Mother of all Markets 2020

One thing we love most about Iowa City is the #shoplocal mentality! Since our community has so many amazing moms and women running businesses of all sorts, all over the corridor, we are always excited to gather a bunch of our favorites in one place for an EPIC afternoon of shopping. Back by popular demand, the 3rd Mother of all Markets took place on Saturday, February 1st, 2020 at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Center in Coralville, Iowa. We showcased lots of unique vendors, and we were thrilled to have so many shoppers come out to shop small and support local mom-run businesses!

We encourage you to check out these amazing businesses and support the creative and driven women behind them!

Established June 2018, Brown Dogs Farm is located just outside Norwalk, IA. It’s the home of three brown dogs, one big garden, Robb, Amanda, and their growing collection of tractors. Brown Dogs Farm was born out of the dream to emulate the simple life of Robb’s grandparents, who inspired him with their hard work and abundant gardens. Bored by standard red hot sauce, BDF set out to create a unique blend of fruits and peppers that would satisfy the part of the brain that craves great flavor without sacrificing the spice of the peppers. The results, Ghost Pear, Ghost Pineapple and Habanero Peach: are all sweet but still packing heat!

Custom cookies and cakes, creative treats and desserts, holiday goodies, and more! Check out Butter Custom Bakery for ALL of your sweet treat needs!

CIELO is a small product based company in Tiffin, Iowa. Monica Berry, the owner, designer and intuitive tarot reader, created these luxurious products because she suffered from neck pain, headaches and overall sensitivity. In addition, she loves simple, beautiful design. All CIELO products are ethically produced in Iowa by local women.

Her Creations was started by a mom looking for a hobby and now it has turned in to a fun side business. We create and make earrings to go with any look. From sparkling studs to spice up any outfit, even when your hair isn’t washed and you have no time for a full face of make up (mom life anyone), to fun tassels, brass earrings or acrylics for a night out with your love or friends. Her Creations has something for everyone and at an affordable price.

Jill’s Homestead creates hand crafted Rural Nice accessories including leather and wood jewelry, wallets, clutches, keychains, and newly added leather patch hats. The new hats feature an Iowa, Midwest, and Rural theme. Check out her hair on the hide genuine leather clutches! Jill creates all of her work out of her home on a farm in rural southern Iowa.

KNK Creative is a handmade baby, children, and family boutique out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Inspired by her one-year-old daughter Charlotte, owner Nicole Gingerich creates playful children’s clothing, colorful décor, and practical solutions to the challenges of parenthood – including making items affordable, long lasting, and high quality.

Lori Ann’s Candies is a small business managed by a dynamic mother-daughter duo. They provide hand made chocolate confections such as truffles, turtles, caramels and candy bars. They have a small retail space at NewBo City market in Cedar Rapids.

Lori Fowler, a North Liberty mom of 4, strives to create jewelry and fine art that celebrates what’s near and dear to your heart. Show off your children’s names, memorable dates, and special words/sayings on her custom sterling silver necklaces. Lori also specializes in watercolor portraiture. Come see examples of her past projects and book one of her limited commission spots just in time for Mother’s Day! In a world full of mass-produced items, Lori Fowler Studio offers meaningful pieces that is uniquely yours and will stand the test of time.

Mae Ann Creations started with Jess making home décor. She wasn’t feeling her creativity enough and explored other avenues. Eventually she stumbled on clay earrings in 2018 and has been hooked ever since! These handmade clay earrings are surprisingly lightweight and so stylish! Mae Ann has styles for everyone including kids, studs, dainty drops, and even big, bold drop earrings!

Meadow and Brook Boutique was started by two Iowa sisters, Erika and Jenny, who formed a love for clothes at a young age growing up on Meadowbrook Drive in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They share so many memories of dressing up in their mom’s collection of vintage clothes that would transform two ordinary little girls into a princess or maybe a superhero.
As they have gotten older and long after the days of playing dress up have passed, the sisters still love to discover great clothes that can transform a mood or help create an unforgettable moment. So, they took this true passion for clothing, from accessories to shoes and everything in between, and started the online boutique MeadowandBrook.com in 2018!
Meadow and Brook boutique wants their customers to feel beautiful and empowered every day and the sisters feel that fashion is a powerful tool to reflect this confidence. Their inspiration comes from the many strong women that have impacted their lives – mom, aunt, friends and of course sisters!
Meadow and Brook showcases unique pieces that let your personality shine through. With a selection of quality clothing and accessories that are easy to wear and will give your wardrobe that special boost without breaking the bank!

Mr. & Mrs. Tea makes all natural, hand crafted, loose leaf tea blends. We absolutely LOVE seeing all of the new blends they bring each year, and these teas not only make a perfect gift, but are the PERFECT companion for snuggling up with a blanket and a good book during the long winter months.

No Place Like Homestead Design, based out of Granger, IA is owned and operated by Melanie Clark, a NICU nurse by trade, but also a lover of renovation, vintage repurposing, and design. You will find this vendor offers pleasing combinations of Iowa barnwood brought back to life with vintage/antique metals, custom shelving and home decor.

Bath and self-care products that look so good you could almost eat them!  Key word: almost!! Although these products look like delicious goodies in the case at the corner bakery, they are actually luxurious bath bombs, salts, and more!

Specializing in honeybees & natural remedies, The Holton Homestead strives to provide top quality local honey, elderberry tonic, handmade care products, pasture raised poultry, the freshest produce, and all things homestead.

The Lovely Baby Co. is a local business that specializes in premium handmade teething accessories that are fashionable, FUNctional and 100% safe for baby. They use only the best organic USA Maple wood and choose to use eco-friendly and reusable packaging. With this mom-run business you’ll also find clean + modern + chic designs that both mama and baby will love! Online you’ll find their collections of modern Mom T-shirts, baby onesies, large tote bags, coffee mugs and more!

Jen has been a local artisan/creator for 9 years. She works full time at UIHC, is a mom of two active girls (9 and 6) and wife to an avid golfer. She finds designing and crafting to be therapeutic as it is so fun seeing her ideas come to life. Jen creates custom items as well and loves it when her customers give her a challenge. She limits her shows these days with her kids being so busy but loves to get creative as often as possible!

The Safety Store at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital carries products to improve the health and well-being of all children. We stock products that hopefully prevent or reduce the significance of an unintentional injury, including unique items for children with special healthcare needs.

Custom cookies for ALL occasions, with an incredible artistry and dedication to detail.  Each set is unique, and Michele never ceases to amaze us when coming up with a design to perfectly match the theme of our events and special occasions!

Willow & Lace is a mother-daughter team. Alyssa is serving active duty and her Mom Cherry resides in Maine. They stay close through their craftiness. Dreamcatchers are made from repurposed wine barrels and vintage doilies. Hand knit shawls are created with high end fibers such as alpaca, merino and silk with over 900+ glass beads.

Wondershire Farm creates products for your home, body, and family with the goal of reducing waste and celebrating a more eco-friendly way of living. Goat milk shampoo bars, lotion bars, plastic-free dish soap, and beeswax wraps can help you eliminate single-use plastic from your home, one handmade product at a time!

Special thanks to our friends at Bread Garden Market & Bakery for providing our vendors with a DELICIOUS breakfast and coffee before the market this year! Bread Garden always has been, and always will be, one of our very favorite downtown spots and we were so happy to share their goodies with our vendors as they set up their booths.

Special thanks to the AMAZING staff at Chick Fil A Coral Ridge Mall for providing a boxed lunch for every single one of our vendors at the market this year! After a full day of set-up, sales, and tear-down, it was so nice to dig into a delicious Chick Fil A sandwich with all the fixin’s before heading home. Thanks so much for everything you do in our community!