Page C4 • NEW HAMPSHIRE UNION LEADER • Wednesday, December 6, 2017 Christmas Gift Guide

By MELANIE PLENDASpecial to the Union Leader

It might be nearly winter, but there are blooms about. At least there are at Under the Leaf Designs.

Founded in New Hamp-shire in 2016 by mother-daughter duo Mary Ann Masarik and Sharon Swart, Under the Leaf is based on the idea that making art can make a difference.

“We believe inspiration can be achieved by color, texture, design, pattern all

creating beauty to admire and wear along with the interior messaging we place in some of our bag linings,” said Swart in an email in-terview. “Our intention is to inspire and to help woman renew and transform them-selves and ‘BE’come their very best.”

After spending a year working on designs, the artists are in their full first season and are kicking it off by launching a line of artisan bags all designed and made right here in New

Hampshire. “We still consider our-

selves to be emerging art-ists, though over the years both of us have always kept active on the side of our day jobs, always doing some-thing in the arts,” Swart said.

Using their talentsMasarik was trained in

Icon painting and has also worked in oil painting, acrylics and print mak-ing. Meanwhile, Swart has always had a passion for pattern design and fabrics and has done weaving, acrylic and oil painting, as well as batiking. She is also

a self-taught pattern maker and seamstress, which she’s used to design and make everything from wedding dresses to women’s clothing and men’s suits. Which is funny considering her “day jobs” have included hold-ing senior management position in the corporate engineering/legal fields.

“Having that kind of experience really laid the groundwork for our busi-ness,” Swart said. “During my tenure in the corporate world, not only did I gain incredible varied experi-ence, on the flip side I saw so many jobs being out-

sourced here in New Hamp-shire and across the country with tremendously talented people not being utilized to their highest potential.”

She said seeing that first-hand had such an impact that she eventually reached a point of deciding she had to make a change.

“I wanted meaningful work using our talents and wanted to find a way to give back and create opportuni-ties for people while inspir-ing them,” she said.

To do that, she and her mom attended the NY Sur-tex show for surface design-ers from all over the world. At this show, artists, art agents, licensing agencies and licensors connect with manufacturers, retailers and licensees to create the next best-selling products in every category imaginable.

“We got great exposure to the opportunities in home décor, furnishings, apparel and accessories using cus-tom designed fabric prints,” she said. “After seeing this show, we realized that with our talent we could create our own artwork for prod-ucts.”

So mom and daughter started painting. At the same time, they started schooling themselves in the latest technology, tools and software required to turn paintings into patterns, Swart said.

Furthermore, Swart attended an online inter-national program out of London for the business in pattern design and print.

“Our work is now just beginning to blossom,” she said, pun most surely intended. “We have been working in the studio on not just patterns but on many prints that are going to be coming out on products in the next several months.”

She said their offerings include embroidered bags, custom printed leather bags, and their most popu-lar painted bag prints. The latter involves hand paint-

ing in acrylics, oils or mixed media the designs which are then printed on velvets, cottons and linen canvas before they manufacture them.

‘Be Mindful’When all is said and done,

Swart said they are guided by the belief that, “What you think about, you become.”

“Your thoughts con-trol your body, mind and spirit and can change your life,” she said. “We believe ultimate health comes from staying conscious and aware of your daily thought pattern and breaking nega-tive or limited thinking.”

To that end, some of their bags have lining themes or quotes to help the wearer do just that.

“We have a series of dif-ferent bag linings including ‘Be Mindful’ and ‘Be Love,’ which focuses on remind-ing you to care and do an act of kindness, which our world really needs right now.”

Not your every-day bagSwart said they try to be

diverse in their designs in order to appeal to a wide age range of customers. That means their designs include everything from classic and traditional, to modern, to conservative, to very bright.

Swart also anticipates introducing a line of scarves with bags to match by mid-December.

The Under the Leaf bags range from $35 to $150. Swart also pointed out that they try to employ local seamstresses and business partners wherever they can in order to keep work and money in the community. They also contribute 10 per-cent of each product sold on their website to selected charities.

For more information on Under the Leaf Designs, visit their website at Under-theLeafDesigns.com or call 400-1186.

Mother-daughter team create pattern for success

CoUrteSy/UnDer the Leaf DeSignS

a sampling of bags created by Under the Leaf Designs, run by mother-daughter team Mary ann Masarik and Sharon Swart.

JJUnder the Leaf Designs: Ladies create their own artwork for their products: embroidered bags, custom printed leather bags, and painted bag prints.

Pure NH Maple Syrup, Candy, Cream & SugarAvailable Year Round

Open Weekends & Selected Hours thru XmasVisit our website for details and events

www.folsomsugarhouse.com or call us 603-370-0908

130 Candia Road, Chester, NH

Folsom’sFolsom’s SUGAR HOUSE

1 9 1 5

G O L F C L U B / W O L F E B O R O

KingswoodNon KGC Member Dues:

Non Memberships:

s:s:s:s:s:

s:s:s:s:s:

$300 ($30hr. rental/7 day advance

reservations/guests 2x’s per mos.)$38 per hour/3 day advance reservations

NEW This Year – Winter

Golf Simulators!

Projected hours of operation starting 12/6 are:

• Wednesday & Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Memberships or Hourly Rates available

To download your application or book,

please use our online portal at

kingswoodgolfclub.com

569-3524

A Gift Certificate From Serendipity Day Spa

May Cause Quite a Reaction!

The Serendipity Day Spa Gift Certificate.Elegantly gift boxed and ready for giving in any

amount. Order Gift Certificates instantly online at www.SerendipityDaySpa.com

23 Sheep Davis Rd (Rte. 106) Concord | 229-0400 | SerendipityDaySpa.com

Facials • Spa Packages • Massages • Manicures • Pedicures Hair Removal • Organic Spray Tanning • Float Therapy

1179

60

Get them what they really want.

A Gift Card for Art Classes!(Adult & Kids Classes Available)

411 Nashua Street, Milford, NH 03055

603.672.2500 • www.CreativeVenturesFineArt.com

Interlakes Summer Theatre

Call 707-6035interlakestheatre@gmail.com

Give the Gift ofprofessional theatre

this holiday

Gift Certificates &Season Passes

make aMemorable Gift to

Fit Any Budget!

Our 2018 SeasonEvita

ShowboatLa Cage Aux Folles

Newsies

INTE

RLA

KES S

UMMER THEATR

E

PROFESSIONAL THEATRE IN THE L

AKES

REG

ION

Many Specials Going on Now!

Many Specials Going on Now!

B ICKFORD ’ S B ICKFORD ’ S SPORT CENTER SPORT CENTER

M on. - Thur. 8am - 5pm, Fri. 8am - 6pm, Sat. 8am - 1pm, Closed Sunday

1664 Dover Road, Route 4, Epsom, NH • 736-9050 • www.bickfordssportcenter.com

SALES • SERVICE • PARTS

For all the Snowmobilers on your Christmas list...

Come and check out the all new 2018

2018 SKI-DOO ENDURO 900 ACE

2018 SKI-DOO MX-Z SPORT 600 ACE

2018 SKI-DOO BLIZZARD 850

• Helmets • Apparel • Helmets • Apparel

• Accessories • Accessories

• Boots & Gloves • Boots & Gloves

Sale starting Nov. 24 th

®TM and the BRP logo are trademarks of Bombardier recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates.

2018 SKI-DOO RENEGADE 1200

2018 SKI-DOO TUNDRA LT 550F

OVER 100 DESIGNERCOLLECTIONSOF CLOTHINGJEWELRY & GIFTS

NH’s BEST of the BEST BOUTIQUE

One Stop Shopping for theWomen in Your Life.

13 N Main StreetConcord, NHOpen 7 Days603-228-1101clothingNH.com

BEST OF THE BEST

13 Warren Street Concord, New Hampshire 603-225-2591832 Elm Street Manchester, New Hampshire 603-218-3885

Granite StateCandy Shoppe

Since 1927

$5.00 flat rate ground shipping

103712

www.GraniteStateCandyShoppe.comDiscounts available based on quantity

Granite State Candy Shoppe features

a wide variety of Corporate Gift ideas.

Gourmet Chocolates, Freshly Roasted Nuts

and other delights are the perfect way to

show your appreciation this holiday season.

Visit our website to see our fine selection

or call us for more information.

mpshire 603-225-2591New Hamp

rmatioation.

mp

m

mpsh

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

103712

Make New Family Traditions

Cut Your Own Trees,

Horse Drawn Rides,

Fresh Wreaths,

Gift Shops & More!

Open 10am-4:00pmNovember 18th - December 24th

4 Christmas Lane, Bethlehem, NH603-444-6228