Islands of Casco Bay history of Peaks Island

Today's island story is about Mr. Bennett's Aquarium Cove. During the turn-of-the century tourism on Peaks Island attracted many entrepreneurs including Mr. Bennett, who decided he wanted to build an aquarium in the small cove on the North end of the island. he built a concrete floor and erected walls forming a pool with a promenade. Water was pumped in from Hussey Sound and the pool became home to small fish, an eel and a seal. Before the first ticket could be sold to the public, the eel ate the fish and the seal ate the eel and then died. The kindhearted Mr. Bennett despite this setback, decided to open the pool to the public and allowed all to swim for free.

Chart metalworks show "The Islands of Casco Bay" at Hilltop Coffee Shop (99 Congress Street next to Rosemont Bakery) continues through the end of the month.

Monday's CHART Story

Here's our CHART story for today. We made a beautiful Belt Buckle featuring Sanibel Island, Florida for a Boston resident by the name of Dawn.

It's a gift for her dear friend, L., who has a very special and splendid house down there that she shares every year, hosting all her rowing friends in the most glorious and generous way. Dawn thought the belt was the perfect way to say Thanks to L. and the perfect gift for someone who is so hard to find the right thing for.

Wear your world, tell your story, what's yours?

Islands of Casco Bay history of Little Diamond Island

A little background information on the 5 piece silver bracelet in the "Islands of Casco Bay" show at Hilltop Coffee. The bracelet features Little Diamond Island, Peaks Island, Hussey Sound and Long Island.

A Diamond in the Rough

Up until 1900 Little Diamond consisted of a single working farm. Over the next decade it followed in the footsteps of Great Diamond and a summer colony was formed. The busiest cottage on the island was the Nissen cottage run as a boarding house. The cost to stay for one week was $4.00 and included room and board. The Nissen family later became the famous bakers of Maine and New England.

Islands of Casco Bay photos from opening

Thank you to everyone who came by to support our show at Hilltop Coffee, and to all those who are heading over this month. We had so much fun catching up with friends and meeting new people. Was a big night for craftsmen in Portland. We are thrilled to live in a place with a population so supportive of creativity!

1st: ‘A lone tree’ Extra small silver pendant on silver ball chain $115 featuring Pound of Tea Island, Small silver pendant on silver ball chain $125 featuring Great Chebeague Island,Extra small bronze pendant on oxidized chain $105 featuring Sturdivant Island, Small bronze pendant on oxidized chain $115 featuring House Island

2nd: ‘Little John’s Drinking Place’ Stud earrings $115 featuring Bell/Gong, Small drop earrings $125 featuring Littlejohn Island, Large dangle earrings $135 featuring Hussey Sound

3rd: ‘Laying Claim’ Small silver pendant on oval bracelet chain $155 featuring Cousins Island, Bronze charm on charm bracelet chain $135 featuring Mosier Island, Silver charm on charm bracelet chain $145 featuring Bustins Island

Monday's CHART Story

Today's CHART metalworks story comes from Walter in MidCoast Maine. He ordered a bronze belt buckle of the Damariscotta/Newcastle area, where he has lived with his wife for 25 years and they raised their three children.

Wear your world, tell your story, what's yours?

Have a Wonderful Weekend and Ride Your Bike

Back soon, we are running between the shop and Hilltop Coffee getting ready for our exciting event tonight. The gang (that is us, our friends, and Hilltop Coffee owners/regulars). The more the merrier so please come.

It is warm enough to ride your bike over (hint you may want to since the show is supposed to arrive tomorrow night).

First Friday Art Walk

Please join us this Friday, December 4 between 5-8:00 p.m. at Hilltop Coffee Shop (99 Congress Street next to Rosemont Bakery) for our art exhibit "The Islands of Casco Bay."

We have been put a lot of work into this exhibit and are really excited about it. We think, and we have been told by the few who have seen it thus far, it is a really cool concept. If you enjoy art, jewelry, and history we think you will feel the same.

We would also love to see you, hear how your week or year has been (depending on when we saw you last). One of the best things about the holiday season are the gatherings, when you run into people at house parties and exhibits like this.