HaloMiner

Nicole Reblando and Pamela Fellerholf, co-owners of HaloMiner, will make you think twice before tossing something into the dumpster. All of their apparel and accessories are created from repurposed and recycled materials under the name HaloMiner – which symbolizes the process of digging up raw materials and transforming into something else. As they like to say, “Elevate the Everyday.”

“By repurposing, the creation of these original handcrafted items has no impact on the environment,” says Reblando. “All products are designed and handmade locally – we work on prototypes until we love it and it fits with our line. It’s important that each item can be reproduced and sole for a competitive price.”

The idea behind HaloMiner began in 2009 after several meetings between Reblando and Fellerhoff. “We wanted to create a business that combined our talents in fine art, design, marketing and retail – but was also sustainable to the environment,” says Reblando. “We explored ideas then decided to start with a series of accessories made from recycled materials.”

From the beginning, the two knew that they wanted to create under one brand – HaloMiner. “We chose a name that was descriptive of our process but also encompassed something memorable that would grow in the minds of the customer,” says Reblando. “Once this was decided, we looked for the right space to start.”

This space just so happened to be a small upstairs studio in the new Brazee Street Studios in Oakley.

Since their launch in February of 2010, HaloMiner has grown by one-third each year through reinvesting in more production, expanding the product and moving to their large, first-floor space at Brazee. “We are in over 35 stores and just launched an e-commerce site where we handle direct sales,” says Reblando.
What started out only as small accessories has quickly expanded to include original clothing designs, jewelry, a line of purses and decorative pillows. “The jewelry, purses and pillows are our bestsellers and can be found in local stores such as Joseph Beth, Whole Foods, Park + Vine and Dandy Haberdashery and Roads,” says Reblando.

They have also had great success with their clothing line as well. Although it is currently in much smaller distribution at Morrison & Me, the two plan on bringing the line to Kismet and establishing a larger presence in the gift industry.

What truly sets HaloMiner apart is that all items are produced by independent craftspeople in the United States from premium materials and are made from repurposed materials – so there is no impact on the environment.

As for the upcoming year, Reblando and Fellerhoff are preparing to attend wholesale trade shows to sell some of their products on a much larger scale. “We’re excited to be a vendor at the Crafty Supermarket on April 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. and plan to attend our first tradeshow market this summer specializing in American-made gifts,” says Reblando. “Our goals are to grow first in the gift industry with large production of our small purses, jewelry and pillows.”

They will also be a vendor at Cincy Chic’s upcoming Eco-Chic Fashion Show on March 26 at ADC downtown, where all proceeds benefit the Cincinnati Zoo.

“We love working together to build this company from scratch using all of our talents in tandem,” says Reblando. “We play to each other’s strengths and balance our tasks accordingly so that we may produce and sell the most carefully crafted and creative items. We love supporting the independent craftspeople that help us with production so that we may grow and share the success with them.”

They also enjoy working with a variety of businesses and communities. “We live in a vibrant, creative city and work alongside passionate and dedicated individuals,” Reblando says. “We are thrilled to be apart of the growth of a green consciousness and mindful consumption.

To learn more about HaloMiner’s sustainable line or the custom project workshops that they offer, visit www.halominer.com. You can also check them out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.