Nov. 30, 2022

When Arts Moms’ Pennie Ogden and Chantal Olson began seeking a site for this year’s holiday space for makers, learning they couldn’t have last year’s location wasn’t a problem.

They knew they had lots of makers with lots of items to fill the space, even if the square footage would be greater.

“We have had no problem filling it up,” Olson said. “Our makers bring stuff in daily, so it is constantly changing. Getting new stuff in all the time is fun — but dangerous for all of our customers.”

Art Moms (and friends) Holiday Boutique this year is open right next door to its location for the past couple of years in the Park Place Mall at 3101 W. 41st St., near Plato’s Closet and Olive Garden.

“It’s a bigger space and my favorite that we’ve had so far,” Olson said. “It’s just awesome. And it’s filled to the brim with happiness.”

The mother-and-daughter team of Ogden and Olson started offering a pop-up holiday shop with multiple makers in 2010 or so — “you’d think I would remember,” Olson said.

Olson describes Ogden as “the pioneer of pop-ups.” Ogden started a pop-up shop in her home, where Olson, her husband and their daughter, Grace, now live and then expanded it to include other makers in a larger location.

“She was one of the first ones who started these little pop-ups in the home,” Olson said.

Shoppers this year will find a mix of veteran participants with a lot of new makers. The Art Moms team likes to upgrade the participants and keep it changing constantly, Olson said.

This year’s items include mittens made from upcycled sweaters, which have been a huge hit in the past, vintage Christmas decor, jewelry, items for men, stationery, stickers and puzzles. Oh My Cupcakes will bring in cupcakes every day, and other food items include hot cocoa bombs.

“And we have the coziest blankets,” Olson said. “We’ve never had them before. You name it, we have it.”

Olson praised the customers who empty the shelves and walls at Art Moms (and friends) Holiday Boutique. They support the small and local businesses. It would be easy for shoppers to make a day of it traveling from small business to small business — with a stop off at a locally owned bakery for sustenance, she said.

The 40-plus makers also deserve special thanks, she said. “We wouldn’t be anywhere without our makers.”

Hours for the holiday boutique are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 30, Dec. 1-4, 7-11 and 14-18.