Castine Historical Handworks

Elite '09

22

46

Sam S.

San Francisco, CA

6/8/2008

I'm not big on kitsch, but if you are, and you're in Castine... Well, if you're in Castine, there aren't a whole lot of other shopping choices anyway. But for kitsch stuff, it's a nice little store.

Their slogan on their business cards says, "Celebrating traditional craftsmen," and inside the store you'll find lots of different flavors of more or less local (New England, at its widest scope) artists. There are beeswax reliefs, hand carved and etched walking canes, jams and jellies, jewelry made of washed ashore pottery (which I actually considered buying), photography, bird statuettes made from the wood of abandoned boats, and large metal mantlepiece ships.

I wasn't able to meet the owner, as she was sick, but her husband was filling in for her, and he was really friendly and knowledgeable. If you are tired of the endless line of Maine antique stops, but you're really into kitschy art, check it out, you may enjoy.

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