Sparkle Stories

Sparkle Stories
online audio stories for children and families

Yes, storytelling is still alive! And of course, coming to you from Vermont. Surprised? We’re not.

Every week Sparkle Stories releases a new audio story to subscribers. It’s simple – you subscribe or purchase audiobooks and get access to fun, inspiring and entertaining stories for the whole family.

In our crazy, connected world, Sparkle Stories is using technology to bring you back to a screen-free time. Partially unplug, give eyes a rest and let imaginations flourish allowing listeners to create scenes and images for themselves.

Interested? Listen to a story here.

Still not convinced? Read these testimonials. Buy for your own family or as a  great green gift for others. Have travel plans? Sparkle Stories also has accompanying printables for the Martin & Sylvia stories.

They were voted iTunes Best of 2013 by Apple for a reason!

On the 12th day of Vermont Christmas

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love sent to me

12 Deals a waiting

11 Darns a toughing

10 Mustard munchies

9 Wallets penning

8 Meals a training

7 Skida sporting

6 Girls a coding

5 Peanut Butters

4 Douglas Sweets

3 Red Kite’s

2 Laughing Moons

and a Fat Toad in a Maple Tree

starboard collection

Starboard Collection
Inspired Nautical Living

When you think of Vermont you probably think of mountains and maple syrup. Right? But there’s also a fairly large boating community across the state that enjoys our beautiful lake champlain.

The Starboard Collection is a new company based in South Burlington that makes “casual dinnerware designed with the nautical lifestyle in mind.” This new line is made from recycled materials, BPA free, non-toxic and best of all made in the USA! The full set includes a stand, tray, stackable, non-slip plates and bowls that are designed to hold the most amount of food while taking up the least amount of storage space making the set perfect for:

• your galley
• picnics
• small kitchens everywhere

Not only is this set stylish and good looking, it also comes in a bag making it easy to grab for any of your on-the-go dining needs whether on water or on land. Starboard Collection is launching March 2-5, 2013 at the International Housewares Association Show in Chicago.

We wish them bon voyage & bonne chance!

Put this “FRESH, FUN, SUSTAINABLE, STYLISH” dinnerware on your summer wish list. We’re thrilled they call Vermont home and think they’re one to watch!

k.d. hill knitwear

K.D. Hill Knitwear
hand loomed knitwear made in vermont

Looking for an original hat no one else has? And one that’s made in Vermont? Well, look no further than K.D. Hill Knitwear.

With colorful designs and a variety of styles, there will be one for you! You’ll find:

• cuff hats
• flat top hats
• round top hats
• mittens
• headbands

Even a line for babies and children ranging from adorable, cozy, colorful hats and mittens to sweaters. You can have a Danforth Pewter button added to a hat if you’d like – making them great made in Vermont baby gifts.

Worth noting is that this is a one woman show! K.D. Hill herself makes every single item! You can buy directly on her website or at any of these retailers.

green mountain mustard

Green Mountain Mustard
Gourmet Mustard Made in the Mountains of Vermont

These are no ordinary mustards. Not only are they rich and creamy, they’re also made in Vermont using local ingredients:

• Eggs from local family farm
• Butter from Vermont Cabot Coop farmers
• Maple syrup from local  farms
• Yellow mustard seeds from Clear Brook Farm in Shaftsbury

Every one of their flavors are distinct and delicious:

• Barn Burner
• Garlic Oregano
• Sweet Hot (original flavor)
• Wholegrain Mustard
• Horseradish

The Green Mountain Mustard story is similar to other made in Vermont products that got their start at local farmer’s markets – at their second market they sold their 24 jars in less than 30 minutes! That was in 2010. Today you can find their mustards in over 70 stores nationwide.

Dip pretzels in their mustard, smother your meats or fish with their mustard, use it in salad dressings or in any of these recipes! Good mustard can be used in so many ways!

How can you not switch over to Green Mountain Mustard? And turn on someone else while you’re at it. Can you say party gift? stocking stuffer?

flxit

FLXIT
flexible fun!

Inspired by nature and made from Kraft paper, FLXIT is a simple new toy that will spark  imagination at any age.

Pull it, twist it, wave it, slink it, sculpt it, stretch it, flex it and tag it. Wait? tag it? what’s that mean? find out here! Tagging it is part of the creativity!

Intrigued? FLXIT currently has a kickstarter campaign. Help them streamline production of this back to basics toy and bring this Vermont toy nationwide!

You’re never too old to play.

Find some fun with FLXIT.

stave puzzles

Stave Puzzles
Hand-crafting the world’s finest wooden puzzles since 1974

So you think you’re good at puzzles? Have you tried a Stave? You just might not be as good as you think you are!

In our fast-paced-high-tech-plugged-in world, these puzzles are a welcome distraction. Made in Norwich, Vermont, Stave Puzzles are works of art that will challenge you in ways you didn’t think was possible from a puzzle. As each piece is hand cut (yes, hand cut), by one cutter with one saw, it’s so rewarding as two pieces slide perfectly together. Not to mention that even getting two pieces that fit is such satisfaction!

Stave Puzzles are not your ordinary puzzles either. Not only are they made from wood (they’ll last), you’ll find:

• adjacent edges*
• empty spaces
• phony corners
• no photograph to help you

Take a look at their Teaser, Trick and Troublemaker puzzles! No wonder Stave’s boss calls himself the Chief Tormentor!

Every home needs at least one Stave Puzzle.

* “adjacent edges are whammy edge pieces which are two abutting edge pieces that look like corner pieces held together by a third piece.”

vermont smoke and cure

Vermont Smoke and Cure
Made from scratch in Vermont

Based just outside Burlington in Hinesburg, Vermont Smoke and Cure makes some of the best (possibly the best) smoked meats! They’ve been at it for more than 50 years, smoking meats the old fashion way with only with pure ingredients (yes, including Vermont maple syrup). They really do make everything from scratch!

Think everything pigs. Vermont pigs:

Bacon – 5 knives, natural thick sliced
Hams – uncured half steaks
Peperoni – smoked, of course
Sausages – breakfast, maple, summer, hot & sweet italian

When you eat bacon, or any other pork product for that matter, ever think where it came from? Vermont Smoke and Cure only uses Vermont grown pork from farmers who treat them well – living in open pastures and eating grains and legumes. No hormones! No farrowing crates! These are happy pigs!

Just like they say on their cool website, their meats truly are full of flavor and “Damn fine!”

With the holidays around the corner,  Vermont Smoke and Cure has “7 sweet and delicious stocking stuffers”, according to Real Simple Magazine. Our favorite – the Vermontavore Box!

Buy local. Buy Vermont. Eat local.

vermont brownie company

vermont brownie company
the gourmet brownie that’s down to earth

think about it, when’s the last time you ate a brownie that was not made from a mix in a box? have you ever had a made-from-scratch brownie? if you had, you’d know. they are much better. and how about a made-from-scratch-with-local-vermont-ingredients? ever had a vermont brownie company brownie?

if not, it’s time. not only are their brownies made from local, wholesome, farm-fresh, all natural ingredients; they are original as well. check out this list of flavors:

• apple blondies – apples, cinnamon, homemade maple toffee
• blondies – triple chunk – white, milk, dark
• dark chocolate chèvre – cream cheese with vermont butter and cheese chèvre. yes, you read it correctly – goat cheese in a brownie!
• espresso dulce de leche – green mountain coffee roasters dark roast espresso with swirls of homemade milk caramel. omg.
• maple toffee crunch – it’s all in the name
• peanut butter
• signature – dark, dark, dark
• walnut chunk – walnuts, chocolate chunks, sea salt
• white chocolate raspberry – seasonal

try them on their own or with ice cream. and make sure to spread the vermont brownie company love with:

• baby gifts
• house gifts
• wedding favors
• event favors
• brownie of the month
• holiday gifts

the testimonials are impressive. your mouth will be watering as you read. our favorite vermont brownie company moment in the news is their throwdown with bobby flay – it was their dark chocolate chèvre that got his attention – take a look – just awesome!

so what are you waiting for? buy a box of these homemade brownies today.

you deserve it.

zoë ink

zoë ink
custom letterpress + design

elegant. sophisticated. clever. beautiful. these are just a few of the words that come to mind as you look at zoë ink’s designs.

specializing in letterpress and silk-screen printing, zoë papas combines her passion for innovative design and old world techniques to create unique graphics for :

• logos / branding
• web design
• invitations
• announcements
• moving cards

take a look at the logos and branding created by zoë ink – they’re all aesthetically pleasing and effectively communicate the feel of each company.

she’s even designed cards for that very-famous-stationery-company-that-we-know-you’ve-heard-of called crane & co. yes. it’s true take a look at these cards. maybe you recognize one or two? well, now you know they were designed by zoë ink from right here in burlington, vermont.

there’s a great selection of her cards you can buy directly from her website. 3 modern designs, queen anne’s lace and the retro trailer are just a few of our favorites.

whether you’re a startup looking for an identity, or needing a new web design, or a newly engaged couple looking for wedding invitations or just like beautiful letterpress cards, zoë ink offers a wide range of graphic design. it’s not just the high quality of the letterpress that leaves a lasting impression, it’s the designs themselves that stay with you.

our favorite quote from her site, “satisfying customers is only part of her goal. she wants them to be thrilled with their final product.”

yes.