sleeping buoy

Annalee Poe is many things - an artist is one of them.

I knew that part. What I didn't know was that she's a storyteller, a poet, and a humorist all in one.

"Cheesy" was how Anna described her buoy to me. "Brilliant" is how I describe it to you.

A combination of a carving into the buoy, a poem, a custom lobster trap, and (the piece de resistance) a fired ceramic mermaid, this buoy certainly has the greatest number of components

I wonder if the S.S. Crustacean could save her from her dire fate? 

s.s. crustacean

It It kind of looks like it's alive, doesn't it?

Meet S. S. Crustacean, the first submission by Josh Eckels to an island auction, and (I daresay) very likely not his last.

Eckels, a man of many talents, moved here with his wife and mother-in-law (both of whom have also created buoys!) in Spring of 2011, and when they're not working or helping to meticulously renovate their old farmhouse, they make art.

Beautiful, gorgeous, stunning art.

With a fully operational propeller, rudder, and eyepiece, this little sub is souped up and ready to roll.

The detail in this buoy is to die for and you can get an up close view of it in the old 64 building the next time you go past!

langoustina

Meet...Langoustina.

A sassy little lady with a sense of humor, Langoustina is the newest creation to come out of the collaboration between Kitty Wales and Matt Miner.

Who knew a buoy could be come something like this?

If you want to know what the button on the back does, you'll have to stop by the New Era Gallery to find out!

lobster crate buoy

This buoy is bigger than life and has been created out of a piece of Vinalhaven history - an old wooden lobster crate.

Currently residing in the window at the Haven, Torry instantly identified it as Bill's - Bill Chilles, to be precise.

The lobster crate was one that was once used by Bill's relative, Clyde Bickford, as is identified by his name, carved directly into the wood.

Bill has a great attention to detail and really thought this through.

Bill is the brains and brawn behind the scenes at so many shows at the Smith Hokanson Memorial Hall...is there anything this guy can't do?

Check it out in person - along with several other buoys, including one that hasn't made it onto the blog yet!

dubble bubble buoy

I'll give you three guesses as to whose buoy this is....

I'll give you a hint. She's related to the artist who made the last buoy.

That's right! Our very own Rachel (Boyden) Noyes, owner of everyone's favorite stop for toys, penny candy, quirky home goods, and much more.

"Creative" barely scratches the surface when it comes to Rachel. She positively oozes creativity, energy, and a unique point of view.

She obviously also has a great deal of skill...

and patience.

Aptly named "Dubble Bubble Buoy", this one is full of humor and fun, just like the person who made it!

bordello buoy

Bordello Buoy... Buoydello ... whatever you call it, it's a show stopper.

Sarah Herboldshiemer (nee Boyden) has very few inhibitions...and it shows.

Can't you just see this buoy in the middle of the dance floor at the Outer Space band concert? Undoubtedly, that is where Sarah herself will be.

Accented with fringe, glitter, and bling, this buoy certainly wins the prize for "Most Eye-Catching", and as Sarah says, "just stick it in a window and give it a twirl - it's an instant disco ball!"

There was just something about this buoy that made me want to look up it's "skirt"...

Now the only question is: Who will take it home?

I can't wait to find out.

bee is for buoy

Heather White has done it again.

I'm pretty sure if I gave her all of the buoys in the first place, she could have come up with an unlimited number of great ideas for this project.

I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when Heather popped into Island Spirits and saw Britta's buoy, having just completed this one. These two talented ladies have such different takes on the same subject, but both uniquely theirs.

Ah, to be a buoy bee stopping to smell the flowers...

Stop by The Haven to see this buoy (and many others!) in person.