Augusta Handmade Fair

LITTLE GNOME CERAMICS

ceramic art

Meet The Maker

WHO ARE YOU, WHERE ARE YOU FROM, & WHAT DO YOU DO?
Mary Besel – I am a senior ceramics major at Augusta University and an aspiring professor. I come from a military family, so I don’t feel attached to any one place, but we have lived here in Augusta for the longest period of time. My favorite thing to do, of course, is to make work and be in the studio, but I also play dnd and host games for my friends.

DESCRIBE YOUR PROCESS.
My process usually entails making one form over and over again in different variations. I make figurative pieces that provoke a sense of life, a little personality and story of their own, and that process encourages it. I begin to create species of figures where each is unique in their own way, but still part of a recognizable group, just like humans or animals.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I am deeply inspired by fantasy, American and European Folklore, dollmaking, and the feeling of happiness that I get while working with clay. I try to incorporate all of those things into the final product of my work.

FUN FACT ABOUT YOU.
I don’t have a middle name!

FAVORITE THING ABOUT DOWNTOWN AUGUSTA.
I love the initiative to create more public art around Downtown.

WHY DO YOU LOVE TO DESIGN, CREATE + MAKE?
To me it is calming. It is one of the ways that I am able to cope with anxiety and I have found a great purpose in being able to bring life into my work with ceramics.

WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD SHARE WITH OTHER ARTISTS + MAKERS?
Don’t be afraid to mess up and let go of your work.

BURL + BARREL CO.

Hand-crafted, all natural men’s grooming products (pomade, beard oil, beard balm, mustache wax, lip balm)

Meet The Artist

WHO ARE YOU, WHERE ARE YOU FROM, & WHAT DO YOU DO?
Joseph Nordan, Augusta GA, owner of Burl & Barrel Co.

DESCRIBE YOUR PROCESS.
I make handcrafted men’s grooming products out of my own house. I started this up about a year ago because at a young age I became very interested in learning how things are made. With that mindset, I focused my attention on creating an all-natural line of products. At first, it was to save money. But then, I just really started to enjoy everything about making products and letting other people try them out! Every product is measured out, mixed, and batched by hand. All product labeling, printing, packaging, and shipping is done in one of our guest bedrooms, which my wife and I have turned into a business workspace.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU? Other motivated, young start-ups that have a vision, put their nose to the grindstone, and make it happen!

FUN FACT ABOUT YOU.
I grew up in a very musical family. I’ve been singing and playing instruments since I was 5! Also, without a beard, I look like I’m 12.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT DOWNTOWN AUGUSTA.
Nightlife, appreciation of arts & culture.

WHY DO YOU LOVE TO DESIGN, CREATE + MAKE? If you have a vision for something, whether it’s creating a product, a brand, offering a service… research it. Don’t be afraid to get to work on it right away! Take time. Make mistakes. Figure out what works and what doesn’t. Solicit feedback from trusted sources. And have fun! Your business venture is literally what you make of it!

WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD SHARE WITH OTHER ARTISTS + MAKERS?
Never Give Up.