Kansas City Unveils Inaugural Maker Awards to Honor Local Artistry and Innovation

Kansas City Celebrates Local Creativity with New Maker Awards!

How exciting is it to be part of Kansas City’s thriving maker community this holiday season? Well, let me tell you, it just got a whole lot more festive! Made in KC has just unveiled its first-ever Made in KC Awards, and it’s all about celebrating the incredible talent and entrepreneurial spirit right here in our very own backyard.

Recognizing Local Talent

This year, the Made in KC Awards have highlighted over a dozen standout makers and their innovative products. And among all the fabulous creations, two big winners were crowned: KC New Maker of the Year and Best New Product!

Keith Bradley, co-owner of Made in KC, shared his excitement, saying, “This is our 10th holiday season, and we wanted to use our platform to acknowledge and encourage both new and established makers creating fresh, exciting products.” Can you feel the passion for local artistry? He continued, “We’ve seen so many makers come and go and it’s tough out there. This is about encouraging the artist and maker world to keep creating.”

Letting the Numbers Do the Talking

So how did these talented makers get nominated for the awards, you may ask? It all came down to sales data, creativity, and team feedback! Made in KC’s buying team identified the standout products, and then over 150 team members, from sales associates to delivery drivers, voted on their favorites. Can we say community spirit?

And the Winners Are…

Drumroll, please! The prestigious title of KC New Maker of the Year went to none other than Enrique Hernandez for his brand, Craft E. Embroidery. His embroidered crewnecks have taken Kansas City by storm this fall and continue to be a top seller! How amazing is that?

Where there’s a trend, there’s a maker who knows how to ride it, and Enrique certainly did just that. Bradley pointed out, “Our top maker capitalized on the resurgence in vintage embroidery but did it in a way that felt true to both Kansas City and his business.”

Hart & Lux snagged second place with their trendy bracelets, hats, ornaments, and wrapping paper, while Absorb Lumen came in third with their KC-themed extra absorbent towels and dish cloths. Sounds stylish and practical, right?

Best New Product Honorees

Now let’s dive into the Best New Product category! The fabulous Andrea Cira from ACira Studio won the top spot for her handcrafted, framed paper illustrations of Kansas City’s iconic shuttlecocks. “It feels amazing,” she said. Andrea aims to offer affordable and unique art for Kansas City residents, and her hard work certainly paid off.

Her items include a mini certificate of authenticity, making each piece so much more special! “None of the pieces are identical,” Andrea shares, and we can feel the love she pours into her work.

Coming in second were the adorable Carly Rae Kansas City Crew Socks, perfect for every game day or just lounging around. And third place went to the innovative KC Labyrinth KC Heart Puzzle Cube, created in collaboration with Charlie Hustle. Talk about local creativity!

What’s Next for Made in KC?

This year marks a fresh beginning for the Made in KC Awards, and they plan to make it a yearly tradition! If you’re an entrepreneur looking to be part of this fabulous community, Keith shares a piece of solid advice: “Be open to feedback. Ask customers and peers what they think of your designs.”

As Kansas City’s creative scene continues to flourish, we can expect even more exciting talent to emerge. Keith believes that programs like this will inspire the next generation of makers, ensuring that our city’s creative heartbeat remains strong for many years to come.

What a thrilling time to be part of Kansas City’s vibrant community of makers and creators! Let the spirit of creativity continue to shine bright!