Graham Tolbert (left); Ryan Lodermeier (right)
Since its founding 15 years ago, Minneapolis-based artisan lighting company Hennepin Made has remained grounded in its commitment to local makers and the soul handcrafted goods bring to a home.
While studying ceramics at University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Co-founder Joe Limpert discovered the art of glassblowing in his second year and was drawn to its seriousness. “I felt an immediate, visceral connection to the material,” he says. “I was drawn to the immediacy of glass. Once you begin gathering layers onto a blowpipe, there is no stepping away. To succeed, you must work with absolute intent because glass has an incredible memory. Every mark made, whether intentional or not, shows in the final product. I was captivated by the pressure and the intense practice required to work symbiotically with such a demanding material.”
Inspired by glassblowing’s technical challenge and the communal nature of the art, Limpert continued to develop his craft and eventually met Jackson Schwartz. The two quickly began to dream of something bigger, and thus, Hennepin Made was established in a basement studio on Minneapolis’s Hennepin Avenue.
Today, the company is in a 30,000-square-foot solar-powered facility, still in Minneapolis, and Limpert works as head of product. He trains Hennepin Made’s craftspeople, oversees the company’s manufacturing processes, and works with the product development department to launch new products.
“My goal is to ensure we can design and launch complex, high-quality products at a pace that allows us to provide lighting solutions for the entire home,” he says. “While I have worn many hats as a business owner, my core identity remains that of a craftsman.”
Limpert spoke with us further about Hennepin Made’s design ethos, how designers can partner with them to create custom lighting solutions for homes, and more.
How would you describe Hennepin Made’s design aesthetic?
Ryan Lodermeier
Our aesthetic is rooted in sensibility and material honesty. Our designs are inspired by place, specifically the clean lines and natural forms of the Upper Midwest. Our work is often reductive. We steer away from unnecessary ornamentation to allow the interaction between glass and light to remain the focal point. I describe it as quiet luxury, emphasizing the hand of the maker and a celebration of the raw materials.
How do you collaborate with design professionals when you are hired for a home project?
Collaboration begins with our sales team, who are experts in our product capabilities. They work closely with design professionals to find unique solutions for specific project requirements. When a home requires a personalized touch that goes beyond our standard offerings, our internal custom design team steps in. We work hand-in-hand with the designer to modify the fit and finish, ensuring the final piece is perfectly suited to the home.
Hennepin Made’s design ethos is rooted in craftsmanship, sustainability, and blending artistry with functionality. Can you elaborate on what this means to you?
I feel a deep responsibility to be true to my identity as a craftsman while preserving the landscape that inspires our work. As a creator, I want our products to feel comfortable, familiar, and grounded in a sense of place. To me, sustainability is about more than just our solar-powered building. It is about creating artful objects that will never go out of style and are built to last a lifetime.
This is consistent with our focus on “material honesty” while addressing the shift toward color and personalization that is defining 2026.
[Related: Artisan Spotlight: Crafting Statement Pieces With Minnesota Woodcarver Erik Wyckoff]
Have you seen any notable trends in lighting for 2026?
Because we strive to create products with timeless appeal that complement spaces throughout various style cycles, we make a conscious effort not to make decisions based solely on fleeting trends. That said, our focus this year is largely on expanding our finish offerings, particularly in glass color.
We see a significant opportunity in giving our customers more freedom to use color to suit the specific needs of their projects. This year is about providing a sense of urgency and agency, allowing people to tailor our products to their unique aesthetic vision through a more robust and expressive palette.
Explore Hennepin Made’s showroom and trade program.
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