Vendor Spotlight: VanezzaWithTwoZZs

September 5, 2017

VanezzaWithTwoZZs brings a fantastic mix of vintage & modern to freshen up your jewelry collection! Founded in 2012, the jewelry line VanezzaWithTwoZZs is the creation of indie crafter, Vanezza Van Buskirk. The two Zs in her name aren't the only unique thing about her. Her handmade creations are derived from new and vintage found pieces.

All of VanezzaWithTwoZZs jewelry has been handcrafted with only the best found objects. Styles both old and new come together in every VanezzaWithTwoZZs piece to provide a statement item for years of enjoyment!

Materials: New, Thrifted, and Vintage
Location: Des Moines, IA
Years as a Pear Fair Vendor: 1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanezzawithtwozzs/
Instagram: @vanezzawithtwozzs

Vendor Spotlight: Ultraterrestrial

September 4, 2017

Ultraterrestrial was conceived through a synthesis of inspiration from two sources. The word "ultraterrestrial" in Philip K Dick's novel "Valis" is defined as "a superior, non-human entity of natural or supernatural origin that is indigenous to planet earth." In other words, aliens are among us! At the same time, trademarks from the 20s, 30s, and 40s, made for everyday products like shampoo and spark plugs were filled with wit and imagination. Ultraterrestrial was born to make fun, colorful products inspired by these passions, including stickers, pinback buttons, keychains, jewelry, tshirts, and artwork for those wanting to adorn themselves and their lives with things that are cartoony, colorful, and perfectly bizarre.

Materials: New
Location: Dubuque, IA
Etsy: etsy.com/shop/ultraterrestrial
Instagram: @ultra_terrestrial

Vendor Spotlight: No Coast Paper Co.

September 3, 2017

No Coast Paper Co. started with a line of sarcastic, every day postcards and quickly branched off into snarky greeting cards as well. Today, No Coast Paper Co. carries over 120 greeting card designs, over 40 postcards designs, and multiple prints and notepads, with new products coming out every few months!

Their products vastly focus around tongue-in-cheek humor, mixed with feel good vibes, which are meant to make the reader smile. Within their line of products you'll definitely find your fun, every day card, but there is also a strong emphasis on products meant to help empower women, and a line of products in support of the LGBTQ community.

All products are designed and printed within the US, with most being printed and packaged in their in-home studio in Madison, WI.

Materials: New
Location: Madison, WI
Website: nocoastpaperco.com/
Etsy: etsy.com/shop/nocoastpaperco
Instagram: @nocoastpaperco
Facebook: facebook.com/nocoastpaperco/

Vendor Spotlight: Quicksilver Designs

September 2, 2017

Quicksilver Designs offers affordable handmade jewelry for any occasion. From sleek sterling silver pieces to copper and raw stone jewelry, find your next go-to accessory!

Materials: New, Natural, Found
Location: Ames, IA
Instagram: @byquicksilverdesigns
Facebook: facebook.com/QuicksilverMakesThings

Vendor Spotlight: Magpie Alchemy and Arts Shop

September 1, 2017

Magpie is a marriage of art and the metaphysical. Magpie exists to de-mystify the psychic stuff in the world, to make it accessible for people to use as an every day tool in their life. Magpie offers a variety of intuitive readings, including Tarot readings. Magpie also offers jewelry and talismans that have been crafted for the same purpose; to help the bearer rise to meet their challenges, open up to new possibilities, or get in touch with their own inner wisdom. Each piece is unique, handmade from crystals, stones, shells, wood, and miscellaneous trinkets that are both lovely and meaningful.

Materials: New, Natural, Found, Thrifted, Vintage
Location: Waverly, IA
Facebook: facebook.com/MotherMagpie3/

Vendor Spotlight: Pineapple Bubble Gum

August 31, 2017

Pineapple Bubble Gum strides towards making one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories, and weavings, using repurposed and unusual materials. A collaboration of two artists, Mary Louise Reeves and Bubble Gum Coffey. Mary earned her BFA in Painting at the Kansas City Art Institute, and Bubble Gum earned her BFA in Printmaking at the University of Northern Iowa. Both artists have always had an interest in fiber-based creation. In undergrad Bubble Gum focused on sewing, crochet, and fabric printing; Mary focused on weaving, dye work, and pattern design. Together, they are teaming up to create fresh, funky and adorable objects to look at and wear.

Materials: New, Upcycled, Recycled, Repurposed
Location: Cedar Falls and Bettendorf, IA
Website: bubblegumcoffey.com
Facebook: facebook.com/greenearthglass/
Instagram: @bubblegumcoffey | @sisterpinkelephant

Vendor Spotlight: Green Earth Glass

August 30, 2017

Green Earth Glass is an eclectic blend of one-of-a-kind handmade recycled art and wonderful vintage items. The mission of these pieces is to breathe new life into items that may otherwise end up in a landfill and to showcase lovely vintage items, some of which beg to be altered into art pieces and some beg to remain in their wonderful original form.

Materials: Upcycled, Recycled, Repurposed
Location: Cedar Falls, IA
Facebook: facebook.com/greenearthglass/
Instagram: @greenearthglass

Vendor Spotlight: Hallie Bear Photography

August 29, 2017

Hallie Bear is a fine art photographer who works in film and digital photography.

Materials: New
Location: Melbourne, IA
Website: flickr.com/photos/157833158@N06/
Instagram: @bearhallie

Vendor Spotlight: string. glass. ink.

August 28, 2017

String. Glass. Ink is a collection of hand woven wall hangings, hand clutches, mosaic plant pots, watercolor/ink prints and paintings.

Materials: New, Natural, Found, Thrifted, Vintage
Location: Cedar Falls, IA

Vendor Spotlight: Jake Haselman

August 27, 2017

Jake Haselman takes his original designs and applies them to canvases, wooden screenprints, and apparel. His pieces are heavily influenced by geometric patterns.

Materials: New
Location: Des Moines, IA
Website: jakehaselman.com
Instagram: @fromdeadair

Vendor Spotlight: Kesali Creations

August 26, 2017

Handmade nature-themed chakra jewelry, dreamcatchers, magnets, fairy garden mushrooms, wooden acorns, wire-wrapped crystals, & more!

Materials: New, Natural, Found, Thrifted, Vintage, Upcycled, Recycled, Repurposed
Location: Cedar Falls, IA
Facebook: facebook.com/Kesali.Creations
Etsy: etsy.com/shop/KesaliCreationsShop
Instagram: @kesali.creations

Vendor Spotlight: Techno Lumina

August 25, 2017

Dan McCurley is an illustrator and designer from Des Moines, Iowa. His work features lots of skulls, burning buildings and questionable language to help brighten your day and put a smile on your face. A proud UNI Panther from way back, Dan is excited to return to The Hill as a first time Pear Fair vendor!

Materials: New
Location: Des Moines, IA
Website: djmccurley.com
Big Cartel: djmccurley.bigcartel.com
Instagram: @technolumina

Vendor Spotlight: Zhanna's Jewels

August 24, 2017

Zhanna's Jewels offers handmade crystal and copper jewelry and "curioddities" that look like they have a mysterious story to tell.

Materials: New, Natural, Found, Thrifted, Vintage, Upcycled, Recycled, Repurposed
Location: Waterloo, IA
Etsy: etsy.com/shop/ZhannasJewels

Vendor Spotlight: Crafty Saturday

August 23, 2017

CraftySaturday is a mother daughter crafting duo. Together, they create unique, one-of-a-kind items as a way of staying close even while they live in opposite sides of Iowa. One specializes in creating hand stamped metal jewelry while the other uses repurposed wood to design home decor.

Materials: New, Upcycled, Recycled, Repurposed
Location: Dubuque, IA
Website: craftysaturday.com
Facebook: facebook.com/craftysaturdayllc
Etsy: craftysaturday.etsy.com

Vendor Spotlight: UNI Print Society

August 22, 2017

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Limited edition artwork, t-shirts, greeting cards, etc.

Materials: New
Location: Cedar Falls, IA
Instagram: @uniprintsociety

Vendor Spotlight: Thumbprint Handcrafted Soap

August 22, 2017

Thumbprint Handcrafted Soaps makes soaps, lotions, lip balms, beard oils, sugar scrubs, dryer balls and more. Thumbprint soaps are made with high quality ingredients in small batches in Cedar Rapids, IA. They are formulated for sensitive skin and are free of parabens, detergents & phthalates. No unpronounceable ingredients; so you can feel good about what you are putting on your skin.

Materials: New
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
Website: thumbprintsoap.com
Instagram: @thumbprintsoap
Facebook: facebook.com/thumbprintsoap

Vendor Spotlight: Boho Gypsy Gal

August 21, 2017

Boho Gypsy Gal began creating jewelry pieces when she became frustrated at the lack of unique items at retail stores. She didn't want the same pieces that friends and co-workers were wearing, but instead wanted to stand out! She created some basic pieces and discovered that they were a huge hit and that she wasn't the only one looking for something different. Thus, Boho Gypsy Gal Jewelry was born!

Materials: New, Natural, Found, Upcycled, Recycled, Repurposed
Location: Cedar Falls, IA
Website: bohogypsygal.com
Facebook: facebook.com/bohogypsygal
Instagram: @bohogypsygal

Vendor Spotlight: Allison Fretheim Ceramics

August 20, 2017

Allison Fretheim describes her work as "functional" and "super rad," and we have to agree. Her wheelthrown and handbuilt ceramics, including mugs, planters, bowls, and more, are a refreshing, unique and ultra adorable spin on a classic artform. We're pleased to have her as a first year vendor at the 2016 Pear Fair!

Materials: New, Natural, and Found
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Instagram: @allisonfretheimceramics
Facebook: facebook.com/allisonfretheimceramics
Website: allisonfretheim.com/
Etsy: etsy.com/shop/afretheimcrafts

Vendor Spotlight: Genevra Bell Illustration

August 19, 2017

Genevra Bell is a graduate of Maharishi University of Management, 2009, with a Bachelor of Fine Art (Cum Laude) with an emphasis in ceramics. From 2009-2010 while living in England she continued to work in clay in a shared studio with ceramist John Kershaw. In 2011, she received a ‘Merit’ in Graphic Design from Kendal College, England. No doubt inspired by the British countryside, only a few miles down the road from Beatrix Potter's historic home, Genevra moved away from ceramics and began to paint and illustrate. In 2012, Genevra moved back to the US with her British husband so that he could attend university. Genevra currently works as an illustrator primarily using watercolor and ink.

Materials: New
Location: Fairfield, Iowa
Instagram: @genevrabell
Facebook: facebook.com/genevrabell
Website: genevrabell.com/
Etsy: etsy.com/shop/genevrabell

Vendor Spotlight: To Our Moon and Back

August 18, 2017

Est. 2012, To Our Moon And Back is the creative endeavor of Cedar Falls-based mother-daughter duo, DuRaae and Shelby Davis. All products are handmade and one-of-a-kind. DuRaae makes knitwear, traditional art, home decor, embroidery art, and jewelry. Shelby makes polymer clay jewelry, miniatures, and figurines. Shelby also reads Tarot cards and practices Lithomancy. Custom orders are welcome and encouraged! Shelby's mystic services are also available for bookings.

Materials: New, Natural, Found, Upcycled, Recycled, Repurposed
Location: Cedar Falls, IA
Website: facebook.com/Yarnival
Instagram: @moon_shine920

Present & Past Vendor Spotlights!