Jordan Carey and Madison Poitrast-Upton started Loquat with the intention of crafting fashion and apparel pieces inspired by various types of cultures and lifestyles. Both graduated from Maine College of Art and brought their fashion and textiles skills to their business to offer a variety of unique pieces such as pineapple leather handbags, form-fitting masks and so much more. I talk to Jordan and Madison about their journey starting their business, their projects and experiences while attending MECA, and future projects they are working on with Loquat.

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

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

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

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

Bethany Field and Chris Korzen have always been fond of flags. They started crafting the Maine Merchant & Marine Flag seven years ago and they have now expanded to a couple more designs including the first Maine state flag. This design is simple yet truly resonates with many especially this year as Maine celebrates its Bicentennial. Chris fills me in on the history of the Original 1901 Maine Flag and Bethany shares how she goes about crafting their flags. Bethany and Chris are also sailors and inform me of their long sailing trip from Maine to Key West.

Becky McKinnell is all about getting creative with her hands and encourages others to do so as well by inviting old and new friends to craft nights at her house in Cumberland, Maine. Who knew that Wildwood Oyster Company would be brought to life by beginning the craft of her first handbag at one of those craft nights.