Built for speed, these benches, made out of materials meant to blaze down mountains, are now frozen in time.

And provide a pretty cool spot to enjoy fast (or slow) food.

They’ve come to a full stop right in front of Verve, in the University of Maine’s town of Orono. And are the fantastic handiwork of one of the talented employees – - Matt Miller. His raw materials came from friends and the Ski Rack. Sure hope he got a nice raise!

Known for their burritos, Verve is run by Abe and Heather Furth, (UMaine alumni,) and has been reviewed by the delightful MaineMaven.

Don’t waste any time racing over to see what’s cooking.

Verve, 2 Mill Street, Orono, Maine, (207) 866-4004

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Click on the images to go to the item’s Etsy page.

Above, QuenchMetalWorks, South China, Maine was featured on MaineMaven’s blog.

Fingerprint sterling silver ring, Fabuluster, Topsham, Maine.

Bookwright, Richmond, Maine.

Cassy Lain Totes and great key fobs on Etsy.

Building a new house in Maine lead to selling LampGoods on Etsy.

Etsy was launched in 2005 as an online marketplace to buy and sell anything handmade – - photography, jewelry, clothing, toys, art, beauty products, and edibles for a fee — $.20 per listing and 3.5% per sale. A tidy $10-13 million in sales per month are generated mostly by young people in their pajamas.

The Etsy Maine Team is a good place to start your Maine search. Use the tag “maineteam” in your search.

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Gary Akers’ work is on display at his charming school house studio and gallery on the St. George Peninsula until August 16.

His soft accent gives away his Kentucky roots. But he cultivates his art in beautiful Maine where he shares a home on nearby Rackliff Island with his wife, Lynn Rita and his daughter Ashley. They all paint the subject matter of Maine.

Akers has been painting Maine landscapes since 1976. And he renovated the little Green School House on Route 131 to use as a studio and gallery.

Egg tempura is an ancient medium that predates oil painting. It’s fast drying and permanent. It requires a certain skill, but offers a unique, very detailed, layered quality. And feels just right for Maine’s seemingly simple, yet extremely complex, landscapes.

You’ll find a bit of the Wyeth influence in his work. Or it may just be what Maine does to artists.

Gary Akers chats with John Dunton from Gig Harbor, WA about his work and the show.

This current show, at the Green School House, runs from July 25 – August 16, 2009.

The Green School House, Route 131, South St. George Peninsula, Maine, 1.859.391.2153

1.859.391.2153

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