STANDISH – It started simply.
In 2002 Kari Kelley worked for a company that sold sandblasting supplies and through that business knew someone that sandblasted art on wood.
The Standish woman admired the uniqueness of the art but at that point didn’t consider doing it herself. A short time later a friend of Kelley’s began a custom granite countertop business and Kelley noticed there were always large amounts of granite left over after the counter was complete.
“I thought why not utilize a material that is already out there,” said Kelley. “I thought the sandblasting on wood signs was beautiful, so I thought it would be great in stone, too.”
Kelley started designing with her husband, Scott Kelley, out of her home; their first client was a pet cemetery in Saco.
“We started doing pet markers for people at a reasonable price,” said Kelley. “People were required to buy headstones for their pets and not everyone can afford that. Pets are a part of the family and, of course, people want to memorialize them, but sometimes they just don’t have the financial means.”
From pet plot markers the Kelleys moved to cemetery markers for humans and received an overwhelming response.
“Headstones and markers are so expensive and if someone passes unexpectedly and the finances are not there, they have no way of honoring their loved one,” Kelley said. “I couldn’t let that happen. In my heart of hearts I believe everyone deserves a marker and to be memorialized.”
As word of mouth spread, so did the business. In October, they opened Blasted in Stone in the former Fairpoint building at the intersection of routes 25 and 35 at Standish Corner and have become a popular place in Standish to buy a unique one-of-a-kind gift.
“Customers can bring just about anything to us to engrave,” said Kelley. “Granite, stone, glass, rock, pretty much whatever they want we can engrave.”
If customers don’t have a canvas for Kelley to engrave, they offer a variety of granite, rock and glass to choose from. Similarly, if the customer is not sure what they want engraved, Kelley is happy to sit with them and create a custom piece.
“I love my business,” said Kelley. “The personal stuff really means a lot to me.”
Some of the more popular gifts include engravings of wedding and anniversary dates, pictures transformed onto slates of granite, and trophies for sporting accomplishments.
Perhaps the most uncommon request Kelley received was that of a couple who had taken a piece of stone home from the Grand Canyon on their honeymoon.
“I think the Grand Canyon piece was probably the most unique request,” said Kelley. “They had us engrave the wedding date with a heart on the bottom of this tiny rock. It was pretty interesting.”
Open six days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Blasted in Stone guarantees a gift not to be found elsewhere.
“It’s something really special and personal to each person,” said Kelley. “It becomes a meaningful piece to the person, and that is really cool.”
For more information, visit www.blastedinstone.com.
With a large display out front, Kari and Scott Kelley opened
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