By Kathryn Skelton,Staff Writer

BUCKFIELD – A 10-year-old business here has closed its doors.

Island Elements and Maine Wood Artisans, which specialized in upscale, wooden children’s furniture, saw fewer orders this summer, owner Melissa Norton said Tuesday.

“The company itself has been completely annihilated by the economy,” she said. “We couldn’t afford to keep the place going anymore.”

Norton’s Island Elements design firm bought the former Sebago Wood Products in 1999. Its furniture has been featured in the Eddie Bauer Home catalog and Pottery Barn Kids catalog. Pieces were handmade from hardwood and hand-painted.

She said her manager for daily operations is contacting customers with orders in progress to tell them how those orders will be handled. Restarting the business is not in Norton’s plans; the manufacturing space was rented.

Seven workers have been laid off. The company had employed more people when business was strong.

“I’ve been supporting several families for many, many years. That’s the hardest thing, letting them down,” Norton said. “There’s always a human side to a business failing.”