Market Day home
Pop-up markets showcasing independent goods from local makers since 2009.
Des Moines' Pop-up market showcasing goods from Independent makers since 2009
A message from us
May 25, 2021 - Over the past year, the pandemic made friends and family sick, shuttered shops, and cancelled shows like ours. People worldwide reached out to neighbors and supported each other. Through it all, the Market Day team has been meeting over Zoom, trying to do our part to keep our communities safe and connected.
The pandemic also forced us to do something that we haven't done in a long time: slow down and look at the ways we've been taught to embrace hustle culture. We'd been working so hard and so long on growing these events and this community, we didn't realize that we had begun to lose ourselves in the process. We wondered if we were really serving the community in the ways we wanted to. The hustle took precedence over important relationships, work/life balance, and the goals of our project, and COVID was what it took to finally put that in focus for us - and gave us space to examine the harm that hustle culture causes!
After many conversations, some doubts, and more than a few tears, we decided to continue Market Day's break. We did not come to this decision lightly. We miss each and every one of you: our wonderful artists who are the backbone of our community, our loyal and supportive shoppers, and our dependable volunteers. As show dates came and went, we held you all with love in our hearts, and we continue to.
Vaccines have helped slow the pandemic and allow us to see one another again, but this pandemic is far from over and many people in our communities are still vulnerable. The health of the community is our priority.
If and when we bring Market Day back, it will be with conversations with the community on how to better serve and build a wider community of white, Black, brown, Indigenous, women, queer, trans, and gender noncomforming artists.
What does this mean? It means that our calendar is clean for now. Does it mean there will never be a Market Day again? We're not sure. We want y'all to stay in touch, so please stay subscribed (the newsletter signup is at the bottom of this page!) (and you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram!). If there is ever any update (or perhaps a pop-up? could happen!) we will let you know.
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your years of love and support.
Cat, Dani, and Andrew
Meet the best artists and crafters from around the midwest
Market Day is a curated pop-up market. Since 2009, we have hand-selected quality, original artists and collectors from Des Moines, Iowa City, Minneapolis, Chicago, Omaha, Kansas City, and beyond. We organize events to bring them together with shoppers and everyone has a blast.
We started Market Day because we wanted people to see all of the cool stuff our friends make. We wanted our shoppers to "meet their makers," and put a face to the objects they buy.
And, Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year - for big box stores like Wal-Mart and Target.
For over 10 years, Market Day vendors have come from across the country to take Black Friday back and make it a space for the handmade community. We pride ourselves on making Market Day a space where makers can meet other makers and build community with each other and Des Moines.
Upcoming events
We are currently on hiatus. Stay in touch through our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter channels
to keep up to date on ways to connect with our artists!
Vending
Applications Are currently closed.
Because COVID knocked all our plans to safely bring thousands of people together off the rails, we don’t have shows planned for the foreseeable future. Sign up for our newsletter (and tick the box marked “Definitely tell me about becoming a vendor!�?) to stay in the know about new applications.
STAFF
Top row, left to right: Dani, Andrew, Sarah. Bottom row, left to right: Shylah, Cat, Mary. We are all VERY attractive.
Dani Ausen
DIRECTOR AND VENDOR COORDINATOR
Dani is a master organizer, never losing a detail. She builds maps, keeps track of all of the makers, holds hands, runs the application process, designs posters, keeps everything running on time, and distributes high fives. Dani is Large and In Charge.
Dani also makes endlessly original accessories as the owner of Dani Awesome. Check her out at daniawesome.com.
Cat Rocketship
PRODUCER AND LOGISTICS
Someone has to work with the fiddly bits. Cat fulfills requests, works with Market Day's hosts, writes this website, orders supplies, hauls stuff, and makes unparalleled playlists. They also set meetings, starts relationships, and nurture the Market Day community. Cat is the connector, and is one of the co-founders of Market Day.
Cat is a painter and illustrator, and also makes zines, stickers, and posters. Check out Cat's Etsy shop to see their latest projects.
Andrew Kingsbury
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
Andrew joined the team in 2016. He has a good eye and a way with words that make it easy for him to whip out jazzy posts for our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts. He’s an amazing designer, cranking out amazing posters one after another. His work keeps us on the top of people's minds and #1 in their hearts. Also his hair is killin it.
Andrew is an award-winning jewelry maker and creates a line of rings, cuffs, bracelets, and more. Check out Decadence.
SHYLAH STATLER
DAY-OF COORDINATOR
Shylah is the smiling face and hostess of our big events. She keeps the crew sane, puts out fires, and directs shoppers and makers to the answers they need. Her Instagram game is seriously on point. Shylah’s has some moves, so if you find yourself dancing alone at Market Day, she might be up to get down.
Shylah is a mover and shaker with lots of projects, and is the co-founder of Art Terrarium.
SARAH MARX
DAY-OF LOGISTICS MANAGER
By the time Market Day rolls around, our team has been working hard for months. That’s where Sarah comes in to save the day. If you’re a Market Day maker, Sarah is likely the first face you’ll see. She’ll check you off on her trusty clipboard and help you unload and get oriented. Sarah is our hero, and yours too.
Sarah is a wizard with leather, pumping out beautiful accessories for eclectic wanderers. Check her out at Ruka.
MARY PAOLI
PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MEDIA MANAGER
Market Day’s chief mission is to create community, so someone’s got to get the word out. Our head wordsmith, Mary, makes us sound good. Whether we need a press release, a great custom blog post, or an interview on local news, she’s ready and raring. Mary turns our big ideas into newsworthy stories, and she does it all with a smile.
Mary also runs Whoa Nelli, where she creates natural, sustainable cleaning products.
GOOD NEWS
“We’ve recently updated this page to include references to additional resources and related content. In order to provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date information, we’ve created a dedicated page here: marketdayiowa.com/vending. This new page builds on the existing content while offering additional insights and resources, ensuring that search engines can find the most relevant and current information. Even though this page continues to cover general topics, the new page serves as a central location for all ongoing updates and detailed information. By visiting the new page, users and search engines alike can access the latest resources in an organized and reliable format.”