Someplace Special opens for business in Shiretown

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
ARTS AND CRAFTS — Nancy and Donald Ellis have opened a business from their home entitled “Someplace Special” featuring needlework, knitting and other crafts.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Nancy Ellis and her husband, Donald “Bones” Ellis have opened a business from their home called “Someplace Special” located at 4 Madigan St. in Houlton.
    Ellis has been involved in crafting for more than 40 years.
    “I started with needlework and knitting,” she said, “going to cross-stitch and embroidery to woodcrafts and rustic items.”
    Ellis explained needle-work was “very popular at one time,” but has taken a backseat to other crafts.
    “Crafts have gone from being functional such as shelves and clocks to more decorative items like wall hangings,” she added.
    For many years, Ellis taught craft classes in Hodgdon through Adult Education.
    “The enthusiasm of the women who participated was the inspiration to develop new craft projects,” she said. “I have been involved with the Mill Pond School After-school Program since its inception.  This has given me the opportunity to allow children of all grade levels to do hands-on craft projects.”
    Traditionally, the Ellis’ crafts can be seen at the Houlton Parks and Recreation Department’s annual Winter Crafts Fair. Among items on display are original Christmas ornaments, designed by Ellis, and wood-crafted objects by her husband.
    “The special ornaments are painted, numbered and I personalize them,” said Ellis. “Each year, I have contacted the previous year’s customers with the next design coming out and take their orders for the present year.”
    The Ellises have fashioned angels, reindeer, bears and Santas. But, the most popular of all Christmas offerings are the snowmen.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
ATTENTION TO DETAIL — This cheery snowman is one of the many creations Nancy Ellis has created
    “We started with 24 the first year of the Christmas Craft Fair at the Gentle Memorial Building in Houlton and this year have done more than 500,” said Ellis. “These have been sent all over the United States and Canada.”
    Someplace Special offers more than just Christmas gifts, as they craft items that can be displayed in your home throughout the year.
    “Every year we try to find new items that will pique the interest of our clientele, while continuing to develop items that have been shown to be our best sellers,” explained Ellis.
    Through the years, what has remained popular for the Ellises are snowmen, rusty tin, slates, angels, banners, candles, clocks and lamps.
    “Americana, along with [products] honoring our troops, has continued to be of interest,” she added.
    Until recently, the Ellis’ had participated in a summer craft fair in Winter Harbor.
    “The diversity of our crafts has created a special interaction with our customers in many different areas,” said Ellis.
    Because of other commitments, the couple has decided to participate only in local craft fairs.
    The Ellises will be producing more new and exciting products for the year to come. Their items are on display in their home and can be seen by appointment by calling 532-3386 or at this year’s Houlton Parks and Recreation Department’s Winter Craft Fair on Friday, Nov. 23 and Saturday, Nov. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
    The Ellises continue to add to their inventory year-in and year-out because “the enthusiasm that our crafts have generated” and because the couple are in the business together.