Local Makers

Local Makers: Sean Fagan of T Dean Cocktail Provisions

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Time to meet Sean Fagan! Sean is a good friend - Dusty designed his labels and we were lucky enough to be included in several tastings. His products are amazing. They make such good gifts too! Read his Q&A below and meet him in person this Saturday at the Maker's Mash!  

What do you make and how did you get started?

I make tonic, cocktail cherries and champagne mustard. I working to build a distillery that will be exclusively making gin. I got started making a tonic and cherries that can go along with it.

What does your average day look like?

I make products at Crazy Good Community Kitchen, seek outlets to sell my non-alcoholic products wholesale, look for special events, markets and festivals to build my retail side of the business and work on my distillery project.

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What inspires you to keep making work? Where do you go to shake out of a creative rut?

I really believe in my products. I have a passion for good drinks and good food. I think small batch locally made products can foster community, industry and keep craftsmanship alive in our country. If I get in a creative rut, I try to go somewhere to be inspired - I look for new ingredients, or visit with another food entrepreneur, visit a distillery or brewery or independent retailer.

What is the hardest lesson you learned through your business/creative process?

It takes time and there is more than just I can do in a single day. But I have FOMO a lot and it can cause me to shut down.

What's the best part about making what you make?

I make cocktail products and soon will make gin .... what do you think? (Lol.)

What are you working on now?

Ginger Tonic, Cherry Cocktail Syrup, new gin botanicals - plus a location for the distillery.

(We can't wait!) See Sean and his products this Saturday at the Maker's Mash at Reformation. Keep up with the magic on his Facebook, Instagram, and Website!

Local Makers: Brittney Bond of Queen B's Boutique & Studio

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I can't believe how fast summer is flying by. We're on to week three of the Maker's Mash already. Two wonderful events have happened and two wonderful events to come! :) Brittney will be at this weekend's Maker's Mash, so be sure to come out and see her wonderful work! Her Q&A below:

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How did you get started making jewelry?

I started making as a hobby that grew into a business.

What does your average day look like?

After getting kids off to school I open up my store on Main Street. I usually spend a few hours making new pieces, working on Custom orders, and helping customers throughout the day.

What inspires you to keep making work? 

I started this business in memory of my Mom, Betsy, who passed away from ALS a year ago this past February. With every purchase from my store or website I donate a portion to The ALS Association of GA. Its my hope that with this jewelry line I can raise awareness and funds to help fight this awful disease one bead at a time.

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What is the hardest lesson you learned through your business?

You can't do everything yourself! Its ok to ask for help!

What's the best part about doing what you do?

I love what I do. Going to work is not a job. It's a form of therapy and fun for me.

What are you working on now? 

I have a new summer line that I am going to be debuting in the next few weeks so I 'm super busy trying to finish it up!

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Check out her work this Saturday at the Maker's Mash at Reformation Brewery or on Facebook or Instagram!  :)

Local Makers: Jacob and J.R. of Spirits Scents

I met Jacob at our local yoga studio. Jacob part of the team behind Spirits Scents - amazing hand poured candles in upcycled bottles. Read more about how they got started below! 

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What do you make?

Custom Liquor and Wine Bottle Candles. 

How did you get started making?

By accident! When our local trash company stopped accepting glass as a recyclable, we took action. J.R. started a "Save the Bottle Campaign" with fellow bartenders and restaurants that grew very quickly. Then, along came Jacob with his entrepreneurial spirit and some candle making experience and Spirits Scents was born. We now have over 40 recycle partners and that number is growing daily.

What does your average day look like?

We collect bottles from our recycling partners in the mornings. We usually cut bottles in the afternoons. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, we make candles.

What inspires you to keep making work? 

The fact that we make something 100% unique for each customer. (Create a custom candle here!)

What is the hardest lesson you learned through your business/creative process?

That what we like isn't always what other people like. (Uhg! Yes! This is so tough.)

What's the best part about doing what you do?

Knowing how much glass we are preventing from hitting a landfill.

What are you working on now? 

We are continuing to find recycling partners and finalizing our website.

See the Spirits Scent team at the maker's Mash on Saturday June 30th! And check out their Facebook and Instagram for a sneak peek at what they're working on! Get more info on the Maker's Mash here!