Meet the Maker: Alex Rezac of Fresh Squeezed Studio

Tell us a bit about yourself!

I was born and raised in Fargo and earned my BFA degree in film with an art minor at Minnesota State University Moorhead. I'm a big fan of Star Trek, Doctor Who, and The Office. I enjoy swimming and trying out new art mediums for hobbies. The most important thing to me is family, like spending time with my cousins and my little nephews. Contributing to the community is also important to me, which is why I donate 5% of all my store sales to the Great Plains Food Bank and 5% of my event profits to different organizations like The Immigrant Defense Network in Minnesota. Making a difference in my community is very important to me. I also think it's important for queer Fargoans, especially creatives, to stay in town and not move away to bigger cities, even when it can be tempting, but to stay and contribute to our hometown.

Describe what type of products you create as Fresh Squeezed Studio.

I make lots of different things, mainly with polymer clay. I make jewelry, mainly earrings and bracelets, and I make little creatures; each is one-of-a-kind. I make decor items like picture frames, ring holders, and trinket bowls. I'm now offering a new product: glittery sensory potions! My little figurines are my favorite to make, but I also enjoy creating something functional with the jewelry and decor items. I love being a part of someone expressing something of themselves through my pieces!

Tell us how you got started with your handcrafted business? What inspired you?

I have loved creating art since I was born. Both of my parents are artists who went to the same art school as I did! Even my business name continues the family tradition, as "Fresh Squeezed Design" was the name of my parents' graphic design studio in the 90's. I have sold my work on and off for years, including a year ago. I also want to make a difference in my community, and by running my own business, I can make sure I'm doing things ethically and using the profits for good.

Your sculptures are so unique and whimsical! Can you tell us how you got into doing sculptures and your inspiration for them?

I've always loved drawing faces since I was a kid, creating creatures, aliens, and monsters. I did a lot of ceramics in high school, and in art school my focus was sculpture. I worked in many mediums, including woodworking and welding. I fell in love with polymer clay as it allowed me to do what I liked doing with ceramics, but at home without the setup needed for ceramics. Translating my 2-D drawn creatures to 3-D was very natural and fun! I suppose all the Sci-Fi media I consume is a big influence as well.

What has been the most challenging part of this handcrafted business?

Besides finances, which is boring, the toughest part can be staying in love with the art when it becomes work. I have to give myself permission to create just for the fun of it sometimes because that voice in my head always says I could be doing "productive art".

How do you stay inspired to keep creating?

I'm a very curious person. I love learning, and I think that perspective keeps me creative. I know enough to know what I don't know, and it's an adventure to keep learning and growing with my art.

What has been the most rewarding part?

Seeing people fall in love with my creatures and creations as much as I am! It's always scary to put your art out there; it's very personal, but when you get great reactions, it's super rewarding. That's why I love in-person selling at events the most.

Can you tell us about some of the types of classes you teach?

I have three classes I'm offering now: two different polymer clay classes and one squeegee painting class. In my flower bowl class, you can learn to make a flower cane from polymer clay and turn it into a cute trinket bowl, and you get some flower charms left over to make anything you want, including earrings and bracelets! In another class, you learn a technique called Mokume-Gane, which is a Japanese metalworking technique that was translated to polymer clay. You layer colored clay and cut into it with shapes and then slice away the surface to get beautiful, organic designs and make a trinket bowl and a few pairs of stud earrings! In my newest class, I'm teaching one of my favorite hobbies, squeegee painting. You apply paint sort of "upside-down" on the paper and scrape it away to reveal a design; it's a super fun and satisfying process. I'm also thinking about adding some sensory potion-making classes in the future.

What advice would you have given yourself five years ago?

Where can people find your work or connect with you?

I sell my work in Unglued at Brewhalla, at events around the area, and I teach in Unglued's Craftatorium.

Fresh Squeezed Studio
freshsqueezedstudio.com

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