Vera's Iron & Vine to Reopen on Broadway in Farmington
A Locally Owned Shop Featuring Local Artisans
UPDATE 2/17/20: If this new location isn't exciting enough Vera adds: "I totally forgot to mention we’re gonna have cold brew nitro coffee on tap we’re gonna be the only place in Farmington that serves it!" :-)
FARMINGTON, ME
Vera's Iron & Vine, located at 127 Broadway, a Maine Made shop featuring over 30 local artisans and craftspeople, is set to re-open on March 3 and is celebrating their 2 year anniversary in their new location. Hours will be T/W/Th 10-5 Friday/Saturday 10-6.
The shop showcases 30+ local artists and craftspeople from around Maine. The new venture is co-owned by Vera Johnson and John Nichols. Vera originally opened the store at 155 Front Street in February 2018 as a place to sell her own work after moving here from Seattle in 2016.
Vera's style is somewhat raw and bucolic. Working primarily with reclaimed materials such as barn siding, tin roofing, and random rusty bits she finds around Maine that most deem useless – she sees as rustic furniture, wall art and garden sculptures with new purpose and a story. Her purchase of copper roofing from the Maine Statehouse Dome replacement kindled her newest passion for designing one of a kind, historical pieces of artful jewelry. After 22 years exploring steel (blacksmithing) and clay sculpture, copper is now a favorite medium. She says It's like a blend of the 2, warm and malleable. Vera's sterling and copper jewelry can be found at River Roads Gallery in Skowhegan, Belfast Harbor Artisans in Belfast, ME, Waterfall Arts holiday fundraiser, and Coplin co-op in Stratton. Some of her mixed media art and furnishings can be found at Salt and Pepper and Sugar too in Wilton, The FlyRod Crosby House in Phillips and the yearly Sugarloaf homecoming show. She also does local craft fairs in the Farmington area. Vera enjoys teaching classes throughout Maine. John says she has rebar in her bones and sparks in her eyes.
John has sawdust in his blood and splinters in his hands. For over 50 years John has had a passion for woodworking and for 10 years he's been supplying several stores across Maine with his unique product including Lisa Marie's Made in Maine in Bath and the Old Port, Attic Heirlooms in Damariscotta, A Serendipity Moment in Livermore Falls, Country Primitives Decor in Farmington with products and Cabinetry at Mixed Up in Farmington. John also sells at craft shows around the area. Pushing the envelope is an understatement. His unique approach and the ability to see the undiscovered beauty in wood that others would discard helps him to create visions of pure art, specializing in all things made of wood. Approaching his 6th decade he has settled into and found his creative stride.
Vera's Iron and Vine opens on the heel of the closing of the SugarWood Gallery, which was a mainstay on Broadway for many years. We hope we will help to fill the void left by that business. Our goal is to be accessible to a broad audience. We have items from $5 to $1500. Many of the artists have begun to collaborate and are now bringing some exquisitely beautiful and unique items to Farmington. There is also a workshop space for classes, and launching new collaborations.
Vera's Iron and Vine carries a very diverse variety of locally hand crafted items including, home furnishings, garden whimsy, jewelry, photography, cards, wearable art, plus creations re purposed into something new, fun and functional.
Local artists who wish to show and sell their work are encouraged to stop in and bring samples of their work.
Vera's Iron and Vine is an official Maine made store and a member of the Maine Craft Association and Upcountry Artists. More information can be found at www.verajohnson.net, or social media at Facebook at verasironandvine and Instagram @verasironandvine. For more information contact Vera Johnson verajohnson@zoho.com or John Nichols johnschipofftheoldblock@gmail.com.
127 Broadway Farmington, Maine 207-418-0374
Website www.verajohnson.net
Social: FB @verasironandvine/ IG verasironandvine/
From Vera:
Winters are beautiful here in Maine - but they can be long. Skiing and snowshoe adventures are a favorite pastime in New England. I think the immersion in nature contributes immensely to the interest in personal enrichment and creativity that abounds here.
If you have not heard we’re reopening ‘Veras Iron and Vine’ in a larger location and would like to welcome you to the “soft” opening and share what we’re up to.
I’ve partnered with John Nichols and there’s a whole lot of awesomeness happening!
If you’re willing and able to print this flier to hang in a couple locations in your area or forward on to people who might be interested we’d greatly appreciate it!
We’re very excited to be working together and having so much fun meeting established as well as emerging artists from the area, bringing our vision together with the desire to collaborate and support other businesses and individuals in the mountain region.
Thank you and I hope to see you soon!
Vera and John