MEET THE MAKERS GUIDE NH + MA!
We are absolutely blown away by the incredible talent that surrounds us here on the Seacoast which is why we’re so excited to share our first annual MEET THE MAKERS GUIDE: New Hampshire & Massachusetts edition!! Whether we enjoy these beautiful products in our homes or gift them to people we love, the endless creativity and beautiful designs shown through artists and makers’ work, will bring so much beauty to our lives.
So without further a do, it’s time to MEET THE MAKERS!!
POPZUP POPCORN
Popzup Popcorn is the safe, new way to popcorn—purely and simply! With variety of flavorful popcorn seasonings, pre-popped bags for on-the-go snacking, and a signature eco-friendly microwave popper, Popzup has a lot to offer popcorn enthusiasts! The Popzup Popcorn Factory is a family owned and operated business based in Dover, New Hampshire where Julie and Marty insist on complete transparency as they pop small batches of popcorn by hand with better-for-you ingredients.
A FEW THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT POPZUP POPCORN:
Popzup’s custom Popzup Popper is microwave popcorn without chemicals, plastic, or silicone. One Popzup Popper pops 12 large boxes of hot, fresh, and delicious popcorn without chemicals or plastic creating a fresh and healthy new way to enjoy a classic snack!
SEWCIALITE
Roula Rallis is a self-taught fiber artist who is passionate about transforming ordinary rope into modern coastal home decor and accessories through her New Hampshire-based business, Sewcialite! A lot of time and care go into each of Roula’s pieces. The result? Beautiful clutches, coasters, baskets, and earrings that are sure to wow the crowds!
A FEW THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT SEWCIALITE:
Roula weaves, paints, and hand beads each of her rope designs to create beautiful pieces with a nautical flare! View Roula’s beautiful products and shop locally online!
SAJ CERAMIC
Working in clay has always felt exciting to artist Sarah A. Jones is driven by a desire to experiment with new forms, glazes and motifs which creates an ever-evolving body of work.
Sarah is a ceramic artist and arts educator from Portsmouth, New Hampshire who has been selling her work since 2008. Though she loves selling in a face-to-face environment, Sarah does sell a select number of pieces online through her website; SAJ Ceramic.
A FEW THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT SAJ CERAMIC:
Sarah’s current collection is defined by a bright seaside palette and clean lines. The pieces reminisce on warm beach days in NH filled with bright sun and salty water!
In addition to being a talented artist, Sarah is currently a full time high school art teacher on the Seacoast where she teaches ceramics and sculpture. Sarah hopes to open her studio to the public in the future, but enjoys working with and learning alongside her students for now.
BRAINSTORM
Briana and Jason are married creative partners and owners of Brainstorm—a design studio and print shop based in Dover, New Hampshire! With a fun and playful aesthetic, Briana and Jason focus on illustration, screen printed art prints, murals, and puzzles that showcase a variety of topics, from science and nature prints, to state maps and one-of-a-kind test prints!
The heartbeat of Briana and Jason’s business is its online retail shop, where they sell prints and puzzles that ship all over the world. They also sell their products through many retailers, ranging from small brick and mortar shops like Gus and Ruby Letterpress in Portsmouth, to large corporate stores like L.L.Bean.
The creative life that Briana and Jason lead is 12 years in the making. Jason has a background in art education and printmaking, and Briana’s background is in graphic design. The couple met and instantly bonded over their mutual love for screen printing, which has remained the keystone of their creative partnership today.
A FEW THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT BRAINSTORM:
In addition to designing and illustrating for Brainstorm’s product line and clients, Briana and Jason also love painting large scale murals for individuals and businesses to create shareable moments!
AMY VANDER ELS
Local jeweler and artist Amy Vander Els pairs classic aesthetics with experimental designs to create modern pieces that are playful and fresh, yet still timeless. Amy creates all of her jewelry by hand using small-scale metalsmithing techniques. She intends her jewelry to have a unique style that is elegant in its simplicity, with just the right amount of unusual. Every piece of Amy’s work is hand cut, shaped, forged, polished and assembled to ensure a high quality design.
Amy grew up in the seacoast of New Hampshire and studied Studio Art and Art Education at the University of New Hampshire. Her teaching career brought her overseas to teach visual art at international schools in Italy, Hungary, and the Cayman Islands! Since then, Amy has returned to New England and launched her jewelry line in 2014. Amy now designs jewelry, creates artwork, and teaches encaustic workshops out of her mill studio in Amesbury, Massachusetts.
A FEW THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT AMY VANDER ELS:
Amy’s jewelry and print designs are sold in boutiques, galleries and gift shops throughout New England, and through her online boutique!
THE GRACEFUL RABBIT
The story begins with a little girl growing up in the beautiful Appalachian mountains of West Virginia with dreams of business, flowers, and beautiful things. Spending summers with her aunt in Ohio, Belinda was constantly exposed to time in the garden, crafts, making things by hand, and appreciating natural beauty.
As an adult, Belinda became an esthetician who worked in beautiful day spas as a skincare and makeup specialist. Those experiences taught her how using good skincare products benefit the health of people’s skin.
The desire to have her own business, paired with her love of skincare and beautiful products, is where Belinda’s business “The Graceful Rabbit” was born.
A FEW THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT THE GRACEFUL RABBIT:
All of The Graceful Rabbit’s products are made in small batches with ingredients that are good for our skin and will make us feel beautiful and special. Belinda believes in giving back, and that is why certain times of the year you will see her donating money from sales to organizations like Feeding America, and working in food pantries.
ERIN MORAN DESIGNS
Portsmouth-based artist Erin Moran loves the process of hand building pottery and creating items that are both functional and beautiful. Erin’s designs are born from her desire to have that “exact shape”—dinner bowls that hold the right amount of food and cups that are light and comfortable to use. It’s no secret to us that Erin loves color. The ways in which flowers brighten up yards, tropical homes are painted in crazy colors, and how Erin’s wardrobe pops (lots of pinks, reds, and oranges), are all inspirations for her work. “Strong, bold colors are happy, and when you surround yourself with them, they make your day just that much better.” We like the way you think, Erin!
A FEW THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT ERIN MORAN DESIGNS:
Since 2005, Erin has been hand-making cups, plates, bowls, platters, jewelry, and more! Shop for Erin’s colorful designs online, or see Erin’s work in person at a local show or gallery!
EMILY KALINA
After graduating from Rhode Island School of Design in 2003 with a degree in Illustration, artist Emily Kalina entered the gallery world in which she sold and exhibited her signature style of layered, textured, and patterned watercolors.
In 2009, Emily began to use her experience and expertise with watercolors as the basis for patterns and print designs, combining her sharp eye for trends with an innate sense of color and style, to produce vibrant artwork for commercial use. She has designed for and worked with Nine West Dress, Michael Kors, Barneys New York, Nordstrom, Anthropologie, Target, Amazon, Walmart, Better Homes and Gardens, and Rachel Ray, among many others! #impressive
When Emily moved to Portsmouth in 2014, she found new inspiration for her paintings and an enthusiastic audience on the Seacoast.
A FEW THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT EMILY KALINA:
Emily recently entered a partnership with Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in which she creates artwork specific to the historic village. Her work is now available on a number of products, including canvas prints, tote bags, notecards and more at the Museum’s gift shop. In addition, Emily licenses her artwork of local scenes to Diversions Puzzle and Games for use on puzzles.
To inquire about commissioned work email emily.fineart@gmail.com!
BLUE HILL FRAGRANCES
New England enthusiasts! If you’re looking for a daily reminder of your happy place, Bluehill Fragrances evokes fond memories of summer days by the beach, weekend strolls through historic downtown streets, and time spent in New England’s beautiful outdoors! Each one of Bluehill’s three perfumes— “Back Bay,” “Beach Rose,” and “Metrogarden”—are sure to sweep you away to your favorite New England destinations. Just spritz and reminisce!
A FEW THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT BLUE HILL FRAGRANCES:
We will be able to order two online-only perfumes for the summer on the BLUEHILL website sometime early June—Zest and Water’s Edge!