Where did January go....?

Did I just blink or is February already here...? And I didn't even have time to begin any of my New Years Resolutions yet... guess I'll put them off to next year and focus on creating great jewelry and accessories for you...

Here's a little of what we've been up to in the first month of 2010!

Thanks to everyone that stopped by to see our "Islands of Casco Bay" exhibit at Hilltop Coffee Shop. We enjoyed creating the pieces and displays and sharing a little bit of the history of the islands of Casco Bay for the last two months. So many great stories to tell, tell us yours!

We have a winner for our CHART story contest, it's a gem and a real treat but it's a gift so we can't share it yet, stay tuned!

We've opened up an exciting new account on St. John, USVI. If you're ever in the area stop by and check out Nest at the Marketplace in Cruz Bay. Within a couple of weeks they'll have a fine selection of our goodies on hand featuring St. John points of interest. They also stock all the essentials to adorn and inspire: bath, home, body, kitchen, tabletop, fine correspondence & lighting. We hope you can make it there soon!

With that we're getting back to work to bring you fine custom jewelry and accessories. Remember to get your Valentine's order in by Thursday, February 4th!

We'll have some more to say next week, enjoy the weekend!

Monday's CHART Story

Today's CHART story comes from Malissa of Massachusetts who customized a small bronze of leather cord with Higgins Beach.

Malissa writes:

Summer vacations at Higgins Beach began as an opportunity to connect with a childhood friend and her family living in Scarborough... our annual bonding sessions of beach, barbeques and the Yarmouth Clam Festival. Nine years later our vacation has become two glorious weeks in a sweet beach house shared with a growing extended family and visiting friends all enjoying the magic of Higgins.

There is nothing in the world like a communal puzzle permanently set up on the porch table, searching for crabs in the Spurwink at low tide, the annual Turkey Dinner at the clubhouse and the nightly "knotty pine tour." Babies have taken first steps, children have learned to kayak, teens have discussed the mysteries of life while having mad pillow fights (if only walls could talk) and grown ups have given in to true relaxation here.

Higgins Beach is the source of so many wonderful experiences and memories... it is our slice of Americana, our little piece of heaven. Thanks to Charlotte and John my beautiful custom CHART pendant will be a constant reminder of that special place especially during the Massachusetts winters as I count the days until we return.

Thanks so much...

You're very welcome Malissa!

Help a loved one through the winter, gift them a special gift for Valentine's, order yours today.

Wear your world, tell your story. What is yours?

Islands of Casco Bay: Clapboard, Stave & Cushing Islandss "Pastures"

Today we offer some history on Clapboard, the nearby Stave (any guess as to where they got their names), Bangs and Cushing Islands.

Trips to Clapboard Island were made by men from Richard Trelawney's fishing station on Richmond Island off of Cape Elizabeth. Workers would make small-boat excursions to Clapboard Island to cut timber and saw it into lumber. Guess what that used the lumber for?... That's right, clapboards. Providing an excellent example of Yankee ingenuity, the island quickly became know as Clapboard Island. Oddly enough, on nearby Stave Island, they cut barrel staves.

At one point Bangs Islands belonged to Joshua Bangs, you see where the name came from. In 1762 the island was purchased by Ezekiel Cushing for $2,300. $2,300 was an expensive price tag which remained higher than even some of the Casco Bay islands sold for in the 1960s! Upon purchasing the island, Ezekiel quickly renamed it Cushing Island.

Some time passed and Ezekiel sold the island back to Joshua Bangs. He renamed it Bangs Islands. Joshua's daughter inherited the island and married Jedediah Preble. Eventually, their son, the famous Commodore Edward Preble, father of the US Navy, inherited the island.

Commodore Preble then sold the island to Lemuel Cushing, a distant cousin of Ezekiel, and the name changed once again back to Cushing and has remained so since!

CHART metalwork's exhibit the "Islands of Casco Bay" is on display through the end of January at Hilltop Coffee Shop, 90 Congress St., Portland, ME. "Pastures" features a silver lapel pin featuring Clapboard Island, a silver tie tack featuring Cow Island, a bronze zipper pull featuring Basket Island and a silver zipper pull featuring Cushing Island. The jewelry can be purchased separately or as a collection with frame and story...

...or, you can always customize your own special piece.

Islands of Casco Bay: Pound of Tea Island & Great Chebeague "A Lone Tree""

Today we offer history on some points a bit more North in the bay, Pound of Tea Island, located at the mouth of the Harraseeket River, Freeport and Indian Pt. on Great Chebeague.

Pound of Tea

Now how do you come up with a name like Pound of Tea? Well, legend has it that's the price for the island. It's said the original settlers purchased the island from American Indians for a single pound of tea. The island is now inhabited by the King and Queen of Pound of Tea.

Indian Point, Great Chebeague

A single tree stands alone on the windswept barren point know as Indian Point. This is the fruit of the labor of a man know as Wentworth Ricker. In 1791 Ricker settled on Great Chebeague and planted a garden upon Indian Point. One day he noticed a tiny oak growing from his garden patch. He carefully tended to it and eventually it grew to be the landmark and seamark known today to all navigators in the bay.

CHART metalwork's exhibit the "Islands of Casco Bay" is on display through the end of January at Hilltop Coffee Shop, 90 Congress St., Portland, ME. "A Lone Tree" features an extra small silver pendant on sterling ball chain featuring Pound of Tea Island, a small silver pendant on sterling ball chain featuring Indian Point, an extra small bronze pendant on oxidized ball chain featuring Sturdivant Island and a small bronze pendant on oxidized ball chain featuring House Island. The jewelry can be purchased separately or as a collection with frame and story...

...or, you can always customize your own special piece.

Monday's CHART Story... a day late

We're a day late again, this time due to the long weekend, but this story is worth the wait...

We made a pair of silver cuff links as a very thoughtful gift for a man by the name of F. Lee Bailey... yes... the F. Lee Bailey.

One features Princes Point, Falmouth, ME where he spent some time as a child, the other the Massachusettes Cape residence where he grew up. They fit him like a glove, much nicer than the one made ever so famous in that certain trial.

He wore them yesterday and has already sold several pairs to a couple judges and colleagues. We're trying to work out a rep agreement but he's a very well skilled speaker and negotiator...

We're guilty of making great gifts for Valentine's Day, order yours today.

Wear your world, tell your story. What is yours?

Islands of Casco Bay: Peaks Island "Shore Dinners"

Today we offer a little more history on one of the more accessible Casco Bay Islands to Portland, Peaks Island.

Peaks has been enjoyed summer destination island for quite some time. Peaks was once a rendezvous point for Indians who went there for summer excursions and clambakes.

By 1850 William Jones had begun to turn Peaks Island into a tourist destination for day visitors from Portland. He turned his boarding house into a restaurant that served shore dinners. Guest enjoyed fresh lobsters, steamers and corn at Jones' Restaurant.

The arrival of the steam ferry to the area in the late 1800s brought a great tourist boom to Peaks. During this time Peaks boasted an extensive boardwalk, roller coasters, vaudeville acts, roller skating rinks and fireworks every evening.

The en vogue activity was to take the steam ferry from Portland to Peaks and take in a show. Ferry and show ticket cost all of twenty five cents.

Though today the boardwalk, roller coasters, roller skating rinks and daily fireworks no longer exists, elements of Jones' vision still do. Peaks still is a popular day trip destination from Portland.

These days every Sunday a great crowds coalesce upon Peaks to take in reggae at Jones' Landing, round trip ferry $4.10, buckets of beer $10. I've never seen a vaudeville act at Sunday reggae, but I sure have seen some interesting ones....

CHART metalwork's exhibit the "Islands of Casco Bay" is on display through the end of January at Hilltop Coffee Shop, 90 Congress St., Portland, ME. "Shore Dinners" features a medium silver pendant on sterling silver choker featuring Little John Island and a large silver pendant on choker featuring Peaks. The jewelry can be purchased separately or as a collection with frame and story...

...or, you can always customize your own special piece.

Find your way home... a CHART story

Hi there folks! Well, I know it's not due, but I received a "thank you" e-mail today with a picture and a great story behind a beautiful piece we made for the holidays and could not pass up posting today. Enjoy!

Just wanted to share a picture of the wonderful buckle you custom made for our 18 year old son. Josh has spent the last two years working on the Lily B out of Freeport Harbor. This year he will head off for college and we know he will always be able to find his way home to his family and the Maine coast when he has on his wonderful CHART metalworks buckle.

We thank you for your wonderful work.

Lisa and Tom

Looks like our belt buckle made a great holiday gift. Don't forget to gift a great gift this Valentine's!

Wear your world, tell your story. What is yours?

Islands of Casco Bay: Cliff Island - "Sunken Treasure"

Today we offer some history on Cliff Island. Watch out Johnny Depp, Casco Bay was once home to real life pirates!

Cliff Island was once the hide away for the villain pirate Captain Keiff. He lived alone on the island in a log hut. On stormy nights he would tie a lantern around the neck of his horse and would ride up and down the shore. Many a poor sailor mistook the glimmering light as a beacon guiding them to safety and misguided, would wreck upon the perilous ledges and reefs which surround the island.

The clever Captain Keiff would then salvage the cargo and kill any survivors. All his victims were buried in a grassy meadow on the island which is still know today as "Keiff's Garden."

CHART metalwork's exhibit the "Islands of Casco Bay" is on display through the end of January at Hilltop Coffee Shop, 90 Congress St., Portland, ME. "Sunken Treasure" features a large bronze pendant on sterling silver choker of Great Chebeague Island, a small bronze pendant on bracelet featuring Eagle Island and a bronze charm bracelet featuring Hope, Cliff and Jewell Islands. The jewelry can be purchased separately or as a collection with frame and story...

...or, you can always customize your own special piece.

Monday's CHART Story... a day late

Well today, Tuesday, Monday's CHART Story comes a day late but it's definitely not a dollar short!

We made a necklace for Kit of Christmas Cove. It's gorgeous, if you've never been, plan a trip. Christmas Cove is where Kit spends a good part of the summer, a place he looks forward to returning to every year to see his summer friends and spend time with his family. For Kit it's a place with many happy memories, sailing, boating, hiking, tennis and picnics. He wanted the necklace to help remind him during the winter months of happy summer days just around the corner. We're confident we accomplished that with his beautiful pendant.

A significant someone have a beautiful summer spot to bring them through the winter months? Gift them a special Valentine's gift.

Wear your world, tell your story. What is yours?

Islands of Casco Bay: Haskell Island - "From Rats to Cats"

Today we offer some history on Haskell Island. If you're a rat or a cat lover you may not want to proceed.

There once was an old lobsterman who resided on Haskell Island. He lived there alone with the exception of a plague of rats. One day the mainlanders noticed there was no smoke coming from the old lobsterman's chimney and they sent over an expedition to check on him. To their horror, they found him dead and half eaten by rats.

Two younger lobstermen, the Mills brothers, devised a plan to get rid of the rats. They brought a dozen of the meanest, toughest and largest cats from the mainland to the island. The cats emerged triumphant over the rats but as the young and foolish lobstermen did not confine their selected rate eaters to one sex, soon, the island became overrun with feral cats.

The Mills brothers grew to love their cats and cared for them as they could, however, soon, it became impossible for visitors to land on the island without being attacked by the vicious pack. The Owner of the island demanded the young lobstermen remove their cats but they would not comply. One morning they awoke and ventured to check on their cats to sadly find the whole of Haskell covered with dead cats.

An investigation lead to the discovery that under cover of darkness a brave soul had invaded the island and spread poison for the cats to eat. The heartbroken Mills brothers never returned to Haskell Island again.

CHART metalwork's exhibit the "Islands of Casco Bay" is on display through the end of January at Hilltop Coffee Shop, 90 Congress St., Portland, ME. "From Rats to Cats" features a medium bronze pendant on sterling silver choker of Haskell Island and a silver charm bracelet featuring Hope, Cliff and Jewell Islands. The jewelry can be purchased separately or as a collection with frame and story...

...or, you can always customize your own special piece.

Islands of Casco Bay: Little & Great Chebeague - "Innovative Caretaker"

Today we offer some history on the Islands of Great and Little Chebeague. These stories are more fun then listennening to someone not from Chebeague try to pronounce "Chebeague!"

Chebeague is derived from the Indian word "Chibidisco" meaning "Island of Many Springs." An odd choice for an island located in a state with only two seasons: winter and visitors. They must have been referring to springs of the liquid sort.

The first owner of Great Chebeague was Sir Fernando Gorges, known as the "Father of Maine," or more commonly in his time "Senor Gorges."

The isolation of Great Chebeague has been threatened from time to time by plans for a bridge from Little John Island connected to the mainland via Cousins Island, but, so far, the idea has never come to fruition.

On Little Chebeague there used to be a fair sized colony but during World War II the government took over the island as a recreation center and evacuated all the inhabitants. After the war it was abandoned and left to a caretaker, his family and a flock of sheep, no joke.

Under normal circumstances in order to hail a ferry the caretaker would do what any other islander would do, no, not buy a ticket at Casco Bay Lines, but rather, hang a red lantern. However, in some seasons the island was so shrouded in fog that the ferry helmsman could not see the lantern and the caretaker had to be creative.

Under these circumstances the caretaker would catch one of his flock and tie it to the end of the wharf. Naturally the isolated sheep didn't like this very much so it plunged around, "baa-ing" at the top of its lungs. Upon hearing this the ferry helmsman, who couldn't miss the lamb made siren, would obediently stop.

CHART metalwork's exhibit the "Islands of Casco Bay" is on display through the end of January at Hilltop Coffee Shop, 90 Congress St., Portland, ME. The "Innovative Caretaker" features a belt buckle of Great Chebeague and a key ring of Little Chebeague. The jewelry can be purchased separately or as a collection with frame and story...

...or, you can always customize your own special piece.

Monday's CHART Story

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!

Hope everyone had a great holiday season and thanks to everyone that supported us through the holidays and 2009, because of you it was a great success!

Please continue to support us through 2010.

Our Monday CHART metalworks story is about Jasper, a local Portland bar tender, who I am sure some of you know well. For Jasper we made a sharp small bronze on Leather Cord of Higgins Beach. Higgins Beach is where Jasper enjoys to walk his Egyptian Basenji Dogs.

Wear your world, tell your story. What is yours?