07 Nov

"Made In America" Pans by FeLion Studios

Labor. Art. Ingenuity.

Inspired by the American Dream, Wisconsin artist, Alisa Toninato has created the coolest hand-crafted iron skillets on the planet.

With my strong Midwest roots, I am always partial to anyone who has had residency in Minnesota or Wisconsin, and Alisa and FeLion Studios is no exception.

I love her notion of utility art and her connection to DIY scene, hometown culture and American optimism. I love that she built her own small operation iron art foundry. I love that she uses old-school techniques of wood patterns and two-part sand moulds to pour her cast-iron skillets.

I just flat out love these pans. (And so does Martha Stewart. Alisa was recently named a 2012 Craft Honoree for the American Made Awards.)

Okay, so I can't stop dreaming about these pans. Envision the ultimate Wisconsin grilled cheese made to perfection in one of these seasoned skillets.

Some of the original pans are for sale but I was excited to learn that she contracted with a Twin Cities foundry to manufacture the "Cook with Pride" Wisconsin skillet - with Minnesota and other states to soon follow!

Made in America. (Quite beautifully, I might add...)

Cheers!