MAKING THE MARK

Meet the Maker:
Avery Kea

JEWELRY CATEGORY

Avery Kea discovered a passion for beading and embroidery while attending Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Though majoring in fashion, Avery minored in fibers and after graduation, took jobs with fashion merchandising stores. There, she learned the basic skills of 3D beading and fell in love with the process. After moving to New Orleans, Avery rediscovered all the old beads from college and needed a hobby. She began making necklaces to wear, focusing on natural stones called cabochons and accenting them with beads. Avery accumulated so many pieces, she decided to sell them and set up an Etsy page. 

Avery grew up in an artistic family. Her father worked as a landscape architect and encouraged Avery and her sister Peirce to pursue the arts. Peirce studied graphic design and Avery followed her sister to SCAD. Now Avery works at Ouachita Antique Woods in Monroe, where she designed the store’s interior and features her products in house. Lady Deer Beading statement pieces feature all natural stones, embroidered beads, leather backs, and are assembled on chains. 

Making jewelry serves as a stress relief for Avery. From start to finish, a necklace takes about 4-5 hours to construct. She works on impulse, absent sketching, letting the necklace choose which direction to pursue. The Lady Deer Beading name originated from a deer skull decorated with berries that Avery bought in Atlanta. The piece inspired a tattoo on the artist’s arm and eventually the brand. All of Lady Deer Beading is available on Instagram, the Etsy shop, and in person at OAW on Highway 165 South in Monroe. 

Instagram: @ladydeerbeading

Etsy: etsy.com/shop/ladydeerbeading

Email: averykea@yahoo.com

Flying Tiger Brewery originated from a conversation between James Simpson and partner David Johnson about bringing a distillery to Monroe. A homebrewer for years, James proposed the idea of a brewery and shortly thereafter brought in Robert Brewer to handle marketing. For the last six years, Flying Tiger has become a local hotspot and statewide brand, with flagship and seasonal beers brewed and packaged right in the heart of Downtown Monroe. Named after the Flying Tigers in WWII and in recognition of Chennault Aviation Museum in Monroe, the brewery pays homage to Monroe’s historical roots and heroism in general. The Doux Drop beer featured here symbolizes a partnership between the brewery and the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Foundation, with 5% of gross sales benefiting the Blue Winged Teal Habitat that was compromised during hurricane activity. The partnership beer will change annually with the foundation’s chosen project.

Doux Drop Wheat Ale fits the Louisiana climate, approachable flavor that does not stray from the complexity of craft beer. After nearly a year of trial taste tests, James settled on the simple ingredients – heavy doses of wheat, orange, and honey malt. The 5% beer is not too heavy and features a residual sweetness and complex finish with the orange peel. Jason Nelson designs all the Flying Tiger beer cans, and the blue winged teal adorns this can with the dynamic green background. Doux Drop will be carried in LSU Tiger stadium this year along with another year round offering, JUCEE Louisiana Pale Ale.

The local brews can be found in all corners of the state including: Shreveport, Alexandria, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette. Flying Tiger is now focusing on enriching the brewery experience for locals. The team is implementing a brick oven pizza in the tap room. They want the community to have something to be proud of when visiting the brewery, and the permanent food option will help enhance the craft culture right here in Northeast Louisiana. #DrinkHeroicBeer

Location: 506 N 2nd St, Monroe LA

Email: info@flyingtigerbeer.com

Website: flyingtigerbeer.com

Facebook: Flying Tiger Brewery

Instagram: @flyingtigerbrewery

Meet the Maker:
Kyle Snellenburger

HOME CATEGORY

Kyle Snellenburger’s passion for woodworking developed early. Growing up, he tinkered in his father’s wood shop, crafting bike ramps. Later, Kyle majored in Construction Management and spent a few years building houses before taking a job with Paul Michael Company in Arkansas. The experience grew his knowledge of woodwork, and in 2015 Kyle returned home and opened Ouachita Antique Woods (OAW), focusing primarily on custom orders. Kyle designs all OAW’s pieces. Creativity strikes at random, sometimes in the middle of another project and Kyle must switch gears before the idea fades. Often, he will construct a rough sketch, sometimes on the back of scratch wood and then immediately start building. 

The featured chair evolved similarly, as Kyle and wife Ainsley wanted chairs for their back porch. The idea of using rope came suddenly, and unlike other projects, the chair came out as imagined on the first try. As a woodworker, Kyle explains, most of the work involves constructing tables. A craftsman longs for a signature piece that signals his work without knowing the builder’s name. Kyle feels this chair symbolizes the essence of his work. The rope being weather resistant allows for exterior use, though it compliments indoor aesthetics as well. 

The OAW storefront opened last year on Highway 165 South in Monroe. While Kyle spends most of his days in the wood shop building custom pieces, potential customers can come peruse the showroom that features Kyle’s style. Many see a piece but need the dimensions altered for their personal space. Those conversations between customers and builders are imperative to customer satisfaction. Kyle is intent on growing OAW, as his reach extends well outside of Ouachita Parish. Happy to have discovered his niche and frequently covered in sawdust, Kyle loves combining his artistic vision with potential owners of his work. 

Location: 336 Fontana Rd, Monroe, LA

Website: oawoods.com

Email: info@oawoods.com

Phone: (318) 348-0579

Facebook: Ouachita Antique Woods

Instagram: @ouachita_antique_woods

Meet the Maker:
Curt Allen

FOOD CATEGORY

Curt Allen grew up preparing and enjoying homemade food. His father Curtis and his grandfather JC perfected Big Curt’s BBQ in the late 1950s. From a young age, Curt was heavily involved in the process, making the sauce for family and friends. About 15 years ago, Curt and his wife Sally got together with his sister and brother-in-law to create a salsa, primarily for themselves. The product became so popular with friends that Curt started selling the salsa locally. He makes all of the sauce at home in two pots, using all the jars his dishwasher will hold. 

As early as 9 or 10, Curt remembers cutting onions, peppers, and sausage for gumbo. In the 80s, Curt and his dad fried turkeys, long before it was popular. He is really into canning, everything from jam to pea sauce – a sweet and spicy tomato relish. He makes gumbo, jambalaya, and often smokes meat in the summer, especially for a friend’s annual 4th of July party. The kitchen is Curt’s sacred space, and Sally and children Jack and Mary Hope let Curt work his culinary magic. 

The Big Curt’s BBQ sauce story is legendary. Curtis and JC coveted this sauce made by a man in Downsville, and JC offered to buy the recipe. He longed to open a smokehouse and serve the quintessential sauce. The Downsville gentleman agreed to sell JC the sauce, but not the recipe. After years of mixing and exchanging ingredients, JC and Curtis finally got the sauce they wanted – even the man’s family in Downsville says it’s as close to the original as they can imagine. Curt inherited this love for culinary excellence and puts his homemade flair into each and every jar of sauce and salsa. Big Curt’s Salsa and Big Curt’s BBQ are available locally at Chauvin Bayou Market and at Randall’s Fine Meats. 

Email: curt.allen@huntforpro.com

Chauvin Bayou Market: 2538 River Landing, Monroe LA

Randall’s Fine Meats: 4205 Old Sterlington Road, Monroe LA

Meet the Maker:
Lori Smart

CRAFT CATEGORY

Lori Smart never considered herself crafty or creative. While Lori dabbled in photography, it was her sister Terra that loved to craft and create door hangers to sell at craft shows. Lori can’t remember when exactly she fell in love with oyster shells. She doesn’t even eat oysters, but her husband Chuck does. The uniqueness of each shell fascinates her, and Lori finds herself studying each shell’s natural, intricate design. For Mother’s Day, Lori’s son Evan gifted a set of welcome beads made from oyster shells that she cherished. She first tried her hand at making welcome beads with her own shells and future pieces incorporated wooden accents. She spotted a mirror decorated with shells and decided to replicate it. The mirror hangs in her home now, along with a glass vase filled with shells, and an oyster canvas painting. With oyster shells, each piece feels custom as no shell is the same. 

Now, with Evan moving away after college and daughter Emma in high school, Lori plans to invest in her hobby turned small business and continue to experiment with new designs. Lori currently creates ornaments, salt and pepper cellars, bottle stoppers, and trinket dishes with the oyster shells. Lori will often paint the outer edge, sometimes opting for a découpage design inside the shell – as pictured in this article. She loves working with her hands and seeing the joy the designs bring customers. Lori has worked at Neville High School in the Special Education Department for the last four years. She has a genuine love for helping others, particularly those most in need of attention and care. 

The elegant designs appeal to collectors and make excellent wedding or shower gifts. L Designs are on display at Woodstock and Legacy of Judy C. Martin, or Lori can be contacted via email. 

Email: ldesigns318@gmail.com

Legacy of Judy C. Martin Silver & Gifts: 1123 Forsythe Ave, Monroe LA

Woodstock: 1806 N 3rd St, Monroe LA

In 2019, Sade Johnson started experimenting with soaps. Having sensitive skin, Sade could only use plain white soap, and if she deviated from the generic, she ended up at the doctor’s office. She learned that the squeaky clean effect of name brands relies on harsh chemicals that strips otherwise healthy skin of its natural oils. Sade sought an alternative that featured pleasing scents and didn’t damage her skin, and researched the soapmaking process. She began with simple melt and pour solutions, before eventually settling on her own base, concocted with a mixture of shea butter, coconut oil, castor oil, almond oil, and olive oil. The cold process soap, featured here, is mixed between 75-90 degrees, and is one of several methods of soap creation. Sade expanded her product line and now offers bath bombs, lotions, crochet towels, and bubble bars. 

Jubilant Soapsetions products can clean from your head to your toes. The products are delicate enough for softer skin areas and strong enough to leave your skin feeling fresh and revived. The Goat Milk Collection features 3 scents, the most popular being Exfoliating Coffee and Honey & Oatmeal. The Handcrafted Collection, a vegan line of products, features favorites such as Bourbon, Seasick, and Pineapple Papaya. In total, there are 16 different soaps to choose from. The bubble bars are a popular new product – rectangular bars made with bubbling agents that can be broken off for multiple uses. Popular scents include: Dream, Sweet Pea, Wild Flowers, and Pineapple Papaya. Sade also invites new moms looking for use from expired breastmilk to consider her product line. She will turn Mom’s milk into soaps and lotions suitable for the little ones. Sade offers wholesale orders and custom orders for those allergic to specific ingredients. 

Jubilant Soapsetions is available in 4 locations: Good Daze, Art Alley Marketplace, XTND Clothing Boutique, and Serenity’s Cake Bar. Sade can often be found at the farmer’s market on 7th Square in West Monroe and at Flying Tiger Brewery. If you’re looking for a generic or name brand alternative with a luxurious feel to make your skin smile, check out Jubilant Soapsetions.

Website: www.jubilantsoapsetions.com

Facebook: Jubilant Soapsetions

Instagram: @jubilantsoapsetions

TikTok: @jubilantsoapsetions