Business Spotlight: Odd Nodd Art Supply

Last Updated 4/4/2025

Mission & History

Odd Nodd's mission is to encourage and supply local artists, both established and emerging, in all their creative endeavors. We value diversity, inclusion, and representation, and are committed to being a safe place for all community members. Our aim is to foster a robust creative community by providing opportunities and support for a broad and continuing arts education and expression. We believe Lansing is a good place to make art; we want to help make it extraordinary.

We wanted to be our own bosses, and staying in the arts was a no brainer, as Casey has a fine arts degree, is a working artist, and has been selling arts supplies for more than two decades. Whitney is also a working artist, in fiber and bookbinding, coming from a place with no formal training. Those two different perspectives work really well together, as we fundamentally believe that everyone should and can make art. There is so much value in the process, and it helps brains and hearts grow and open, and fosters connection and empathy.

We define success by a few measures. On the daily, it's did we help someone find what they need? Did we help someone feel more confident in their abilities to explore and make art? On a bit larger scale, are we able to pay our employees a living wage? Do they feel appreciated and supported and listened to? On the largest scale, are we providing our kid with security, and are we helping to make Lansing a better place to live and make art? Are we giving back to our community? Are we able to contribute and partner with the other businesses and organizations that make Lansing a better place for us to live?

We carry fine art supplies in both professional and student grade, cartooning, manga, mixed media, a whole host of kids art and crafts supplies and kits, fountain pens and inks, an array of fine stationery, especially hard to find Japanese stationery, books on arts and craft methods, activity books, Montana spray paint, Posca pens, fun & unique gifts, and a banging sticker collection. We also build customized kits for both MSU & LCC art classes.

Partners Casey & Whitney Sorrow opened first in the shared REO Town Marketplace building. Casey ran the shop full time, with the help of a talented MSU art student, Peter, while Whitney kept her bookselling job and stayed home with our then toddler, helping on weekends. Then the pandemic happened only a handful of months into being in business. We had our inventory online, served curbside, and created popular quarantine kits to help people practice new skills during lockdown.

In the summer of 2020, the beautiful building we now occupy became available. As much as we truly loved the REO Town community, we jumped on the chance to be in such a great location, both our building, and the historic Arts neighborhood that is Old Town. Soon after expanding in Old Town, we were able to hire our current two fabulous employees, Elyse & Erin.

Old Town is such a great neighborhood. The historic and deep appreciation for the arts makes it a perfect location for us, and we hope that our presence contributes to making the neighborhood even better.

Being in the center of so many great festivals makes it very fun. In particular, Pride, Krampusnacht, Chalk of the Town, and Art Feast are some of our favorite days of the whole year.

- Casey and Whitney Sorrow, owners of Odd Nodd Art Supply