Game Store Day

GAMA just announced a nation-wide Game Store Day for fans of tabletop games. I am a casual fan turned more recently into a tabletop game appreciator while designing Shrumans. If your local game store is as fun and cozy as the one near me in Iowa City, check out what events they have for November 1!

I have been partnering with Diversions Tabletop Game Lounge since they opened this year and it was truly meant to be! Their store is a big supporter of local artists and I hope they become a thriving gaming community.

Diversions has a full day of events, which I have added here for your convenience, from Diversions’ Event Calendar:

GAME STORE DAY AT DIVERSIONS TABLETOP GAME LOUNGE

  • FREE GAMING ALL DAY

  • Giveaways, including a chance for FOUR free passes to Origins Fair 2026

  • Special discount deal: Get an additional advantage D20 discount roll for every $50 spent to apply to your ENTIRE order!

  • A full day of activities!

    12pm-4pm     will offer demos of Old Salt (Never Board Games - Des Moines), Sylvan Tactics (Random Seed Games - Marion), Burum (Tylee Tisdale - Marion), and Dreyfall (Bickham Games - Indianola).

    4pm-7pm, join Tim Ferry—host of Drinks & Designs in Des Moines and designer of Old Salt—for a game jam to build a game from scratch (either solo or in groups) with support and guidance from a knowledgeable instructor!

    6-10pm     offer another round of locally-designed game demos of Captains & Companies (Charlie Kucera & Tom Flanagan - Cedar Rapids), Challenge War (Potratz Entertainment - Iowa City), Shrumans (Candice Broersma - Iowa City), and two different games from 2Play Games out of Cedar Rapids!

I plan on going to the 6pm-10pm slot to say hi and participate in gameplay discussions. Shrumans is playable earlier as well, but the time slot makes it easier to join a group for playtesting.

Support you local artists and small businesses!

Fall Markets: Support Your Local Artists!

FALL MARKETS: SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISTS!

Fall came out of nowhere and here we are with pumpkin beverages materialized in hand. You’re tired of the overly-processed versions of Fall flavors. You want the real thing! Enter your local holiday markets, fairs, and conventions.

This year I will be vending with ICON for the first time in October, which in this case is a half-season mini con. The vendor hall is at the Masonic Lodge with ICON events the night of October 10 and all day October 11. The vendor hall will be open from 11am-4:55pm.

There will be other locations for events in the surrounding walkable area of downtown Iowa City. October 11 also coincides with the Iowa City Book Festival at Merge! Both events are free to the public, but there are ICON panels and activities that are available with purchasing a con badge ($25 for adult and $2 for kids).

More information on ICON 49.5 here!

I am putting the cart out before the horse a little bit for this Holiday Market. To be clear, the Parks & Rec Holiday Market in Iowa City is definitely happening, but my spot hasn’t been guaranteed yet. This is a great local market with unique crafts and goodies that tend to get buried in online search engines. You should go regardless if you are in the area!

Even Etsy has become suspect for mass-produced items and generative AI that is cleverly marketed to look like artisanal goods. Support your local artists and craftspeople by going out to your local markets and fairs. You will find something truly unique and get to know real people!

 

SKETCHES

Here are new animal sketches from the past month to enjoy! I have been spending some time at the Iowa City Museum of Natural History, which has an amazing taxidermy collection open to the public.

Art Store Launched and Ready

With the gradual decline of Etsy and privacy issues with both Shopify and Etsy, I have resolved to use the integrated Squarespace store feature. So far it has been working great! I am still needing feedback, so email me if you come across any issues with the interface. Use code "MUSHLOVE" for a 25% discount on orders of $20 and up!

SHOP MY NEW WEBSITE STORE

Some new items you can find in my store are these tiny originals inspired by Spirited Away. Catch them at my store sale or see them in-person at my November and December events!

November and December Events

I have in-person events happening in Iowa City! The December 14 Holiday Market is happening regardless, but I am on the waitlist. I wanted to get the date out there and will update everyone as soon as I get word of my vendor status!

Shelter House Art Auction

We have a special event this month! There is a charity art auction for Iowa City's Shelter House happening from March 18 through March 22. Bidding begins online with the epic conclusion at an in-person event called Literary Giants. You can find my art among the selection:

Prints of the four pieces above have been donated to the Shelter House Auction. Each piece is a signed, matted, and framed Giclée art print ready for hanging.

bid Online!