The Brixton Workshop Collective X Artifact
Working with a small, vibrant team of artisans in a former printmaking studio with salvaged production equipment in Omaha, Nebraska, ARTIFACT owner and founder, Chris Hughes, crafts ethically and resourcefully handmade accessories with the finest materials.
Meet the Maker
Chris Hughes — Artifact
What inspired you to start your business?
“I got laid off during The Great Recession of 2010 and felt like there was never a better time to take an entrepreneurial leap. I wanted to design and make products that focus on quality, utility, and timeless design. Twelve years later, I haven’t found anything I’d rather be doing.”
Was there a person who helped teach you your craft?
“I wish! For years, I bought a lot of antique trade publications on shoe making, saddlery, etc. and connected the dots. Knowledge also carried over from woodworking. With YouTube today, it’s so much easier to learn things.”
Why is it so important to you personally to hand-craft your pieces?
“I love designing and making products. I don’t overthink it.”
How does Sustainability play a role in your approach to the goods you create?
“We compost or recycle more than 90% of our studio waste. Our products are handmade in our Omaha, NE studio which minimizes carbon emissions. Our Sustainability Collection uses certified organic and upcycled materials, as well as metal-free / vegetable tanned leathers. We also repair our products for a nominal fee to keep them in use, and out of a landfill. We hope that continued demand for our Sustainable Collection will enable us to focus solely on green products in the future.”
Why did working with Brixton on the Workshop Collective feel like the right opportunity?
“Brixton’s DNA has roots in skating and surfing. Skating is important to my sons and myself, and this collab possibly garnered some cool points from them. It was also an opportunity to get my brand out there. I’m a small operation by all definitions and it’s great to get in front of the Brixton’s audience.”
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