Twisted Sunset Sisters | #CDM2024 Vendor
Tell us about your business
Twisted Sunset Sisters Fiber Mill is a local, women-owned business dedicated to helping small farms turn their animals’ fiber – from sheep, to angora rabbits, to alpacas and more – into high-quality products. offering demonstrations of a wide range of fiber and textile arts, as well as a selection of alpaca and wool gifts and crafting kits.
What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2024?
This will be our second year doing demos at Christkindlmarket Des Moines but our first year vending a booth. We absolutely love doing demos for the public and love sharing the fiber arts with inspiring and experienced crafters alike. This year we will be demoing our circular sock machine and our knitting machine and have a big screen video playing of the 12+ industrial sized machines that make up our mill in Perry, IA.
What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2024 and why did you choose them?
This year we will have a variety of different yarn skeins for sale, both hand-dyed and naturally-colored yarn spun at Twisted Sunset Sisters Fiber Mill along with cute project/tote bags for fiber artists to haul home their goodies in. We will have handmade 100% alpaca dryer balls and drop-spindle learning kits. Plus our handmade 100% alpaca felted soap bars will be back as an awesome novelty product along with other handmade goods such as handwoven items (rugs and towels) and handmade knitted goods such as hats, scarves, socks, ornaments and other holiday gifts.
We selected these products as they highlight the amazingness in that is locally, small scale processed yarn from proud small scale US farms. All our products will have traceability tags which detail out where the fiber came from and how it was created because we believe strongly in empowering our customer and consumers of knowing where their products come from. We also added on a mix of festival exclusive knitted and woven goods to highlight and inspire others to experience the joy of crafting something from nothing.
Anything else you’d like to share?
We are a very new fiber mill and a new business (Opened in April of 2023) and this year we’ve focused on building out our recipes for our dyed yarns so expect to see some both festival exclusive dyed colorways and a lot of gorgeous colorful items! We will also have made to order options available too for custom colorways and be available for discussing your farms fiber processing needs too as we process all fiber types from alpaca to wool, angora,to mohair and more!
Basic Stitch | #CDM2024 Vendor
Tell us about your business
Basic Stitch is a small, one-woman operation, born in the heart of Iowa, and specializes in handmade knitwear with a primary focus on cozy hats and winter essentials. As the owner and sole operator, I personally handcraft each piece with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring warmth and style in every stitch. Blending traditional craftsmanship with modern sensibilities, my creations offer unique designs, reflecting my passion for quality and creativity as a millennial entrepreneur.
What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2024?
I was inspired to become a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2024 after attending the market as a customer in the past. Seeing the vibrant community of vendors and the unique handmade crafts they offered left a lasting impression on me. I felt compelled to join them, bringing my own passion for handmade knitwear and unique designs to the market. It’s an exciting opportunity to share my craft with others and contribute to the festive atmosphere of such a well-loved event in our community.
What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2024 and why did you choose them?
At Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2024, I will be offering a range of handmade knitwear with a primary focus on cozy hats and winter wear. I will also have charming crocheted amigurumi stuffed animals. I chose these products because they showcase my dedication to craftsmanship and creativity. Each item is meticulously crafted with care, ensuring both quality and comfort. The hats and scarves are essential winter wearables that blend warmth with style, while the amigurumi animals add a whimsical touch, appealing to both children and the young at heart. I’m excited to share these unique creations with visitors, contributing to the festive spirit of the market.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Every part of the hats I sell are meticulously crafted by hand, including the faux fur pom poms which I sew personally. I devote extensive time to studying color theory, trends in fashion, and current color palettes. This commitment ensures that my designs blend traditional styles with a contemporary and fashionable flair.
2024 Call For Vendors
Iowa European Cultural Connection invites you to become a vendor at the 9th Annual Christkindlmarket Des Moines taking place December 5 – 8, 2024 at Principal Park.
The quality of a traditional Christmas market depends on maintaining a high standard of the vendor products it offers.
Christkindlmarket Des Moines is dedicated to immersing visitors in a world of folklore and craftsmanship as well as enticing them with traditional, seasonal culinary specialties to provide a family-friendly experience filled with European elegance and charm.
Our vendor guide will give you an overview of the application process and requirements. As soon as you fill out the application, it will be reviewed internally.
2024 Vendor Guide
2024 Vendor Application
2024 Electricity Request Form
We are interested in products typically offered at Christkindlmarkets throughout the world, which may include (but are not limited to): decorative fresh wreaths and centerpieces; one-of-a-kind handmade items; holiday ornaments of all colors, materials and sizes; nutcrackers; cuckoo clocks; beer steins; wooden toys; jewelry; wood carvings; pre-packaged European sweets and treats; sausages; sauerkraut; potato pancakes; waffles; crepes; stollen; gingerbread; roasted nuts; cakes and pastries; German smokers; candles; wooden nativity scenes; items made from hand-blown glass; clay and ceramic pottery; tea light holders; Eastern European/Slavic handcrafted gifts, such as nesting dolls and papier-mâché lacquer boxes; lace; leather products; beer and wine glasses; handwoven garments and more.
Vendor Testimonials
As a nonprofit, Christkindlmarket Des Moines is an essential event for our business year after year. We enjoy working their seasoned team of administrators in putting on an authentic, enjoyable market that has continued to grow and grow beyond our expectations. We enjoy being a part of this wonderful festival and look forward to the next one every year.
Danish Windmill
We have been involved with Christkindlmarket Des Moines since 2019 and it has exceeded our wildest expectations. Iowa has always been a strong market for us, but this was amazing. It was as the Dane’s say a Hygge time: (pronounced hoo·guh) (Hygge is about preserving happiness everyday. It is slowing down, being humble, expressing gratitude, feeling safe and connecting with loved ones.) Who wouldn’t want to spend a day with friends and Family at Christkindlmarket Des Moines. The organization of the event is well planned and the volunteers are helpful. The entertainment gets your toes tapping and the variety of vendors gives everyone an opportunity to find something unique.
The Kringle Man
Christkindlmarket Des Moines is by far my favorite market to vend at. It is a continuous celebration with live music, parades and Gluehwein. So it is a destination instead of just a market. The attendance and sales are phenomenal.
Pam Hyde Pottery
Our experience from start to finish was exceptional. As a first time vendor we were nervous but, all the information and mentoring provided by Christkindlmarket Des Moines prepared us for success. We highly recommend this event for vendors and attendees.
Rusty Stars Alpacas
Wild Cherry Spoon Co has vended across the Midwest. From popular indie craft markets in Chicago to small first time shows. Christkindlmarket Des Moines blew them all away in terms of revenue, participation, crowd size, after show sales, interesting things to see and do at the market, and volunteer support. We would love to be able to attend every subsequent market and word of advice to vendors; plan for your wildest sales expectations and then bring 4x the inventory…it sells out fast!
Tim McGuire, Wild Cherry Spoon
I was especially impressed with the advertising for Christkindlmarket Des Moines—I think the organizers did a great job of getting the word out through many different avenues. The parking for unloading was easy to get to and convenient to the booth location. The volunteers were very friendly and helpful. The booths made for a great ambience, and we loved the signs! My one reservation about the event was being outside because I am not at all a fan of cold weather, but the heaters in the booths made it comfortable enough, and the crowds were terrific all weekend.
Pickle Creek Herbs
Sugarplums | #CDM2023 Vendor
Tell us about your business
We sell cakes and cupcakes year round.
What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2023?
We have been participating in the Christkindlmarket Des Moines since its second year.
What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2023 and why did you choose them?
We specialize in German Gingerbreads and cookies for Christkindlmarket Des Moines. Our best sellers are Lebkuchen and Pfeffernuss. Lebkuchen is the gingerbread that we start making about a month before the market so it has time to soften and for the flavors to meld.
Anything else you’d like to share?
This is our favorite event every year and we’re looking forward to it!
Good Moon Pottery | #CDM2023 Vendor
Tell us about your business
My moto is “unique pottery to make your every day rituals special”. My pots are intended to be used every day, and should bring a smile to your face every time you use them. I think choosing a handmade mug for your coffee or a sweet little ceramic tumbler can bring a little charm to regular activities. I love infusing humor into my work, often playing on favorite phrases like “Good Vibes Only” paired with a skull and crossbones, or two loooooong wiener dogs kissing across the length of a mug body.
What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2023?
I’ve loved the Christkindlemarket for years and last year was the first time I had the courage to apply as a vendor. It was an amazing experience — and not just the freezing wind! People are friendly, the vibe is so festive, the food is incredible, and who doesn’t want to listen to polka all day?!
What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2023 and why did you choose them?
Unique pottery including mugs, dishes, and special items like Christmas Ornaments! Tons of gift options for folks that appreciate beautiful but accessible handmade ceramics that are completely unique. None of my pieces are exactly the same, and that is something I cherish.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Stop by my hut to try the Good Moon Pottery Machine!! Our vending machine dispenses something better than candy… for the price of a token you can get a special tiny pot!
German Taste | #CDM2023 Vendor
Tell us about your business
We are 3 veterans, who love to cook.
What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2023?
We were invited to CDM 2022 and had so much fun. Many of our customers are already familiar with our menu and were excited we came to CDM.
What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2023 and why did you choose them?
Curry Brats are a tradition in Germany at every Christmas Market, and it is our best seller. You can enjoy our Curry Brats and Bratwurst with a bunor Käse Spätzle (German Mac & Cheese). We use an original German Bratwurst. You can get one with sauerkraut or as a tasty Brat Reuben sandwich.
Anything else you’d like to share?
As a German Chef, I know that the number one German street food is ” the Currywurst”. In Germany alone, 800,000,000 are served annually. Come try ours during the market!