Amy Douglass: 
I was born and lived my entire life in the same small town in Kansas.  (yes, say it with me... "you're not in Kansas anymore" lol) I came to Maine for my friends wedding 9 years ago and fell in love with the vast diversity of Maine and what it has to offer.    I always knew I wanted to leave Kansas at some point and when the opportunity arose, I decided to make Maine my home!  That was 6 years ago, and I have never looked back. 

Being artsy and creative has always been in my nature.  My mom taught me at a very young age how to sew, and my dad let me tinker around building things in the garage.   I'm a very detail oriented person with a little OCD on the side. (I blame my dad for that!)   When I'm not covered in paint, sawdust or seashells, I'm usually adventuring with my boyfriend Brian and our dog (baby) Miley.  We love to road trip, hike, bike and hang out on the water or in the mountains.  (THIS IS WHY I LOVE MAINE... so much to do!)

When I first moved here, I only knew a few people, so I worked a couple customer service jobs and then somehow the stars aligned and it led me to Maine Shellware and  Nicole.  I knew from my first day that Maine Shellware is where I was meant to be!  Nicole and I make a great team and compliment each other quite well.  It is definitely a team effort around here.   

Keeping up with all the aspects of a small business is hard, exhausting work and sometimes you go home and stress and cry a little, wondering how you're gonna get it all done, but then you get a email from a overjoyed customer or walk past a random person who is wearing something you created and it makes it all worth it!  Sometimes, I can't fall asleep (ok, more than sometimes) because my crazy brain won't shut off thinking up a new idea and it makes me want to get up the next morning and go try it.  Yes, it's still a job I go to everyday, but it is a FUN job and I wouldn't trade it for anything!

I get to make something new everyday, using recycled sea shells (lobster, mussel, clam, and abalone shells) so I can't complain that my life is ever boring!  Plus, Miss Miley gets to come to work with me everyday, so that's a awesome bonus. One of my favorite products is our interchangeable snap bracelets.   They are fairly new, but I'm in love with them!  You can change the different shell snaps from one bracelet style to another and literally have hundreds of combinations.  Of course the ones with the starfish are my most favorite!  ...I'm a sucker for anything with a starfish or anchor on it!

Nicole Klam:

I was born and raised in Bangor, Maine.  I love creating- sewing, painting, knitting, and most things crafty; and I find inspiration by going to the beach, the lake, or simply being in nature.

I started Maine Shellware in 2014 as a way to continue a business I worked for since 2008, while in college. The old company made silverware and ornaments and had a whole different process, but I loved the idea of recycling seashells and I loved how beautiful the end product was. I think that's about when I also discovered my love for creating.  Since owning it with my mother Michelle, we have taken our home goods line to another level, and added an amazingly beautiful, full line of jewelry.  I stay motivated by adding fun new products, and by working with our customers and making their ideas a reality.

One of my favorite products is our Cribbage boards (and jewelry obviously, because what female works around jewelry all day, every day and doesn't love it?!)

SHOP MAINE SHELLWARE HERE

Follow Maine Shellware on Social:

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/maineshellware 
INSTAGRAM @maineshellwareinc