Maker Spotlight: Artisan Alley

Editors note: Cardinal Spirits asked local artisans to create holiday ornaments for our online gift shop, with 100% of sales going to the artists themselves. Get the know the people behind the ornaments!

First up: Bloomington maker Adam Nahas of Artisan Alley, who worked with Bloomington’s Verisimilitude Studios to create etched bamboo ornaments that double as coasters, plus a set of 4 coasters (shop them here).

Adam Nahas

he/him

founder/president of Artisan Alley

Artisan Alley on Facebook; on Instagram

Etched bamboo ornament (doubles as a coaster!) and a coaster set created by Adam Nahas of Artisan Alley, and Verisimilitude Studios.

You’re an artist yourself, and you also run a cool hub for makers called Artisan Alley. What’s Artisan Alley all about?

We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit and our mission is to bring together area artists and the local community to foster art education, art collaboration, and cooperation in support of the arts. Spanning multiple locations in Bloomington, Indiana, Artisan Alley is an art co-op that provides a wide range of work studios, co-work spaces, classes, equipment, tools, essential amenities, and volunteer opportunities for community members interested in the arts.

Your work spans 2D, including portraits and illustrations, and 3D kinetic sculpture and bronze monuments. What would surprise people about the art you create, or your process?

Some of my artworks have hidden imagery or messages, but it takes a keen eye to spot them. Also, I do a lot of lost wax casting in bronze and aluminum, and most people have no idea the number of steps in the process (nearly 20, to start at a clay sculpture and finish with a metal replica).

Metal work by Adam Nahas

Looking back at all that you've created, do you have a favorite piece?

Not really, but some that I have helped with definitely stick out.

Captain Kathryn Janeway Statue on the B-Line Trail, Bloomington IN

Emotional Tone Scale Spiral Staircase at the Scientology international Headquarters, Clearwater FL

The Red Skelton Memorial at Vincennes University

Evolving Life RNA Monument near the Meridian Street ramp to I-70, just south of the Eli Lilly, Indianapolis

Remember Them: Champions for Humanity Monument in the Henry J. Kaiser Memorial Park, in downtown Oakland California

Baggage Claim Monument at the Indianapolis Airport

Sculpture by Adam Nahas

Tell us about your skills other than being an awesome artisan.

I am left-handed, was a comedian, an opera singer, a cheerleader, and a swing dance instructor, plus I have been known to fire breathe at parties.

Where are you from? Where have you lived?

Born in Indianapolis, and moved to Bloomington from 10 and on. Lived in Clearwater, FL, San Francisco, CA, and Tokyo, Japan.

Any pets or family members that you'd like to introduce?

Wife - Felicity Erin Nahas

Daughter - Penelope Pearl Nahas

Dog - Lilly Pants Nahas

Turtle - Toka Raphael Nahas

It's happy hour. What are you drinking?

Bourbon Old Fashioned or a Whiskey Sour

What's your coffee order?

Coffee smells great, but I'll order a smoothie instead.

Favorite condiment?

Hot Sauce

Want to give a shout-out to anyone?

To the people that took a chance to teach, guide and shape me into the Person/Artist/Entrpreneur I am today-

My Teachers - Mark Parmenter, Nicole Jacquard, Charlie Savage, Piero Mussi, and Miah Michaelson.

My Parents - Mike and Cami Nahas.

Lastly: hit us with the links, Adam!

Purchase pieces from Artisan Alley members. Purchase art created by Adam Nahas. Artisan Alley memberships and donations.

Thanks, Adam! We’re excited to share your art through our holiday gift shop!

Meet our crew: Jason Hackett

Meet our crew: get to know the awesome humans that make Cardinal Spirits possible!

Jason Hackett. Photos by Anna Powell Denton

Jason Hackett

— — —

production manager at Cardinal Spirits

@pribbleprob on Instagram

pronouns: he/him

— — —

Tell us about your role at Cardinal Spirits.

I am the guy who takes care of the details. I work on compliance, order management, inventory control, and generally support the team wherever I can be of assistance. Those first three are the big ones, though.

Where are you from? Where have you lived?

I was a military kid so I’ve lived all over. TX, IN, Germany, IN, CA, IN, TX, MD, MA, IN.

Nano and Angstrom!

Any pets you’d like to introduce to us?

Angstrom is my orange cat and Nano is my brown/gray cat.

Tell us about a skill you have outside of work?

I do woodworking, bonsai, and general gardening as my hobbies.

A Marcello Spritzer and a Jason Hackett.

What's your favorite Cardinal Spirits cocktail?

The Marcello Spritzer (recipe here). It’s better than a margarita and I LOVE margaritas.

It’s happy hour — what are you drinking?

See above.

What is Cardinal’s best-kept secret?

Valencia is a wonderful triple-sec type spirit. I use it in my margaritas exclusively. It also works for baking
and cooking.

What would surprise people about the work you do at Cardinal?

The many ways people have thought up to regulate the production and sale of booze is surprising
sometimes.

Jason bottling our Bramble black raspberry vodka.

Have you ever thought of a good business idea? What is it?

Pre-covid, I wanted to open a table-top board game bar. Post-covid, I’m thankful that I didn’t.

What's your coffee order?

Iced latte or black coffee.

How do you typically start your morning?

I eat a bowl of cereal, get ready, then head to work. If it’s the weekend, my parter, Lina, and I make breakfast and plan our weekend adventures.

Favorite place on the Internet?

I like Youtube for the instructions.

Tell us about a podcast, movie, book, TV show, album, subscription, etc. that you consumed and liked. We’re all looking for recs!

Podcasts: Critical Role Podcast, The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe, Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History, Hello
From the Magic Tavern
Books: The Dark Tower, The Expanse, The Name of the Wind
TV Shows: Raised By Wolves, Lovecraft Country, The Boys

Favorite midnight snack?

Butter pecan ice cream

Most used emoji?

The salsa dancer.

Favorite condiment?

Mustard

Want to give a shout-out to anyone?

Carolina Yanson because she’s my favorite human.

Jason’s partner, Lina (right), with pal and former Cardinal bartender Chris Resnick.

Thanks, Jason! We are lucky to have you on our team!

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Meet our crew: Justin Hughey

Meet our crew: get to know the awesome humans that make Cardinal Spirits possible!

Justin Hughey. Photos by Anna Powell Denton

Justin Hughey

— — —

head distiller at Cardinal Spirits

— — —

Tell us about your role at Cardinal Spirits.

I'm the Head Distiller at Cardinal. My job is to ferment and distill. This includes the day-to-day monitoring of fermentation, running the still after fermentation is complete, and scheduling when all of those things are going to occur . I also proof down, blend, and filter Cardinal Spirits products. I'm also responsible for our barrel program, which means I'm putting whiskeys, brandies, etc into barrels and tasting those barrels years down the road. Of course, tasting barrels is the best part, but there is a lot of work involved to get to that point.

Where are you from? Where have you lived?

I'm from Indianapolis. I moved to Bloomington for college in 2005, and never left.

Justin sampling from barrels of brandy made with locally-grown catawba grapes from Oliver Winery.

Any family and/or pets you’d like to introduce to us?

I have a freshwater fish tank full of fish, shrimp, and 100s of snails (the snails are invasive). I also have 7 laying hens. I also have a wonderful wife who somehow tolerates me.

Tell us about a skill you have outside of work?

I'm a pretty okay banjo player. I've been playing since I was 16.

Justin, left, busking with his band The New Old Cavalry.

What's your favorite Cardinal Spirits product/cocktail/dish?

Spirit: Tiki Rum. Cocktail: Terra Gimlet with a basil leaf. Dish: I'm not sure if it's on the menu, but our chef Abel Garcia works with The Chocolate Moose to make ice cream with our used spiced rum botanicals. It is phenomenal. (Editor’s note: Yes, this ice cream IS on our carry-out menu right now, served with our amaro cake!)

It’s happy hour — what are you drinking?

Probably cheap beer. Maybe cheap whiskey and Coke.

What advice do you have for people who want to make better drinks at home?

Make them stronger?

Justin monitoring the orange steep for Valencia Triple Sec.

What would surprise people about the work you do at Cardinal?

How much math is involved. It's all relatively easy math. The trick to it is being able to apply it. Think math story problems from 8th grade.

Prince William!

What is Cardinal’s best-kept secret?

I would say Prince William. He is a full-sized (20 foot) wacky inflatable tube man. I bought him on my last birthday. Best money I ever spent. On really busy days I take him with me to Cardinal and he helps out in the back.

Have you ever thought of a good business idea?

I have a ton of stupid business ideas, so a business that comes up with dumb business plans.

What's your coffee order?

Black

Favorite place on the Internet?

Reddit. I spend way too much time there, but it is entertaining.

Any TV/podcast/book recs for us?

I recently finished season 3 of Yellowstone. That is a pretty entertaining series. If you are into country music check out Cocaine & Rhinestones. It tells some really interesting behind-the-scenes stories about old country stars.

Thanks, Justin! We are lucky to have you on our team!

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Meet our crew: Veronica Fazio

Meet our crew: get to know the awesome humans that make Cardinal Spirits possible!

Veronica Fazio. Photos by Anna Powell Denton

Veronica Fazio

— — —

bartender at Cardinal Spirits

pronouns: she/her

— — —

Tell us about your role at Cardinal Spirits.

I’m a bartender, which right now means that I prepare all of the cocktails-to-go. I can be found helping on the production line and around the Birdhouse (Cardinal-speak for our tasting room) from time to time as well!

Where are you from? Where have you lived?

I am from Roselle, IL, a small suburb of Chicago. I have also lived in the city of Chicago, but Bloomington is my favorite of them all!

Any pets you’d like to introduce to us?

I have a feisty orange tabby name Marigold, she’s the best!

Marigold!

Tell us about a skill you have outside of work?

I LOVE to dance. I used to dance competitively, but I can still be found tearing up a dance floor, or taking online classes from time to time.

What's your favorite Cardinal Spirits product/cocktail/dish?

Honey Schnapps! It’s so unique, not as sweet as it seems it would be, and provides a fun challenge when creating cocktails for the menu

Veronica and Portland-based bartender Jim Meehan pouring batched cocktails at Cardinal Spirits.

It’s happy hour — what are you drinking?

 I really enjoyed aperitivo when I was in Italy, so I love a good Campari or Cynar spritz.

What advice do you have for people who want to make better drinks at home?

Just have fun!! Don’t be afraid to try things that may sound weird, those can make some of the best drinks. This was a big thing I had to learn when I was learning how to create drinks at Cardinal.

What's your coffee order?

A decaf Little Wizard from our friends at Hopscotch!

How do you typically start your morning?

I am not a morning person, so I am typically rolling out of bed 20 minutes before I need to leave for work. 😅 

And how do you end your day?

This may seem weird, but doing the dishes! I’m a big fan of waking up to a clean kitchen.

Any TV recs for us?

Padma Lakshmi’s Taste the Nation on Hulu. I learned so much about the amazing and expansive culinary traditions that exist across the country.

Favorite midnight snack?

Midnight pasta - it’s a mixture of really tiny pasta shapes with lots of butter and garlic that we used to eat at sleepovers at my Grandma’s house. I still make it often!

Most used emoji?

🙃

Favorite condiment?

Hot sauce!

Want to give a shout-out to anyone?

To my co-workers, thank you so much for making Cardinal such an enriching and enjoyable place to work!

Thanks, Veronica! We are lucky to have you on our team!

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