled in conjunction with American Craft Week, a nationwide event promoting craft events each October. In 2019, Maine Craft Weekend received a Star Award from American Craft Week for Outstanding Legacy of Craft Education & Demonstrations. The organization launches a database filled with makers who will partake in the event that is hosted on their website and share what they will be doing for the event.This year the event will be treated as a DIY event and the organization will be promoting what others will be doing through their social media. They have also partnered with this podcast to interview a handful of those who will be doing social distance, COVID-friendly gatherings.Please visit Maine Craft Weekend to learn more about the event and please follow Maine Crafts Association to see how you can support makers from across the state or if you're a maker, how you can be a part of this association and to benefit from the services they offer.  If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

Ryan McPherson took over Glidden Point Oyster Farms five years ago as he left Massachusetts to start a venture that has grown tremendously over time. Their goal is to craft the perfect shaped oyster and they have accomplished this and are continually providing these to wholesalers and customers across the nation.His team of farmers works hard to grow and collect millions of oysters, all different sizes (the jumbos are HUGE), throughout the year. Oyster season is year-round in Maine due to its chilly climate but sometimes the farmers have to watch out for the green crabs as they eat oysters and have caused some challenges.They give back to the community by collaborating with farmers starting out and non-profits to help establish their oyster farms. Oyster farms keep our coastal waters clean and Glidden Point truly believes in this mission and will continue to help others build their oyster farms and continue to keep theirs maintained.Please visit Glidden Point Oyster Farm's website to view their products. Feel free to follow them on Facebook and Instagram to get updates on new products and events happening at their tasting room.Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, The Ballroom Thieves, and one of their new tracks, Vanity Trip.  If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

Fashion and textile designers, Jordan Carey and Madison Poitrast-Upton, graduated from Maine College of Art and started a business while they attended the college which is called Loquat. Loquat is a fairly new venture and they have grown tremendously through their small collection of products including their top-selling handbags and facemasks. The skills they have obtained from college which have morphed into their own art and craft have truly gravitated towards the Maine community as people highly enjoy them. With help from their mentors including Jill McGowan and Kazeem Lawal, they come up with unique ways of standing out.They give back to the community by collaborating with other artists to showcase their culture, lifestyle, and passions. They also support women in Portland by providing them with menstrual products that they can't afford and don't have access to. Loquat will continue to grow and prosper and we all should be excited to see what the future holds for them.Please visit Loquat's website to view their products. Feel free to follow them on Instagram to get updates on new products and promotions. Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, Patrick from Just Plain Jones. Currently, he is working on new music that will be launched this fall. Check out his tune For Everybody with Kyle Jamal on Spotify and iTunes. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

I discovered Rose Barboza and Jerry Edwards Black Owned Maine while searching for guests on this podcast as I wanted to create a diverse list. I didn't realize how many black owned businesses are here in Maine until I stumbled upon this database and there are a lot! Being a fairly new resident to Maine, I wanted to dig deeper to learn more about how our state is known as the "white state" and how those in the black community felt being raised in this community or being a part of this community.  Rose fills me in on not just her amazing efforts towards Black Owned Maine and the future projects they're working on but also her life here in this beautiful state. I also stumbled upon this great interview Maine Public Radio put together on explaining why Maine is "so white".Please visit Black Owned Maine's website to view the wonderful businesses of Maine's black community. Feel free to follow them on Facebook and Instagram to get updates on new initiatives they're working on and learn more about how you can support them.I will be donating 25% of proceeds made from the Makers of Maine t-shirt collection to Black Owned Maine to help them continue their amazing work of updating their database and website, supporting black-owned businesses through the challenges of the pandemic, and assisting those in the black community who want to start a business by establishing a grant program and also supporting future ideas of providing marketing resources to businesses by launching a photography and videography studio. Pre-orders will be accepted up till August 21, 2020. Local Maine residents have the option to pick up their shirt at a local spot and I will coordinate a date, time and area and communicate this through social media.Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, Suzie Assam. Suzie was born in Lewiston and always loved how universal music is. She hopes to work on new music during this time of pandemic as it has given her time to see what this new music looks like. Check out her tune Cuffing Season on Spotify and iTunes.  If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

Fashion designer, Roxi Suger, came to Maine to continue and grow her popular apparel collection Angelrox in Biddeford, Maine. She went from designing in her home to relocating to Alfred Street where her flagship store is currently located then joining in with other businesses and designers in Pepperell Mill who are all a part of the revitalization efforts of the mill. She also has a sister collection called Suger where her focus is more on now and a tie-dye Tuesday initiative where she organizes Facebook Lives to showcase the lovely pieces and  donating $20 for every piece sold to the Greater Portland Welcome Immigrant Center.Please visit Roxi Suger's website to view their products. Feel free to follow them on Facebook and Instagram to get updates on new products and promotions. Also, please reach out to them if you would like to check out their studio in Pepperell Mill and visit their retail shops in Biddeford and Portland.Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, Natále. Currently, she is working on releasing her first mini-album titled Giving All to You, mastered by the great Adam Ayan of Gateway Mastering Studios in Portland, Maine. The mini-album  includes four original songs which she recorded with friends in a makeshift bedroom studio in an old farmhouse in Biddeford. She is in the process of crowdfunding on a secret Go Fund Me to get that album in the hands of those who wish to own a copy. Check out her tune Keep Me Hangin On on Spotify and iTunes. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

Mark & Stephen Ferguson and Barry Worthing, owners and founders of Brant & Cochran, started a shop almost four years ago that restores vintage axes and crafts Maine pattern axes. These three gentlemen have brought back the craft of axe making in Maine as there are no other axe makers currently in Maine. Back in the 1800s to 1900s, twelve well-known axe makers resided in Oakland, Maine including Emerson and Stevens who crafted many axes including an axe for Theodore Roosevelt. Brant & Cochran use techniques and traditions created from this historical time towards their axe making. From forging, grinding, heat-treating, sharpening and hafting, the process is dirty and challenging but the Brant & Cochran staff have a good process going and they continue to refine it every day. They even stamp each of their axes with their logo, the temperer’s initials and year of manufacture as it is a tradition that all axe makers take on and Brant & Cochran wanted to continue it.Please visit Brant & Cochran's website to view their products. Feel free to follow them on Facebook and Instagram to get updates on new products and promotions. Also, please reach out to them if you would like to check out their shop in South Portland and visit their events page to see how you can see their axes and wonderful makers up close and in person.Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, The Gawler Family. The Gawler Family brings you a delightful assortment of songs and tunes rooted in the traditional music of Maine and the Northeast. John and Ellen, together with their daughters Molly, Edith, Elsie, and “brother” Bennett Konesni, back up their intertwining family harmonies with fiddles, banjo, cello, guitar, and sometimes, a few surprises.  If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

Kristen and Joe Camp, owners and founders of Campfire Pottery, have been crafting one-of-a-kind contemporary ceramic pieces that are symbols of human-gathering for five years in Westbrook, Maine. They also have a storefront built out of a shipping container located off of Washington Avenue in Portland. The Campfire pair came to Maine from their home state of Georgia to help build a church and they decided to stay in Maine long-term as they loved the environment, culture, and wanted to start a business around the passion that started their relationship, pottery. Their craft is very unique as they use a Japanese style ceramic process called Raku on a portion of their collection. Joe suits up in a firefighter like uniform as temperatures, when undergoing this process, get extremely hot! Kristen’s newest project is working with an interior designer on a light fixture and will be launching an interior designer program later this year.Please visit Campfire Pottery’s website to view their products. Feel free to follow them on Facebook and Instagram to get updates on new products and promotions. Also, please consider giving back to this lovely business as well as the frontline workers who are risking their own health for those suffering from COVID-19 by supporting their Stay at Home Mug Project. For every 5 “To-Stay” Mugs they sell, they will donate one of their signature To-Go Mugs to a healthcare worker on the frontlines.Also, please check out the featured musician of this episode, The Jacob James and their full track Live It Up and the rest of their awesome jams on iTunes. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

Sarah Kelly and Leah Robert, owners and founders of SaltyGirl Beauty, have been crafting clean body care products out of their office in Kennebunk since 2017. The idea of a clean beauty care line came about when Sarah was diagnosed with stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer and was eight months pregnant, her sister Leah came over to her house one day when Sarah was undergoing cancer treatment with bright, fun lipstick and Sarah tried it on. It made her feel like herself again. These ladies have not only crafted a clean beauty line, they have also rounded up many women to be a part of their SaltyGirl community where they talk about Mom life, favorite music and so much more. They also give back in many ways to two non-profits that they also started, Warrior Revolution and Foundation4Love.Please visit SaltyGirl Beauty's websites to view their products. Feel free to follow them on Facebook and Instagram to get updates on new products and promotions. Also, check out their Lip Gloss Heroes contest where you can nominate an individual in your life that you know is empowering and inspiring to the community and they may be named after a shade of lipgloss from their new collection.Also please check out my featured Maine musician, Kate Matzell, and her full track of Don't They Say and the rest of her beautiful music on iTunes.  If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.

Bethany Field and Chris Korzen, owners and founders of Maine Flag Company and Original Maine, have been crafting flags for seven years in Portland, Maine. They started with the Maine Merchant & Marine Flag and have expanded to other designs including the popular and well-known Original 1901 Maine Flag. In celebration of Flag Day, I wanted to sit down with these two to learn more about the history of the first Maine state flag, the craft of flags and how Maine and its community helped their business grow. We also chat about the NY Times article that was recently released that talks about Maine's flags. Not only do they tell me that they recently produced their two thousandth Original 1901 Maine Flag, they tell me about their exciting sailing trip from Maine to Key West that took them six months.Please visit Maine Flag Company and Original Maine's websites to view their products. Feel free to follow them on Facebook and Instagram to get updates on new products and promotions. Also, check out their post that showcases their boat Woodpecker with all of their flags on the mast.Also please check out my featured Maine musician, Dominic Lavoie, and his full track of Lime Butterfly and the rest of his beautiful music on iTunes.  If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.