Maker City KC
Maker City KC newsletter: Shop Local KC, now, more than ever
Shopping local and small has always been important for local economies and our local maker community needs it now, more than ever. We have thousands of independent makers who create products locally in Kansas City. Maker City Kansas City and The Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair have continuously supported our maker community. The Strawberry Swing, which is usually a festival held every season with more than 150 local and Midwestern makers, has pivoted to an online website called Shop Local KC, highlighting more than 175 of Kansas City’s own creatives. The local businesses are sorted into categories, like Home Goods, Food & Drink, Apparel & Jewelry, and more! We have a compiled a sneak peek for you:
HOME GOODS
Put some Peeps on your porch with this handmade doormat from Urban Owl Co. Owner Meghan Nelson started Urban Owl when she couldn’t find a doormat that fit her witty personality. She decided to paint one herself and has now sold more than 10,000 door mats, been featured on Buzzfeed, The Today Show, and Parents.com. Urban Owl donates a percentage of all sales to Spay & Neuter KC to help them cover costs during Covid-19.
Local watercolor artist Carly Rae Studio painted a perfect bunny to decorate your home and get you in the Spring spirit. Carly also has t-shirts, mugs, candles, stationery and coloring books to get you through these quarantine times.
April showers bring May flowers and...rainbows! Somewhere Between Art’s Abi Wagner creates colorful wall hangings using weaving and macrame. Pair her pastel rainbow with Green Bee Tea Towel’s handmade kitchen towel. We featured owner Rena Krouse and her home screen printing studio in one of our first Maker City articles. She has a handmade towel for every occasion.
FOOD & DRINK
If you’re having a Passover Seder or Easter Sunday meal, you can grab some of KC Canning Co.’s locally grown and made specialty pickles, preserves, and cocktail goods. KC Canning Co. was founded “to forge a modern approach to traditional techniques and strive to elevate and stretch the conceptualization of canning while making use of as much locally sourced produce and product as possible.” Messner Bee Farm, who was our very first Maker City KC feature, has delicious honey products made by bees in their backyard in Raytown, Missouri. They have created an array of creamed honeys with flavors like Lemon Lavender, Cocoa Sea Salt, and their tried-and-true plain raw honey.
MSG Pottery, created by McKenzie Stanley, has a unique line of fun-spirited, carved vessels sure to brighten any table, especially if you pair them with Detour Goods emotion spoons. These hand-carved, wooden spoons come in an array of emotions and are buy-one-give-one, so you can get one for yourself and give one to a friend, too.
APPAREL & JEWELRY
If you’re looking for something to wear, you can find an array of apparel made by locals under Shop Local KC’s apparel tab. Whiskey & Bone’s gemstone bracelets would go great in your Easter basket. Owner Tarrah Anderson creates bracelets, earrings and necklaces with many different color options, all meticulously handmade in her Crossroads studio. The ladies at Novaa created a small batch, sustainable brand that uses recycled shipping materials, shopping bags, garment tags and other supplies. You’ll find soft shirts, scarves and more on their site.
Rich Dad Society has a line for the Dad’s in your life with tees, jackets, socks and more. Owner Miles Huddleston was featured in one of our articles last year. Founded on the principle that dads are the wisest and wealthiest people their children will ever know, Rich Dad’s brand has grown to be a KC staple.
To preview all the categories and to shop local KC and support your community, visit www.shoplocalkc.com today. Your support has never been more important. By shopping local, you’re not only helping a maker’s dreams come true, you are nurturing community, keeping more of your money in the local economy, helping the environment, creating local jobs, conserving your tax dollars, and investing in entrepreneurship.
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