A Growing Family Art and Business Partnership

A GROWING FAMILY ART AND BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP

By Talena Winters | Photography submitted | Product shots by Nikki Lewis

etsy.com/ca/shop/NiTokreations | fb.com/nito.kreationz | IG: @nito.kreationz

Being creative together is nothing new for mother-daughter team Tonia Kenney, 49, and Nikki Lewis, 27. Lewis grew up watching her mom sew and DIY around the Kenney acreage in the Rocky Lane area, and she and her brother were often encouraged to make do, sparking their imaginations.

When Lewis was 15, she saw antler jewelry and carvings for the first time. A few years later, she began experimenting with making her own. In 2017, Lewis and Kenney opened NiTo Kreationz (wordplay that’s also an amalgamation of their first names and the K in “Kenney”), selling Lewis’ custom antler jewelry and Kenney’s sewn creations.

How did you get into making antler jewelry?

Lewis: I struggled with social phobia and anxiety from a young age, and being creative helped me to deal with that. My dad had a shed full of antlers, and I thought they were so cool but never really saw any use for them until I visited a gift shop in Yellowknife. Later, a family member gave me a pair of caribou antler earrings. I loved the idea they used a piece of antler to make art, and I knew I had to do something with those dusty antlers piled up in the shed.

I started making antler art at 19. It took a long time to figure out my style. I talked to my mom about starting a business, but because I had such bad anxiety and social phobia, I didn’t want to do it on my own.

We attended our first local farmers’ market together in 2017 and started selling on Etsy. The business has enabled me to fight through my anxiety and social phobia, helping me push myself a little further with each interaction. I’m so thankful for my mom starting this journey with me— she’s the best business partner.

What about your process is important to you?

We both love so much about our process. We love to see our customers’ expressions and their excitement when they see what we’ve made. It makes our day!

I love putting the final touches on my pieces and seeing what I envisioned come to life. I also enjoy wrapping parcels to send to customers. Knowing they get to unwrap my gift box brings me joy.

Tell us a bit about how you make your products.

Once a month, my husband, Spencer, will cut around 20 to 30 antler slices for me with a band saw. I lay them out and plan what designs I want to do, decide whether to add pendants or not and drill any holes I need. I sand them, then dive-in to the decorating and the final touches. I usually finish those pieces in about a week, a few hours at a time. Pricing for my jewelry ranges from $25 to $50.

Tonia does all the sewing. She makes Soothing Bags (a dried grain-filled fabric bag that can be used as a hot or cold pack), face masks, Boho Headwraps and baby items such as swaddle blankets, knitted slippers and more. She’s made her own unique “teddy bears” called MiZfits, which are patchwork bears made from scrap material. They make me laugh— perfect for any age. Her sewing items usually range from $10-$30.

I do all of our product photography.

Where can people purchase your products?

You can follow us on, and also purchase through, Instagram and Facebook @nito.kreationz. Check out our Etsy shop at etsy.com/ca/shop/ NiTokreations. We’re also at the local Market 1788 in Fort Vermilion on Fridays, which runs into December. We post the dates we’ll be attending on social media.