Meet Redemption Road Coffee, creators of craft coffee in Mead Colorado.

What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?
Our mission is what sets us apart.  We roast coffee with a much bigger cause in mind.

When you buy a freshly roasted bag of Redemption Road Coffee, you’re not just buying good coffee…You're supporting a cause.

You're supporting individual hardworking families all across the globe.

You're supporting my family in our mission to help people live more authentically both emotionally and spiritually.

You're joining a community of people with the desire and vision to make the world a better place.

Tell us about how you got started:
Aaron Harsch began roasting his own coffee in a whirleypop crank-handle popcorn maker in 2010. As he researched and experimented he began to perfect his roast creating a smooth, flavorful coffee. Friends would say “You make a great coffee!" and he and his wife would give their coffee as Christmas gifts. The Harsch’s home-roasted coffee was well-loved. 

During that time, Aaron, with the support of his wife Jessica, began a non-profit organization called Redemption Road. Redemption Road runs groups and weekend intensives that help men learn how to live in freedom. 

In the fall of 2015 a friend made a comment to Aaron in passing: "You should sell this coffee to support Redemption Road".  For some reason that idea hit home. Aaron started considering what it  would take to start a coffee roasting business.   That Thanksgiving, he and his wife decided they would make this a reality. They bought an industrial drum roaster, obtained the necessary licenses and opened for business.

Not only would this coffee support their own family, but they would give 10% of the profits away to help support Redemption Road and other great causes.  The Harsch’s also saw that they could support international families and communities from whom they sourced their coffees. This is why the descriptions on their coffees are so long.  They want you to know the whole story. They want you to know about the people who hand-picked the coffee cherries, and what they are using the profits for in their communities. 

What sort of things inspire you?
Excellent coffee with a cause;  seeing people gain freedom and healing and be the best version of a person they can be.

When do you feel the most creative?
When we are rested and create space and usually good music

Where can we learn more about you?
www.rrc.coffee and redemptionroad.com is our not for profit 

It is becoming increasingly frequent for art fairs to be juried. Especially with the handmade community on an uprise and more and more artisans and DIY enthusiasts entering into the fair realm. With Jackalope, we believe in our Jury to help guarantee a high quality shopping experience. 

What does it mean to be Juried?

Jackalope has a selection committee review each and every application. The appointed Jury will be seeking artisans who display a high skill set in their respective fields to help keep the content of the fair vibrant and interesting for attendees. Our Jackalope Jury is comprised of local community leaders and not just the fair organizers.  This makes it important to thoroughly fill out your application and include the best possible product and display photos.  Your application is your first and only impression on the Jury, unless they have seen your work in person. 

What exactly does the Jackalope Jury look for in applicants?

The Jury will be using three key factors in reviewing each application.

1. Quality and Aesthetic:
Jurors look at the quality and appearance of the work presented. This is where having good product photography comes into play.  Did you select your BEST work to include with your application? Did you show enough variety?

2. Uniqueness and Originality:
Is the work presented innovative and original? What sets you apart from the rest? Your artist statement can also help relay why you do what you do. Do not be afraid to really sell yourself!

Make sure to detail your handmade process.  Giving our jurors a view into your process can make the difference between them selecting you or a similar artisan in your place.

3. Branding and Sellability:
How well is the work represented? Do you have a logo or innovative packaging?

If you have done a fair before, make sure to include booth images or possibly do a mock setup.

Make sure your website and social media are up to date, as that is also a good example of how you represent your work.  

It is always important to put your best foot forward and we hope this inside scoop helps shed some light on the Jury process!

Submit your best application!
For additional tips on submitting the best application to Jackalope, see our APPLICATIONS blog!

Meet our Jurors:

Pasadena Jurors

Denver Jurors

 

We've seen MANY, MANY talented artisans of all types since applications opened in October for our Spring Pasadena Fair, and we can't wait to narrow it down to the very best to join the Jackalope community.  

For those of you who've already applied --- February 15th is the date applications are sent off to our jury!  

We'll be making official selection notifications by March 1st, so keep a lookout for our email notifications!

Meet our jurors:

MaryAnne LoVerme

MaryAnne is the owner of the Los Angeles County Store in Silverlake, the only shop dedicated exclusively to fine goods made in Los Angeles.  From artisanal food, to small housewares, apothecary to prints & stationary, it's a thoughtfully curated collection of crafted wares. 

A view from outside MaryAnne's LA County Store

Brent Turner

Brent is an art-enthusiast, with a PR, marketing, and copywriting background.  Brent operates the Campbells PR, with clients all over the arts realm: from Palm Springs Fine Art Fair, to several local galleries in and around Los Angeles.

A shot from above the Palm Springs Fine Art Fair in February 2012

Christine Haynes

Christine is a Los Angeles-based sewing author, teacher, and pattern designer with her own line of sewing patterns, which are perfect for the vintage loving modern seamstress.  Find our more about Christine, here: www.christinehaynes.com

She has written four books: How to Speak Fluent Sewing, Skirts & Dresses for First Time Sewers, The Complete Photo Guide to Clothing Construction, and Chic & Simple Sewing.  She has also contributed to other books.  

At Jackalope Arts, our mission is to bring community together and support local artistry and that doesn’t stop with the Jackalope Art Fair!  In between our events, we love going out and supporting all the other local markets and artists.   Plus, we love to shop and local markets provide a relaxed and creative place to do this with unique artists you can’t find anywhere else!

Last weekend, Jackalope staff spent Saturday afternoon shopping  & networking at the Artists & Fleas market in Downtown L.A.!  Artists & Fleas happens once a month in a small open warehouse space right in the arts district of DTLA.  It’s a chill, indie atmosphere with only about 32 vendors, a few food trucks, and plenty of shade under the open warehouse roof. 

In addition to shopping, guests could enter their dogs in a contest to see who was the cutest in a kids blow up pool, partake in a game of corn hole, or buy a beer from Angel City Brewery’s pop up tent.   All the while, a local DJ made sure we had beats to inspire creative shopping. 

One of our favorite vendors was Teysha, a company whose shoes and boots are crafted from traditional fabrics by artisans in under privileged countries.  Teysha provides income and pays for the studies of these crafters to provide better lives for them and their families!  Learn more at http://www.teysha.is

Teysha's shoe on display!

Haus & Home and Fox Boxes

Other vendors that ranked high on our favorites list were Fox Boxes, custom map flasks, Haus & Home, hand sewn decorative pillows made from silk scarves, and Brown Bag Books with their journals crafted from old book covers!   Check out this “A Family of Foxes” journal we purchased to write down all of our Jackalope Art Fair ideas!

Brown Bag Books repurposed journals!

Artists & Fleas has markets in NY, Brooklyn & L.A. but even if you aren’t close to a market, you can explore the Artists & Fleas vendors on their website at http://www.artistsandfleas.com/vendors

Want to recommend a vendor you’d like to see at the Jackalope Art Fair in Spring 2015?  Write us at info@jackalopeartfair.com !!