We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Abigail Nations a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Abigail, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
In the summer of 2023, a gentleman contacted me inquiring about a custom pair of earrings. He wanted a pair of lighthouse earrings for his wife’s birthday, but not just any lighthouse—the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
Lighthouses became a significant part of their life when their handicapped child grew fascinated by them. Their son, Josh survived the many surgeries and health issues after the doctor told them he wouldn’t make it past three years old. They abruptly lost their son in 2017 and to this day, they love lighthouses and she wears the earrings nearly every day.
This project was meaningful to me because I created something that will be cherished for years.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Abigail Nations, and I’ve created Abigail Nations Originals, a company that makes your dream designs come true!
Since childhood, I have found repurposing anything into a masterpiece a great joy. It doesn’t matter what it is; there is always an idea.
In 2018, I was asked to recreate the artwork of a home staging company to fit their style needs and colors. I used a paint-pouring technique over their existing canvases, and the company was thrilled. This fueled my enjoyment, and they hired me to bring in another side of creativity.
During the difficult year in 2020, I was let go, but the desire to create didn’t stop there. In fact, this pushed me to find other avenues. After a few YouTube videos, I began exploring polymer clay. I took time to test different ways to work with the clay and how to perfectly bake the clay to suit my needs. My integrity is to provide quality all the way.
Creating earrings with this polymer clay opened the door to special orders, and with as much fun as I had making them, I needed to attend markets to get them off my table and into the hands of others who could wear them.
There have been so many comments, compliments, and repeat customers. One of their questions was about a website where they could order online, so I began considering the options.
With the reproduction of earrings being faster than sales, I began to explore wood, having experience with the tools from making home furniture with my husband. After friends saw our work, the word began to spread, and orders started coming in. Although large furniture is not my favorite, I do appreciate every piece that I’ve built. I am proud to present the pieces because they are of high quality and built to last.
What sets me apart is the integrity for perfection, quality, and durability. I want to make dream designs come true! With my devotion to repurposing, it’s in the customers’ best interest that I turn whatever it is into something they will cherish.
On Jan. 1, 2023, I created my website, an avenue for repeat customers to shop online.
The discipline in my craft is diversity and no boundaries. The minute I put a boundary on the creativity that flows, I am no longer creative. Unique and one-of-a-kind is my motto.
I love to paint with brushes and pouring, build purposeful wood home decor, refurbish furniture, repurpose everything I can get my hands on, mold polymer clay earrings, sew, and make a chandler of unique candles.
I want my potential clients, fans, and friends to know they are supporting my family of 6. Every sale is not just a sale. I love creating things that have significance and are special. That piece that lightens up the face of those who encounter something unique, custom, and of value. These folks fuel my creativity and give me a remarkable outlet for all I want to do.
The problems I solve are home decor unique pieces, shoppers’ gift dilemmas, homemade with the cleanest materials I can find, special custom orders they won’t find anywhere else, local and national shipping, and solid quality furniture, whether great or small, that will last a lifetime.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
In the spring of 2024 I was commissioned to build a bench, but not just any bench. The customer asked that the bench match her current bedroom set, and be able to store and conceal all of her shoes. I was excited to take on the challenge. As I began to draw up the plans and prepare to buy the lumber and hardware, I started running into some issues, as you do with any good project. Mind you, I was 34 weeks pregnant with my fourth child. I had a deadline that I couldn’t miss! After reaching out to the sellers of her original bedroom set I was able to acquire matching knobs, and getting some help at sherwin-Williams we found a stain to match beautifully. With great help from my amazing husband Michael, we were able to finish the bench and get it delivered to her home just in time! | We don’t give up. We do our very best to go above and beyond to make our customers dream design come to life
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
The best way is by investing your time to supporting local. If people care to look outside of the common shopping locations you will find a product that fits your needs and makes an impact. Perhaps that looks like taking a vacation, visiting markets, and expos. You can also pick up business cards to remember who to shop from. Lastly, ask your friends and family, the word of mouth is the strongest form of supporting those small business owners. Every bit counts!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://AbigailNations.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abigailnations?igsh=MWNlNWFrc3Z1ejl2eA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ct2HrVEgP/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@abigailnations?si=QHv5tqyWOIUIYZQ1
Image Credits
Laurie Graham/Bossbabevisuals