Maine Maven Giveaway: Annie|Catherine Bag

What better way to ring in 2010 than with a great big giveaway? This month's contest features the pictured French market tote from Annie|Catherine (a $180 value), the newest edition to the Westbrook-based design team's line. Annie Darling and Catherine Breer are known for their fine-art prints and calendars and their stylish stationery, and they've recently branched out with gorgeous graphic-print totes, journals, makeup bags, coasters and more. We're loving the new look and we're thrilled to share it with you.

Entering this month's contest is easy: Become a fan of Maine Maven on Facebook (www.facebook.com/mainemaven) and/or follow Maine Maven on Twitter (www.twitter.com/mainemaven). You'll get one entry for each, and if you suggest Maine Maven to your friends, you'll get an extra entry. If you're already a friend or fan, you can still enter (and thank you!). Either way, send us an e-mail at kristen@mainemaven.com to let us know your username and contact information. We'll accept entries through noon next Monday, Jan. 25. We'll announce the winner on Tuesday, Jan. 26.

Got it? Great. Now read on to meet Annie Darling and Catherine Breer and their marvelous Maine business.

MM: How long have you been in Maine?
Catherine: 17 years; Annie: 39 years

MM: What brought you here?
Catherine: thought it would be a nice place to live; Annie: my family moved here from Chicago when I was young.

MM: Tell us about your background in art/design.
Catherine: went to art school, then became a graphic designer for many years. Started painting again in 1997 and began showing in 1999.; Annie: majored in art and communications, and was a graphic designer for many years, owning several small design shops in Portland.
MM: How did Annie|Catherine get its start?
AC: Catherine was doing calendars and Annie had started making some cards and we originally thought we would just share some print runs and some of the costs of doing business. But after spending time together laughing and having a great time, it soon became clear that we should become partners.

MM: What are the core values of your company?
AC: Staying true to our creative ideals, giving back to the community and being green.

MM: Where do you find inspiration?
AC: All around us!

MM: Tell us about your new line.
AC: We are excited about our accessories: bags, journals, coasters and magnets. With our new catalog and products we feel that we have taken our business to the next level. We have created products that we are very proud of and feel represent some of our best work so far.

MM: What is your favorite place to visit in Maine?
Catherine: Vinalhaven; Annie: Robinson's Woods

MM: What other designers, artisans or craftsmen do you admire?
Catherine: Paul Klee, Sonia Delaunay, Kandinsky, Matisse. I am very drawn to color and abstract art. Annie: Frank Lloyd Wright, Scott Peterman, Sonia Delaunay, Picasso. Similar to Catherine, I love color and abstract art. I am also drawn to graphic shapes, line and form.

MM:What is your favorite Maine restaurant/meal?
Catherine: I love Asian food from my 15 years spent growing up in Korea so I'd have to say Miyake (the omakase is amazing). There really isn't great Korean food in Maine, I just make it at home.; Annie: Hugo's. I like different, interesting creations mixing unique flavors.

MM:If you weren't running Annie|Catherine, you'd be ...
Catherine: painting and I'd have a landscaping/gardening business.; Annie: I'd have a bed and breakfast or I'd be a therapist.

MM:What's next?
AC: More and better. We want to continue to live creative lives and do what we love to do.

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