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Most popular

  • Nourish the World: Bridget O’Boyle’s Oh Soup!

    December, 4

  • Memory Maker, Laughter Promoter, and Emotion Capturer: Sarah Grace Photography

    December, 7

  • Nashke Native Games: Ojibwe Culture and Fun for Everyone

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  • Urban Harvest: Black Radish Farm Grows Community

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  • “Love on a Plate”: Ruhland’s Strudel Haus

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  • Baking Joy: Sourdough on the Farm’s Homegrown Business

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  • Celebrating Their “Minnesota Roots”: Cookbook by Jennifer Switzer and Megan Stezka

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  • Awaken Your Senses: Heather Jansz of the Curry Diva

    When’s the last time a meal activated all your senses?   Meet Heather Jansz, the [...]

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Meet the Minnesota Makers

@meettheminnesotamakers

Chief memory maker, laughter promoter, and emotion Chief memory maker, laughter promoter, and emotion capturer are among Sarah Filipi’s titles as the owner and creative force behind Sarah Grace Photography, LLC.  This woman-owned, certified Green Business provides fine art eco-conscious landscape prints, tailored portrait sessions, and one-on-one photography instruction.  You may already know Sarah’s work from the R-365 project, in which she artfully photographed the trash she found while out and about on her daily activities. Completing the R-365 project emphasized her interest in the gentle power of still images. It also instilled a desire to support community outreach and education. Sarah is now a master recycler and composter with Anoka County (you may have met her in the Eco Experience Building at the State Fair). As she developed her photography business, Sarah committed to doing so in the most environmentally sustainable way possible. "As a certified Green Business, I take great pride and care in the products I offer to my clients to ensure they are not only high quality, but also eco-conscious,” shared Sarah. Sarah travels throughout the Twin Cities metro, the US, and internationally to preserve her clients’ intimate moments. “Being allowed into private parts of people's lives is not something I take lightly. I treat each person with the respect and love that we all deserve.” “Being a part of engagements, highlighting a family’s personality along with their pets, and empowering someone to make good use of their own camera all bring me such joy.”  This feature is part of the 2023 MTMM Holiday Gift Guide series. Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com to download the gift guide featuring over 100 of Minnesota’s talented makers. Find Sarah Grace Photography on page 38! Newsletter subscribers have access to a 10% discount code.  Contact Sarah at sarah@sarahgracephotos.com.  Visit https://sarahgracephotos.com/ to learn about portraits, head shots, and fine art.    Find Sarah Filipi and Sarah Grace Photography on LinkedIn.  Follow @meettheminnesotamakers to discover more of the people who make Minnesota an amazing place to be! Full feature at meettheminnesotamakers.com
Nashke! This was a new word for me. “Nashke t Nashke! This was a new word for me. “Nashke translates to behold, look, check it out,” explained Tony Drews of Nashke Native Games. “This is to say, check out what we are doing over here with games and our language and culture.” Tony was one of Anoka-Hennepin school district’s Native Education Expert for several years.“Getting our native students enthused about learning and retaining Ojibwe and culture was a little more difficult than I expected,” reflected Tony. “Trying to transfer this knowledge on the chalkboard—to make them appreciate their culture by explaining it to them—wasn’t working.” Tony searched for new ways to connect with his students. This was the start of Nashke Native Games. Tony is a first generation Direct descendent Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. The journey to launching Nashke Native Games in the summer of 2023 included early assistance from the @tiwahefoundation Tony was selected for the @finnovationlab Fellowship in 2022. This intensely enriching experience provide him the tools to build a strong foundation for his games as a social entrepreneur. Nashke demonstrates the benefits of teaching while entertaining. The games are a catalyst for language acquisition. As players practice, they gain functional fluency in Ojibwe. Nashke reinvests over 50% of their profits back into the community in the form of scholarships and other community investments. They have already invested $8,000 back into the community. Nashke Native Games has developed reimagined traditional games such a Ginebig: The Snake Game and Makizinataagewin: The Moccasin Game. Nashke invented Mii Gwech, a fast-paced card game that introduces players to the fur trade era. Purchase games and products at nashke.com. This feature is part of the 2023 MTMM Holiday Gift Guide series. Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com to download the gift guide featuring over 100 of Minnesota’s talented makers. Find Nashke Native Games on page 32! Follow @nashkenativegames on Facebook for community gameplay events. Follow @meettheminnesotamakers to discover more of the people who make Minnesota an amazing place! Full feature, with local store listings, at meettheminnesotamakers.com
Meet the Minnesota Makers television debut—part Meet the Minnesota Makers television debut—part 2! Gather your holiday shopping list and tune in this Thursday December 7 between 9-10am to join @meettheminnesotamakers on @kstp for @minnesotalivetv. I’ll be live in the studio to talk about more makers from the Holiday Gift Guide. I am delighted to have the chance to feature products from an additional six of the guide’s featured makers. I’ll share some fresh Made in Minnesota items—many of which are experiences that your loved ones will enjoy for months (and maybe even years) to come. Tune in to discover @rusticrootsfarmmn @fiddleheadknob @sweethaven_tonics @superiorseedcompany @katiebromme.watercolor and @marshallsminnows. I’ll have beautiful sample products from all of them to share in studio. Download the free guide at meettheminnesotamakers.com All of tomorrow’s featured makers (and many others from the guide) will ship throughout the United States. Newsletter subscriber? Check your promotions and spam filters for the Meet the Minnesota Makers Holiday Gift Guide Discount Code email. Give a local maker a reason to do a happy dance and place an order through the guide. Haven’t signed up? You can still take advantage of these exclusive discounts. Hop on over to meettheminnesotamakers.com to get your copy. More soon! #meetthemnmakers #mnmade #mnmakers #mnsmallbusiness #mn #mnlove #shopmn #supportsmallbusiness #holidaygiftguide #minnestagramers #shopmn #mnfood #experiencegifts #minnesotalive
It’s soup season! Looking for soup that will wa It’s soup season! Looking for soup that will warm you to your toes? Twin Cities—meet Bridget O’Boyle of @ohsoups! Bridget wants to nourish the world, one soothing bowl of soup at a time, through Oh Soup! and as a traveling chef for First Descents. Through Oh Soup! Bridget offers weekly vegetarian soup and bread menus prepared with fresh ingredients. Orders open on Tuesday with pick ups of prepared quarts and freshly baked bread on Sunday. All the soups come with toppings to customize each bowl and a bread pairing to make it a meal. Bridget long dabbled in food as a hobby, finding joy in feeding neighbors or teaching kids to cook. “My passion is feeding people,” shared Bridget. “It’s great to hear the personal stories that go beyond saying that my soup is a great comfort food. It fills my soul to know that someone bought my soup for a neighbor who just had surgery or for a friend who just lost their dad.” When Bridget is not preparing soup or grilled salads in her Minneapolis kitchen, find her on the road preparing meals for the non-profit First Descents. First Descents provides week-long adventure therapy for people who have or have had cancer. Now that her children are attending college, Bridget has the flexibility to travel in support of the trips. While she would never compare herself to her chef idol, José Andrés, she too makes amazing things possible by simply feeding people. From Minneapolis and throughout the US on First Descents programs, Bridget cooks to match her values—to nourish people exactly how they need. This feature is part of the 2023 MTMM Holiday Gift Guide series. Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com to download the gift guide featuring over 100 of Minnesota’s talented makers. Find Oh Soup! on page 33! Newsletter subscribers have a discount code for $5 off their next order. Gift certificates also available! Follow @ohsoups! for weekly menus. Learn about the life-changing outdoor adventures of @first_descents. Visit https://www.ohsoups.com/ for next Sunday’s pick up. Follow @meettheminnesotamakers to discover the people who make Minnesota a tasty place! Full feature at meettheminnesotamakers.com
Every product from Hacienda San José is made from Every product from Hacienda San José is made from cacao beans grown by Monica Jimenez’s extended family in Ecuador on a farm steeped in family tradition. Now in its fifth generation, Hacienda San José produces some of the finest cacao beans in the world. In 2021 Hacienda San José was awarded the Cocoa of Excellence Silver Award at the international competition hosted in Rome.  Their high quality refers not just to the beans themselves, but also to their production methods. Their farm is both UTZ and Rainforest Alliance Certified. In order to earn these certifications, the farm demonstrated a commitment of ecosystem conservation, wildlife protection, and fair treatment and working conditions for their employees.  This family business spans the globe and involves multiple generations. Monica’s four adult children are active supporters and enthusiastic taste testers. They were the inspiration for two of their newest products—the Brewing Cacao and the Ceremonial Cacao. “My kids suggested—why not exchange coffee with chocolate? They made the label, did the research. They are so excited about these products.” San José Chocolate is a Premier Sponsor of the 2023 Meet the Minnesota Makers Gift Guide. Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com to download your copy of the gift guide featuring over 100 of Minnesota’s talented makers. Find San José Chocolates on page 8! Sign up for the MTMM newsletter to receive a discount on their signature Ceremonial Cacao. Swipe through for deluxe gift boxes. Purchase Hacienda San José and Inkakaw products in-store at Kowalski’s Markets and The Departments at Dayton's. Shop on line at www.chocolatesanjose-minneapolis.com. Twin Cities residents enjoy free delivery. Shipping available for those outside of the metro area! Follow @sanjose_chocolates for market dates and new product releases.  Visit www.chocolatesanjose-minneapolis.com to view the full selection of premium handcrafted chocolate products including curated gift boxes.  Follow @meettheminnesotamakers on Facebook and Instagram to discover the people who make it easy to celebrate living local in Minnesota. Learn more about San José Chocolates at meettheminnesotamakers.com.
Garlic lovers? Don’t miss this! The Olberdings Garlic lovers? Don’t miss this! The Olberdings bought a neglected piece of farmland in Alexandria. Removing the decaying farm equipment and taking care of the land itself allowed them to establish their award-winning garlic crop. “Since 2022, our farm has been honored to selected to be a featured grower at the Minnesota Garlic Festival. This was a huge goal for us and we were selected on our first attempt,” shared Julie. “This past year, our Red Grain hard neck garlic was named Best in Show amongst growers from four different states at the Minnesota Garlic Festival!” Everything on the farm is grown following regenerative agriculture and sustainable methods. This woman-owned small business is run by a team of first-generation farmers. “Our kids are learning alongside us. We’re all new to this,” explained Julie. “It’s such a joy to watch my kids explain our products when we attend events. They are so knowledgable and confident when talking with customers.” Rustic Roots Farm started producing its premium garlic powder in an effort to eliminate food waste. When they size their garlic, any of the smaller bulbs are set aside to make their powders. “There are no fillers in our powders and seasoning blend. The powders are 100% garlic. You can tell from the flavor.” Rustic Roots Farm garlic powders come in three varieties: Gourmet Garlic Powder, Smoked Garlic Powder, and a Garlic Scape Powder that is the most beautiful shade of green. Buy them individually or along with their Dried Mushroom Powder in their Foodie Lover Gift Pack. Purchase garlic, garlic powders, and gear on their website https://rusticrootsfarm.eatfromfarms.com/. Maple syrup and spice blends can be picked up in Alexandria or nearby. This feature is a part of the 2023 Meet the Minnesota Makers Holiday Gift Guide series. Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com to download your copy of the gift guide featuring over 100 of Minnesota’s talented makers. Find Rustic Roots Farm on page 38! Follow Rustic Roots at @rusticrootsfarmmn Follow @meettheminnesotamakers to discover more of the people who make Minnesota an amazing place! Full feature at meettheminnesotamakers.com
“This lifestyle is a little nutty,” laughed Re “This lifestyle is a little nutty,” laughed Rebekah Rush of Duluth’s Wonderfully Made. Rebekah is a full-time resin artist who incorporates natural materials found along Lake Superior’s shores and northern forests to create distinctive Minnesota art. Many of her pieces incorporate birch bark. For her mounted pieces, Rebekah frequently incorporates driftwood, “Everyone likes to have a piece of the lake. Whether or not you live along the North Shore, Lake Superior is literally a big part of Minnesota.” There is a magic in every piece that Rebekah creates. “It’s really fun to pour resin layer by layer. It’s a surprise every time,” she reflected. “The resin changes as it cures. You especially see that with my signature Lake Superior ornament. I love watching customers compare pieces to find their perfect image of the water.” Rebekah credits her success to the supportive network of creative artisans centered around Duluth and to her family’s support. “I am grateful for the wonderful help of my dad, husband, mom, sister and kids. This has become a family business.” Her dogs, however, are banned from the workshop. Dog hair and multi-layer resin pours do not mix. Rebekah loves being a part of in-person events to meet customers and learn which of her pieces speak to them. She’s been preparing all year for the Duluth Winter Village on Dec. 2 and 3. “I make ornaments year round for the Winter Village. It’s one of my favorite community events. You have to come out and see the cabins. It has such a great feel.” This feature is a part of the 2023 Meet the Minnesota Makers Holiday Gift Guide series. Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com to download your copy of the gift guide featuring over 100 of Minnesota’s talented makers. Find Wonderfully Made on page 51! See Wonderfully Made’s unique ornaments in the November 27 segment on @minnesotalivetv about the MTMM Holiday Gift Guide. Visit www.wonderfullymadegoods.com Which piece is your favorite? Share in the comments! Follow @wonderfullymademn for lake inspiration. Follow @meettheminnesotamakers to discover the people who make Minnesota amazing! Full feature at meettheminnesotamakers.com
Leah Treleven of Sweet Haven Tonics in New Ulm use Leah Treleven of Sweet Haven Tonics in New Ulm used to think of herself as a cautious person. “I became a teacher in part because my parents had been teachers. I knew the path. I knew where it was going. It felt very comfortable.” Ironically, Leah’s journey from middle school teacher to main street entrepreneur has been anything but cautious.  Leah’s entrepreneurial endeavor began simply. She prepared batches of homemade tonics, balanced concentrates of natural flavors and herbs used as base mixers for DIY cocktails and mocktails. Five months after giving her first homemade batch of tonics as holiday gifts and four months after filing for her LLC, Leah walked into her middle school principal’s office and resigned. Her principal asked her if she was sure and offered Leah time to think about her decision, but she didn’t need it.  Leah recognizes that Sweet Haven’s growth is intertwined with the New Ulm community’s success. “Every step of the way there was always someone there who would say—I love what you’re doing. I want to support you,” Leah reflects. “It was other small business owners who were willing to take an interest in me and support me and help me make connections. I’m just one of many businesses that want to see New Ulm grow and thrive.” While the cocktails are only for adults, the space itself accommodates families of all ages. People can order a non-alcoholic version of almost any cocktail on the menu in addition to the specialty mocktails. “Everyone deserves to have something special, something craft made. There’s something for everyone on our menu.” This feature is the kickoff of the 2023 Meet the Minnesota Makers Holiday Gift Guide series. Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com to download your copy of the gift guide featuring over 100 of Minnesota’s talented makers. Find Sweet Haven on pg 43! For the full feature pick up a copy of the Fall 2023 @edible_minnesota Digital edition at edibleminnesota.com Use code MNMAKER20 - 20% off any online order! Recipes, video tutorials, and shop at www.sweethaventonics.com Follow @sweethaven_tonics for new releases! Follow @meettheminnesotamakers to discover more people who make Minnesota amazing!
Meet the Minnesota Makers television debut! Pour Meet the Minnesota Makers television debut! Pour your second cup of coffee and take a break this Monday, November 27 between 9-10am to join @meettheminnesotamakers on @kstp for @minnesotalivetv. I’ll be live in the studio to talk about the Holiday Gift Guide. I am delighted to have the chance to feature products from six of the guide’s featured makers. Tune in to learn more about @boomflowerfarm, #heathershomegoods, @lakeplacegallerycreations, @sourdoughonthefarm, @thegreensted, and @wonderfullymademn. I’ll have beautiful sample products from all of them in studio. @lakeplacegallery has a special surprise to unveil! Newsletter subscriber? Look out for an email this Tuesday with discount codes from dozens of the makers in the holiday guide. There’s still time to subscribe. Hop on over to meettheminnesotamakers.com to get your copy. More soon! Follow @meettheminnesotamakers for all the holiday guide news to help you shop local this season!! #meetthemnmakers #mnmade #mnmakers #mnsmallbusiness #mn #onlyinmn #mnlove #shopmn #supportsmallbusiness #holidaygiftguide #minnestagramers
Drumroll please! The inaugural Meet the Minnesota Drumroll please! The inaugural Meet the Minnesota Makers gift guide is here! This guide showcases the creative work of over 100 Minnesota businesses. Explore the @meettheminnesotamakers gift guide to find the perfect fit for everyone on your list—and maybe something for you too. Farm to table meat? We’ve got it. Sweets for those with dietary restrictions? You’re covered. Self care treats? Delightful options! Prize winning food products to elevate your kitchen? Absolutely. Gifts for kids? Of course. Books from local authors? Yes! What about stores where I can shop a variety of local makers? We have that too. Thanks to @inboundstudio for their creative work in the design of the guide. It’s been a major push this past week and I couldn’t have done it without them. Hop on over to meettheminnesotamakers.com to download your copy. Comment Gift Guide or DM and I’ll send you a link. Newsletter subscribers will receive exclusive discount codes for many of these talented makers next week. Sign up at meettheminnesotamakers.com! Watch @minnesotalivetv on Monday, November 27 to learn more about the guide and see featured products. Stay tuned for the next MTMM series highlighting a dozen of the makers in the holiday guide. Thank you to the makers who made this possible through the dedication to their craft and passion for building local small businesses. Thank you for shopping local. #meetthemnmakers #mnmade #mnmaker #mn #onlyinmn #minnesota #mnlove #holidaygiftguide #shoplocal #mnsmallbusiness #womanowned

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