Husband-and-wife makers turn pain into passion
Dec. 5, 2025
When Cathryn Mittendorf and her husband, Nate, started their creative business, it eventually evolved through their unexpected loss.
“We started it before I was even pregnant,” Mittendorf said. “Then, as we were trying to come up with a business name, we struggled to come up with one, and that’s when the miscarriage happened.”
As they grieved their loss, a baby girl, they found a way to honor her.
The Mittendorfs have two kids earthside, two pets and two full-time jobs in addition to this business they operate together – hoping one day to take it full time.
“In the wake of our loss, we leaned on each other, finding strength in our shared dreams,” Mittendorf said. “It was during those quiet, reflective moments that we discovered a deep desire to create something meaningful together.”
With that passion, they channeled their emotions into a laser crafting business.
“The name Hadley Grace Creations serves as a constant reminder of the love that will always be a part of us, even as we navigate our grief,” she added.
Hadley Grace Creations features unique, personalized pieces – including jewelry, ornaments, bookmarks, leather koozies, cutting and serving boards, and other items – that celebrate love, joy, remembrance and resilience.
Some of those products will be for sale at the 605 Made Holiday Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Cherapa Place in downtown Sioux Falls.
Through laser crafting, custom memorial pieces or heartfelt gifts for special occasions, each project is a labor of love.
“Each item we create tells a story, our story, and the stories of those who seek to honor their own journeys,” she said. “By doing this, we’ve built a venture that not only reflects our journey but also resonates with others seeking to commemorate their own experiences.”
This will be their first experience participating in a 605 Made Market, and they said they look forward to meeting potential customers.
Hadley Grace Creations will be among more than 50 makers in this year’s 605 Made Holiday Market, which will take place in the lower-level parking garage of the original Cherapa Place building, which is on the east side of the Big Sioux River between Sixth and Eighth streets. Admission is free.
