24 minute read
Editor’s Choice
Editors's CHOICE
Saratoga is brimming with local talent and small Mom & Pops, that all deserve our love – all year - not just at the holidays. Shop Local, Shop Small, Shop Saratoga, whatever you call it, it is what we do. We are local - and we support our local community. I love introducing you to new craftspeople I discover. I am always in awe when someone can take their dream and turn it into a viable business. If I can help promote that, I will. With this year’s Editor’s Choice, I bring you a wide variety of local “makers” with great back stories (Thank You Megin Potter!) and an interesting array of products, any of which would make wonderful Holiday Gifts… if you haven’t already finished your list : )
Happy Shopping! Love, Chris
WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS PROVIDED
Spark memories and ring in emotions simply by lighting a candle.
NATURAL LAW
“I always liked candles, but I couldn’t burn them too long without it being too much for my allergies,” said Michelle Law. So, Michelle began making and selling her own candles. In November 2018 she opened the Wick Apothecary shop on Etsy. “I only sell what I would burn and what I like. I like a lot of things. I want things to smell nice, and I want a nice, cozy home,” said Michelle.
MEMORY-MAKING MAGIC
The magical science of Wick Apothecary candles comes from using specially selected ingredients. Soy is a cleaner, longer-lasting alternative to petroleum-based candles containing paraffin. “Soy is a natural ingredient and when you combine that with the cotton wick, it doesn’t put too much soot in the air, which is what aggravated my allergies,” said Law. Her 8 oz. candles burn between 40 and 50 hours and come in many varieties, including 15 wintery scents. Inhale the aroma of “Oh Christmas tree,” a combination of pine, fir, and balsam needles; escape to the “Winter Cottage” with a blend of blue spruce and bayberry spices; and warm up with “Winter” notes of clementine, pine, and clove. Find the quintessential essence of a Northeast winter in “Evergreen Forest” and try “Adirondack Life,” for an added smokey fireplace scent.
HOME DELIGHTS
A visit to the Wick Apothecary online shop is an adventure with surprising delights – just like the memories that inspired it. “These candles are made from the memories I have of things, like going up into the Adirondacks in the wintertime and seeing the beauty there. We have so much beauty here.” “There’s No Place Like Home,” the gourmet blend that includes ripe delicious apples, red berries, falling leaves, cinnamon and a touch of firewood, says it all (and was named by Michelle’s 6-year-old daughter, Lily.) “Making candles is just a real passion for me. I hand pour and handcraft them and a lot of care is taken into making each one. It makes me really happy that people have them in their home and are enjoying them,” said Michelle.
Most candles are shipped in one to three days. Free shipping on orders more than $35. For more information, follow them on Facebook and Instagram, and find WickApothecary on Etsy.
A Composing Marvel
WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY AL AND PATTY CARUSO
While today there are many ways to record information, none have been able to replace the pen. A pen is an elegant and timeless tool that invites the written word to gracefully flow through it. A luxury pen has the added responsibility of being a status symbol that signifies to all those who see this most special of composition instruments, that you are writing with purpose and intention. “When you’re using a fountain pen and using real ink, you tend to write a little better, neater, cleaner. You just take your time a little more,”said Al Caruso.
PERFORMANCE PIECES
A woodworker for more than 40 years, Caruso has created all sorts of custom pieces for himself and others, including cabinetry, tables and more, but finds the craft of turning wooden pens to be endlessly fulfilling. “You can turn one pen to make it as identical to the next piece as you want, but I think that’s pretty boring. I get a lot more satisfaction when I make each piece unique. I pick out all my own wood so that I can orient grain, texture and color into each piece.” Exotic hardwoods (like cocobolo sourced from Central and South America, which comes in a range of colors, or the darkly streaked African Blackwood which can have rich purplish tones) offer a world of possibilities. Caruso also sees the beauty that others may overlook in domestic hardwoods, such as Birdseye maple, walnut, and cherry. “You can get some spectacular looks with these and many other hardwoods,” he adds.
DESK JOCKEY DESIRABLES
Having exhibited his work in juried shows throughout Southern California, Caruso moved to upstate New York where he joined the Northeastern Woodworkers Association and has remained an active member for more than 20 years. In addition to writing implements, he crafts one-of-a-kind desk sets and keepsake boxes for the discerning shopper. “When it’s a special event or for a special purpose, they’re looking for something they can’t find on the main stage, in stores or online, so I do my best to accommodate them,” said Caruso.
Alongside her husband, Patty Caruso often exhibits her Patty’s Petals floral and hardwood burl creations. You can see both artisan’s work at the Shaker Holiday Market, now until December 19th, at 25 Meeting House Road, Albany. For questions or custom orders, call 518-877-8770 or email Al at abcwoodenman@nycap.rr.com or Patty at floralgal01@gmail.com
WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY SUPERSOURCEMEDIA.COM
Coveted and beloved by the musicians that play them, a modified electric guitar is the stuff of legend. “It’s a one-of-a-kind piece. No one else in this town, city, state, has that guitar. If you’re a musician, it’s really cool. Even people who don’t play are intrigued by something they’ve never seen before,” said Jim Morahan.
MUSIC TO THE EYES
Fifteen years ago, after a fruitless search for a guitar encased in tooled leather, Morahan’s passion for playing and repairing guitars led to modifying them. “I thought it’d be really cool to have that guitar, but nobody made that guitar. I just couldn’t find one, so I thought I’d make it,” said Morahan. Using tricked-out leather saddles for inspiration, he experimented and eventually created a leather guitar cover that looked great. The guitar also sparked a lot of excitement when he played it onstage as the lead guitarist for the alternative rock cover band, Watchdog. “At almost every single gig, people wanted to come up to the stage and see the guitar.”
RECYCLING THAT RESONATES
When in New York City, Morahan again found material inspiration, this time in the form of vintage couture garment bags. “I always built the stuff I thought would be cool for myself and then other people loved it and thought they would like to have one for themselves, too,” he said. Morahan found he is able to create two full guitar covers from each repurposed canvas bag. Among these high-style pieces is a Louis Vuitton guitar made for singer Post Malone.
SELF-EXPRESSION EXTENSION
When the musician Arlen Roth wanted to share what was in his heart, he turned to Morahan for help. As a tribute to Roth’s daughter, Gillian, Morahan created the “Pennies from Heaven” guitar covered in nearly 200 pennies from 1983 (the year she was born). On the back of the guitar, her signature is oversized, surrounded by the pennies shaped in a heart outline. “It was a tribute to what I think she would’ve loved and would’ve liked to play,” said Morahan. The emotional presentation of the guitar to Roth was done during a weekend when he played two sold out shows at the famous Iridium Club in NYC for the release of his 2012 album, All Tricked Out!
Creating a Morahan custom guitar takes 60 to 75 days. Find out more by visiting MorahanCustomGuitars.com. To see Watchdog’s 2020 gigs, go to WatchDogRocks.com
Signs of the Times
WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER, PHOTOS PROVIDED Say something special with custom signage from Her Idea Whimsical Art.
By 2015, Amy Baringer, who has a degree in marketing, was painting so many signs that people told her she needed to start selling them. Today, the Her Idea Whimsical Art Instagram page has more than 1200 examples of Baringer’s painted items.
THE OLD IS MADE NEW AGAIN
Painting on repurposed barn wood is one of Baringer’s favorite mediums. In Wilton, she was able to salvage wood from a barn built in 1892 that was in the process of being taken down. She also buys items from barn sales and paints on antiques like radio flyer sleds. Painting on scrap buckets is another popular request from her clients. For lightweight sports or college logos, she uses canvas cloth, perfect for the dorm room. All her hand-painted designs are done freehand, in the style you choose, and without the use of stencils. Baringer’s personal favorite is a loose, loopy cursive. “In my own house, I like to mix décor. It’s a new house, just a couple years old, so I like to have some new stuff, but also bring in old stuff to complement it with things that have a unique, aged look.”
THEME OF THE YEAR
Each year, certain images, phrases, or items just seem to resonate with people. One year, it was paintings of cardinals. Another, it was home portraits. Last year, Baringer made 515 assorted Christmas ornaments available in set sizes ranging from four to fifty. This year, she has already painted 100 masked Santas. “When people started requesting them, I was reminded suddenly that we are in the midst of this whole different way of living.”
PERSONALIZED GIFT GIVING NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE
Baringer doesn’t keep an inventory of items on hand because each of Her Idea Whimsical Art pieces is madeto-order but they are distributed by two Vermont-based wholesalers and are in stock at the area’s newest novelty shop, Saratoga Tailgate & Party. For custom orders, Baringer wants to talk with you, find out what you have in mind, and create the personalized piece that you’ve imagined. “’Custom’ means something to you or to someone you’re giving it to as a gift, so I want to make it look as nice as I possibly can!”
Find HER IDEA on Facebook and Instagram @herideawhimsicalart
When Light Speaks
WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS PROVIDED
A snippet of the natural world is enough to speak volumes. Leaves, ferns, and other botanicals are, by their very nature, fleeting. Yet, when plucked at their peak and preserved, these delicate wonders can provide us material for many hours of contemplation. Set against a soothing, warm light, their simple silhouette is somehow both calming and invigorating. “I’m using stuff from nature and bringing it to life. It’s kind-of cool that it speaks to so many people,” said Teresa Breuer.
SIMPLY STUNNING
From their home nestled in the Southern Adirondack Mountains, Teresa and her husband, Paul, create Northeast Living Lights. Each fall, Teresa sustainably harvests materials from her backyard, or while on a hike, presses and dries it for lampshades. These natural wonders are placed between a layer of polystyrene and a quality art paper, that are secured to a metal ring to give them their unique shape. They are trimmed with ribbon for a finished, final effect that is awe-inspiring. “It has to be illuminated to really appreciate the lampshade – once you turn it on, it’s like WOW!” said Teresa.
THE SKY’S THE LIMIT
Paired with bases that Paul, who also owns Wooden Stone Construction, artfully crafts from oak, cedar, driftwood, burls, and rocks, these one-of-a-kind fixtures and accent lights are limited only by the imagination. Teresa, who also works for the Hudson Headwaters Health Network, completes custom shade repairs and has been teaching students at the Adirondack Folk School how to make these pieces themselves for more than a decade, as well. “We’re small potatoes, so we’re excited to make each one. It’s just what we do. We make it so they love it. The sky’s the limit.”
SAY SOMETHING SPECIAL
One of the most fascinating aspects of Northeast Living Lights is just how much variety and how many styles these pieces lend themselves to. When matched with repurposed pots or watering cans, they have a distinctly country charm. A dark base creates a gothic chandelier, while a circular nightlight would be welcome in any child’s bedroom. Creating luminaries with motivational phrases are among Teresa’s favorite projects. “It’s really special to make those for me. They can be a labor of love but its always fun to make those because hopefully, they touch someone’s heart.”
See Northeast Living Lights at Rustic Charm, 6348 U.S. 9, in Chestertown. To order, go to NortheastLivingLights.com
Say “Love” with Coffee
WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY THISTLE AND STONE PHOTOGRAPHY Coffee can fulfill our deepest desires. In his bestselling book, The Five Love Languages, Dr. Gary Chapman describes how to radically improve any relationship by communicating your love in the right language. Coffee can be that language. “Coffee is the universal love language,” said Nate Reynolds.
THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE
A self-professed “science nerd,” Nate Reynolds has always enjoyed crafting beverages. Working in the beer industry for Sierra Nevada, he’s also studied natural resource management because he’s interested in protecting and conserving the environment. This year, combining both passions, Nate and his wife, Rebecca, a school psychologist, launched Grimble Coffee Co., which offers organic roasted coffees from humanely-harvested beans. It’s a company that is showing us how coffee can say “love.”
WORDS OF AFFIRMATION
The company’s name comes from "The Gnome" by Pink Floyd, a song about a nature-loving gnome named Grimble Crumble. Their label’s artwork, by Brittany Statt Design, incorporates the national tree of the coffee’s country of origin. “We chose the forest gnome as our icon because in folklore they're considered the guardians of the forest and are so attuned with nature that they are capable of moving through solid earth as easily as fish move through the water. As a company, we aspire to foster the same harmonious connection between our customers and nature through our products, community involvement, and sustainable initiatives,” said Nate.
QUALITY TIME
Put more intention into the experience of drinking a cup of coffee. “Having coffee together is a really sacred part of the morning for us. It’s a peaceful, calm time that’s really special,” said Rebecca. Each bag of Grimble coffee has guidance about how to best brew it, where the coffee is sourced, and when to enjoy it – if it’s best, for example, in early mornings, during lazy afternoons, or better left for late-night lingering.
PHYSICAL TOUCH
The label clues you in about what the coffee will taste like even before it touches your tongue. “It used to be that coffee was just coffee, beer was just beer, and people didn’t really give it much thought. We include things on the label like what elevation it was grown at and different pouring methods because it eludes to what the coffee might taste like – the heartiness, how dense it is, and how intense the flavors will be. For the extreme enthusiast, that’s really important for them to know because it gives them clues about what they can expect,” said Nate.
ACTS OF SERVICE
The nuances of fresh-roasted flavor are something you can’t get buying coffee from a larger retailer. Roasting beans that carry Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance and other certifications, Grimble Coffee is committed to the people behind the bean. That’s something to feel good about this Christmas when you’re sipping a cup of the exotic “Bali,” with its hints of chocolate, vanilla, and spice, or their rich, smooth “Reforestation” blend.
RECEIVING GIFTS
Through their partnerships with Saratoga Tree Nursery and OneTreePlanted.org, Grimble helps plant one tree for every bag of coffee they sell. They’re also donating one percent of annual gross sales to environmental nonprofit organizations. “We want to make sure we’re giving back and remain humble as we grow.”
Share the Love. Follow Grimble Coffee Co. on Facebook and Instagram. Sign up for a subscription and buy products at GrimbleCoffee.com
Rebel with a Cause
WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS PROVIDED
Free yourself (or others!) from burden with soft, bubbly skincare products.
Goats Milk Goodness
On 600 acres in Schuylerville, Annelise Wood is making bath products from the sugary milk produced by her 40 Nigerian Dwarf goats. The Woods are the 5th generation to live on the farm, which has been in her husband’s family since the early 1900s. The Wood soap shop is in the family’s former antique store. “It all happened very naturally. I grew up on dairy farms and when I had kids, I knew I wanted to raise them in an agricultural community,” said Annelise. Now ages 9 and 11 years old, she is homeschooling them while running Rebel Wood Soapworks, which officially launched in 2015.
Compassionate Care Products
Goats’ milk bath products are naturally soothing, and when the stresses of the pandemic hit this spring, Annelise knew how meaningful a gift package of her products would be for the front-line health care workers. She gave away 40 free care packages to help them through the tough times. “This spring, things really changed on a dime and I went from bringing the goats and products to people, to being on the farm all the time. I am a registered nurse, so I felt a real affinity for those people working on the front lines.” She understands that compassionate collaboration is always important for small businesses to succeed. “Please, keep in mind local businesses when you’re shopping, they are still struggling to navigate things in this new world.”
Release the Rough Year
No matter what else the year has brought with it, melting away the rough edges of winter with velvety smooth skincare products is just what the doctor ordered. Lock-in your skin’s moisture with soaps, lotions, bath bombs, skin and lip balms (combined with beeswax harvested from the farm). Mixed with luscious ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, and natural fragrances, they’ll delight the senses with soothing goodness. Try scents including the cherrywood smokiness of “Santa Baby,” the yummy butter rum scent of “Merry Grinchmas,” or create some wintery magic with “Snow Witch,”a combination of frankincense, myrrh, patchouli and warm, powdery sandalwood. Find Rebel Wood hand balms at the Betsy Olmstead shop in the Saratoga Marketplace and all their products at Old Saratoga Mercantile and online at rebelwoodsoapworks.com
Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates and events with Rebel Wood goats including goat yoga at Into the Woods farm and Kidding Around at Old Saratoga Mercantile.
A Twinkle in Time
WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS PROVIDED
Human history has been forged by our melding of metal ores from the earth for functional and decorative use. Tin is a relatively rare metal, and the tinsmiths who still work with it, rarer still. One local man is giving tinware a renewed life, creating pieces that feel both vintage and contemporary.
The Timelessness of Tin
A history teacher in Greenville for 37 years, Art Thorman understands the story of why metalwork has been so important to humanity. “There’s a connection to the land and natural materials that is especially important today because we are becoming further and further away from our roots. It also gives me the chance to work with my hands. If I’m not working with my hands, I’m not happy,” he said. Unlike with the other crafts he’s tried, creating 18th and 19th century tinware reproductions gives Thorman a sense of instant gratification. “I make a zillion different things. I love making this stuff because it’s unique - you’re not going to see it anywhere else.”
Resilient Brilliance
The number of items Thorman has crafted from tin is plentiful. He has created light fixtures including candlesticks, chandeliers, wall sconces, and lanterns. He’s made kitchen items like bowls, plates, cheese graters, and apple corers. He’s even formed tin dust pans and storage boxes for historical reenactors. These custom jobs are complemented by tin decorations reminiscent of holidays past. Thorman’s twisted thousands of tin icicles (an alternative to the traditional tinsel that is a lot easier to clean up!). His punched or bent metal star-shaped tree toppers and angel ornaments shimmer with the memories of what has been. “They make the tree look beautiful. With a candle in a luminary, the light reflecting off the tinware just gives it a beautiful glow that gives your home that warm, homey feeling,” said Thorman.
Tin is (Still) so… “In”
Teaching tin crafting classes at the Adirondack Folk School in Lake Luzerne for nearly a decade, Thorman appreciates sharing his knowledge with students who are eager to learn it. “They make beautiful things and are impressed with themselves and I help them along the way. Tin smithing is usually working by yourself, real hard, for hours, and hours, and hours, so when people see it and appreciate it, that's a great feeling.” The durability of these pieces, which are actually made from tinplate (a rolled steel coated in tin to prevent rust), ensure they will continue to be kept in the family and enjoyed for years to come.
The Honorable Handbag
WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY AM KNIZEK PHOTO
Traditional Style Meets Modern Needs As a mother of two children, ages 15 and 11 years old, Allison Piracci understands the importance of a durable, reliable bag. Her daughter wanted Piracci to sew her a zippered pencil case from a vibrantly colored shirt. It was the first thing she had made in twenty years, but she found it immensely satisfying. “I’ve always been drawn to design and I thought, ‘Hey, this is really fun’, said Piracci. She started Solulu Handmade two years ago. Like many of us, she had a collection of handbags that she loved. Only the genuine Harris Tweed bags, however, are made with a fabric held to such high standards that it is legally protected by its own Act of Parliament.
THE ROYAL TREATMENT
The finest fabric made in the Scottish Isles, Harris Tweed, is hand woven and naturally dyed by crafters in the Outer Hebrides, as it has been since the 19th century. The Royal Family favors its muted tones and classic patterns for their sporting attire. Ideally suited for country pursuits, Harris Tweed is made in the colors, and has the enduring appeal, of the landscape that inspired them. The craftsmanship put into Piracci’s heirloom-quality leather-strapped Harris Tweed bags pay homage to this fabric’s reputation for excellence. “The most common thing I hear from people is that I have an eye for design and pair fabrics together beautifully. They can see how much attention to detail I put into finishing these pieces. I take a lot of pride in that and appreciate that it’s noticed,”she said.
CRAFTED WITH CARE
Creating a range of products - including coin purses, zipper pouches, cross-body bags, and commuter totes - she puts the same care into everything in her Solulu Handmade collection of offerings, whether it is constructed from Harris Tweed or waxed canvas. You can also pamper your pets with high-style collars, bandanas, and waste bag pouches. See some of her bags (and face masks!) at the Vischer Ferry General Store, or find her at markets in Schenectady, Albany, and Great Barrington. Sturdy and versatile, Solulu market bags can also be thrown in the wash… Sounds like the perfect gift! Working in small batches to keep her selection fresh, fun, and unique, Piracci’s custom pieces are made-to-order and shipped in two to three weeks.
Follow Solulu on Facebook and Instagram. For more information, market days, and to order, go to soluluhandmade.com
WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS PROVIDED
Say goodbye to bland dishes and hello to flavor with a nice, new, spicy condiment. Hot Crispy Oil, made with a blend of peppers, garlic and shallots, adds just the right amount of bite to pastas, salads, sandwiches and more. Created by restaurant veteran John Trimble, Hot Crispy Oil isn’t like anything else you’ll find in your typical kitchen pantry.
REPLACING SO-SO WITH GUSTO
When La Serre, the French fine dining restaurant his parents started 43 years ago lost the bulk of their banquet business this past spring, Trimble began tinkering around with fried oils at home. The overwhelmingly positive response from everyone who tried it sparked a fire in Trimble, who has since partnered up with his girlfriend, Maura Kelly, cousin Nick Treffiletti, and friend, Mike Crisafulli, to perfect the recipe and get the product out to the public. The restaurant’s kitchen, which had been sitting vacant, was certified to start processing food products for distribution and Hot Crispy Oil was officially launched in August. “It’s just been a wild ride,” said Trimble. Now available to purchase online and from nearly 40 retailers, including locally at Roma Foods, Darling Donuts, Primal Butcher Shop, and Healthy Living Market and Fat Paulie’s. Trimble plans to expand its distribution and mold into a national brand. “It’s received a fair amount of buzz in the area, so I’d like it to be in even larger chain stores in the future.”
ADDING PEP TO YOUR PREP
Unlike the heat in tomato-based hot sauces, Hot Crispy Oil has a well-rounded flavor profile that has a little bit of sweetness, complemented by the deep, earthy, tang of fried garlic and onions. Use it simply as a dipping oil or to add a little bit of sultry heat to simple sauces. Spicy food enthusiasts will get a kick out of the Extra Hot variety that elevates Hot Crispy Oil up to the next level. The small chunks of goodness suspended in this vibrantly colored condiment make it an appealing stocking stuffer, business or holiday gift. A Hot Crispy Oil subscription plan will be available soon - sign up for their email newsletter to get weekly updates and discount codes.
For more information, find them on Facebook, Instagram, or by visiting HotCrispyOil.com
