| |||
Summertime in the BelgradesContentsfor Printing
Article Summaries |
Heirlooms of Tomorrow Opens in Farmington
"Like an outlet store," is how owner Dan Maxham describes Heirlooms of Tomorrow, the new Mitchell furniture store that opened in mid-August on Route 2 in Farmington. Featuring factory seconds and showroom samples of W.A. Mitchell chairs, tables, stools and benches, the new store also displays the handcrafted items, art, baskets and games of a dozen different artists from all over the state. Also, in a unique arrangement with The Potter's House in Gardiner, the stores are displaying each other's products. Most unusual in the new shop, Dan points out, are the handwoven tribal rugs from the western mountains of Iran — each rug with color and design aberrations that reflect the disassembling and reassembling of the portable looms as the tribes change camps. "Some people love the toys, some the furniture, some the old wood," states Megan Roberts, who works at Heirlooms of Tomorrow. "Lots of people are stopping in." 
Heirlooms of Tomorrow is open Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information call The Potter's House Expands to Gardiner
Open since mid July, The Potter's House at 355 Water Street in Gardiner offers an array of stoneware that is practical, functional, and uniquely artistic. "What's unique is the glaze," describes owner Jeff Spencer. Specializing in tulip, iris, lupine and dragonfly patterns, The Potter's House utilizes a technique that leaves the clay body exposed on the outside and sealed on the inside. Jeff, who helps with the glazing and "a lot of other jobs," explains that his wife Mary Kay is the one who throws the pots and decorates them. In business since the mid-80's, they run a production facility on in Winthrop. The Gardiner store resulted from their decision to concentrate less on shows and more on sales and lessons. "Gardiner is a model for saving a Main Street," explains Jeff. "We wanted to be part of that." He also describes Gardiner as an artists' town, a trend they will soon join. The whole back area of the store will be a studio for slab or hand built work, classes, and guest artists, some of whose work may already be on display, along with Mitchell Furniture. 
The Potter's House is open Monday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00-ish. For more information, visit their web site or call | ||