Cottage businesses, crafters share wares at Maxine's

The main dining room of Maxine’s Coffee Shoppe and Eatery on Main Street in Polson was recently lined with wood carvings embellished with wood burning, bunches of crocheted beanies with fluffy puffs on top, and many pieces of art crafted from vintage jewelry. 

It was Maxine’s first foray into holding a cottage business and craft fair, according to Chell Little, who owns Maxine’s with husband Shain. As members of the Polson Chamber of Commerce, the Littles had been in a discussion with other chamber members about cottage businesses and crafters who don’t have a storefront. The Polson Farmers Market fills that void in spring and summer but winter is more challenging. So the Littles wanted to provide a venue for cottage businesses and crafters. 

“For (the event) being short notice, we had lots of customers,” Chell said. “The vendors said they did pretty well, too.”  

She said they plan to host another one in the spring. 

Three vendors brought their art and crafts to Maxine’s.

Sherry Hansen creates artworks by recycling pieces of mostly vintage jewelry. “But then I’m vintage,” she said with a chuckle.

Her art takes the forms of buffalo, horses, fish and deer and adorns coffee cups.

With small wire cutters (she’s worn out many pairs), Hansen dissects some of the pieces for individual stones or parts, but she may leave especially interesting items complete. She tries to put a watch face or sometimes a whole watch in every piece and also unusual little bits and bobs, such as tiny fish, starburst earrings, a miniature spoon and fork, or dog charms.

Riveted Feather owner Heather Dobson loves to crochet, and she makes beanies with a fluff of fur on top. The beanies are in both muted and bright colors, and she makes miniatures for Christmas tree ornaments or doll hats. Her display featured a lighted pink christmas tree laden with tiny beanies.  

Wood is the medium Eric and Misty Reinhardt prefer. For their business, Carve It Up, Eric is the woodcarver, and Misty uses wood burning and color in the wooden signs and ornaments they make. 

They showcased a welcome sign featuring marshmallows on sticks toasting over a flickering campfire and a variety of ornaments and smaller signs. 

    Eric and Misty Reinhardt from Carve it Up brought their unique woodcarving/woodburning pieces for a Cottage business and Craft show at Maxine's on Main street. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
  

    Sherry Hansen brought her jewelry art to the Cottage Business and Craft Show at Maxine's Coffee Shoppeand Eatery on Sunday.