Nebraska Makers You Need to Know About
- Elizabeth Ransom
- Jan 17, 2021
- 7 min read
Growing up in rural southwest Nebraska, I have such a great appreciation and love for my home state and the people who live there. Oftentimes, I think Nebraska is overlooked for all that it has to offer, one of those being all the talented makers and creatives in the state.
Because of this, I'm excited to share with you some of my personal favorite Nebraska makers from around the state below.
1. Adventure Inspired
Adventure Inspired offers elegant, simple, and trendy jewelry pieces. The necklaces are beautiful by themselves but would also look nicely layered.
Product(s): Jewelry
Location: Papillion, NE
Where to Buy: Etsy
Instagram: @adventureinspiredjewelry
2. The Anastasia Co.
Creating uplifting and inspiring products that are also beautifully designed, The Anastasia Co. has a wide array of products from coffee mugs to apparel to paper goods.
Product(s): Home & Paper Goods
Location: Omaha, NE
Where to Buy: shop.theanastasiaco.com
Instagram: @theanastasiaco
3. Bloom With Claire
Bloom with Claire adds fun and personality to usually ordinary and overlooked doormats. From midwest-inspired doormats to seasonal items, Bloom with Claire has a wide variety of different options for everyone.
Product(s): Door Mats
Location: Omaha, NE
What inspires you? I am inspired daily! It could be a thought of an old movie or a quote from TikTok. So many times I'll be driving listening to a song and my thoughts will go from one to another and I'll think to myself..."that would be perfect on a doormat!" I have been described as quirky and I think that really comes across in my designs. I'm also inspired by real-life experiences that go unsaid but everyone can relate to.
What’s your favorite thing about your work? My favorite thing about my work is how diverse my customers are and how everyone can enjoy the product, no matter your age, gender, interests, or style. It makes it really fun to create when you essentially have no limits.
What do you want people to take away from your work? What I want people to take away from my work is more of a question to them! A doormat is SO subtle but often the first thing someone sees when entering your house. How do you want your vibe and style to be portrayed?
Where to Buy: Etsy
Instagram: @bloomwithclaire
4. Copper Pine Co.
I love how fun, unique, and refreshing Copper Pine Co.'s products are. Marked with quirky quotes and uniquely repurposed items, I haven't found another shop quite like it.
Product(s): Keychains, Spoons, Coozies
Location: Omaha, NE
Where to Buy: Etsy
Instagram: @copperpineco
5. Faded Plains
Faded Plains creates skin and body care products focusing on natural ingredients.
Product(s): Natural Home, Body, & Skincare
Location: Omaha, NE
Where to Buy: fadedplains.com
Instagram: @fadedplains
6. Kasha's Cakes
Yes, those are all edible cakes above. I haven't seen a more talented artist in Nebraska when it comes to cake decorating than Kasha's Cakes.
Product(s): Cakes
Location: Omaha, NE
What inspires you? God's wonderful creations in nature, other incredible artists, and everyday objects. I will be looking at something and think "I want to make that out of cake."
What's your favorite thing about your work? Always being able to push the boundaries of cake art. Cake sculpting is a relatively new medium in the world of art. Therefore those of us doing it are still in the trial and error stage. Other mediums such as sculpting and painting have skills and tricks of the trade that have been developed over hundreds of years. We are pulling what we can from those classical styles, and adapting where needed. It's both frustrating and incredibly fun at the same time! I've always been best at thinking outside of the box. So this is very much so in my wheelhouse!
What do you want people to take away from your work? Joy and wonderment.
Where to Buy: kashascakes.com
Instagram: @kashascakes
7. Machelle Kolbo
I love the designs, content, and products of Machelle Kolbo. Along with having beautiful products, their products all contain encouraging and uplifting quotes or messages.
Product(s): Wall Art, Mugs, Christian Journals
Location: Lincoln, NE
What inspires you? I’m inspired by a lot of things! Being outdoors and observing nature inspires me. I’m also inspired by colors, patterns, and typography I notice. Some of my work is also inspired by my faith and things I’m learning from the Bible.
What's your favorite thing about your work? It is so fun to create things, try out new products and bring ideas to life.
What do you want people to take away from your work? I hope that pieces of my work will love and encourage others when they need it most!
Where to Buy: Etsy
Instagram: @machellekolbo
8. Mae Beam Creative
When it comes to wedding decorations, usually they all seem to be more or less similar when it comes to design. Mae Beam Creative creates unique items for your upcoming bachelor party, bachelorette party, wedding, and more.
Product(s): Hand-Lettered & Laser Cut Goods
Location: Omaha, NE
Where to Buy: Etsy
Instagram: @maebeamcreative
9. The Marigold Co.
The Marigold Co. creates beautiful jewelry pieces focusing on elegance.
Product(s): Accessories & Home Decor
Location: Omaha, NE
Where to Buy: Etsy
Instagram: @themarigold.co
10. Moon & Back Jewels
Moon & Back Jewels incorporate both clay and metal elements to create stunning pieces of unique jewelry.
Product(s): Jewelry
Location: Lincoln, NE
What Inspires You? So many things inspire me from colors in nature, architecture, paintings, textures, etc. I feel like my brain is constantly turning & searching for new inspo!
What's Your Favorite Thing About Your Work? My favorite thing about my work is that it's true to me. I feel so proud of myself when I complete pieces! I love to make pieces that are unique and different from others I’ve seen but also simple & impactful that you’ll work them into your everyday looks.
What do you want people to take away from your work? Happiness. Love. Confidence. I want everything I put into them to be taken away through their new homes & people who admire my work. I want everyone who comes across my business to leave it feeling more loved & welcomed than they did when they arrived.
Where to Buy: moonandbackjewels.com
Instagram: @moonandbackjewels
11. Oldn Leather
OLDN Leather offers both beautifully custom-designed and ready-to-go leather products. Products: Leather Goods
Location: Omaha, NE
Where to Buy: oldnleather.com
Instagram: @oldn.leather
12. Opal & Prim Botanical Design
For those special occasions when you want to preserve your memories, Opal & Prim creates preserved bouquets and flowers for you to keep on display.
Products: Botanical Watercolors & Pressed Flower Art
Location: Lincoln, NE
What inspires you? Creating a cozy and inviting home with preserved and dried florals.
What’s your favorite thing about your work? Taking florals that typically were thrown away and instead of making something beautiful out of them!
What do you want people to take away from your work? They can have the beauty of nature preserved in their homes forever.
Where to Buy: Etsy
Instagram: @opalandprim
13. The Original Garage
For those who are wanting to support their team/state but look cute while doing it, The Original Garage offers cute and stylish apparel and accessories featuring Nebraska.
Products: Nebraska Apparel
Location: Omaha, NE
What inspires you? Culture, nature, and textures
What’s your favorite thing about your work? The client's excitement with the end result ✨
What do you want people to take away from your work? Hope to feel empowered and that you stand out in a sea of red
Where to Buy: Etsy & Made in Omaha
Instagram: @shop_the_og
14. Plumb Woodworking
There are a lot of woodworkers out there but I love Plumb Woodworking because of the variety of wood they use in the projects and how they utilize the natural shape of the wood they are using. Beautiful!
Products: Woodworking
Location: Omaha, NE
What inspires you? When I’m not consumed with custom projects I mostly let the woods’ natural shape guide me on what I eventually use it for.
What’s your favorite thing about your work? Woodworking is very therapeutic and I love making things that I hope people will love and use in their daily lives.
What do you want people to take away from your work? I just hope people see all of the time and hard work that goes into every piece I create. A lot of the “wood” furniture or home decor items you see at target or other box stores are actually made of wood veneer and/or aren’t really built to last. When I create things, I want them to stand the test of time both physically and aesthetically, so creating pieces that are both durable and timeless is important to me
Where to Buy: DM on Instagram for custom orders or send e-mail to plumbww@gmail.com
Instagram: @plumbwoodworking
15. Spitfire July
Unlike a lot of clay jewelry makers, Spitfire July is so unique with its clay designs and so skilled in how they incorporate beading into their designs.
Products: Jewelry
Location: Lincoln, NE
Where to Buy: spitfirejuly.com
Follow On Instagram: @spitfire.july
16. Truth Papers
Truth Papers offers beautiful designs for branding, wedding invitations, & greeting cards.
Products: Stationery - Branding, Wedding Invitations, Greeting Cards
Location: Lincoln, NE
What inspires you? I am inspired by many things, but probably the number one source is God. I need to be reminded often of who He made me be and how He sees me. Knowing that gives me the confidence to keep creating. After that, definitely my family and the great outdoors.
What’s your favorite thing about your work? Drawing and printing. And mixing ink. I love the creating part.
What do you want people to take away from your work? I just hope people are encouraged, and that what I have made can make them smile or laugh. I want to give you a piece of papery goodness that helps you put your genuine self into words and connect with and encourage the ones you love.
Where to Buy: Etsy & truthpapers.com
Instagram: @truthpapers
17. Wandering Heart Paper Co.
Wandering Paper Co. offers a personal and organic touch to any wedding or special event when it comes to calligraphy.
Products: Custom Wedding Invitation Design & Calligraphy
Location: Omaha, NE
What inspires you? I'm primarily inspired by nature.
What’s your favorite thing about your work? I love that I get to continually grow my design and calligraphy skills while working with couples to create designs for the most important day of their lives.
What do you want people to take away from your work? I want people to feel how much thought and care goes into making their invitations personal to them.
Where to Buy: Etsy & wanderingheartpaper.com
Instagram: @wanderingheartpaperco
Discover More
Follow @thegoodlifecreatives on Instagram to discover more Nebraska makers and artists. If you don't see your favorite Nebraska maker in the list, please comment them down in the comments so others can check them out!
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