Meet Flicker and Fizz

Tell us how you got started?

I am addicted to buying vintage glassware to use for parties and entertaining. So much so that I promised my husband I would stop collecting it since our china cabinet and bar shelves are completely overflowing! We entertain a lot and I absolutely love finding the perfect cocktail for a gathering - particularly my annual birthday bash theme party that I throw for myself. After I discovered a couple of candlemakers on Instagram making candles out of thrifted and vintage ceramic wares, I thought it was absolutely brilliant and knew how I wanted to put my own spin on the idea: by pairing a candle scent with an inspired cocktail recipe and using only vintage glassware for my sets. Now I get to enjoy the thrill of the hunt searching for unique glassware and cocktail recipes and they get to live on someone else’s shelf!

Such a fun concept! Do you have a story behind your company name?

Not a story per se, but I wanted the brand name to reflect both aspects of our sets - the candle and the cocktail. A very literary-minded friend of mine helped me develop word association lists and she helped me come up with the combo Flicker and Fizz (over a couple of cocktails of course). It made us both smile as we said it and I hope it evokes a similar sense of happiness for others as they burn their candle and enjoy their curated cocktail recipe along with it.

Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

I love that Flicker and Fizz taps into different sides of my brain and touches on so many diverse interests of mine, from the thrill of the hunt sourcing the glassware to the actual candle pouring to the graphic design of the recipe cards that are included in every set.

What inspires you to create?

Creativity has always been part of my life thanks to my parents. I like to joke that they were the OG dumpster divers and repurposers from back in the 70s before it was so mainstream. Our house was full of antique furniture and architectural finds that they had found and restored or repurposed into something new. Dad was a high school art teacher at one point in his career and Mom was always sewing her own clothes and accessories or recovering furniture. So being creative makes me feel close to them.

Love that! What’s a typical day like for you in your studio?

It’s different depending on what aspect of Flicker and Fizz I’m working on. On candle making days, I crank the tunes and take over the entire kitchen. But when I’m working on graphic design or website stuff, I’m usually in my home office at the computer in silence because I get so engulfed in the process and like to hear myself think. And then it’s party time during cocktail development. I usually have a house full of friends sampling drinks and providing feedback. That part is very social for me. All in all, I think it goes back to the fact that I love how my process taps into so many facets of my personality.

Do you have a favorite item you’ve created and why?

I’m actually an architectural historian by training and worked in the field for several years earlier in my professional life. There’s this set of Midcentury Modern style highball tumblers with gold leaf illustrations of Minneapolis architectural landmarks from the 1960s that I had had my eyes on for a really long time but could never find them for a price that I could justify. This was years ago, so fast forward to being on the hunt for Flicker and Fizz and I found a set at a local antique mall that I just couldn’t pass up. So I brought them home thinking I could enjoy them for myself for a while and then make them into Flicker and Fizz sets to sell. Then the next week I saw a second set (complete with the original box!) on Facebook Marketplace and I knew I had to get it for myself. I just love that these glasses are so intersectional with my passion for architecture. The set even has my favorite building in all of Minneapolis as one of its featured landmarks!

So Fun! What did you miss most about in-person events now that events are picking back up?

I actually started Flicker and Fizz in the spring of 2021, so I’m just now getting my first few events under my belt. But I’ve always loved going to art fairs and shows to discover new things and support local creators. I really enjoy interacting with artists and hearing about what excites them about their work because it makes me even more excited about it. So I’m looking forward to being on the flipside of that coin and hope I can create a similar experience for others.

What will you be bringing to Jackalope?

Flicker and Fizz will be bringing lots of great fall-inspired candle and cocktail sets. I love fall, so I’ve had great fun curating my collection of glassware for the season. There will be lots of vintage smoky glass sets as well as amber goblets and really cool retro printed sets. And I’m particularly excited to debut the Minneapolis landmark tumbler sets I mentioned earlier.

Fall is so pretty here in Minneapolis! Speaking of, what do you love most about Minnesota?

I love the diverse geography the state offers. My husband and I like to get out and explore all the state parks, lakes, rivers, and forests with our two dogs. No matter which way we go outside of the Cities - or even within the metro area - there are so many wonderful landscapes to discover.

Definitely very fortunate for that here. Anything special you’d like to share?

As a new creator to the scene, I’m just really excited to be part of the inaugural Minneapolis Jackalope Art Fair. It kind of feels like we’re going through these firsts together and I’m really looking forward to the event!

We can’t wait to see you in person this October 2nd & 3rd when Jackalope makes our debut in the Twin Cities!

Where to see more of Flicker and Fizz:

Website | www.flickerfizz.com

Instagram | @shopflickerandfizz