I bought a defective clock at shoot the Moon. I called the number on the receipt for two days…read morestraight and I've yet to have anybody answer it. Also, when you call the number, the mailbox has not been set up. Make sure if you do business at this store, you check the merchandise before you go as it will save you a trip back to the store.

Spent some time in this shop this afternoon, and loved all the merchandise. I enjoyed the Christmas…read moreornaments they had, and we also appreciated the unique clothing they had. The only downside was that the store clerk was extremely disconnected, and seemed uninterested in helping us.

The Button Factory Studios are a collection of artist studios about 1/2 mile from downtown…read morePortsmouth. It's not the only mill building to be converted into artist's studios, but I think they've done the best job. More than any other similar building, when I'm walking through the halls of this place I just want to chuck it all and pretend that I can paint. Or draw. Or make furniture. Or maybe jewelry. You get the idea. Just being around all of the creativity in this building (actually several buildings) is habit forming and I want to be a part of it. Every year they have a weekend called Open Studios. Many of the artists open their studios to the public and other artists rent space in the hallways, and they'd all be happy to sell you whatever they've made. Since this is during the holidays and it's in a fairly artsy community, it's popular. Parking is horrible, it's hot inside, and you won't get anywhere in a hurry because of the crowds, but the stuff you'll see is amazing. I have no idea what the day to day issues of working in this space are. I don't know if the owner keeps on top of things, I don't know who pays the heat or picks up the trash. All I know is that this space is one of the coolest and most creative spots in a very cool and creative city, and there's a waiting list to get in so having a studio here is probably a terrific thing.

Nothing brings me more joy than being able to see what other loyal art laborers have for exhibit…read more The old button factory has since been converted into a labyrinth of artist studios (inspiration, color, and life around each corner). Once a year, the artists open their studios and exhibit their work to the public... ~~OPEN STUDIOS is usually the first weekend of December (2011: DECEMBER 3 and 4, 2011 OPEN STUDIOS! 11-5pm!!!) admission fee 0$~~ *Several of the artists offer classes (painting, sculpting, quilting, etc). *My favorite studios to visit: Emma Ashby (an increeedible wax artist - her work breaths life and brightness), Erin A. Ellis (an aspiring childrens book illustrator who has created this adorable creature: the chubbikin), Jen Murray (wonderfully talented photographer - - - great to keep in mind for wedding planning couples, or collectors of unique prints), Sarah Minor (painter of canvas floor cloths), and Roger Goldenberg (crazy awesome, 3-dimensional paintings!). *For SALE??!!! Yes, some works are a bit...costly, but these are pieces which will last a lifetime (and then another...and another). Spread the love, invest in art! Just when the holidays are shifting into fourth gear, it's a wonderful way to spend an early-December morning. Great (brilliant!) people, a unique space, and (of course) enough artistic eye candy to light your own wee inspiration candle.

Awesome store in the heart of Kennebunkport! I love stopping in here when visiting town and they…read morehave some sharp new Kennebunkport clothing as well!

Charming bookstore with a unique history. Buy the book, it is worth the read. Be sure to ask the…read moreowner about his dad!

This place is adorable! Saco is our new 'hometown' and I love that there is a small museum…read morededicated to celebrating its history. The building was erected in memory of a local's parents (I'm foggy on the details) and inside are great bits and bobs of information about this quaint little town. I love to walk through and see furniture, keepsakes, all pieces of Saco's history proudly on display. There isn't a charge for entrance but there is a recommended $5 donation, of which should be gladly given. My suggestion is to go and soak up all you can, but then come back around the holidays to see the Festival of Trees!! Locals can sponsor and decorate Christmas Trees and donate items for auction - the proceeds go on to fund the museum! Our favorite part is to go and vote on the trees and gift shop decorations through the holidays. This year our favorite tree was a 12' tree decorated with nutcrackers saying Merry Christmas in language from all around the world! It's a must see. Make your way over :)

The Saco Museum is one of those small local museums that are worth exploring for an hour on a rainy…read moreday. There's a lot of local period clothing and even a KKK hood from the days when the Klan had a presence in the area. There's also an assortment of natural history items,rocks, fossils, and things like that. This isn't the Smithsonian or anything, but it's interesting for a little while.

The Art association organized a wonderful art walk on Sept. 9th. What a pleasure it was to walk…read morefrom studio to studio meeting all the local artists! From Art on the Hill, to the Red Door everyone was friendly and welcoming. Thanks for the great evening!!

The Kittery Art Association is an interesting collection of artists and their work is displayed in…read morea beautifully renovated old building that's a bit hard to find for the first time. I'm enough of a troglodyte that the best part for me were the really unique greeting cards upstairs. There's quite an assortment of work, mostly paintings.

Cute book store which is far bigger than you might expect! Loads to choose from in many genres, and…read morethe prices are unbeatable! A definite gem for any bookworms in the area!

Awesome place! Mostly used books in great condition usually in the $4-10 range unless brand new and…read morepopular. We go here all the time to grab a book for cheap when we're on vacation at OOB. Nice people. Somewhat disorganized but in a charming way.

Paying a visit to the "home" of Rocky Mountain Antique Quilts is truly like visiting behind the…read morescenes of the Americana Collection at the Smithsonian Museum, with often brilliantly colored quilts at your literal finger-tips even though most seem to be well over 100 years old and actually to 200 years and quite possibly beyond. They are not secured behind locked glass as one might expect but, instead, are directly out in the open and very touchable. Therefore, realizing this, it is no surprise that a visitor is first directed to a hand-washing station and even requested to wear gloves before handling any of the quilts. The presence of fast-food ketchup and grease and the like on even well-meaning strangers coming in the door must be presumed and guarded against -- just like "behind the scenes" at The Smithsonian. My and my wife's experience was the same on our first visit, and on just scanning the magnificence of the collected quilts, we quickly and fully understood. As to the quality and the variety of the quilts available for viewing and sale, they are simply remarkable -- as is readily seen by the quilts offered on the website. The owner "Betsey" is a fount of knowledge who "sells" with truly verifiable facts and not just "creative writing" as do so many. I can personally attest to the precise accuracy of the descriptions and representations having both been physically a "guest visitor" / shopper on-site as well as over the years having purchased at least -10- quilts, all over 100 years old and most 150 years old, and more. EVERY one of the quilts requested arrived in a condition and with qualities actually better than described. She is also immediately responsive even to general inquiry, such as when recently I really needed technical assistance cataloguing and identifying with particularity -- especially regarding pattern variations -- as well as dating the ones in my wife's antique quilts collection. In short, I both recommend "Betsey" and her Rocky Mountain Antique Quilts absolutely, without hesitation or reservation, as the quilts offered have always been truly exceptional, AND I endorse their up-front directing visitors to a hand-washing station to protect the integrity of such rarified goods for both the visitor and all those interested in the same quilt[s] that follow.

Betsey Telford-Goodwin's Rocky Mountain Quilts shop houses a stunning collection of antique quilts…read moreand unequaled source of vintage fabrics with which she and her staff meticulously restore old quilts. Put her shop in her antique house in old York, Maine, on your destination list! Learn about quilts in her shop. She is an appraiser of antique quilts which she will do on-line or in her shop. On the spot, Betsey can expertly explain the fabrics used, designs, colors, threads, and dyes, all the while giving you a sense of the sociology of the period of the piece and the circumstances of the quilter. She beautifully restored an 1850s quilt we have had for many years, giving it new life, and us a much better understanding of its probable history. I was so excited I brought four friends to Betsey for a morning's lecture on early American quilts that left us breathless with wonder about the designs, the variety, the loving care, the history and inherent humanity of each piece. Visit this gem on the Maine Coast!

Collect artwork-paintings, fabric art and photographs- from talented local artists from New…read moreHampshire, Maine and Massachusetts. New shows going up as I write: "A Beautiful View" paintings fresh from the easel of Plein air and studio painters, the 41st Annual Jack Parfitt Open Juried Photography show. Plus, small works and bin items ready to take home both framed and unframed! I was just gallery sitting and couldn't resist taking home two such works! Three Birds by Barbara Albert and Turkeys and Farms by Marlene Sawaf.

An art gallery that's bigger than you think. Some interesting stuff and some that did nothing for…read moreme. Since I'm esthetically challenged, this may actually be the highest praise I can give the place. Seriously, add this gallery to your list as you're walking around town.