Kristen Skelton of Milo and Molly: A self-taught sewist, Kristen runs her business while staying at home with her two small children. Fueled by an endless supply of tea, she sews late into the night when the house is quiet, most often accompanied by her faithful poodle, Casey. Stop by and see her collection of bold modern accessories and home goods.
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | miloandmollyshop@gmail.com 
Alonda Baird-Juhasz, owner of Designer Dwellings, believes in adding color to life. An avid DIYer, sparkle-loving, all things fabulous addict, her shop features bright and fun home decor accessories and gifts. When not in the shop you can find her interior decorating or visual styling events and photo shoots.
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | woof@riverdogprints.com
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Vanessa Felie juggles a husband and two blond pixies while running her burgeoning paper arts and crafts business, QueenvannaCreations. Her job and family inspire her to create crafty projects for holidays, vacations, and just for fun. From perpetual calendars to scrapbooking album kits and personalized gifts of all kinds, she looks to add a little flair to everything she makes and to put some extra fun into life.
Evelyn Pelati makes jewelry her way—vintage inspired with a modern edge. It’s simple, geometric, elegant and industrial. Evelyn’s design heroes are architects Frank Lloyd Wright and Charles Rennie Mackintosh; metalworkers Dirk van Erp, Tiffany Studios, the Roycrofters and more; and Art Deco fashion designer Erté.
Wholesale | Etsy | evelyn@evelynpelati.com
Wholesale | Etsy | evelyn@evelynpelati.com
Owner of Treefort Naturals, mom to 3 young kiddos and nature lover, Jessica Eveleigh started making soap as part of an eco-conscious lifestyle overhaul. Her handcrafted soap business offers natural alternatives to commercial products, all made with 100% natural & organic ingredients.
Photographer Doug Hockman of Hockman Photography specializes in fine art wall hangings. Inspired heavily by weather, an evident factor in many of his nature and landscape images, he also works to capture unique perspectives in things we see every day in his still life images.
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | hockmanphotos@gmail.com 
Jennifer Knapp, owner of Nutmeg Naturals LLC, has a passion for all things clean. From soap, to natural laundry and home cleaning products, Jennifer's mission is to help make your home clean and fresh without the use of artificial ingredients. She lives in Haddam with her husband and daughter.
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With coffee in one hand and paintbrush in the other, Michele creates in her cozy home studio while cats rustle paper and relentlessly
chew ribbons in the background. Her original hand-drawn illustrations are featured on a line of luxury paper goods available at MSD Design.
A lifelong CT resident, Michele lives and works in Colchester with Jim and Jamie (family) and Piper, Pixel, and Toby (ribbon-chewers).
Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Tracy Weed of The Tiny Wren has been crafting all of her life, though jewelry design is a fairly recent venture for her, but it didn't take long to get hooked! Tracy loves the Victorian era, and is heavily influenced by the romance of the period. She loves to take vintage jewelry that is broken or otherwise unwearable and rework it into new designs that can be loved again.
Etsy | Instagram | Facebook
Etsy | Instagram | Facebook
Gracia Hemans-Martin, owner of The Leather Genie, hails from Kingston, Jamaica. Growing up as an extremely artistic and creative child, Gracia was introduced to leather crafting at an early age. When art met leather, The Leather Genie was born. She became skilled at making belts, wallets, motorcycle seats, and other items, and particularly loves making one-of-a-kind handbags. As such, there are some very happy women and men sporting her bags.
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | gracia@theleathergenie.com
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | gracia@theleathergenie.com
After 13 years in the public and private sector as a graphic designer, Jessica knew it was time for a new endeavor. Utilizing her fine arts education, love of nature, and a healthy bohemian lifestyle, she dove right into purchasing a 50-pound box of soy wax. After months of testing, trial, and error she created her first batch of all-natural soy candles. After product design, photos, and selling those first candles at local craft show, CottageWicks was born.
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Etsy
Jennifer Thorpe Pallo of HicksterTees: Jennifer comes from a long line of artists, designers and vintage enthusiasts. She grew up at the Jersey shore, worked in NYC for 20 years designing everything from pharmaceuticals to circus posters and settled in rural CT to become a Master Gardener and create HicksterTees. She’s influenced by the many strange and wondrous things in her life.
Etsy | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | hickstertees@gmail.com
Suzanne Urban of Smirking Goddess and Suzanne Urban on Etsy. Illustrator, graphic designer and gag writer, she combines her talents to produce unique products featuring her home-brewed sense of humor. Fervently committed to her witty muse, Suzanne creates from her cozy studio housed in an eclectically furnished antique home where she resides with husband, maltipoo and calico cat.
Jessica Labowski of Start Talking Vintage: Jessica is a full-time preschool teacher and self-proclaimed vintage enthusiast. With one part creativity, two parts of a do-it-yourself outlook and three parts procrastination, the company “Start Talking Vintage” was born. Start Talking Vintage marries together her love for the handmade movement with her passion for collecting and re-purposing previously loved vintage goods.
Website | Instagram | Twitter | StartTalkingVintage.etsy@gmail.com
Denise Pace, sole creator of InDeeDesigns, is a jewelry artist primarily working with Precious Metal Clay. First discovering the medium in the 90s, the new passion led to the purchase of a kiln, and the creation of InDeeDesigns. Denise’s organic creative style is often inspired from her love for nature. She also incorporates metalsmithing with her PMC designs. As a result, her work is constantly evolves and grows in new directions to create enjoyable wearable art.
Facebook | MelleyNelson@gmail.com
Trish Nelson, of Melley Nelson Design, is an architect, artist and mother. Drawing house portraits gives her the opportunity to combine all three. The drawings are done of homes that are loved and have, or are about to have, many happy stories of the families that live in them.
Erin Egan of Pure Naked Soap is a mom to three girls and social worker by day, but at night she is a creator of body nourishing foods and skincare products. Diagnosed with multiple allergies, Erin makes most of her food and all of her soap and skincare products from scratch. Using whole ingredients that meet the needs of her body, she found that many other people were interested in simpler, truly natural soaps.
Matt and Jill Beaudoin carry on the family tradition at Mystic Knotwork by weaving nautical knots for weddings, homes, and fashion accessories. For more than 50 years, their sailor bracelets have held iconic status on the New England shoreline. Now, their work is available in a growing number of museums and gift shops throughout America as well here on Etsy. Matt and Jill are live-aboard sailors who also enjoy working from their shop in Mystic.
Hartford Prints! is a letterpress studio and stationery store that is all about family. We are
three sisters and a press, making pretty paper in our home city of Hartford. Addy, Callie, and Rory joined forces in 2012 to create unique letterpress stationery that is modern and fun. From stunning wedding invitations to offbeat greeting cards, our printing prowess, killer style, and graphic genius work together to make effortlessly beautiful designs.
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | contact@hartfordprints.com
Richard Kissel and Kelly Kennard of our secret treehouse: Based on the original cartoons of paleontologist and educator Dr. Richard, our secret treehouse features a parade of colorful critters. From bunnies to brontosaurs, the gang's all here! And so are their stories, waiting for you to explore. Their buttons, cards, magnets are created from as many eco-friendly components as possible. At our secret treehouse, science and whimsy collide.
Website | Instagram | Facebook | oursecrettreehouse@gmail.com 
Jeanine Dell'Orfano, founder of Solstice Handcrafted: Her focus is safe, chemical-free, organic skin care products and candles formulated from natural ingredients. She works out of her home in Middlefield, CT and loves making custom formulas for those with allergies and sensitive skin. Her background in health, medicine and photography have come together to create a holistic business that allows her to share her love of living simply and beautifully.
Website | Instagram | Facebook 
Bruce and Gail Barton are owners of Sea Glass Designs. They spend the winter months living aboard our boat in the northern Bahamas collecting rare sea glass shards. The area is rich in beautiful old sea glass as a result of numerous shipwrecks on the reefs during the early 1800’s. Their jewelry features old and very rare pieces of sea glass and pottery. All of their jewelry is handcrafted and made with high quality materials and authentic sea glass.
Website | Facebook | Blog 
Nancy Butler is a farmer, mother of three, Master Gardener and owner of Lyric Hill Farm. Nancy creates all-natural luxuries for bath, body and home. Her soaps and detergents are made from her own fresh, raw goat milk and organically grown herbs and a curated blend of fair trade ingredients. When she is not chasing escaped livestock or doing farm chores, you'll find her knitting linen washcloths. Her farm is open year round to visitors.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Denise O'Reilly of The BURNT Shop creates usable art in the form of hand-etched glassware and wood-burned kitchen wares. She adds her freehand designs to high-quality glass and wood pieces using centuries' old techniques. Pieces are transformed into heirloom-quality works of art that can be passed down to future generations. Customers can even bring their existing pieces for her added touch, making your own treasures that much more special.
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Little Bee of CT is a family-owned apiary in Southbury, started by Scott Priore. The premise of Little Bee: provide locally-produced products from the hive and educate customers on what we can all do to help support honey bee survival. All their products are made in small batches and include minimal ingredients. They offer a variety of honey and honey/beeswax-based products including beeswax candles, body salve, and solid perfume.
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Owner of Wren in a Willow, mother to one sweet baby girl, wife, teacher, and lover of nature, Julie Charry loves spending time in her home studio breathing life into her found-object Spirit Dolls, creating whimsical wildflower paintings and recycled nature inspired jewelry.
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Etsy
Jenny Fields is a fiber artist specializing in processing, dyeing, spinning, and felting wool and other protein fibers. An active member of the Connecticut fiber art community, Jenny is an American Sheep Industry certified fleece classer, a judge at local agricultural fairs, and an educator and speaker. Jenny's days are spent raising her toddler, and her nights are spent in her home studio, turning fluff into rainbow colored inspiration for fiber artists everywhere.
Website | Instagram | Ravelry 
Jillian Morgan, of &Morgan, grew up watching her dad hand print thousands of t-shirts at his screen printing shop in Bristol. It wasn't until after she graduated from college with a BA in Literature and few job prospects ahead of her, that she realized she had an opportunity to combine her artistic interests with her dad's experience and start her own business.
Instagram
Patti, creative director & owner of Patti Murphy Design Boutique has a love for art and design and a drive to create with a silly spirit and a serious passion for typography, patterns, and luxurious paper. This love and joy is shared in her Etsy shop and expressed through her artwork and paper goods. She is currently pursuing her dream of establishing a studio and shop located in Mystic.
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 
Valley Vintage is a combination of style from Jillian Lyons and Matthew Sensenig, vintage enthusiasts and partners in both love and business. Their collection consists of vintage clothing and items that they simply can't resist. Nothing enters the Valley Vintage shop unless both Jillian and Matthew see something special about it. Everything is hand picked and curated together.
Website | Facebook | Twitter 
Pinterest | Wanelo | Twitter | Facebook
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | goodforyouspa@hotmail.com
Brandon Ray has always had a passion for photography, and with that lifelong passion of photography he opened BMR.photographs. You will fall in love with his photographs time and time again! Brandon's photographs have been featured at The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, The Hartford Insurance Building, and Classical Magnet School. Stop by to take a look at his New England and travel photography.
Ruthie Sutter, the owner of ArtSmith, aims to create items that are meaningful, functional, and beautiful. She works out of her home studio with the company and support of her husband, two kids, and yellow lab, Bella. She is a functioning coffee-holic, hobbyist home brewer, and has a talent for finding four leaf clovers. Check out her custom pottery and other artworks.
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Etsy | ruthie@artsmithshop.com
As a senior in college, Alyssa Antonucci's dad was diagnosed with cancer, flipping her world upside down. The only thing that helped ease her pain was making bracelets at the kitchen table - a hobby once called “beads by alyssa". After he lost his battle, creating bracelets became her way to cope. Since then, bba has connected her with so many amazing people by sharing her struggle, and is her journey of spreading love through bracelets.
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Kerri Michaud-Bagley is the potter behind Heart Stone Gallery. Her love of all things art started in her childhood but it wasn't until college when she found her calling with clay. She believes that pottery should be made with both beauty and function in mind. Her hand carved designs are inspired by her love of nature and they add a personal touch to each piece. Contact Kerri for information on custom orders.
Etsy | Facebook | heartstonegallery@gmail.com
ShawnaLee Kwashnak loves animals, a warm cup of coffee, and bringing joy to others by creating portraits of pets and people. Her cats provide constant critique and companionship to ensure each portrait comes out great. She supports animal welfare and has been featured on Pound Posse Presents and Pet Talk TV programs. ShawnaLee is a mother of three, leader of two Girl Scout Troop.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | artist@shawnalee.com
Avé Rivera is a ceramic artist from West Haven, CT who loves color, animals, and smiles. She strives to bring conversation into the home, whether it be about something silly, like a talking donut; or something more serious, like caring for our environment. She loves working with clay and experimenting with different techniques. When she's not in the studio, she's enjoying an anime or trying a new restaurant with her husband.
Website | Instagram | Etsy | ave@averivera.com
Laura O'Shea, owner of Laura's Paper Creations, has been crafting and creating for over 25 years. She spends her days stamping in her home studio, with her havanese Shamrock curled at her feet. When she is not working, Laura enjoys reading, yoga, cooking vegan meals and enjoying time with her two children and husband.
Jaclyn Pare is the creator and mom behind Brimmer Boys. Her brand specializes in classic clothing and accessories for young boys. The name Brimmer is a symbol for where her young family began. Jaclyn lives with her husband and three young sons in Avon. They are the inspiration behind all of her work.
Website | Instagram | Facebook 
Ann Marie Drury, owner and artist at Sprinkles of Color, uses illustration, calligraphy, and watercolor to bring color to the world. When not in her little purple studio, she can be found building Legos with her two boys or in the garden trying to turn her brown thumb green.
Jane Berling has a B.S. in Computer Science and began her career as a computer programmer. She spent several years in the field, working her way up to project manager, before finally following her heart back to art. She now plays with fire almost every day, creating beautiful glass baubles which she then fashions into one-of-kind jewelry designs at Made by Jane Design.
Website
Tracy Kavanaugh is the photographer behind Lily Pad Prints. She lives with her husband, daughter and 2 cats. She loves photographing the beautiful flora and fauna of New England and has made it her mission to spread the love she has for nature through her photography.
Etsy | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Danielle and Cindy Kindschi are the mother-daughter duo behind Baby Blossom Company. Baby Blossom Company specializes in baby bouquets, diaper cakes and shower décor that are both unique, adorable and most importantly practical. When they’re not creating away in their studio, Danielle and Cindy can be found lounging in rafts at their cottage on Lake Hayward.
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
Persimmon Pearl features an eclectic mix of bohemian style jewelry fashioned from re-purposed vintage, recycled mixed metals and gemstones, and fair trade recycled sari silk, to name a few. Cyndie puts heart and soul in her unique, one of a kind pieces, and each one is made with intention and thought for the environment and the wearer....jewelry with a conscience.
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter
Growing up Kristina always had a passion for the arts, but didn't start out as a full-time artist, coming from a background in accounting. It wasn't until 2013 that a glass painting hobby turned into a full-fledged business including not only glassware but coastal souvenirs, event favors, tote bags, and home decor. Painted by the Shore creates goods inspired by our everyday lives here in Connecticut and meant to be enjoyed in yours.
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | paintedbytheshore@gmail.com
Erin DeLuca, jewelry designer and goldsmith behind Erin DeLuca Jewelry, creates fine artisanal jewelry inspired by nature and geometry. In addition to her own silver and gold collections, Erin enjoys working one on one with clients to craft custom wedding, engagement, and special occasion jewelry using precious metals and gemstones.
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
Ken Fredette of Ken Frets Comics is a cartoonist and illustrator who specializes in creating on-the-spot original artwork. Ken draws his inspiration from a variety of sources, including music, math, and breakfast. Ken and his fiancee love exploring New England restaurants, farmers' markets, art galleries, and concert venues.
Website | Instagram | Facebook | kenfretscomics@gmail.com
After 35 years of woodworking as a profession, Vinny DeSimone is now retired, and enjoys using those skills to create hand-crafted wooden toys. He has lots of grandchildren who have been an inspiration for many projects. Each toy design is kid-tested, and since he makes everything himself, can be customized to each child’s light. His toys foster creative, imaginative play – something he believes should be nurtured especially today.
Etsy | Facebook | vdesimone1323@charter.net
Kyle Gallaway of Inspiration & Creation Studio is a ceramic artist who finds inspiration from unique ocean creatures and intricate flowers, and attempts to capture the essences of their qualities within his work. He creates functional pottery and sculptures, such as suspended airplant pods. Kyle has two main goals: to inspire others to artistically express themselves and to create a lot of art.
Website | Instagram | Facebook | ics.kjgallaway@gmail.com
Jenn Humphrey is the owner of Everything Glitzy, a hobby that turned into a small online business. She is a self-taught crocheter and lover of DIY projects. She finds a sense of joy and accomplishment in creating something that will be enjoyed by others.
Etsy | Facebook 
Kaitlin Rorick is the mom and maker behind Heritage Rows. She makes classic hair bows that are crisp, bright and bouncy to delight the little ladies in your life. Inspired by the confidence, curiosity and joy her two young daughters brought to making art, Kaitlin gave herself the same permission to make and explore. Heritage Rows is the result of those wonderings - an attempt to make her own job, "a ribbon job" as her daughters call it.
Etsy | Facebook | Instagram 
Susan Borgen is a designer, stylist, writer and photographer. She founded her own design firm, creating graphic communications for corporate and non-profit institutions. In 2003, Susan began devoting more time to collecting and selling antiques, opening T-Party Antiques and Tea Room. The shop’s light-hearted spirit continues to serve as inspiration for her Etsy shop. All Susan's projects imbue verve, delight and her unique sense of style.
Etsy | Website | Instagram | Blog 
Erin Payne started Payne & Comfort as a way to combine her passion for arts and crafts with her love of small business. Working out of her home in East Hartford, she creates aromatherapy pillows, decor, and accessories to keep you feeling comfortable. When not crafting, Erin enjoys spending time with her husband and two Shiba Inu puppies- Dexter and Desmond.
Etsy | Website | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | payneandcomfort@gmail.com 
Stacy Anderson, owner of Sea Uniquely, began collecting sea glass thirty years ago during summer vacations to Rhode Island. The old bottles that had been tossed into the ocean by man were being returned to shore in pieces that were polished and worn. By seeing the beauty in each piece, Stacy has incorporated them with her silver jewelry
for all who share her love of the sea. Stacy can be found walking beaches, looking for treasure, or holed up in her studio, creating.
Lori Dziedzic is a graphic artist, farmer, mother, and owner of Flatland Alpacas. She breeds huacaya alpaca for their fiber and myotonic (fainting) goats - just because. From yarn to rugs to delicate shawls, all yarn is spun and dyed by hand with fiber donated by our small herd. To feed her funky side, she create colorful, textured kiln-fired ceramic buttons and beads. Lori recently retired from her 30-year stint in the prepress/print/graphics industry to focus on her farm.
Love learning about all ye Connecticut makers!
ReplyDeleteWonderful to be among these stellar entrepreneurs!
ReplyDeleteHow fun to learn about everyone's backgrounds!
ReplyDeleteSo cool to see the faces of my fellow teamies! Everyone's pictures are fantastic too!
ReplyDeleteI am brand new to this group and I am so excited to be a part of it! I cannot wait to meet you all!
ReplyDelete