Ellen Goekler’s joy is infectious. As the owner of Ember Woods, Ellen creates custom furniture and home décor items made of local wood and vibrant epoxy. Within seconds of starting our conversation, it’s clear that she’s found her life’s calling. “Nothing makes me happier than when we can fully realize an idea someone has and bring it to life,” she shares.
She and her team work collaboratively with customers to design one-of-a-kind pieces. They keep customers involved throughout the design and production process to ensure they are happy with the final product. This leads to close ties between Ellen’s team and her customers. “By the end, they’re more like friends or family than customers.”
Ellen is quick to praise the talent and creativity of her team of artisans: Else VandeGevel, Robert Whitaker, Nathan Scudder, and Bailen Brumfield. “We have a really good team. We have fun, we work hard, and we get along really well. I couldn’t do it without them.” Her husband Jeff, a full-time taxidermist, also works in the studio. “I always tell people that I hit the jackpot when I met my husband,” says Ellen. “He’s a lot more creative than I am.”
Ellen is almost equally as effusive when discussing her favorite woods. “I can never decide which is my favorite. I might say hackberry. Every piece is different: it has a variety of different colors and grains that come alive when you work with it.”
After years milling and drying the wood themselves in Riley, Ember Woods has moved operations to Manhattan, and will outsource their wood from local mills going forward. This pivot will enable the company to focus on custom furniture production.
You’ll soon be able to purchase items, including licensed K-State and KU goods, from Ember Woods on their newly designed website (emberwoodsks.com) and Facebook Marketplace. Call Ellen for an appointment: 785-223-1234
