Meet the Makers: A Celebration of Craft, Community & Connection
- ofmvendorrep
- Oct 12
- 3 min read
The Oconee Farmers Market is proud to host our first-ever Farm-to-Table Dinner & Fundraiser on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at the historic Thomas Cotton Gin in Watkinsville, GA.
This special evening brings together the very best of our community—fresh, locally grown ingredients prepared by renowned chefs, handcrafted goods and produce from our market vendors, and the warm spirit of neighbors gathered in celebration.
Guests will enjoy: 🍽A gourmet multi-course dinner crafted by chefs José Zambrano and Sage Patterson, featuring seasonal ingredients from our local farms. 🎶Live music by The Solstice Sisters and Art Grider, setting the stage for a relaxed, festive night. 🛍Silent auction & vendor tables, showcasing artisan wares, farm goods, and one-of-a- kind experiences. 💛Community connection, with proceeds benefiting the Oconee Farmers Market, Little Rose Organics’ Buds of Little Rose program, and the Oconee County Rotary Club.
By joining us, you’re not only enjoying an unforgettable evening—you’re investing in the farmers, makers, and families who keep our community thriving.
👉 Reserve your seat today: Click here to purchase tickets or visit www.oconeefarmtotabledinner.com
🌾 This Week’s Featured Makers
As we count down to this special evening, our Meet the Makers series continues to spotlight the creative hands and passionate hearts behind the Oconee Farmers Market.
This week, we’re proud to feature Joy Redmond of Joy’s Gorgeous Gourds 🎨 and Sonia Antonini of Tastenini 🍅—two women whose artistry and culinary creativity capture the beauty, flavor, and spirit of our local community.
Meet Joy Redmond, the creative force behind Joy’s Gorgeous Gourds, where nature’s humble forms are transformed into stunning works of art.
From a young age, Joy immersed herself in drawing, painting, and crafting, drawing inspiration from both vibrant cityscapes and peaceful coastal scenes. Her artistic foundation was shaped through her studies in Art Education (K–12) at West Georgia College, where she graduated in 1980. After a fulfilling career as an art educator at Cedar Shoals High School and Robert E. Lee High School in Thomaston, GA, Joy now channels her lifelong passion into her art full-time.
Her creative journey led her from watercolor and pottery to the fascinating world of gourd art — a medium that perfectly merges her love of organic shapes and hand-crafted ceramics. Each piece celebrates the beauty of nature, texture, and transformation, showcasing the harmony between earth and artistry.
Now retired from teaching but ever the artist at heart, Joy continues to explore and share her talent through Joy’s Gorgeous Gourds — bringing color, craftsmanship, and a touch of whimsy to every creation.
“Art is my lifelong journey — and gourds are my latest adventure.” – Joy Redmond
Welcome to Tastenini, where the warmth of the kitchen meets the essence of home-cooked flavor. Founded by Sonia Antonini, Tastenini was born from cherished childhood memories and inspired by her beloved uncle, Gonzalo, whose passion for food and family gatherings sparked a lifelong love of cooking.
Sonia crafts small-batch vegan sauces that bring joy, depth, and creativity to every dish. Each jar is made with the freshest, hand-selected ingredients — no preservatives, no shortcuts, just honest flavor made with care.
Tastenini’s offerings include: 🍃 Italian Pesto 🌿 Chimichurri 🍷 Red Wine Reduction 🔥 Smoked Eggplant
🥕 Tangy Carrot Pineapple
Every sauce is vegan, gluten-free, and free of animal products, milk, eggs, and nuts, making them as inclusive as they are delicious. Licensed under the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Tastenini is proud to share its handcrafted, preservative-free sauces that transform simple meals into heartfelt experiences.
“Cooking connects us — it’s love in every bite.” – Sonia Antonini
💛 Tying It All Together
From Joy’s artistic gourds that bring nature’s beauty into the home, to Sonia’s handcrafted sauces that transform everyday meals into something memorable, both women embody the heart of what our Farm-to-Table Dinner celebrates—creativity, community, and connection to the land.
Their passion reminds us that whether it’s grown, crafted, or cooked, every handmade creation tells a story worth savoring. 🌿
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