Maker Features

Meet the Maker: Eric Berger

Like any product, Sling Bottle began with a need that sparks an idea — but what shaped it into the brand it is today was a lifestyle. Founded by the Berger family — whose original... more »

Meet the Maker: Lauren Aerni

Flatyz offers a refreshing spark of originality in a heavily saturated marketplace. Known for its patented candles that also acts as miniature works of art, the brand has carved out a distinct niche for itself... more »

Meet the Maker: Tim Sommer

Merging tradition with modern fragrance — that’s the essence of Cape Candle. Cape Candle was originally founded in 2005 in New Jersey as... more »

Mindful Play: WerkShoppe’s colorful, creative puzzles

Puzzles gained popularity during the 2020 pandemic and are not going away anytime soon. “What we are seeing and hearing is that... more »

Meet the Maker: Print & Pine’s Ryan Martz

Ryan Martz's latest business endeavor is is changing the way customers can experience art. Martz founded Fire & Pine in 2016, a... more »

Meet the Maker: Dune Jewelry & Co.’s Holly Daniels Christensen

Dune Jewelry began on Holly Daniels Christensen's kitchen table as a creative outlet in 2007. Christensen finds her creativity flows in a complex and fluid way. “I've learned to harness the... more »

Meet the Maker: Unemployed Philosophers Guild

The Unemployed Philosophers Guild (UPG) is a gift company known for its intellectual, yet humorous, gifts. Thirty-three years ago, UPG was founded by brothers, Stephan and David Shaw after college graduation when they were disappointed... more »

An Artist at Heart

Chris Kline, owner of Eric and Christopher, developed a passion for screen printing in high school, which fueled the formation of his first business, Kanika, a t-shirt screen printing business. He shared that he “was... more »

A Focus on Emerging Lines and Niche Makers

Fine Lines, a gift, fashion and home décor agency operating in the Western U.S. for over 30 years, has launched a new online showroom division, EGG. With a growing roster of emerging lines, niche makers... more »

A Penchant for Words

In 1992, Jodee Stevens created Cardthartic, a greeting card company that is “dedicated to honoring emotions.” Stevens, founder and chief creative, launched the business to fill what she considered a void in the industry. “I... more »