How did you come up with the name Muddy Mouth?

The cards started out *not* dirty (because my mom wasn't on board with profanity) so they were slightly watered down versions of what I truly wanted. Watered down dirt = mud, which turned into Muddy Mouth Cards.

Clever! How did you get your start?

I previously worked at a scrapbook company as a designer and had TONS of supplies I wasn't using. I started using them up to make snarky cards and eventually sold some on Etsy.

Great idea. What is your favorite part of the maker process?

Love the writing. Especially when I get time to tackle a new subject that I don't have content for yet. Pride, Minnesota, Pet Death, Covid...all categories I've had to work hard at making funny. The challenge is fun and rewarding when others think they're funny.

What inspires you to create?

Customers sometimes request new material but usually it stems from me personally needing a card in my own life and realizing I don't quite have the right one in the assortment..

Do you have a favorite item you have made?

So hard to pick one fave but I like the card that says "Another year of being pretty fucking awesome. Happy Birthday" because I like profanity and kindness together.

What’s a typical day like for you in the studio?

I do everything from writing and designing, shipping wholesale orders, accounting, marketing through emails and social media....so there isn't a lot of typical days. They're all different and I love that. I'm grateful to have a team of 5 moms that help hand make each card, help with shipping customer orders and graphic designing, so I also spend time communicating and prepping work for my team as well.

What do you love most about Minnesota?

The people. The community here has been so wonderful in supporting small businesses. I love to see more women and minority-owned businesses thriving in the community too.

Yes we agree! What did you miss most about in person events now that events are picking back up again?

Not being able to hear people laugh at the cards was a major bummer. It helps me gauge new content when I see it out in the world and it just feels good to hear groups of people laughing in the booth.

Yes a great way to confirm your work! What will you be bringing to Jackalope?

Cards. So. Many. Cards. Plus some koozies and tote bags and stickers and a few other surprises.

Anything special you would like to add?

We are proud to have invested in being eco-friendly. All our paper and envelopes are recycled and locally sourced. Plus the sleeves each card come in are plant-based and compostable. We also use recycled shipping boxes and envelopes!

FUN! We can’t wait to see you in person this September 10th & 11th for Jackalope Minneapolis!

Where to see more of Muddy Mouth Cards:

Website | https://muddymouthcards.com/

Instagram | @muddymouthcards

Do you have a story behind your company name?

At the close of 2016, when darkness fell across the land, we felt compelled to start a social action fashion sock brand that could empower people invested in making real, positive change. The company’s name then really just kind of fell in our lap so to speak.

Tell us how you got your start?

We already had a rudimentary knowledge of knitting which turned out to be pretty crucial. We then spent about a few thousand hours on Google. Took a crash course in Adobe Illustrator and here we are!

Just goes to show that it is never too late to learn a new skill! Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

Seeing things come full circle. From the initial brainstorm, to sock drop, and then finally seeing our customers faces light up. Priceless.

What inspires you to create?

We definitely view the sock as our canvas. We are inspired by the social causes themselves but a premium is placed on creating something entirely unique. Sometimes entirely unique can be completely bizarre. Our dog’s bad behavior is pretty inspiring as well.

Too funny! Do you have a favorite item you have made?

That’s a toughie. Can you really have a favorite child? But if we had to choose I think we’d pick “Poppysock” and “Blue”.

What’s a typical day like for you in the studio?

When we’re working on a design it's definitely a team process. Digitizing a handmade drawing can be thrilling but it is a slow process. Socks are not created quickly.

I would believe that! What do you love most about Minnesota?

That’s easy! Sub-zero temperatures. We’re kidding, of course. It’s the people! We have a quirky, offbeat sense of humor that seems to resonate with Minnesotans.

What did you miss most about in person events now that events are picking back up again?

Our customers! We’ve found that not only are FGS customers passionate, they are a wisecracking lot. They most definitely get the joke. We have heard too many cat vomit stories to count.

What will you be bringing to Jackalope?

Everything we have. Our entire line currently consists of 10 unique designs.

We can’t wait to see you in person this September 10th & 11th for Jackalope Minneapolis!

Where to see more of For Goodness Socks:

Website | www.forgoodnesssocks.com

Instagram | @4goodnesssocks

Do you have a story behind your company name?

P&TY is Granola Bars that say Please & Thank You! Our name and the names of all our products are just little reminds of the power of manners.

Love that! Tell us how you got your start?

My name is Brit Williams, I live in beautiful Minnesota with my husband (Trevor), two kids (Oakley and Lennox) and our dog, Tillie. I started making these granola bars in 2015 from our home. I didn’t like the ingredients in the bars my husband, Trevor, was eating and I wanted a new snack that was nutrient packed without all the additives. So, I developed my own recipe for a bar that he would eat, and I knew was good for me, while tasting good.
For the next few years, I made them for our home and brought them to all my events (I’m also a full-time event manager) to share with the staff as a piece of homemade energy goodness.
At one of my events earlier in 2019, for a nationwide natural food store, the staff raved about them and said I should sell them! So began this little journey of creating granola bars for all of you in hopes that you like them as much as I do!

That is awesome! Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

The customers, hands down, the people make this all worth it. I love the business side of things and putting my energy into a product that has a purpose, but when a customer loves what I do and really resonates with it, it gives me so much energy!

What inspires you to create?

The mission of our company - I want to remind people the power of manners and respect. I want to remind us all that even when we don’t care for someone we can still show them respect and through that respect we can strengthen our community. Granola Bars are a fun, easy, daily way to share an important message. My products are specially crafted in a way to be inherently good for you - whole ingredients, well-balanced, and packaged in an earth-friendly way. It’s full circle: take care of yourself, be mindful of your community, think about your earth. They are simply a daily reminder of that.

Do you have a favorite item you have made?

The Pardon Me granola bar - it was the original granola bar and how this all started. It's by far the favorite in our house, my husband and son eat one every day. It is also one of our best sellers. It has great balance, nutrition and can be eaten any time of the day.

What do you love most about Minnesota?

The four seasons! I love that the weather changes and there's different things to look forward to in each season.

Anything special you would like to add?

Our products are made with gluten-free, whole ingredients, including nut butters that we make ourselves. They are the perfect snack for kids and adults that are on the go. When you bite into one of our chewy bars, it will taste delicious and fill you up with all the right nutrients. Beyond how good they taste; our products are an invitation to act with respect. We name all of them after manners to spread kindness and remind people that even though we may not agree with each other we can still respect each other as humans. Our mission is to make loyal fans who eat our products every day and in turn, every day invited to act with respect and make a difference.

We can’t wait to see you in person this September 10th & 11th for Jackalope Minneapolis!

Where to see more of P&TY Granola:

Website | ptygranolacompany.com

Instagram | @ptygranolaco

Do you have a story behind your company name?

Yes! HINDES is the Old English spelling of my married name, Hynes. Historically, the name was given to families responsible for tending deer and it means "female european red deer.” You'll see a subtle nod to this within our logo, an H with deer ears.

That is so cool! Tell us how you got your start?

I've made my own skincare products using minimal, natural ingredients nearly my entire life. My products have been well-loved by family and friends. During the 2020 pandemic, I added CBD to my products for enhanced wellness and mood-boosting. By October 2021, I decided to make a business out of it!

We love what CBD can do for the body. Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

My favorite part is creating new aromatherapy blends! Essential oils have tons of uses and layering them in different proportions can really change the scent profile. Testing new blends is my creative outlet.

Fun! Can you tell us what a typical day is like in the studio for you?

Notebooks galore! I make note of product recommendations and favorite scents that people have mentioned. From there, I review the healing properties of ingredients that would be best suited for the product I'm interested in creating. I'll write up several recipes to test. The fun part is the product testing! I'll fine-tune a recipe over several weeks until it is just right.

What inspires you to create?

Thinking of useful applications of ingredients, such as essential oils and CBD, inspires me to create. There's lots of room to play with aromatherapy profiles, types of products, and even how to use or apply certain products. My goal is to go beyond traditional avenues and to think differently!

Do you have a favorite item you have made?

My favorite product is the HINDES Skin Soother Body Spray. It's heavenly! While it's great throughout the year to moisturize dry, dull skin, it is specifically designed for after-sun skincare. It smells amazing - a mix of rose, lavender, and a hint of peppermint. The Skin Soother eases inflamed and irritated skin while adding a ton of moisture and it's light enough to layer under serums and lotions.

A must have for the lake days! Speaking of lakes, what do you love most about Minnesota?

Minnesota is an absolutely gorgeous state year-round, including all the lakes, hiking and biking trails, and even ice caves to explore!

What will you be bringing to Jackalope?

There are so many HINDES products available on our website, but I'm just not able to bring them all to market. You'll see our best sellers, such as Essential Oil Rollers, Extra Strength Body Oil for pain relief, Soaking Salts for relaxation, Diffusing Oil for aromatherapy, and plenty more!

We can’t wait to see you in person this September 10th & 11th for Jackalope Minneapolis!

Where to see more of HINDES:

Website | shopHINDES.com

Instagram | @shopHINDES

Do you have a story behind your company name?

“Cheesecake” is really symbolic of my journey in life! Before I found my love for polymer clay I was baking all kinds of sweets for friends and family with plans to become a pastry chef. The timing wasn’t right then so I never pursued it wholeheartedly. Baking polymer clay is very similar to baking cookies and cakes, so when I was dreaming up names for my company it felt very natural to marry these two versions of myself. Cheesecake is my favorite dessert and when it's my birthday I always ask for cheesecake instead of cake! Cheesecake brings feelings of decadence, celebration, sweetness, and complexity to mind and these are all vibes I want my company to embody.

Love that! Tell us how you got your start?

In 2019 I left my job to become a stay at home foster mom and raise two sweet little girls with my husband. Then the pandemic began and life got a little wild. It was incredibly traumatic and difficult and I felt lost and depressed. My mom gave me some solid advice: find a creative outlet for all those feelings. Then she handed me some polymer clay and a 10 year old box of beads. Cheesecake started that day as just me finding myself again in the middle of chaos.

I bet that was a great outlet, mental health is so important. Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

My favorite part is always when I’m playing with clay. I love mixing colors and cutting shapes. I think of this part of the process as the “daydreaming” phase because I’m thinking about what it’s going to be. I’m paying attention to light, movement, texture, and what feelings I want to evoke in these early stages of a design and it’s really fun!

Can you tell us what a typical day is like in the studio for you?

Well, my studio is in the corner of my living room and I am also a stay at home mom, so my personal life and my studio life are woven together! My day always starts with breakfast with my daughter and watering our flowers outside together. Then I start my studio day with product photography because I get the best natural light in the morning. Then I pack orders, answer emails, and plan out my social media strategy for the day. After I get all those things out of the way it’s clay time! I don’t typically plan my art unless it’s a commission. I create what brings me joy in the moment and focus on colors and feelings. Finished clay pieces go in the oven for an hour and that’s when I plan structures for jewelry pieces, beading, and assembly. At night I cycle between drawing on baked clay pieces, designing ideas on my iPad, and watching true crime documentaries. Once or twice a week when the rest of my family is gone for the day I open all the windows, get in my safety gear, and resin all completed clay pieces so they are ultra shiny!

What inspires you to create?

Lots of things! Random things! The shade of green in my mother’s eyes. A perfect curl on my daughter’s head. The yarrow that grows in my garden that is an incredibly bright pink! A stranger’s awesomely bold outfit. A beautiful sunrise on a morning vacation. I think what I’m trying to say is life. Living inspires me to create. It’s a compulsion!

Do you have a favorite item you have made?

My favorite piece I’ve made has to be these rainbow 2 tiered princess cake earrings. These were one of the first times I had attempted a 3-dimensional sculpt that was so intricate! I had to figure out how to make the sculpt hollow so they would appear heavy but weigh very little as well as make sure every individual piece was secured to the base. They were a big success and something I’ll never forget creating!

Those are so fun, I bet your daughters loved how they turned out! What do you love most about Minnesota?

Every inch of Minnesota is so beautiful and I love that we have a great balance between nature and city! The scenery here is pretty incredible and it’s a great place to live if you love the outdoors. I also really love how supportive Minnesota is of local small businesses and specifically artists. There are so many cool events to check out full of daydreamers like me!

What did you miss most about in person events now that events are picking back up again?

I missed the thrill of watching people bond over my work! You know what I mean? Like when you walk up to a booth with a friend and discover a new piece of art that brings you joy, you start making happy noises and chattering about how it makes you feel? Then suddenly everyone nearby joins in on the good vibes and it’s this tiny, perfect moment of strangers smiling at each other. That moment makes in person events so worth it to me! If you walk by my booth there is a good chance you will hear me cackling and being rowdy with my customers and I wouldn't have it any other way.

That makes us smile! What will you be bringing to Jackalope?

I will be bringing so much colorful clay in many different forms! I will have a lot of jewelry and home decor. I’m working on some special sun catchers, trinket boxes and dishes, as well as some larger original art pieces to hang on your wall!

We can’t wait to see you in person this September 10th & 11th for Jackalope Minneapolis!

Where to see more of Cheesecake Art & Design:

Website | https://shopcheesecake.co

Instagram | @pieceocheesecake

Do you have a story behind your company name?

The name Here’s the Deal came from a saying Tom’s dad would say up at the cabin. It was always ok “Here’s the Deal Tom if you want the chores done right the first time this is what we need to do.” So we latched onto it as well and say Here’s the Deal if you want chef quality premium taste…use our spice blends to have your meals brought to a new level and have them done right the first time!

Please tell us how you got started?

It all started on our wedding day. We served Crusted Ribeye Roasts with our signature 127 Blend®. As a special gift to our guests, each was given a bottle of our special spice.

​Weeks later, we began receiving refill requests from friends who wanted more of it. That’s when we realized we were onto something and have since created four more hand-crafted blends. Hence, Here's the Deal Spice Company® was born.

That is such a great idea for a wedding favor! Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

Blending the multi / complex layers of spices together in a specific order to create the perfect flavor profiles.

Lots of taste tests I imagine! What inspires you to create?

Tom has more than 20 years in the culinary industry, his love for cooking and passion for food led to a lifetime of experience. This is the main driver of inspiration….applying the dynamic knowledge he has gained over the years into each jar.

Examples of experience: Butcher shops, Executive catering, Executive sous chef, Grill chef at the 2009 PGA Championship & 2016 Ryder Cup, Venison processing extraordinaire and managing the meat department at Minneapolis’s premier restaurant, Travail Kitchen, to name a few. All of which led up to this!

Do you have a favorite item you’ve created and why?

Our Organic 127 Blend® This blend is truly universal ….our most popular and the blend that started our company.

Any new items since the last time we had you join us?!

We do have a some new items since the last time we saw you!!

• Taco Blend: Authentic and Exquisite –

• Fun Facts: Medium Heat, 9 Different Chiles, we use Dehydrated Sweet Corn vs Sugar, Porcini Mushrooms, Hand Ground.

• Individual spices:

• Roasted Cinnamon Stick from Sri Lanka

• Toasted Cinnamon Ground from Vietnam

• Roasted Garlic Minced from USA

• Ground Sumac from Turkey

• Whole Black peppercorns from Vietnam

What do you love most about Minnesota?

The seasons & the wonderful foods that go along with each. We also love going up to the cabin and spending time on the lake.

What will you be bringing to Jackalope?

Organic 127 Blend - the blend that started the company.

• Universal savory blend with garlic / shallot / rosemary/ Basil/Thyme

• Good on any protein / roasted veggies / eggs /avocado toast / flavored mayo / seasonal dishes

 Organic Wing Blend 

• Our sweet heat dry rub – coriander / mustard seed / fennel / cumin / turbinado sugar / red pepper flake

• Good on any kind of chicken / pork / bacon / grilled pineapple

• Wing Blend – Sweet Heat – Bacon (heresthedeal.co) (sweet heat bacon recipe)

 Organic BBQ Rib Rub

• Intriguing and gnarly

• Dry rub – good for anything cooked low & slow

• Earthy flavors such as Juniper Berry / Allspice / Mace / Anise

Organic Bloody Mary Rim 

• Yields ~45 pint rims

• Folks have also been using this spice blend to flavor various dishes and folks are loving it – ultimate dipping sauce / fried chicken / roasted veggies

• $1 of every tin sold donated to local MN hockey!

• Thankful for Mark Parish & Northland vodka for helping us launch this product. He signed that back of the hockey puck shaped tins. They sold out in 30 min!

• *Looking for a team to support for fall of 2021….please email heresthedealspice@outlook.com with team request now through Sept. 15th.

Togarashi 

• Zingy & zesty

• Hand peeled oranges / hand cut nori / toasted sesame seed / hand sifted Szechuan peppercorns (tongue numbing sensation)

• Good on baked salmon / steamed rice (put in the water from the start) the flavors will open up and “bloom” like tea does when it steeps / ramen / sushi

Plus our new additions!

 Catch Here’s the Deal at the Downtown Minneapolis Street Art Festival this August 10th & 11th!

Where to see more of Here’s the Deals Spice Company

Website | heresthedeal.co

Instagram | @heresthedealspice

Please tell us how you got started?

I come from a long line of artists and musicians, so it was only natural to follow suit. I’ve been creating art for as long as I can remember, but only began sharing my artwork with the public over the last couple of years. Once my walls and every family member's/friend’s walls were covered with my paintings, I knew it was time to branch out and sell my work to anyone!

Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

While it is so difficult to pick just one part of my maker’s process, I would have to say delivering my commissioned pieces to their forever home has to be at the top of my list. Helping turn a client’s home into their haven by filling their walls with my artwork is incredibly rewarding and I'm so fortunate that I can help my clients make their spaces feel complete with my work.

What inspires you to create?

Creating and sharing art is like opening a window into an artist’s soul. I use art as an outlet for anything and everything I'm experiencing in each moment. Inspiration can look as simple as looking out the windows of my property or experiencing something new and translating those feelings/experiences into a canvas.

Love that! What’s a typical day like for you in your studio?

In this current season of my life, “typical” is such a hard word to describe my day to day! I am very lucky to have a studio nestled into the center of our home in Prior Lake, Minnesota, where I can work and help raise my family. I am married to my husband Wesley and together we have three beautiful children- Finn 6, Eli 4, and Lulu 1. Having an established studio in my home makes it possible to work and create while still enjoying time with my family. My favorite time to paint is once the kids are asleep- I can throw in my headphones (usually tuned into a mix of Bon Iver, Billie Eilish, Santana, or Ludovico Einaudi -depending on my mood!) and immerse myself completely into my work.

Do you have a favorite item you’ve created and why?

After the unexpected, traumatic death of my father, I painted only using black and white for a few years. The first time I painted with color, I created one of my favorite pieces to date- “Jessica Stoodley. Untitled, 36x48, 2018. Acrylic on Canvas.” The painting marks a pivotal moment in the journey of my ongoing healing from the grief of his sudden loss. It’s a reminder of how far I’ve come as a person and artist, and I look at it as the start of the next chapter in my life as an artist.

That is beautiful. What do you love most about Minnesota?

Minnesota is such a uniquely beautiful place to live and create. The memories and connections I’ve made while living here will always bring me back to this place I call home. Minnesota has such a unique assortment of people and experiences- the vibe of the ever-changing Twin Cities can be so inspiring, all while the backwoods of Northern Minnesota’s incredible landscapes and adventures are a rock’s throw away. Inspiration is everywhere in Minnesota, and the possibilities to create here are endless.

What did you miss most about in person events during this past year?

There is something to be said about the way human connections are made at a time when attending in-person events is unsafe. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from the shifting from in-person to virtual and back to in-person events, it’s that making human connections can be done whichever way suits you. We’re all in this together, and I'm looking forward to safely meeting and speaking face-to-face with other people and vendors at these events.

What will you be bringing to Jackalope?

I will be bringing some of my collection pieces that can be found on my website- www.jessicastoodleystudio.com along with two new collections that I've created uniquely for the fall and winter artisan markets coming up (anyone interested in getting a sneak peek can check out my Instagram page @jessicastoodleystudio) !

We can’t wait to see you in person this October 2nd & 3rd when Jackalope makes our debut in the Twin Cities!

Where to see more of Jessica Stoodley

Website | www.jessicastoodleystudio.com

Instagram | @jessicastoodleystudio

Do you have a story behind your company name?

Lillie Nell was named for my paternal grandmother, who unfortunately I was never able to meet in this life. Granny Lillie Nell was the matriarch of our family and an honored elder in our community. She was a seamstress of traditional Choctaw dresses, a Sunday school teacher, and gardener.

That is so sweet, tell us how you got started?

Lillie Nell was born out of a need to connect to my family and culture after fifteen years of searching for my biological father. Needing time for quiet meditation to process, I turned to my childhood hobby of beadwork... spending 10-14 hours daily re-learning the art and finding it to be a great medicine. As each bead is stitched with good thoughts and intentions, I have felt a greater connection to her family and ancestors.

Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

My favorite part of beadweaving is the calm it brings to my life. I was taught never to create when not in good spirits, as our energy is passed into our work. Beadwork makes me more centered and aware of my emotions. Wearers of my jewelry tell me they can feel the intentions woven into the work and that wearing my beadwork makes them feel strong.

What inspires you to create?

I am inspired by nature, Choctaw stories and mythology, traditional Choctaw patterns, and Choctaw language.

Love that! What’s a typical day like for you in your studio?

I start beading every morning around 7 am and usually stop around dinner time. I take "breaks" for sharing on social media or staging photos. It is very rare for me to take a full day away from beading, since I love what I do so much.

Do you have a favorite item you’ve created and why?

My favorite pattern is my SINTI design, which is a simplified version of the diamond pattern worn on traditional Choctaw dress. It represents the rattlesnake and respect for nature. I love that it is a small pop of my culture that can be worn casually and by everyone.

Beautiful. What do you love most about Minnesota?

Minnesota is home and is an incredibly beautiful state, which I think most of us don't think that much about or notice. I lived away from Minnesota for seven years and every time I came home I couldn't believe how lush and green MN is. It's just a gorgeous place. Our music, art, and food scene is also fantastic.

Definitely very fortunate for that here. Anything special you’d like to share?

I am an enrolled member of the The MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians, which may be an important piece to add to be in compliance with the Indian Arts and Crafts act of 1990. Also that non-regalia Native-made beadwork is for EVERYONE to wear and supporting Native artists is cultural APPRECIATION, not cultural appropriation. I would not be able to do what I do for a living if I wasn't supported by people from all walks of life.

We can’t wait to see you in person this October 2nd & 3rd when Jackalope makes our debut in the Twin Cities!

Where to see more of Lillie Nell:

Website | https://lillienell.com/

Instagram | @lillienellbeadworks

Tell us how you got started?

I am addicted to buying vintage glassware to use for parties and entertaining. So much so that I promised my husband I would stop collecting it since our china cabinet and bar shelves are completely overflowing! We entertain a lot and I absolutely love finding the perfect cocktail for a gathering - particularly my annual birthday bash theme party that I throw for myself. After I discovered a couple of candlemakers on Instagram making candles out of thrifted and vintage ceramic wares, I thought it was absolutely brilliant and knew how I wanted to put my own spin on the idea: by pairing a candle scent with an inspired cocktail recipe and using only vintage glassware for my sets. Now I get to enjoy the thrill of the hunt searching for unique glassware and cocktail recipes and they get to live on someone else’s shelf!

Such a fun concept! Do you have a story behind your company name?

Not a story per se, but I wanted the brand name to reflect both aspects of our sets - the candle and the cocktail. A very literary-minded friend of mine helped me develop word association lists and she helped me come up with the combo Flicker and Fizz (over a couple of cocktails of course). It made us both smile as we said it and I hope it evokes a similar sense of happiness for others as they burn their candle and enjoy their curated cocktail recipe along with it.

Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

I love that Flicker and Fizz taps into different sides of my brain and touches on so many diverse interests of mine, from the thrill of the hunt sourcing the glassware to the actual candle pouring to the graphic design of the recipe cards that are included in every set.

What inspires you to create?

Creativity has always been part of my life thanks to my parents. I like to joke that they were the OG dumpster divers and repurposers from back in the 70s before it was so mainstream. Our house was full of antique furniture and architectural finds that they had found and restored or repurposed into something new. Dad was a high school art teacher at one point in his career and Mom was always sewing her own clothes and accessories or recovering furniture. So being creative makes me feel close to them.

Love that! What’s a typical day like for you in your studio?

It’s different depending on what aspect of Flicker and Fizz I’m working on. On candle making days, I crank the tunes and take over the entire kitchen. But when I’m working on graphic design or website stuff, I’m usually in my home office at the computer in silence because I get so engulfed in the process and like to hear myself think. And then it’s party time during cocktail development. I usually have a house full of friends sampling drinks and providing feedback. That part is very social for me. All in all, I think it goes back to the fact that I love how my process taps into so many facets of my personality.

Do you have a favorite item you’ve created and why?

I’m actually an architectural historian by training and worked in the field for several years earlier in my professional life. There’s this set of Midcentury Modern style highball tumblers with gold leaf illustrations of Minneapolis architectural landmarks from the 1960s that I had had my eyes on for a really long time but could never find them for a price that I could justify. This was years ago, so fast forward to being on the hunt for Flicker and Fizz and I found a set at a local antique mall that I just couldn’t pass up. So I brought them home thinking I could enjoy them for myself for a while and then make them into Flicker and Fizz sets to sell. Then the next week I saw a second set (complete with the original box!) on Facebook Marketplace and I knew I had to get it for myself. I just love that these glasses are so intersectional with my passion for architecture. The set even has my favorite building in all of Minneapolis as one of its featured landmarks!

So Fun! What did you miss most about in-person events now that events are picking back up?

I actually started Flicker and Fizz in the spring of 2021, so I’m just now getting my first few events under my belt. But I’ve always loved going to art fairs and shows to discover new things and support local creators. I really enjoy interacting with artists and hearing about what excites them about their work because it makes me even more excited about it. So I’m looking forward to being on the flipside of that coin and hope I can create a similar experience for others.

What will you be bringing to Jackalope?

Flicker and Fizz will be bringing lots of great fall-inspired candle and cocktail sets. I love fall, so I’ve had great fun curating my collection of glassware for the season. There will be lots of vintage smoky glass sets as well as amber goblets and really cool retro printed sets. And I’m particularly excited to debut the Minneapolis landmark tumbler sets I mentioned earlier.

Fall is so pretty here in Minneapolis! Speaking of, what do you love most about Minnesota?

I love the diverse geography the state offers. My husband and I like to get out and explore all the state parks, lakes, rivers, and forests with our two dogs. No matter which way we go outside of the Cities - or even within the metro area - there are so many wonderful landscapes to discover.

Definitely very fortunate for that here. Anything special you’d like to share?

As a new creator to the scene, I’m just really excited to be part of the inaugural Minneapolis Jackalope Art Fair. It kind of feels like we’re going through these firsts together and I’m really looking forward to the event!

We can’t wait to see you in person this October 2nd & 3rd when Jackalope makes our debut in the Twin Cities!

Where to see more of Flicker and Fizz:

Website | www.flickerfizz.com

Instagram | @shopflickerandfizz

Do you have a story behind your company name?

 Zelba and Mary were the names of my paternal grandmother and mother respectively. My grandma Zelba was a talkative, piano playing, larger than life figure who taught me to knit and crochet when I was young. My mother, Mary was a phenomenal seamstress who sewed endlessly as a passion and out of necessity. She made everything from under garments to wedding dresses and everything in between.

That is awesome! Tell us more about how you got started? 

I wanted to make my granddaughter a special handmade gift for her 2nd birthday, and she was in love with baby dolls and puppies so I made her a puppy she could dress and care for and always know it was made by me. Soon I was getting requests and before you know it, I’m designing and planning a business. 

What a great gift! What inspires you to create?

I’m an Interior Designer by education and career; one of the first things I learned was to always look at your surroundings, be curious, notice everything. I am inspired by the classics; a black and white farmhouse’s simple form, the sophistication of European toys such as Steiff, fun, colorful fashions of Francis Valentine, or the floral headpieces of artist Frida Kahlo. 

What’s a typical day like for you in the studio? 

As a one woman show it varies every day from cutting, sewing and stuffing, to planning, ordering, and organizing. I tend to get in a groove and end up doing one thing a day, so if I am sewing, I’m sewing all day. I will often hand sew or knit at night while spending time with my family. No 9-5 here.

Do you have a favorite part of your maker process?

I’m a big visionary type so I love to design new collections and products and when it all comes together as planned it’s just so rewarding.

Do you have a favorite doll that you have created?

Really loving the new smaller 10” friends that were just designed and are in production for the fall/winter shows coming up. They fit just right in an adult hand and so easy for little people to carry around.

We can’t wait to see them in person. What will you be bringing to Jackalope? 

I will be bringing handmade textile animal friends made from European linen and dressed in sweet fashions in a standard 15” and a smaller 10”, not including ears of course. I will also be bringing some of my new raw linen pillows and patchwork pouches that are made from fabric remnants from the animal friends. The fabric I use is expensive and I try to use every bit of it.

Now that events are picking back up again, is there a part that you missed most?

I started my business during the pandemic, so I missed being a spectator, I missed being part of the action. Mingling in crowds at art and maker shows, going to concerts to hear live music, and browsing small shops. 

What do you love most about Minnesota? Top Ten Minnesota things...

• Fall is my favorite season

• The Mia (Minneapolis Institute of Art) is my favorite museum

• University of Minnesota campus (I’m an alum) is beautiful

• The Children’s Theater has fantastic shows

• The Nook’s juicy lucy

• Dairy Queen in the summer

• MOA for shopping

• Stillwater and Duluth are my favorite day trips

• Minnesota State Fair is hands down my favorite event

• Oh, and did I mention hockey?

Anything special you’d like to share?  

Zelba + Mary is a new adventure providing simple, well-constructed soft friends for young and not so young and I’m excited to share my handmade items with everyone.

We can’t wait to see you in person this October 2nd & 3rd when Jackalope makes our debut in the Twin Cities!

Where to see more of Zelba & Marry

Website | ZelbaMary.com

Instagram | @zelbamarystudio