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

Do you have a story behind your company name?

 Yes.  I wanted a name with true meaning, not only for my customers but for myself. I wanted my name to inspire me, and that was a bit of a challenge.  One night my husband Tim and I were going back and forth with name ideas and all of a sudden he blurted out "Bella Botanicals!?" When the words came out of his mouth I was like "perfect!" 

Bella = Beautiful and Botanicals = Nature .... And our slogan is (Naturally Beautiful Skincare)!!  We think nature is beautiful, we think skin is beautiful, we think women are beautiful, and we wanted a name that supported that. I was thrilled when I saw Bella Botanicals wasn’t trademarked and I hopped on the paper trail to snag it. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to nab it on social media and for our URL, so we went with mybellabotanicals for those.

We love that! Tell us more about how you got started? 

I got started by attending a local workshop on soap making. I made batches upon batches of soap,  both solid and liquid.  After that I started making body butter and lip balms. When I realized I wanted to get serious about formulating I enrolled into Formula Botanica and got my certification for Organic Skincare Formulating. From there I really worked hard to figure out what formulas I wanted to offer to the general public. I really wanted to grow organically and let my customers drive the brand.  After one year in the business I was able to cut back to part time as an xray technician and began to throw the majority of my time into bringing Bella to life. Although I'm still laying the groundwork for where I want my brand to go, I'm excited to say that I have a thriving business. 

What inspires you to create, why did you turn to body care products?

Knowing that through this business I give women confidence to be their authentic selves. One of our main pillars is assisting women with finding their confidence in the nude (aka without makeup). There are far too many things that demoralize females into thinking their beauty is defined by how much they can canvas over their true selves, and we’re here to say “F” that. I want makeup for women to be the exception, not the rule. I also thrive on educating women about their skin. There are so many wonderful products to choose from, however identifying what works best for your skin can be challenging. I work with many women to cultivate a skincare routine that works best for them so that they’re able to see the results they want.

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

A typical day starts on the computer checking emails and scheduling posts. Then I'll pack orders and run them to the post office. After all that is completed for the day I'll restock items that are low, and order inventory. I usually get so wrapped up in my work that I often forget about lunch until 1 or 2. It can be difficult to not get lost in work when it’s something you’re so passionate about.

Do you have a favorite part of your maker process?

I absolutely love learning about new botanical skincare ingredients and experimenting with them. There are so many lovely plants out there that can do absolute wonders for the skin, and I want to experience every single one. 

What about a favorite item that you have created?

My all time favorite product is my Organic Under-Eye Roller with CBD. This product has made a world of difference for me personally. I used to NEVER leave the house without concealer on. I had dark circles and wrinkles around my eyes that really made me feel self conscious. This product has not only lightened the darkness under my eyes, but it's greatly helped to diminish the fine lines and wrinkles around my eye area, as well as reduce puffiness. (thank you CBD) I call it #betterthanbotox!! The beauty of this product is that it's 100% natural and organic. It's an oil based formula so there's no preservatives needed, and it's super gentle so that ANY skin type can use it. 

That sounds amazing! What will you be bringing to Jackalope? 

I'll be bringing my three step skincare routine, the eye roller, cbd salve, and natures kiss lip balm. 

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

I absolutely thrive on in person human interaction. I love getting one on one time with customers to talk about their skin. Skin is personal, and having that one on one to really delve into a woman's insecurities is incredibly important. I also love the people I meet. Some of the vendors I've met at shows have become close friends. It really is a lovely community of people that are hard working and inspiring. 

What do you love most about Minnesota? I love it’s natural beauty. It's such an incredible landscape that offers so much for nature lovers.. I love the local breweries, the shops, and the culture. People in MN are always so friendly.

Anything special you’d like to share?  

As a child and young adult, I struggled to find my beauty. I put my time and energy into things and people that were ultimately destructive, all because I couldn't figure out how to love myself. My journey to self love is ultimately what led me to start this brand. Truly loving myself gave me the power to come into my own truth, and I want this same thing for all women. I want to inspire women and girls of all ages to love themselves for who they are instead of what society tries telling them to be. To connect with their true nature, whatever that may look like. I want women to stop viewing self care as "selfish" but as a necessity for harnessing true happiness and peace. Women are asked to do so much in this world, and we've constructed this ideal that in order to be loved we need to be perfect. It's just not realistic nor is it healthy. Bella is my platform to touch women with this message. We’re more than just a company selling beauty products, we’re on a mission to change the way the world sees beauty.
Another thing worth mentioning is that we formulate some of our products with CBD. CBD is known to be anti-inflammatory, analgesic (skin numbing), and a potent antioxidant. We utilize it in our leave-on products so that the body can get the full effect of this potent botanical ingredient. 

We love your mission and why you create- so inspiring! 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 Bella Botanicals:

Website | www.mybellabotanicals.com

Instagram | @mybellabotanicals

Why do you create?

My mission is to bring healing energy into the world and to spread light, joy, and happiness to people through my art.

That is great- what inspires this creation process?

Metaphysical sciences really inspire me. I am very intrigued with the healing powers of color and organic materials such as rocks, crystals, and glass. I also am very inspired by geology! I wanted to be a geologist when I was in college but I could not pass the lab tests. I have realized all these years later, that the concepts of geology (strata and minerals) are at play with my compositions and material choices.

What is your favorite part of the maker process?

My favorite part of the maker process is allowing the hand/brain connection to work with my materials. As I'm not able to render into a drawing what I may see or feel from memories, dreams, or ideas, I "channel" while I'm working and am always delighted with the outcomes. It is very freeing to not have strict constraints on designs or ideas!

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

I like to spend 2 hours early in the morning before the family wakes up in my studio. I've always been a morning person and this early morning time sets me up for a balanced and happy day. I put on my full spectrum light for some light therapy and insert my earbuds to either listen to a guided meditation or music. I do work part time, so on the days I am in my home studio after my morning charge up and ensuring the family is sorted and ready for their day, I then spend several hours creating back in my space. I thoroughly enjoy looking around at my materials, thinking about designs and combinations, and bathing in the creative energy that my studio provides.

Do you have a favorite piece you have created thus far?

This is a rather difficult question to answer as I love everything I make. I will answer with the most meaningful piece, which is a sculpted mirror called "Dad's Amend." My dad is a mythological figure in my memory now, and while working through a 12 step-program for alcoholism, one of the most freeing and powerful amends I made was to my dad posthumously. He called me "Hummy" and I created this mirror with a hummingbird to honor that nickname. I worked through years of hurt, trauma, abandonment and was able to release decades of negative feelings and reached a state of forgiveness and peace.

What do you love most about Minnesota?

There is something very soothing about the farmlands, rivers, and lakes of my home state. I love driving along the bluffs along the Mississippi river and always look at the strata lines and the curves of the river. I admire the lines, colors, and textures of the landscapes here in Minnesota. I particularly love when I am visiting my parents and family in Winona, a lovely town on the Mississippi River. My favorite thing to do when home is to take a boat ride along the backwaters of the Mississippi and look for birds and sunning turtles on logs. It is these simple pleasures that fuel my creativity.

What do you enjoy most about in-person events?

I am new to the festival circuit! I have done two shows this year and won a "Festival Favorite" award in both shows. What I have really enjoyed is the happy energy that people have when visiting the shows. I give away "magic rocks" to booth visitors and the smiles that leave my tent are priceless.

What will you be bringing to Jackalope?

Oooh! I'll be bringing all sorts of magical and sparkly mirrors, healing pendants encased with gemstones, copper and gold, some garden art, and a big bowl of magic rocks.

Anything special you’d like to share?

I am super excited to be part of the inaugural Jackalope Art Fair in Minneapolis. We have such a great creative space in the Twin Cities and people really appreciate artists and festivals. I anticipate an amazing turn out and a super fun weekend - October is a favorite month of many Minnesotans, including myself. The location is fantastic and I know I'll attract more friends and family who may want a craft beer!

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 Shelley Beaumont:

Website | www.Shelleybeaumonthealingmosaics.com

Instagram | @shelleybeaumontartist