


Photo by Nicole McConville (www.nicolemcconville.com)
In this episode, we interview Sarah Ubertaccio — co-founder of Making It In Asheville — about her new business QB Cucina. Sarah is a life-long Italy enthusiast with a special love for Italian food culture. When the pandemic hit, she dove into past making and quickly realized there was an itch she needed to scratch. Now, she runs the internet’s defacto home for all things pasta tools and Italian (or Italy-inspired) kitchen wares.
Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with Ashton Zager of Ashton Zager Fiber Arts
Sarah was born in Atlanta, GA, and got her BA and MBA in Providence, RI. After school, she moved to Italy for 5-years, taught English, and lived the dolce vita. Since returning to the USA in 2017, she’s worked at Eataly in New York, founded Making It Creative (which powers this podcast).
“q.b. cucina, is a gathering place for Italian food lovers and home cooks across the world. Our dream here at q.b. cucina is to bring you delicious Italian food content (recipes, guides, tips) as well as a curated collection of beautiful, hard-to-find Italian kitchen tools and accessories. Every day, we’re working on creating new and exciting content and sourcing the best Italian-made and Italy-inspired kitchenwares from incredibly talented artisans and producers.”
To learn more about QB Cucina, check out the links below:
Music by Commonwealth Choir
We had a son! That’s right, we made him in Asheville. His name is Nico and he’s a happy and healthy baby.
Sarah’s primary focus is now QB Cucina.
We’re still working with select clients via our agency, Making It Creative.
We’re looking to use our platform to share more good news and great work in the community. Click here to learn about how to send us a 1-minute voice memo.
More projects are coming down the pike, so if you’re not yet, please subscribe to our email list. That’s where we’ll be share the most information.
In this episode, we interview graphic illustrator, brand developer, and bassist, Logan Hall.
Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with local Graphic Designer, Alyssa Phillips.
Logan Hall is a Designer and Illustrator who operates under Logarhythm Creative. Logan is a native of Western NC and graduated from Appalachian State University for Graphic Design. He moved to Asheville around 2.5 years ago and began freelancing full-time at the beginning of 2020. Before this deep dive into the abyss, he worked at agencies in and around Colorado and also led in-house design for a global family of cannabis brands. Logan’s work focuses on Brand Identity, Graphic Design, and Illustration. He loves working with like-minded brands, businesses, entrepreneurs, musicians, and politicians.
Oh, what is a Logarhythm? Other than a misspelled button on a calculator, it began as an Instagram handle for a young music-playing ‘Log’ where he typically played bass in the ‘rhythm’ section. Logan has played guitar and bass in bands since he was a kid and is a huge music fan
(snob)! He now plays in an Asheville band called Pink Beds with some long-time friends.
To learn more about Logan’s work in graphic design and music check out the following links:
Music by Commonwealth Choir
In this episode, we interview Debbie Word, the owner of Chemist Spirits in Asheville, NC.
Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with Tim Gormley of Burial Beer or Leah Wong Ashburn of Highland Brewing.
Debbie has a history of jumping in with both feet. Before she began moonshining with a small home still, she had a career in landscape architecture. Since founding Chemisit Spirits in 2016, she has been a full-time problem solver. In this conversation, we talk about the history and future of Chemist Spirits.
Founded by Debbie Word, Chemist Gin was born from a small family still and many hours of moonshining with her daughter Danielle, an actual Chemist. Their unique appreciation for classic distilling and modern science led to the creation of their first spirit – a beautiful gin made with American botanicals and distilled wheat spirit. This female-led distillery strikes a perfect balance between the traditional craft and the modern American spirits movement.
To learn more about Chemist Spirits, check out the links below:
Music by Commonwealth Choir
In this episode, we interview Cameron Farlow of Organic Growers School. Cameron started with OGS in 2012 and after providing service in a variety of roles has moved to Executive Director. She is a proponent of lateral leadership within their organization and shares what it looks like to reframe and work towards providing education and tools within agriculture as a whole. Food is the great connector, friends.
Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with Luke McLaughlin of Holistic Survival School.
Hailing from Greensboro, NC with dairy farming in her blood, she has made her home in WNC, and has been with OGS since 2012. With a Master’s Degree in Appalachian Studies & Sustainable Development, Cameron also brings experience in the realms of farmland conservation, food security, farm to university, and land access for farmers. Outside of OGS, Cameron is a mother, dancer, baker, gardener, and avid explorer.
“Organic Growers School provides year-round opportunities for farmers and home-growers of all levels. Whether your interest is in farming, gardening, homesteading, healthy food, or organic community, our classes, workshops, and services will inspire you, build your confidence, and support you in creating your sustainable life.”
To learn more about OGS, sign up for classes, donate, and more, check out the links below:
Organic Growers School Website
Music by Commonwealth Choir
Photograph by Julie Douglas
In this episode, we interview Ashton Zager of Ashton Zager Fiber Arts. The local Ashevillian shares her story of success, curiosity, and persistence.
Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with Anneleisse Gormely of Spoon + Hook.
Ashton Zager is a self-taught fiber artist based out of her home studio in Asheville, NC. Along with making her own original art, she and her husband Casey produce and distribute weaving kits all over the world to help introduce others to a love of weaving.
To learn more about AZ Fiber Arts and purchase your own fiber art kits (these color and fiber combos are gorgeous btw), ebook and more, check out the links below:
Ashton Zager Fiber Arts Instagram
Music by Commonwealth Choir
In this episode, we interview Meghan Mciver & Lindsey Riley. The owners and all-around vibe curators of the plant disco and store, Palm + Pine in Asheville, NC.
“We want to create a bubble for you to walk into and have a really vibed experience, a really nice time. That’s the goal” – Lindsay and Meghan
Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with local aesthetic genius and photographer, Nicole McConville.
Originally from the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Meghan McIver has lived in Asheville since 2008. She graduated from UNCA in 2012 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a concentration in Human Rights Policy. Her work with plants began in 2013, with an organic farming work-trade and later, a local agricultural non-profit internship. Her interest in tropical plants and environmental design was initiated in 2015 with a heightened intrigue for creating accessible, functional, and inspirational indoor green spaces. Merging her love for tropical plants, design, art, and community, Palm + Pine was created in an effort to offer a safe, welcoming, fun, and vibrant space for the people who live and work in Asheville.
With a background in performance and installation art, Lindsay Riley moved to Asheville in 2017 from Austin, Texas.
Riley’s skills span from illustration to graphic design to fiber arts and fashion design. Her work as a massage therapist for the past 10+ years offered Riley more insight into her artistic practices and vision, eventually leading her to merge a love for visual arts with holistic healing arts. Riley’s current artistic approach lands on creating environments that highlight the relationship between the human body and its immediate surroundings, intending to create safe spaces that promote healing and inspiration.
To learn more about Palm + Pine, check out the links below:
Instagram, where Meghan champions the IG game
Music by Commonwealth Choir