32 artists, artisans, chefs, jewelers, gardeners, designers and countless other creative Mainers are in the running this year for the 2013 Martha Stewart American Made awards. The yearly honor awards several prizes; there are ten winners picked by the staff of Martha Stewart Living, and then there are six audience choice category winners in Craft, Design, Food, Garden, Style and Technology, chosen by audience votes. From those six, one Audience Choice Award will be chosen, also by votes. The Audience Choice Award winner receives a trip to New York, promotion from Martha Stewart Living and $10,000 in cash.
Voting is on now and continues through Sept. 22 for those audience choice categories, and the 32 Mainers competing come from all over the state and from a wide variety of backgrounds. You can vote up to six times a day for one person or for six different people. It’s worth noting that last year there were only three Mainers competing. This year there are 32.
Northwoods Gourmet Girl, Greenville – All natural condiments, jams, pickles and other goodies by Abby Freethy,
Love for Lemons, Bath – Chemical free cleaning products by Kate Perrin.
Irish Cow Bakery, Perry – Savory pastries by Bonnie and Jim Whitehead.
Of Maine Wood, Blue Hill – Made wood, crafted into useable products by the Chittenden family.
Megan Flynn Ceramics, Lincolnville – Handmade ceramics by Megan Flynn.
Casco Bay Soap Company, Durham – Vegetable-based handmade soaps by Shannon Grauer.
KimberleeAnn Jewelry, Canaan – Jewelry meets quilting, by Kimberlee Ann Brooks.
Farrell & Co., Rockland – Handmade leather goods by Meghan Farrell.
Paper Flowers by Annie, Hollis – Paper flowers for weddings by Andrea Nassar.
Arti-facts, Camden – Seaglass sculptures by Lynette Walther.
Bixby & Co, Belfast – Organic high-quality chocolate bars by Kate McAleer.
Cranberry Hill Custom Lighting and Antiques, Cape Neddick – Lamps, chandeliers and sconces made from found objects by Dorothy and Tony Anni.
Ocean Approved, LLC, Portland – Kelp and seaweed snacks by Tollef Olson.
Furniturea, Portland – Made to order maple furniture by Brian Haddock.
EcoSeaTile, Mt. Desert Island – Gifts and home accents by Mickey Shattow.
Tracy Lizotte Studios, Acton – Whimsical watercolors by Tracy Lizotte.
George Pearlman Pottery, St. George – Uniquely glazed pottery by George Pearlman.
Kurier, Portland – Salvaged leather bags by Jasmine Clayton.
Lana Plantae Naturally Dyed Yarns, Buxton – Naturally dyed alpaca yarn by Marcia MacDonald.
Eastland Made in Maine, Freeport – High quality, made in Maine shoes and boots by the Klein Family.
Lunaform, Sullivan – Concrete and steel all weather garden containers by Dan Farrenkopf and Phid Lawless.
Cranberry Island Kitchen, Freeport – Specialty whoopie pies and other treats by Carol Ford.
Scrapwood Renaissance, Biddeford – Sculptures made from discarded materials by Eric Graffam.
Leetie Lovendale, North Yarmouth – Retro jewelry made from salvaged plastic by Heather Desimone.
Lilleputt Studios, Portland – Scandinavian-inspired textiles by Annika Schmidt.
Kim’s Calendars, Topsham – Refillable calendars by Kim Goodwin and Cuyler Holden.
Quench Metalworks, South China – Intricate metal and found object jewelry by Jennifer Lisa.
South Street Linen, Portland – Block-printed women’s scarves by Jane Ryan, Lynne Krauss and Mary Ruth Hedstrom.
The Folklore Doll Company, York – Fantastical dolls crafted from organic material by Marie and Anne Solli.
Docksmith, Topsham – iPod and phone docks made from driftwood by Lee Goodwin, Olivia Turrell and Katie and Chris Francis.
Morris & Essex, Limington – Hand-printed stationary and accessories by Eliza Jane Curtis.
Sandy’s Party Favors and Gift Bags, St. Albans – Custom party favors and gift bags by Sandy Taylor.