Shining the spotlight on Minnesota’s best makers and artisans, “At The Maker’s Table” is a six-segment Instagram Live series led by Minnesota Monthly’s very own aesthetic editor Jerrod Sumner. Beginning Thursday, May 28, at 4:30 p.m. CST (and every Thursday afternoon for the next six weeks after), we’ll take a candid peak into different local makers’ studios and workspaces to talk about how they got started, what they’re working on now, and together, define the meaning behind their making.

Keep coming back to MinnesotaMonthly.com/MakersTable to watch taped segments, see who will be on the next week, and sign up to receive updates and news from “At The Maker’s Table,” our partners, and more.

THURSDAYS @ 4:30 pm on Instagram Live

@mnmomag

UPCOMING TALKS

THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 @ 4:30 PM

PAST TALKS

CHIP ADDINGTON

SEE THE TALK HERE

JUNITA FLOWERS

SEE THE TALK HERE

JACKSON SCHWARTZ

 

SEE THE TALK HERE

JOANNA BUYERT

FRINGE & FETTLE CERAMICS

SEE THE TALK HERE

D.C. ICE

SEE THE TALK HERE

ANNA BAILEY

SEE THE TALK HERE

ADAM TURMAN

SEE THE TALK HERE

OUR MAKERS

CHIP ADDINGTON | ADDINGTON CO.

Yes, there is an Addington behind the brand and his name is Chip. A lifelong outdoorsman and tinkerer he understands the demands of nature’s elements on each piece he crafts. As a boy, all it took was a sketch pad and the great outdoors to entertain Chip.  Always a maker, doodler and crafter he set up a miniature forge to hone his blacksmithing skills at the age of 12. His love of nature and need for gear led him to make his first bag in 2013. In 2014, he opened the current studio and set out on this journey.  Chip picked up his sewing skills at an early age from his Grandmother but the bag making is self-taught. While Chip loves to be leading a trek up North or basking in the quiet solitude of a canoe, the studio and his work bench have set him forth on a journey building these luxe bags of refined ruggedness.  A full day starts with the drive to the studio, brewing coffee, and some sketching with the first cup of coffee. From there it is feet to the ground with sewing, emails and shipping.  Evenings and weekends are spent outdoors or working on his 1915 stone house he shares with his wife near Lake Phalen.

JUNITA FLOWERS | JUNITA'S JAR

 JUNITA’S STORY | Much more than a survivor of domestic abuse, Junita’s story is one of resilience and love. She found strength baking the recipes of her childhood, which led to a purpose filled business. Junita was not only determined to create a better life for herself and her family, she also made a commitment to embrace hope for others. A portion of Junita’s Jar profits is donated to support education and awareness initiatives dedicated to ending relationship violence. So, when you buy these deliciously wholesome cookies, you become a part of our mission to help women live their best lives.

VISION | MISSION | VALUES: To be a social impact leader delivering the ingredients needed to put an end to dating and domestic violence. Bake hope into every cookie purchase, helping women live their best lives. We believe in the unconditional love of FAMILY, respecting its many diverse shapes and forms. We’re committed to inspiring the COURAGE needed to conquer limiting fears and challenges. We RESPECT individuals and organizations who have made it their mission to become true ambassadors of hope.

JACKSON SCHWARTZ AND JOE LIMPERT | HENNEPIN MADE

Hennepin Made co-founders Jackson Schwartz and Joe Limpert launched their business in 2011, driven by a desire to build something sustainable and transformative for their field. Skilled artists and glassblowers, the duo saw an opportunity to connect their passion for glass with lighting design – and quickly made a national name for themselves.

In 2016, still growing rapidly, the crew purchased, renovated, and moved operations into a 30,000-square-foot former industrial warehouse in Minneapolis’ rising North Loop. Today, the Hennepin Made headquarters is home to seven full-time glassblowers with more than 80 years of collective experience among them, working alongside a team of 10 additional staff.

JOANNA BUYERT | FRINGE AND FETTLE C

I am the one-woman show behind Fringe and Fettle Ceramics, every little part of the business is done by me. In 2011 I was working full time when I took a blind leap and quit my job to pursue pottery. I moved up to the north woods of Wisconsin to my family’s cabin and did nothing but make pots for the next 6 months. It was fantastic. Now I am living in the Schmidt Artists Lofts in St. Paul, MN in a community of artists.  And everyday I get to do what I love more than anything else, create.
I make things that I love. That’s the secret. It sounds kind of dumb and simple, but it’s true. I think for a while I was really caught up in trying to make what other people wanted, what would sell well. But it wasn’t until I threw that out the window and started making things that I wanted, that I loved, that I really found my style. I think one of the things I love the most is finding the balance between form and function.  I love the challenge of trying to make something beautiful but also works really well.  My pots are meant to be used and well loved.  I make bowls to be your favorite bowl because it fits the curve of your palm like no other.  Grooves for nice grip and clean edges for good pouring.  My food-focused pieces are influenced by my love of cooking, and made to become an essential piece of your kitchen. I think my pieces have a gentleness to them, a subtleness that is very inviting.  I love the movement that goes into making a pot, the spinning of the wheel, the push and pull of the clay.  My pots are simple and clean, a frozen moment captured in my delicate white porcelain shapes.

D.C. ICE

Art is an outlet for me because it is a safe place to store honest feelings. Because of this my illustrative characters often carry grief. In other paintings, blessings and joy bleed out of the frame. Pastel colors may mask suspicious character’s twisted thoughts or harsh scratchy line quality can outline innocent animal friends. It’s a mischievous battle between grisly critters and sweet furry folk.

ANNA BAILEY | BAILEY BUILDS

I discovered I really loved making things in 2014. This was about the same time I discovered the things I loved making were things people wanted to buy. I started with furniture, but it was the mosaic wall art that I made from the scraps of my furniture projects that really took off, quickly becoming a full-time business for me and my husband, Nathanael. 

Now, we’ve expanded our team to six (not including our two shop dogs), and we’ve been able to build a life around providing warmth, comfort and inspiration for others.

Yes, we’re big dreamers. Yes, we’re risk takers. But we’re not chasing money. Success, to us, is a life spent loving what we do. It’s in creating a gathering place for our community at our shop. And it’s in bringing calm and simplicity to every life we can. 

NICK ROBINSON & LANCE RAMM | R&R CULTIVATION

R&R Cultivation is dedicated to working toward a culture that cares where its food comes from. As a society, we have become increasingly distanced from our food with most people not eating food at all but rather eating food like substances. R&R Cultivation is beginning this journey by being a local grower of many different types of mushrooms including shiitake, oyster, lion’s mane, and many others. As they grow and scale, they will continue to strive to do their part to fulfill their mission and inspire others to live happier and more sustainable lives.

Owner Nick Robinson is a Twin Cities native with a passion for growing fresh, gourmet mushrooms. After getting married in 2012 Nick lived in Shanghai, China for 3 years and visited 12 different countries to explore more of what the world had to offer. After returning home, he started finding ways to give back to his community in a local and meaningful way. After working in education for 3 years and serving on a school board, he was drawn into the world of sustainable living and urban farming through his friend, Lance Ramm. This was where the idea for R&R Cultivation began.

ADAM TURMAN | ADAM TURMAN ARTWORK CO.

Adam Turman is an illustrator from Minneapolis, MN, whose bold style offers colorful takes on beloved landmarks and the great outdoors. Adam’s murals can be found throughout the Midwest, and his prints in private collections worldwide. He works with major brands, independent businesses, and private collectors to make art part of our everyday.

Adam grew up in the Twin Cities and got his start as an artist by making gig posters for bands coming through popular Twin Cities venues. He drew influence from the bold, graphic style of 80s art and comics. Adam started his professional studio practice in 2003, and since then has become one of Minnesota’s most popular artists.

Approaching projects from a graphic design perspective, Adam connects with art lovers through his collection of colorful art screen prints and creates commissioned pieces in the form of logos, illustrations, murals, and paintings. Clients use his work to advertise events, connect with local audiences, and celebrate their organizations. He has worked with businesses including Indian Motorcycles, Founders Brewing, Beam Suntory, SPAM/Hormel, MN State Fair and the Children’s Hospitals of Minnesota, just to name a few.

JERROD SUMNER

With a background in the arts, Sumner understands the creative process from start to finish. He loves the power of sharing through storytelling and thoughtful design. He is the talker and the dreamer with a playful attitude and a streak of snarkiness. Sumner tells it like it is and believes that makers and artisans are not made by just those who work on it but by those who experience it!

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