Actress/comedian Amy Poehler first coined the term “Galentine’s Day” in a 2010 Parks and Recreation episode as a way to celebrate one’s girlfriends on the most manufactured holiday of the year that sweet occasion known as Valentine’s Day — so move over Hallmark, Tiffany’s and 1-800-Flowers, we’ve got some locally made gifts (all handmade by women) to show your girlfriends you love them!

Messy Bun Hat

by Whitney Brown Designs

The back story: Whitney Brown, once a skating queen in the Midcoast Rock Coast Rollers, moved to Vinalhaven with her husband, a lobsterman, and has adjusted from mainland to island living. A mother of two boys, she knits in her spare time and just set up an Etsy shop.

“I love spending cold afternoons cuddled up with my kids and making things with yarn,” she said. “I've made so many things that I've run out of people in my family to gift to and have started placing my creations on Etsy and sharing them with anyone interested. The messy bun hat is super fun right now because it's chunky and warm, and it lets you keep your hair up while your outside freezing your butt off. This Messy Bun hat is perfect for the bestie who doesn’t feel like showering or arranging her locks just to go out for a cup of coffee.”

Where to find it/price range:

$30 online 

Last thing: If you love the concept of this and knit yourself, there are multiple free patterns that can be found here–including a Princess Leia bun hat. 

Allen’s Coffee Brandy Pin

by Maggie Blue Creative

The back story: Artist Maggi Blue started her career with hand-dyed fiber and fabrics and morphed into fused glass and metalwork and has been expanding her skills and products ever since.

“This sweet coffee liqueur is known by many names (my favorite being ‘the Champagne of Maine’) and is the state’s most popular brand of liquor,” she said. “In fact, it dominates the liquor market. Love it or hate it, it is iconic Maine through and through.”

Where to find it/price range:

$10 online

Last thing: “Wear this pin to show your love of this popular spirit—the amount of irony you choose to ascribe to it is totally up to you.”

Shower Shots

by Dulse & Rugosa

The back story: This mother-and-daughter team of Claire and Carly Weinberg started in 2012. They wild-harvest or grow their botanicals and seaweeds on Gotts Island, a tiny island off the coast of Acadia National Park in Maine and set up their production facility on Rockland. Shower Shots turn an everyday shower into a wonderful aromatherapy journey.  Made in jello shots molds, scented with healing essential oils and beautiful herbs and flowers hand picked on their Maine island farm, shower shots make for one sweet shower. 

Where to find it/price range:

$3 per shot or $18 for a six-pack online

Last thing: f you had a rough night after celebrating with your Allen’s Coffee Brandy pin, we recommend the Hangover Cure:   An essential oil blend to help with head and tummy aches including Lemon, Grapefruit, Cedarwood, Juniper and Lavender.

Nasty Woman or Snowflake Lip Balm

by Long Winter Soap Company

The back story: Whatever your politics, this Waldoboro studio and shop has a handmade lip balm for you. Started by Amanda Nolan (with one of the cheekiest websites in Maine) this Etsy store became a brick and mortar store in 2017. What’s in Nasty Woman lip balm?

“For all those times some ******* keeps interrupting you and you nearly bite through your lip,” said Nolan. “We flavored it with coffee and walnut, because we suddenly and inexplicably were in the mood for pairing nuts and scalding hot coffee.”

For Snowflake lip balm: “Here in Maine, we're familiar with the power of snowflakes. When assembled towards a common goal they'll change the course of your whole day, and sometimes even history. We flavored this snowflake with hot chocolate and brandy so you can be extra prepared for the next avalanche”

Where to find it/price range:

$5 per lip balm online or visit the store at 11 Friendship Street in Waldoboro.

Last thing: Not only is this a cool shop, but they also serve as a satellite adoption location for the kitties of Pope Memorial Humane Society. You can read about their adoption process here.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com