Makers Guild of Maine
Our events stimulate all five senses.
Six if you include the sense of accomplishment.
Who we are:
The Makers Guild of Maine creates opportunities for people to come together to make & enjoy beautiful and practical handcrafted items, traditional music and locally sourced food. Learning and sharing these skills reaches across generations and backgrounds and puts front and center the forgotten pleasure - and sense of accomplishment - that come with actually making things - whether it’s a new harmony, a gossamer soft shawl, a sturdy fishing line or a blueberry pie. When we create beautiful, lasting and bespoke things from materials at hand, we are providing a platform for our families and greater communities to live truly rich, healthy and meaningful lives. Our initiatives draw on and invigorate Maine’s heritage and foster entrepreneurial development while removing the social, economic and cultural barriers that often put these activities out of reach. We strive to connect Mainers with each other, and with the larger world.
What we do:
The Makers Guild of Maine develops, coordinates and promotes events that advocate for creativity and community with a close connection to the outdoors. Our events tie in perfectly to the contemporary ideas about slow-movements, about returning to pre-internet days when relationships took more time, when we valued individual artistic endeavors just for the sense of accomplishment, not money. Our events are an homage to Maine, life as it should be.
Armenian Picnic and Klezmer Party
Other Events & Projects We Facilitate:
Wednesday at the Shores
What it is:
Wednesday at the Shores. From June through September musicians, cooks, makers and admirers gather for an evening under the stars or in the garden kitchen for an old fashioned picking party and community sing-a-long. Bring your instrument and take part in a guided jam session, bring friends and family and participate in a craft project or bring what you make or grow and sell it from your table. Music sheets can be provided if helpful. Wednesday nights, 5-7pm. No cost, everyone is welcome.
Please note: Due to Covid 19 concerns, this program is scheduled to begin July 1st.
Fiber College of Maine
What it is:
Fiber College of Maine is an annual festival celebrating fiber arts in all forms. Fiber College comes alive each year, the week after Labor Day, in historic Searsport, Maine. The sun is warm, the apples are ripe and we gather in the beautiful natural setting of Searsport Shores Oceanfront Campground. This unique, accessible park provides fiber artists, crafters and students with opportunities to spread over 40 acres for nine days of learning and sharing skills that cross time, place and cultures. We watch, talk, experiment, make beautiful handcrafted items, and take pride in our accomplishments and communities within its organic gardens, fiber animals paddocks, studios, concert spaces and on its private beach. When we’re not pursuing the joy of making, we’re enjoying delicious local food, traditional music, and gazing over the ocean into the star studded night.
Strung Together: Bluegrass & Old Time Music Jam Campout
What it is:
Strung Together celebrates American String band music and the cultures that brought us those traditions. Unstructured, informal and entertaining this event harkens back to a time when everyone had an instrument and playing on the front porch was as common as Sunday dinner. All players and listeners who appreciate old time and bluegrass music are welcome to attend this weekend of playing, learning, sharing and listening with some of the best old time players in New England.
Fiber Tool Lending Library
What it is:
The Makers Guild of Maine maintains a lending library of fiber arts tools...looms, wheels, fleece processing equipment, sewing machines etc. We recognized two things that are happening in our society: established artists/hobbists who need to shed tools that no longer serve due to downsizing, or a change in circumstances and there are emerging artists who need to try tools before making the significant investment that they represent. MGM accepts donations of tools, preserves and maintains them and then oversees a lending program of six months.
Stringed Instrument Lending Library
What it is:
The Searsport Carver Memorial Library administers the Makers Guild of Maine Musical Instrument Lending Program implemented for anyone to learn or try out a new instrument. The instruments have been donated by local musicians and community members through Guild fundraisers and outreach. They are free to borrow, whether you’re a traveling musician or an enthusiast who has always wanted to try a banjo. Acoustic and electric guitars (with amp), violins, a banjo, two mandolins, two ukuleles, and an accordion are currently available. Read more about the Musical Instrument Lending Library and borrowing procedures.
Luthiers, instructors, and quality instruments are always welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Makers Guild Events & Information:
