Honoring Service Through Craft: The Story Behind Military Uniform Keepsakes by Nicole Zettlemoyer
When veterans leave the military, they carry with them not just memories, but tangible symbols of service—uniforms, badges, and gear that represent years of commitment, sacrifice, and pride. For Marine Corps and Air Force veteran Nicole Zettlemoyer, one such uniform sparked the beginning of a heartfelt business journey, transforming old fatigues into personalized military uniform keepsakes that honor lives and legacies.
In a special episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight, Nicole shared how her passion project—Wreaths by Nicole P—turned into a nationally recognized brand crafting meaningful keepsakes for families across the country. With over 3,000 custom wreaths and ornaments created, Nicole’s story exemplifies how creativity and service can come together to preserve history in a deeply personal way.
From Active Duty to Artistic Tribute
Nicole ZettlemoyerNicole Zettlemoyer served in both the Marine Corps and the Air Force, embracing diverse roles ranging from bandsman to martial arts instructor, victim advocate, and master resilience trainer. Her transition out of the military came in two phases—first leaving the Marines to work as a civilian in San Antonio, and later exiting the Air Force to focus on her growing family.
It was during that second transition, while adjusting to motherhood and civilian life, that Nicole stumbled upon a unique way to repurpose her uniforms. With the Air Force phasing out its older camouflage pattern, she didn’t want to simply discard her fatigues. Instead, she returned home on leave, collaborated with her mom, and created her first military wreath—a rustic, imperfect piece that sparked something much bigger.
What started as a casual project quickly evolved into a full-fledged mission. Nicole posted a photo of that first wreath to Facebook, where it immediately caught the attention of friends and fellow service members. Encouraged by their interest, she began creating more—and in December 2020, her keepsakes went viral.
Nicole was featured on Fox News, CBS Mornings, Late Night with David Muir, and People Magazine. Overnight, her inbox was flooded with a waitlist of 2,000 orders. With no website, business license, or formal structure, Nicole suddenly found herself running a company dedicated to making military uniform keepsakes that captured the heart of a nation.
More Than a Wreath: The Meaning Behind Every Keepsake
What sets Nicole’s creations apart isn’t just their craftsmanship—it’s the meaning behind them. Each wreath is made from genuine military uniforms, often provided by the customer, and adorned with personalized patches, ranks, buttons, and name tapes. For many, these keepsakes become heirlooms, tangible tributes to service members both living and deceased.
Nicole shares that one of her favorite parts of the business is connecting with families. “Even if you feel like you're making the same thing over and over again, just being able to hear the stories… it makes it refreshing and doesn’t get old,” she said in the interview. Her workspace is filled with photos, letters, and stories sent by customers—Gold Star families, veterans, spouses, and children—who want to honor their loved ones.
These aren’t mass-produced decorations. They’re handcrafted military uniform keepsakes that carry emotional weight and legacy, helping families preserve a visible and lasting symbol of their connection to the military.
The Business Behind the Craft
Running a business from scratch—especially while transitioning out of the military and raising a newborn—is no small feat. Nicole faced all the typical challenges: taxes, creating a website, setting up legal structures, managing social media, and sourcing materials. In the beginning, she juggled these responsibilities while still serving active duty, navigating a steep learning curve fueled by passion and necessity.
Eventually, Nicole completed several entrepreneur development programs to sharpen her skills. She participated in Bunker Labs, a well-known accelerator for veteran startups, and enrolled in a four-month cohort called Points for Patriots through Spousely, an online marketplace for military spouse-owned businesses. She also completed an online course specifically for veteran entrepreneurs, giving her the foundational knowledge to run and grow her brand.
These experiences helped her move from handmade hustle to structured small business, and today, Wreaths by Nicole P stands as a model of what’s possible when veterans transform their stories into service-based businesses.
Scaling the Craft of Military Uniform Keepsakes
Nicole’s product line includes six different wreath sizes and ornaments, designed to accommodate different price points, spaces, and personal preferences. Customers can provide their own uniforms or choose from Nicole’s extensive collection—donated pieces that now cover every branch and pattern of military service.
Turnaround time generally ranges from one to two weeks. For a standard 15-inch wreath, Nicole estimates it takes about 90 minutes to assemble, plus additional time for packaging, photography, and custom requests. If uniforms need to be cut and prepped, it adds up to an hour more.
After producing thousands of military uniform keepsakes, Nicole has streamlined the process—but she still gives every piece her full attention. “I put on a baseball game and just chug and plug,” she joked, reflecting on how far she’s come from that first messy-bun Facebook post.
Navigating Life, PCS Moves, and Military Spouse Realities
One of the biggest challenges facing military spouse entrepreneurs is mobility. Nicole and her husband—recently promoted to Master Sergeant—are anticipating a PCS (Permanent Change of Station) in March. Whether they end up stateside or overseas will impact her ability to continue operations at full capacity.
“If we go OCONUS, I might have to kind of put it on pause,” Nicole admitted. Still, she remains open to running the business from abroad and is actively researching international shipping regulations and base restrictions.
Support from the Spousely network has made a big difference. “If you find out you’re getting PCS overseas, let us know—we’ll make it work,” they told her. That kind of encouragement, paired with her entrepreneurial spirit, gives Nicole confidence that she can continue crafting military uniform keepsakes no matter where duty calls.
Building Legacy Through Keepsakes
Today, Wreaths by Nicole P continues to grow, thanks to word of mouth, repeat customers, and social media. Nicole connects with people through her website and on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Her goal is simple but profound: to help others preserve the memory and meaning of military service.
You can explore Nicole’s work and order your own military uniform keepsake at:
🌐 Website: www.wreathsbynicholep.com
📸 Instagram & Facebook: @wreathsbynicholep
💼 LinkedIn: Nicole Zettelmoyer (Pompei is her maiden name)
Final Thoughts: Why Military Uniform Keepsakes Matter
Nicole Zettelmoyer’s journey proves that purpose can be found in the smallest ideas—a wreath, a post, a comment from a friend. In her hands, discarded uniforms become symbols of love, remembrance, and pride. Her military uniform keepsakes not only preserve history, but they also connect people through shared stories and honor.
As more veterans and military families seek ways to remember their service, entrepreneurs like Nicole are answering the call. With each wreath she creates, she proves that legacy doesn’t live in the past—it lives in what we do with it.
