For the holidays, we’re continuing our series to shine the spotlight on Maine craftspeople who make products by hand. It’s important to shop locally and support innovators and entrepreneurs who keep the creative economy alive in this state. So each week, until Dec. 25, we will bring you this series until you can’t take it anymore. Ready. Set. Go.

Woodland ornaments

The back story

Jennifer Sansosti is an artist from from Ellsworth, who owns a small business called WinkumPaws. She and her husband,Trevor, moved to Ellsworth in 2011 to live a quiet life in Maine. They instantly fell in love with the allure and richness of the forests and wanted to encapsulate the essence of Maine and share it with loved ones near and far. That is how she came about crafting these glass ornaments. Each ornament has a unique combination of woodland beauty ranging from White Birch, Balsam Fir, White Pine needles, pine cones, berries, lichen, an assortment of mosses and even sun bleached barnacles collected from the stunning Maine coastline. The natural elements are selectively and sustainably harvested from our woods and dehydrated in order to maintain their natural beauty for many years to come. The glass balls are approximately 4-inch diameter, topped with a silver cap and hung by braided yarn or twine.

Where to find them/price range

They can be purchased at her Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/WinkumPaws. They range from $15-$20, making an affordable and truly one-of-a-kind gift. Enjoy the wonders of the Maine woods where ever you might be.

In their words

“It is a wonderful year-round keepsake and especially desirable in the winter months for it truly captures the magic of the holiday season.”

‘The KnockOut’ Bixby Bar

The back story

Bixby & Co. is owned and operated by Kate McAleer, a 26-year-old YouthTrade certified entrepreneur.  Bixby & Co. is one of 14 WBENC (Woman’s Business National Council) certified companies in the State of Maine — this means the company is owned and operated by women.

Bixby Bars are made by hand and wrapped by in small batches at Coastal Farms and Foods.  Our unique flavor combinations create healthy candy options that are free of corn syrups additives or preservatives.  All Bixby Bars are certified gluten-free. 

KnockOut is an adventuresome version of the Bixby Bar.  It's made with RAC (Rainforest Alliance Certified) Organic Chocolate — this means that the cacao is produced in an ethical and sustainable fashion without the use of unfair labor practices or destruction of the rainforest. It is filled with roasted peanuts, which are grown in the U.S., plump sun-dried Bing cherries grown in the U.S. and a little more than a hint of a rich, ground red Chipotle pepper with the smoky heat of ground, smoked Jalapeno peppers. 

Where to find them/price range

Online: www.bixbyco.com/items/view/knockout for $3.50/bar

Offline: Megunticook Market, Glendarragh Lavender, Good Tern Co-op, Over the Rainbow Yarn, Belfast Co-Op, Aarhus Gallery, Vinolio, Bay Wrap, Zoot Coffee Cellardoor Winery

In their words

“This little bar packs a punch! The layers of flavors complement each other, offering a delicacy of an artisan chocolate snack bar that is low in calories, sugar and fat and high in antioxidants, natural fiber, Vitamin C and Omega-3s.”

“Pour Over” Coffee Set

The back story

Since 1999, Rock City Coffee Roasters, in Rockland has been roasting hand-crafted, small-batch coffees, focusing on sustainable farms and quality beans.They also own Rock City Café, a gathering place for conversation, meetings, readings, discussion groups, lunch, art and music.

One of the trends sweeping the specialty coffee industry recently is the use of "pour over" filter cones, making one cup at a time to order. Pour over coffee tends to be smoother, richer and stronger than coffee brewed with a drip machine. We've been offering pour over coffee as an option in our shops for the last nearly two years, using a multiple station stainless holder for the filter cones. At the last Specialty Coffee expo, Suzanne, owner and retail manager, saw a number of lovely wooden stands for home use and approached local fine furniture maker Monica Raymond about making a few for Rock City Café. They are hand crafted with lovely individual details, and are coated with a tough marine finish to resist water damage. The stand comes with a Melitta porcelain cone, bamboo filters, a Rock City logo mug, and a bag of coffee.

Where to find them/price range

Very limited in quantity! The price is $75, and the three remaining sets can be found at both Rock City Coffee Roasters (252 Main St, Rockland) and Rock City Cafe (316 Main St, Rockland).

In their words

 “Give a local gift this season with the emphasis on handmade—a unique hand-crafted Coffee Pour Over set with your choice of locally roasted Rock City Coffee.”

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com