New England Maker: Early American Painter, Suzanne Carroll Korn

As you know by now, I love sharing about companies and products we love on the blog and our Instagram - and most especially those made right here in New England. It’s been a little while since I’ve done an interview on the blog in our New England Maker Series, but I’m excited to get back into it with Early American Painter, Suzanne Carroll Korn! I first came across Suzanne’s work in my friend Marie’s shop (Here Today Emporium). I loved Suzanne’s colorful and whimsical house portraits, so I bought one of them for our daughter’s room and have been a fan ever since.

New England Maker:  Early American Painter, Suzanne Carroll Korn

Tell me a little about yourself and your business.

My name is Suzanne Carroll Korn and I am an early American painter and folk artist. My inspiration springs from the folk art landscapes, designs, and motifs found on New England’s historic paint-decorated walls. Over 20 years ago, I began researching, studying, and writing about these large and amazing remnants of American folk art… painted in New England between the years 1800-1860. This research allowed me to view and document both landscape muraled and stenciled walls, many of which were the original works of itinerant folk artists like Rufus Porter, Jonathan D. Poor, and Moses Eaton. Through this research, I became a “student” of these iconic American folk artists, and eventually, I began to paint landscapes in the style of Rufus Porter.

New England Maker:  Early American Painter, Suzanne Carroll Korn

Creating scenic and colorful folk art landscapes has given me great joy over the years. When I borrow and blend the early American designs and motifs found on the walls I studied, I like to think that each painting pays tribute to life in the small colonial villages and coastal towns of 19th century New England.

New England Maker:  Early American Painter, Suzanne Carroll Korn

Although I do a lot of painting on canvas, one of my favorite things is to paint on vintage salvage pieces from New England’s past. Old sap buckets, vintage bead board, old cupboard doors, rustic tables, and breadboards from days gone by, all make exquisite “canvases!” There is nothing quite like painting on something wonderfully worn!

New England Maker:  Early American Painter, Suzanne Carroll Korn
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In addition to my early American painting, I also enjoy painting in a slightly more modern style that features a bright color palette, minimal landscapes, expressive skies, small cottages, stone churches, farms, and fields of flowers. I love the peaceful spirit of these simple vignettes of rural American life. I am actually looking forward to focusing more on this style in the near future! Who doesn’t need more peace? :)

I just started adding favorite scripture verses to these paintings with the intent of offering scripture cards, note cards, and prints. Hoping such prints and cards will be a source of peace and encouragement for others.

How did you start Early American Painter? Had you been making folk art for a while or was this a new leap for you?

My folk art definitely had it’s genesis in my research and study of early American paint-decorated walls… but the really interesting thing is that up until 11 years ago, I had never painted anything freehand in my life! I had no painting talent at all! - Or so I thought. In 2010, on a whim, I decided to take a class at the Rufus Porter Museum in Bridgton, Maine... “Painting in the style of Rufus Porter.” Never in my wildest dreams did I suspect that my life would change forever from that one experience! With lots of follow up study of Porter’s methodologies, formulas, and designs, and by studying his original murals in homes all over New England, I somehow got to this place of creativity!

It wasn’t until 2015, when I took an early retirement package, did I have the opportunity to really focus on my folk art. A couple of years after retiring, I was able to rent some space at While Home Collections in Wilton, NH. That gave me so much great experience and I learned so much about running my business. I had my “shop” at White Home for 1.5 years, right up until they sadly closed their doors in December of 2018. It was such a privilege displaying and selling my folk art creations at this beautiful landmark shop. I loved meeting many of my clients and becoming friends with them.

These days, I sell a few select pieces at Marie Fortier’s delightful shop Here Today Emporium in Wilton, NH. I also obtain commission work from Instagram and Facebook. Mostly custom landscapes, folk art house portraits, and some painted salvage. Alas, I’m a little behind the times as far as setting up an efficient payment process - so if anyone sees a piece of folk art on my Facebook and/or on Instagram feed, and they are interested in purchasing, I still require a snail-mailed check! I know… I need to get with the times!

What is your favorite part about owning your own company? And least favorite part?

New England Maker:  Early American Painter, Suzanne Carroll Korn

Creativity is my favorite aspect of the business. When painting a folk art landscape, there is a step-by-step methodology that I use... the same methodology that Rufus Porter documented 200 year ago when he was painting huge landscapes on walls! It’s like putting a puzzle together. After backgrounds are done, the super fun part for me is the “decorating!” This is where I get to build out the painting with all the detail… the colonial houses, the trees, the boats, the flowers, the animals, etc. No two paintings are ever alike!

Something else that I love doing is hand-painting colorful tags for all of my folk art. I’ve always said that if the only thing I had to do each day was sit at my drafting table or porch, and paint little tags, I would be content! I can’t tell you how fun and relaxing it is creating these little works of art!

And if inquiring minds need to know - my least favorite aspect of running the business is determining pricing!

What have been some of the most rewarding moments for Early American Painter since you started?

I have been led to many wonderful opportunities, where I could bless others through my folk art. In 2018 and 2019 I was honored to donate landscape paintings in the style of Rufus Porter to the annual Fall Gala events at the American Folk Art Museum in New York City. My pieces were entered in to a silent auction, with all proceeds going towards the continuation of AFAM’s mission to educate and generate enthusiasm about American folk art.

Right here in my town of North Reading, MA, I’ve had several really nice opportunities to give back. At the historic c.1817 David Damon Tavern, I am the “resident” tour guide and Rufus Porter “expert.” When we have Open House at the Damon Tavern, I conduct tours of the amazing second floor ballroom where Rufus Porter, around 1830, painted stunning landscape murals. Also in the Rufus Porter ballroom, I host “Paint Like Porter” fundraising workshops sponsored by the North Reading Historical and Antiquarian Society. Surrounded by the historic landscape murals painted by Porter almost 200 years ago, adult students of all painting abilities learn about the life and times of Rufus Porter and the basic methodologies and techniques he employed to create folk art landscape murals. Each workshop is so much fun… students love this “getaway” day to do something relaxing and creative, and the paintings they each go home with are truly amazing! Students come from all over New England to attend the workshops. With the proceeds from just two of the workshops, the Historical Society had enough money to refinish the incredible 200-year-old wide pine floors in the ballroom!

New England Maker:  Early American Painter, Suzanne Carroll Korn

Over the years, it has also been a great pleasure working with The Center for Painted Wall Preservation, a 501c3 organization dedicated to the research and preservation of 18th and early 19th century American paint-decorated plaster walls. I currently serve on CPWP’s Board of Advisors, and under their auspices, I will occasionally continue my journeys around New England, visiting homes/inns/taverns in order to document historic paint-decorated walls therein. Often we are called in by homeowners to document painted walls that have recently been discovered under layers and layers of wallpaper! I’m so happy that my field research done over the years has been entered into the SPWP’s Digital Archive of Painted Walls. This is a growing database of hundreds of walls, that at some point in the near future will be accessible to anyone interested in these amazing 19th century walls of folk art. The database will ensure that no matter what happens to these precious walls in the field, there will always be a permanent record of the historic folk art found on them.

Last but not least, I’ve always felt blessed to have the best customers ever. It has been so rewarding creating for lots of clients all across the country. Hearing the excitement and gratitude in their voices after they have received their new piece is priceless!

New England Maker:  Early American Painter, Suzanne Carroll Korn

What advice do you have for people just starting out?

Never stop looking for ways to use your gifts and talents to brighten and enhance the lives of others. God will use your abilities and talents in astonishing ways! Find something that you are passionate about… something that you love… something that makes your heart sing… and the rest will come. You will know when you have found your “calling,” because your “work” will never feel like work, and you will see and experience the satisfaction and happiness it brings to others! If what you do brings a smile to your face, plus enriches the life of someone else, what could be better?

What does the future hold for “Early American Painter?”

I see myself continuing to create custom folk art pieces for my clients. However, I also want to focus on painting more of my “minimal” landscapes, and working on ways to incorporate inspiring scripture verses and messages into them. I’m not quite sure what that will end up looking like, but I do feel a leading in this direction. I see an Etsy shop in my future, and have even started designing it. Time will tell! In the meantime, I will be enjoying the creative life in North Reading with my husband Rich, and canine sidekick, Alice.

New England Maker:  Early American Painter, Suzanne Carroll Korn

Who’s one of your favorite New England Makers?

One of my favorite New England Makers is Raffaella Gutermann, from Dolce Amar Bakery and Cafe in Groton, MA. Raffaella is an artist in the truest sense of the word - only her stunning “paintings” are on canvases of cake and other sweet confections! European designer cakes for weddings and other special events are her specialty. Raffaella’s creations are always the embodiment of elegance, beauty, and exquisite taste!

Keep Up with Early American Painter, Suzanne Carroll Korn

| Website | Facebook | Instagram | Shop a selection of items in person at Here Today Emporium in Wilton, NH |

All photos courtsey of Early American Painter, Suzanne Carroll Korn


DO YOU OWN A NEW ENGLAND-BASED BUSINESS AND WOULD LIKE TO BE FEATURED IN AN UPCOMING INTERVIEW?  OR WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN HAVING ME STYLE, REVIEW, AND FEATURE ONE OF YOUR PRODUCTS?  
Please drop me a note.  


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Travel Guide: Three Days on Georgetown Island, Maine

This September my husband and I celebrate 10 years of marriage. Originally we were hoping to plan a big getaway… maybe out west somewhere to one of the National Parks, or overseas - but when we were planning this past spring Covid was still a big concern so we decided to plan a short getaway closer to home. In the end it all worked out, because as another surge is coming upon us we feel like we just snuck in our little trip in time before Lockdown 2.0 (though hopefully it doesn’t come to that again). Overall we had an amazing three days on Georgetown Island, Maine and I wanted to share about where we stayed, what we did, and where we ate.

Three Days on Georgetown Island, Maine

Seguin Tree Dwellings

When we were searching for a New England-based getaway we lucked out that Seguin Tree Dwellings had a cancellation for August (they are usually quite booked), so we jumped at the opportunity to stay here. We’ve seen photos of this magical-looking place for years and always wanted to check it out. We stayed at the Souhegan Treehouse which is arguably the most Instagrammed of the three treehouses at Seguin.

Three Days on Georgetown Island, Maine
Three Days on Georgetown Island, Maine

Our treehouse had three “sections”: the main house which was two stories tall and had a small kitchenette/dining area, full bathroom, and screened porch on the first floor; on the second floor up a twisty ladder was the bedroom loft and balcony with views of the tidal Black River.

Then attached to the main house by swinging rope bridges was a second smaller treehouse with a balcony that we had set up as a sitting room (though it can be converted to a second bedroom if you had more people in your group, or if you didn’t want to use the loft bedroom). We enjoyed the sitting room a lot - we brought magazines and books and it was so relaxing to just sit back and read and not be distracted by our phones (which we never even signed into the WiFi).

Three Days on Georgetown Island, Maine
Three Days on Georgetown Island, Maine

Finally, the coolest (in my opinion) part of the tree house - the cedar wood-fired hot tub! And yes - that is a hot tub, in a tree, with a swinging bridge to get it to it. Does it get any cooler? We spent every evening watching the sun go down over the Black River and relaxing in the hot tub. It was just picture perfect.

Three Days on Georgetown Island, Maine

Seguin also had canoes and kayaks available for guests and we spent one morning paddling along the Black River, watching herons fish and taking in the landscape. The whole time out we only saw one other boat - it was so beautiful and so peaceful.

Red’s Eats

Three Days on Georgetown Island, Maine

One of the absolute highlights of our trip was getting lunch one day at Red’s Eats which is just down the road a-ways in Wiscasset, so not technically on Georgetown Island but well worth the trip for sure! It was a rainy weekday - we got there about 30 mins before opening and the line had already started, though it wasn’t long yet. We patiently waited our turn and I just have to say the food was amazing and the service was even better (is that possible?!). Deborah and her crew handed out fried shrimp samples to eat and sanitized umbrellas to borrow while we waited in line in the rain. They also got on the intercom and gave some shout-outs to other local area shops and restaurants, which I thought was so kind of them. I ordered Fried Haddock and my husband got one of their world-famous Lobster Rolls as well as a Crab Cake. I wish I got a photo of the food but we gobbled it up too fast, it was so good. Red’s Eats definitely lived up to its stellar reputation and we will be back for sure next time we’re in the area.

Harborside General Store

Three Days on Georgetown Island, Maine

One day we popped in to Harborside General Store at the very end of 5 Islands Road. It was super cute (check out that amazing view out the window too!). We chit chatted with the shopkeeper and found out she was originally from our area, what a small world. We picked up a picture book about boats to give to our kids when we got home and they loved it.

The Coastline

Three Days on Georgetown Island, Maine

What is a trip to Maine without checking out the coastline? Most of our trip was a kind of rainy/overcast, but we didn’t mind - give me a rainy beach day anytime! We had the whole place to ourselves and it was so enjoyable to take in the sights and sounds of the ocean without tons of people around.

Five Islands Farm

Three Days on Georgetown Island, Maine

During our stay, we popped over to Five Islands Farm a few times to grab some snacks or drinks. They had a great selection of gourmet foods, local produce, and gifts. One night we just bought a pint of ice cream there and split it for dinner at the beach - no rules on vacation! Right? Right. ;)

Doubling Point Lighthouse

Unfortunately I don’t have a picture of this lighthouse, but I recommend checking it out if you get the chance! We went early one morning to check it out, only to be met with a sign saying the grounds opened at 9AM… we were tempted to go check out this picturesque lighthouse with a long dock leading to it, but the home there looked like it was a private residence and we wanted to be respectful of those that lived there, so we left without seeing it up close. It’s important to note that to get there you take a narrow dirt residential road and there is only room for 2-3 cars to park.

Five Islands Lobster Co.

Three Days on Georgetown Island, Maine

One day for lunch we went to Five Islands Lobster Company, which is located on a working wharf on the Sheepscot River. The place was hopping! So much so that we couldn’t find parking anywhere so my husband dropped me off to get food while he waited a mile or two down the road to come pick me up later. I enjoyed the wait though, it was a beautiful day and it was so interesting watching the hard-working fishermen come and go. We got scallops and haddock and brought them back to enjoy at our treehouse at Seguin Tree Dwellings.

Three Days on Georgetown Island, Maine

Georgetown Pottery

Three Days on Georgetown Island, Maine

We also stopped into Georgetown Pottery to browse - so many beautiful pieces in a wide variety of styles. I particularly loved the ones with birch trees on them (no surprise). They also had some amazing sculpture pieces for the garden outside.

Winnegance Restaurant & Bakery

One thing we did struggle with finding on Georgetown Island was breakfast options… so for breakfasts we hopped over to the Bath, Maine area which was just a short drive away and got breakfast to-go from Winnegance Restaurant & Bakery every morning. We loved Winnegance for it’s small-town diner feel, with local regulars eating breakfast there each morning. We brought our breakfasts to the South End Boat Launch to enjoy breakfast with a view of the Kennebec River and Doubling Point Lighthouse across the way.

On the drive to and from Winnegance you get to pass Bath Iron Works which is always so impressive to behold, and The Maine Maritime Museum which we want to visit next time we’re in the area.

Overall we had an amazing and relaxing three days in the Georgetown Island area and we’re looking forward to another trip back there again in the future.


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Day Trip to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

This past weekend we took a much needed day trip up to Boothbay, Maine to finally see the amazing Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and its new art installation of giant trolls by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. The whole visit was beautiful and so fun. I’ve included a few photos here but they don’t do this magical place justice - the Gardens and the trolls must be seen in person if you ever have the chance! Here are a few tips and items of note from our trip. | This post contains affiliate links |

Day Trip to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Tickets

Currently at this time Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are requiring advanced purchased tickets only and your entry is timed (I believe this is for COVID precautions to help spread out visitors and limit the amount of visitors coming in at any one time to help reduce crowding). We purchased ours for one of the first time slots of the day and it was perfect. We found that the park was getting rather crowded by lunch so earlier was definitely better.

Day Trip to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Masks

There were signs asking non-vaccinated guests to wear masks inside buildings, however we did not see that enforced. Nevertheless, we have been very COVID-cautious ourselves and made sure our kids put on their masks when we passed through the entrance building and when we left, also we had them put them on whenever we went into any other enclosed spaces.

Day Trip to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Day Trip to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

The Trolls

There are five giant Trolls tucked away in the woods throughout the park. The map in the brochure was a bit confusing and it was difficult to tell exactly which paths some of them were on, but after a quick conversation with a very helpful gardener we had a good plan to see them all. At most of the trolls there were groups gathered to take photos but everyone was very respectful, waited their turn, and gave space so each group could take good photos with the trolls which was very nice.

So Much to Explore

Besides the incredible trolls, there are miles of hiking trails and so many gardens to explore. We spent several hours there and didn’t even see most of them. Our favorite areas were the Children’s Gardens with its whimsical flowers, buildings, and animals, and the various ponds and fountains. Our kids especially loved watching the tadpoles (SO many tadpoles!) and turtles in the ponds.

We got lots of compliments on our kids' matching sunhats too! They are our absolute favorite ones by Sunday Afternoons.

Day Trip to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Lunch

We headed out early afternoon when it started to get very hot and crowded but we easily could have stayed and explored longer! There was an on-site cafe that had grab-n-go food that looked great but we decided to forgo that and opt for seafood on the way home (when in Maine). We would have loved to stop at Red’s Eats in Wiscasset but the line was down the block when we went by, so we got takeout from Sea Basket instead and ate our weight in fried seafood and lobster rolls - it hit the spot.

Overall it was a beautiful day to get out and explore this beautiful place with our family - we’re already planning on coming back later in the summer to see everything with different plants in bloom.

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Beginning Backyard Composting

This year we finally jumped on the backyard composting bandwagon. We’ve been wanting to make more eco-friendly choices around our home and decided a big step we could make would be trying to eliminate as much food waste going into our household trash as possible. | This post contains affiliate links |

Composting has a lot of benefits. Some of which include reducing the amount of decomposing matter filling our landfills as well as producing nutrient-rich garden soil to benefit your own yard and garden.

Getting Set Up

When it comes to composting, you could just make a pile in the corner of your yard or make your own bin with some scrap wood or fence. However, we decided to opt for a tumbler-style bin since we were looking for something compact, self-contained, and efficient.

Once you decide on your compost set-up it's important to add some good microbes to "get the party started" and create a good environment for breaking down your food and yard waste. To do this you can add a shovel-full of garden dirt from your own garden to introduce some microbes, or you can buy some specialty compost starter to add to your composter (just follow the package directions).

Composting

Once you have it set up, just keep on adding food/yard waste and periodically turn your compost over (by hand if yours is a pile or by spinning the drum if it’s a tumbler-style). The trickiest part for me is keeping the ratios right - ideally your compost pile should be about 1 part “greens” (these would be fruit/veggie scraps, coffee grounds, etc… I like to think of them as wet items) and 2 parts “browns” (leaves, newspaper, brown paper bags, etc… I like to think of them as dry items). We personally tend to teeter from too dry to too wet in our compost bin but it seems to average out eventually.

I typically toss our kitchen scraps in a bowl on the counter as I'm cooking and promptly empty it into the compost bin outside. This has worked well for us so far since the weather has been mild. Once it turns winter here I will probably invest in a kitchen countertop compost container so I don't need to walk outside across the icy/snowy yard several times a day, and instead can just empty the kitchen container into the outside compost bin periodically as it fills up.

What to Compost

Slimy spinach in your fridge? Toss it in the composter and then recycle the container!

Here’s a short list of things you can potentially compost:

  • fruit

  • vegetables

  • inedible portions of fruit/veggies (i.e. - rinds/cores)

  • coffee grounds

  • egg shells

  • disease-free, non-invasive plants

  • shredded newspaper

  • shredded brown paper bags

  • shredded paper (non-glossy)

  • untreated sawdust (I make a lot of ornaments for my Etsy shop and compost the sawdust)

  • toilet paper rolls

  • leaves, grass clippings

  • small sticks

The smaller you make the items in your compost bin (cut them up or shred them), the quicker they should decompose and compost.

What NOT to Compost

Do NOT Compost:

x plastic or household trash
x meat
x dairy
x cooked food
x glass or metal
x animal waste or used animal bedding/shavings
x invasive or diseased plant materials
- compost very strong smelling fruit/veggies with caution (i.e. citrus/bananas) if you live in an area with bears or raccoons that are an issue

Good luck in your composting adventure! I hope you enjoy the process and be proud in your efforts to be a little more eco-friendly in your home.

Disclaimer: I am sharing my experiences with what we’ve learned in the composting process so far. If you’d like expert or more detailed and specific information, I’d recommend contacting your local garden center or university cooperative for more information. Your local town or city may have composting programs to join or guidelines to follow too.

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One Year Later: How We Did on Our Goal to Use Less Plastic In 2020

In January of last year I wrote a post about how one of my big goals for the year was to use less plastic in our daily lives…. but then as you know, everyone’s daily lives changed a lot due to the Covid Pandemic. Even though it was a very strange year that changed our normal, we still made some good progress towards our goal to use less plastic. | This post contains affiliate links |

Follow Up Post:  How We Did on Our Goal to Use Less Plastic in 2020

Below are the improvements we planned to make in 2020, and how well we carried them out one year later… and how we could have done better:

  • Reusable Water Bottles. We did great with our goal to use reusable water bottles and not buy bottled drinks when out... it especially helped that we didn't go out much for most of the year, so drinking water at home was very easy.
  • Reusable Grocery Bags. Through March we used our reusable grocery bags for every trip, but once the Covid Pandemic started our state banned reusable bags in order to try to curb the spread of germs. They have since allowed reusable bags again, but many stores still won't use them at this time. So until the pandemic is over and everyone feels comfortable about reusable grocery bags again, we plan to ask for paper over plastic.
  • Reusable Produce Bags. This fell to the same fate as Reusable Grocery Bags above, and I have been just using the store-provided plastic produce bags. Though, I did write to the grocery store chain to ask them to make the switch to compostable produce bags... hopefully they will eventually.
  • Reusable Travel Mug for Coffee/Tea. This was quite easy again since we didn't go out much this year. We made a point to avoid unneccessary stops and we didn't stop at coffee shops much... instead, if we were going for a drive we would make our coffee at home and take it to-go in one of our own reusable mugs.
  • Silicone "Plastic" Bags. Last year I told myself I would purchase some reusable silicone plastic bags for our kids' lunch boxes once we started to get low on our plastic bags (we had a very large box of them), but then school was cancelled soon after that and we haven't had the need for them yet. However, I have since come across these Compostable Wax Paper Bags, and once school is open again I think I will probably use these until our kids are a bit older and I know they won't throw away the expensive silicone ones by accident.
  • Silicone "Plastic" Wrap. We ended up getting some Silicone Covers and have loved them - they work great for covering leftovers in the fridge or cut-up fruit and it saves us from using a lot of plastic wrap.
  • Glass or Metal "Tupperware". We were planning on waiting on this one as we still have very functional plastic Tupperware and don't need to replace it yet. Once we need some new containers we will make a point to get more eco-friendly, non-plastic options.
  • Sustainably Made Wooden Toys. Our kids are still loving and playing with the wooden toys they have gotten in the past. I don't think we added any new ones this year, but I still think that getting some heirloom quality, sustainably made wooden toys for young kids is a great idea.

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Giving Back - Who We Donated To This Year

A tradition I started four years ago was to donate a percentage of profits from Birch Landing Home at year-end to Charity.  I’m so happy to say that this year we were able to help support Gather NH as well as The Nature Conservancy. I chose to support Gather NH because food insecurity has become an issue for many more families this year due to the economical impact of the pandemic. I chose The Nature Conservancy because turning to nature and time outside has become such a saving grace for many during this time and it’s more important than ever to protect our natural resources.

Thank you so much for all your support this past year, it has definitely been a strange year for Birch Landing Home too with less Etsy sales (due to me temporarily pausing my Etsy storefront) and less partnerships and projects on the blog. Nevertheless, I am thankful for my Wholesale Accounts and continued traffic on my blog to make these donations happen. I hope to continue to grow Birch Landing Home and be able to give back more each year in return. Thank you all!

Giving Back - Who We Donated to This Year

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2020, What a Year...

It's been a year, huh?

2020, What a Year...

This year sure has been different, including for Birch Landing Home. This year there was no New England travel guides from day trips. I worked with far, far less brands than usual. I put my Etsy shop on hold for the time being. I also didn't do nearly as many DIY projects as I would like, for the simple reason I've been avoiding shopping in-stores as much as possible.
BUT instead of focusing on what I couldn't do, I tried to enjoy what we have: We are thankfully healthy. We had more time than ever at home, lots of quality time with our kids in our backyard, and time exploring local trails together. Lots of time working on our garden. Not taking for granted simple things like groceries and mail delivery. Appreciating family and friends so much more now that we can't be together, and looking forward to the day we can hug each other again.

2020 helped make us appreciate what we have, and I hope 2021 will better and brighter because of it. Wishing you all health and happiness in the New Year.
Best, Sarah

Some of Our Top Blog Posts of 2020:

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New England Maker: Rock Art by Grace Howe

As you know by now, I love sharing about companies and products we love on the blog and our Instagram - and most especially those made right here in New England.  Today on the blog in our New England Maker Series, I’m so excited to introduce you 11-year-old(!!) Grace Howe of Rock Art by Grace Howe - our youngest New England Maker by far! As a mom of girls myself, I find Grace so inspiring with her hard work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit.

Rock Art by Grace Howe

Rock Art by Grace Howe is best known for her fun and whimsical wall art made of natural stones, paint, and ink.

Tell me a little bit about yourself and your business.

My name is Grace Howe. I just turned 11 in October. I love nature, animals, making digital art, vintage campers, and so much more. I really want to live in a tiny house when I grow up and become an interior designer/art teacher. Making art is my favorite thing to do all the time!

Rock Art by Grace Howe

How did you start Rock Art by Grace Howe? Had you been making rock art for awhile or was this a new leap for you?

I started my business 3 years ago when I went on vacation to Maine. I saw this cool artwork made out of rocks in a storefront and thought it would be fun to try and create something similar. Before we left, my dad and I picked up some smooth flat rocks from the oceanfront and my mom was rolling her eyes because she didn’t know what I would do with ALL these rocks. When we got home my dad made some frames and I started making some rock art themes. They turned out pretty good, so I started selling them at Farmers Markets and fairs that I go to with my family's farm. Eventually I was able to create my own Instagram account and started selling at local storefronts. I currently sell my rock art year round at Gilford Country Store in Gilford, New Leaf in downtown Laconia, seasonally at Live Love Lake and Wolfeboro Artisan Barn both located in Wolfeboro NH, Concord Handmade on Main Street in Concord (November/December), and most recently I am located at the Beyond Gallery in Bennington VT.

What does a typical day look like for you when you work on your pieces?

When I get home from school, my mom has a snack for me and I usually check if I have any orders, respond to any messages or emails that I have received. I typically work on rock art designs in the evenings. I usually work in phases. Paper and glue frames, sort rocks by size, design and create, sign and put hangers and tags on. I have swim practice three days a week, so any orders that I need to put in the mail, I take them on the way so I can get them out quickly. This may also include a trip to the bank to deposit my earnings.

Rock Art by Grace Howe

What is your favorite part about running your own business? And least favorite part?

Rock Art by Grace Howe

My favorite part about my business is seeing happy customers and seeing how many states and countries my rock art is shipped to. I also love to update my favorite Fed-Ex and bank tellers on my progress. My least favorite part is having so many customers at once that it gets very frustrating to get all the orders done and on time. When “famous” people give me a shout out on social media, orders tend to pour in all at once. Most of the time, orders are made to order. I don’t generally have a stockpile of rock art.

What has been the most exciting moment for Rock Art by Grace Howe since you started?

The most exciting moment for Grace’s Rock Art was achieving my $10,000 car goal! It took me 3 years, but I am so happy that I succeeded. Another one was getting a letter from Dave Ramsey saying to keep up the good work! My parents have taught me about saving, spending, and giving. I have donated to several organizations that I am passionate about with funds from my business.

Rock Art by Grace Howe

What advice do you have for kids just starting out in their own business?

Be patient. There are a lot of things that go on during your first few years of starting your business. You learn what goes right and wrong and what works best for you. It takes a lot of time to get the flow of it. My parents and our family’s farm have really taught me about how to be successful. I am currently helping two other friends learn about the ins and outs of how to start.

What is your long-term goal? Where do you see yourself in five years?

In 5 years I will be buying that first car I saved for because I will be 16. My personal goal is to buy a vintage camper and make it my mobile rock art store. I love vintage campers! Maybe I’ll have a website too and I won’t have to have a typical job someone who’s 16 has; I can continue to earn income from being an artist.

Rock Art by Grace Howe

Who’s one of your favorite New England Makers?

Some of my favorite art makers in New England are Dan Tavis, @dantavis. He is a watercolor, digital artist, and illustrator. He has been one of my biggest fans. He is very inspiring with his work. He sells prints, calendars, books he illustrated and original art works. I have an original Dan Tavis that I purchased from the sales of my business. I think it’s important to support local artists. Two others are my swim coach Liz McBride @elmacb who creates unique nature inspired pottery and Natalie Robitaille @handmade_by_nattie who makes the most incredible pillows and now facemasks thanks to COVID-19.

Rock Art by Grace Howe

Keep Up with Rock Art by Grace Howe

| Instagram | Shop Locally in New England at: Gilford Country Store, New Leaf, Live Love Lake, Wolfeboro Artisan Barn, Concord Handmade, + Beyond Gallery |

All photos courtesy of Rock Art by Grace Howe.


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