I stopped in this adorable plant & gift shop nestled in the Czech village between events on a…read moreSaturday. The shop was full of adorable gifts & a wide selection of plants, pots and other accessories. They had an impressive selection of "hard to find" plants like a raven ZZ plant & an Indian rope Hoya. Out of pure RESTRAINT I left with only a Brazilian philodendron and a card for a friend. I will be back if in the area again! As a dog mom, I also greatly appreciate their easy to see and helpful labeling of plants as dog friendly :)

Real. Clean. Actually plant-positive in the sense that progress is encouraged by the patrons and…read moreowner.

As a beader, this store is a dream come true. Every item I need from the wires, beads, threads,…read moreneedles, etc. are all in one place. They even carry ultra-suede for my beaded embroidery. The completed projects on display are pure eye candy for me. They also sell some gorgeous completed items for the non-artistic. The only slightly downside to this location is the parking, but it is worth walking a few blocks to visit.

I don't make jewelry. I wear it, though. I haven't ever purchased beads, or even really taken the…read moretime to think about the different types of beads before. But one day, I decided-- 'What the hell. I'm gonna go see what Beadology Iowa is all about.' And I'm glad I did. This store definitely deserves some Yelp love. First off, the storefront and sign are eye catching. And while Beadology Iowa changed names like a decade ago, this go-to bead store has lived in Iowa City for over 30 years. I walked in and was greeted with a smile. (That's always the best, isn't it?) As a non-jewelry maker I was amazed to see the different materials the beads were made of? Like; stone, pearl, metal, organic, glass, chrystal and one-of-a-kind flamework beads. WOWZA. Beads. Beads. Beads. Everywhere! Organized chaos of every color and from all over the world. There was eclectic jewelry for sale throughout the store-- which was made in house? I believe. Plus, an assortment of tools for jewelry making and other supplies. The staff appeared to be super knowledgeable, but I mean-- it's not like I'd have known :) The thing that really impressed me was just how passionate everyone I chatted with seemed. They were definite artists pumped to educate me on their craft. Classes are offered-- which I definitely need to hit up sometime. Wirework, stringing, knotting, flame-work, glass work, etc... Beginners and professionals are welcome! (Just be warned parking COULD be a concern at this location!) Overall, this rainbow store had a non judgey, creative vibe. And even thought I knew nothing, I felt ok coming in just to peruse while an obvious avid customer shopped along side me. I'll definitely come back for some custom accessories, perhaps a repair -- or a class!

Great selection & very knowledgeable staff! I have taken many projects in where I did not…read moreunderstand the pattern & they have always gotten me through it!

I've driven by here and never stopped because frankly from the street the place looks abandoned…read more And then Crazy Girl Yarn Shop closed, so I asked around and everyone said "try Knitting Shoppe." They do have a great selection of natural fiber yarns, leaning heavily toward traditional wools. Thankfully, I can navigate yarn stores without too many questions because the single person behind the register was busy chatting with a regular like it was Knitting Group night. If you're a new knitter or need lots of guidance, be patient.

Quite an interesting little antique spot located just outside dowtown Iowa City on Highway 1. The…read moremain shop contains an eccletic mix of fancy rugs, candles, jellies and jams, as well as some fun antiques including a nice selection of stained glass windows. Out the back door, you'll find another building filled with more antiques and less commercial items. The selection of antique jugs and boxes is impressive as is the collection of windows. There is a very friendly cat that roams outside and is just delightful as a secondary benefit of visiting this spot! Not an incredible selection, but definitely enough to keep you busy for a few hours and you'll probalby find something that interests you.

I love this place! Great selection of scented items for the home, excellent preserved foods like…read morejams, relishes, etc. some Local items, vintage home decor, and super friendly interactive and helpful staff! Awesome selection of vintage crocks, fermentation vessels and other pottery. So glad to have stumbled upon this store.

This place is AWESOME!!! The style is a great mix of everything from modern to mid century to farm…read morehouse. The store is easy to shop and beautifully kept. Owned by a local mother/daughter duo this is a MUST SHOP BOUTIQUE!!!!!! Whether you're looking for a unique birthday present, or for something great to add to your own home you must come here.

A spontaneous jaunt to the FLGS was rewarded indeed! On the occasion of my daughter's joining a…read moreDungeons and Dragons club at her school, we endeavored to seek a set of dice and a sack to contain them. The local shoppe keep demonstrated extensive knowledge of sacks, and of their inventory of said sacks. They showed cunning a guile as none of the obvious sacks met with our approval and recommended a "Blind Sack" that contained, among other items, a random dice sack. Relying upon their nerdy insight, we purchased the "Blind Sack" and couldn't be happier! It contained a high quality dice sack, and 2 other sacks. One carried the dice and was marked "Rare"! The other a mysterious coin of fair quality, marked with the image of a Darklord on one side, the other a powerful incantation. 5/5 Would recommend for sacks.

Living in what used to be Sycamore Mall, on the east side of town, The Hobby Corner is a great spot…read moreto find radio controlled items, games, models, puzzles, trains, tools, rockets, educational sets and all sorts of cool toys! It's got a wide variety of items. I popped in on a Saturday evening and perused the shop. There are so many unique items, all priced appropriately. I was impressed to overhear a regular customer pop in and chat with the staff. There is definitely a sense of community at this shop. My daughter saw a daffodil Lego set and was thrilled have it purchased for her. (You're welcome.) It's cool that they have board game night (Thursdays) and that you can come play a board game yourself anytime during the day. On the same note-- if you have an old board game you can sell it here. You can now sell your used games in our store. To do this simply follow these few steps. You set the price and once it is sold you get 80% of that price as store credit. The coolest thing about The Hobby Corner is that they will order anything for you if you can't find it in the store-- at NO additional cost!

Strolling along Newbo and came upon this store. The owner is super friendly and helpful. Obviously…read moretakes pride in her store and gave an impromptu tour. The fabrics are elegant with bold colors. There are several class options where one can create their own art using fabric and sewing. Available for novice to expert.

Love this concept! They take paintings by local artists and make them into fabrics. There are…read moresome beautiful colorful choices, and they also hold classes on how to make some really cool things using the fabrics - wish I lived there, I'd take a class (or 2)!

Ok. Oh, how I miss…read moregoing to shops IRL. I adore exploring all the diverse stores that live in downtown Iowa City. There's a little bit of something for everyone. This women-owned biz is no exception. I became of a fan of Heim from afar. Allison Fretheim is pretty hilarious on Instagram. She's relatable, silly, and unapologetically herself. (Plus, her dog is totes the cutest.) Heim is a wonderfully curated shop of her stunning mystical ceramics along with her favorite spiritual goods. Crystals, incense, tarot cards, candles, spell kits... so much witchy awesomeness... AND home decor. On Day 45 of social distancing I had exasperated my rescue pup search, knowing I darn well couldn't bring another four legged family member home. So I opted for the next best thing-- a cat! Ok, helllllz no. Just kidding. I decided on a PLANT(s). And Heim has some wonderful leafy companions to choose from. I opted for a Baby ZZ (sunlight is optional, low maintenance) and a cuuuuuute air plant. I went on the website, purchased via Apple Pay. Easy peasy. And guess what friends?! Free delivery in IC. I ordered at 730AM and it was delivered less than ten hours later. Boom. Heim is the epitome of a labor of love. It's uniquely a perfect spot to peruse for a gift locally. Conveniently located in the ped mall, near a parking ramp. (First hour free!) Shop intentionally. Local. Eco-friendly. Women-owned. Small biz. Hand made. Look no further than Heim!

Stopped by today during Jazz Fest with my family - what an adorable vintage boutique! Lots of…read morewitchy stuff, retro clothes, and what I like to call IYKYK finds like a lighter with Divine on it (RIP to a legend!). They even have junk journal packs, of which I also purchased. Will def be back soon!