"My Favorite Things Contest" at Stone Soup
From: Sue Speers <postmaster@stonesoupartisans.com>
Subject: "My Favorite Things Contest" at Stone Soup
Reply: postmaster@stonesoupartisans.com
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   News from
  
STONE SOUP ARTISANS 
 
in this issue
New Contest: "My Favorite Handmade Things"
Gifts From Maine
New Dirty Moose Logo
What's in a Craft Fair?
Alcohol and Cooking
 
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                                                                                        March 2 
  Greetings:
  
 
     March can be an exciting time of year. Warm weather is so close you can taste it and some brave flowers start popping up in the garden, even if they have to push aside the last of the snow. On warm days we can leave the store door open and enjoy the fresh air. We also start to see a little more activity on Main Street since everyone is getting out whenever they can, especially if they can leave those winter coats behind.
 
     A group of us from the store will again be going to the New England Products Trade Show this month to see if we can find some new, tasty food products to bring into the store to complement our crafts. We will let you know if we find any.
 
     Since we are busy signing up for this year's craft fairs, we thought we would tell you a little about the different types of fairs and what you can expect from them. Even crafters, especially when they are new at doing shows, will come into the store saying " I signed up for this show and when I got there I was really disappointed at what was being sold." We will try to give you an idea of what to expect.
 
   
   
   
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New Contest
"My Favorite Handmade Things"

   
     We have a few entries in our "Favorite Handmade Thing" contest, but are looking forward to many more. Don't be shy about sending in your photo. Details on entering are on the website.
 
     To tempt you into action we are ready to announce the prizes. First Prize is a basket containing two 13-ounce jars of our favorite Stonewall Kitchens jams: Blueberry and Strawberry. Second Prize is a hand-thrown stoneware mug from Joken Pottery with a package of delicious Carpe Diem coffee. Third Prize is a pair of colorful hot mats from Irene's Critters N' Things and the Viewers' Choice Prize is a selection of soaps from The Dirty Moose.
 
    To enter just email us a picture of your favorite or favorites, limit three, with a description and a little background on where it came from and who made it.
 
     As usual, the winners will be by random drawing except for the Viewers' Choice which will be chosen by your vote. We will try to make the voting as simple as possible within the limits of our website. The prizes will be announced next month.  Click here to email us.
 
 
                                                Janet Martell 
 Thanks to Janet Martell for this photo
 of two of her favorite hand-made things.
 
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Gifts From Maine

    We are pleased to announce that two new members have joined our group and will be offering you their products.
 
Barbara DeCurtis of South Portland brings her beautiful and whimsical aprons. These will perk up any kitchen chore and would make a great gift for a friend who loves baking or for a spring wedding shower. Her fabrics are colorful and contemporary as well as easily cared for and durable.

Our other new member is Heather MacLean of Wintercherry Farm in Biddeford (see picture at right). Heather makes beautifully Wintercherry Farmscented Goat's milk soap. Her natural scents are very pleasing and the soap is very gentle on the skin. She also brings in scented soy wax candles that she offers in glass jars of various sizes. Soy burns longer then other waxes and is better for your air quality.

Both of these new members are training to be store workers so there is a good chance you will meet them in the store some time when you drop in. If you are out enjoying the spring weather, stop in and see their displays.
 
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DIRTY MOOSE PRODUCTS SOLD UNDER NEW LOGO

    Some of the most popular items at Stone Soup Artisans are sold under the label of the Dirty Moose.   For years we have watched these products gain loyal followers and sales have increased dramatically.   Now the owners have decided to update their Dirty Moose logo.  So you won't miss out on finding your favorite soaps and lotions, the new logo is shown below.  For a look at many of the Dirty Moose products, click here.
 
                                                          Dirty Moose New Logo 
 
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  What's In a Craft Fair?
 The Stone Soup Artisans' Guide To Craft Fairs
 
     You can find a multitude of craft fairs in Maine all through the year, but they are centered in the summer and just before the holidays in November and December. I am sure all of you who enjoy going to craft shows have noticed a great difference in the quality and prices at various shows.
 
    There are three basic types of shows: shows sponsored by craft organizations, shows run by professional promoters and shows run by non-profit groups and churches.
 
     There are two large craft organizations in Maine. The Society of Southern Maine Craftsmen (the organization that sponsors our store) was started as a regional group in the mid-sixties, craft showbut has opened its membership to any Maine resident. It is a juried group and potential members must submit articles to be juried for quality and originality before they can join the organization and do their shows. This means that at Society shows you will be sure to find only items made by the craftsperson and that the quality will be high.
 
    
The other large state-wide organization is United Maine Craftsmen. Although they do not have a formal jurying process, there are standards that members are expected to abide by and they are always watching at shows to make sure those standards are met. They also require that members are Maine residents.
 
     Throughout the state there are many regional and smaller organizations that also have high standards of craftsmanship. You can look in advertisements to see who is sponsoring a show and check to see if that is a real craft organization. Members of these groups are proud of their work and try very hard to make sure you have a good experience at their shows.
 
    
Some groups charge admission to their shows to help defray expenses but the Society of Southern Maine Craftsmen has decided that they prefer not to charge admission and invite people to visit their shows and enjoy their member's work. The main purpose of organizational shows is provide a venue for the sales of their members, not to make a profit from the show. 
 
Next Month:  Professional promoter shows and non-profit fundraiser shows.
         
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  Websites of Interest 
 
Alcohol Substitutions and Cooking Tips
 
    There are a vast number of wonderful recipes which use some form of alcohol as an ingredient in sauces, marinades or as a main flavor ingredient. What do you do when you don't have that particular liquor or you will be serving children at dinner or you do not partake of any alcoholic beverages? In many cases, you can make some non-alcoholic substitutions. In order to be successful, you'll need to be armed with information and background on why the alcohol is used and the flavor goal of the recipe. 
 
    To find out how to make these substitutions and how they work click here.
 
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                                    Saco frame
 
  
                  Clubz1
                                                                          
                                                                      
Contact Information
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Stone Soup Artisans, 228 Main Street, Saco, ME 04072 ~~ 207-283-4715

 
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