What began as a stay-at-home mom’s small business selling handmade, bread-dough ornaments at local fairs has grown into a Marblehead institution, with thousands of designs celebrating communities across the country.
This November, Hestia Creations is marking its 40th anniversary, celebrating four decades of creativity, craftsmanship and connections to the places people call home.
Linda MacDonald founded Hestia Creations in 1986 as a home-based business. As demand grew, the company expanded into design and manufacturing, eventually developing 6,000 custom designs.
Joanne D’Alessandro purchased the company in 2005 after spending 37 years as a medical researcher. The career change allowed her to explore her artistic passions.
“While our materials, production and reach have evolved, creativity and craftsmanship remain at the heart of Hestia,” said D’Alessandro.
Hestia refers to the Greek goddess of home and hearth, according to co-owner Beth Ferris. She said it reflects what their business is about.
“Creating meaningful, handcrafted gifts and keepsakes that celebrate the special people, places and traditions that make a house a home,” said Ferris.
Hestia Creations offers a wide variety of custom-designed gifts, from ornaments to decorative accessories. Its collection includes AmeriScape ornaments, Nativity figures, Santas and miniature village buildings. The company also operates a retail store and Paint Your Own Pottery studio in Marblehead.
Hestia’s products have evolved over the decades. Its earliest ornaments were made from bread dough, followed by hydrastone pieces hand-painted by Marblehead residents. Today, the company’s resin-bonded marble-dust ornaments are hand-poured and hand-painted by skilled artisans at its sister studio in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
The company will celebrate its anniversary Thursday, Nov. 12, with the unveiling of the 2026 annual Marblehead AmeriScape ornament and the introduction of a new Nativity figure, Obed the Baker, along with accompanying accessories.
The celebration will also honor longtime artist Linda D’Addario, who has played an important role in developing Hestia’s signature pieces over the decades.
D’Addario initially sought a position that would allow her to work from home while raising her young child. Since joining Hestia, she has transformed ornament design proposals into clay sculptures. She also designs the annual Nativity figure and creates watercolor artwork.
“It’s humbling but gratifying to know my work has had a positive impact on Hestia,” said D’Addario.
Customers who make a purchase during the event will also be entered into a drawing to win a custom ornament depicting their own home, valued at $500, D’Alessandro said.
Reflecting on Hestia’s four decades, D’Alessandro said she is most proud of the creativity and craftsmanship behind the company’s designs. Looking ahead, she plans to continue developing new designs, serving wholesale customers and offering creative experiences through the retail store and pottery studio.
“We’re proud to be a business whose work reflects the character of Marblehead and other communities across the country,” said D’Alessandro.
The 40th anniversary celebration will take place Thursday, Nov. 12, from 4-7 p.m. at Hestia Creations, 13 Hawkes St.
