The Blok dsm

07/19/2026

We’re excited to share that we were selected as a recipient of the Amex Shop Small
Grants Program.
With support from and , we’ve received a
grant to help us grow, innovate, and support our community. This means we were able to
grow, expand and upgrade, and we truly couldn’t do it without this
support.
Congratulations to our fellow small business owners from across the country selected
Check our linktree for other businesses that were selected.
for this program. Together, we’re proud to be a part of building stronger, more vibrant
communities.
, ,

05/25/2026

Wishing everyone a Happy Memorial Day!
In honor of the holiday, we'll be closed today, but we're busy building something exciting for The Blok DSM!
Come see what we've been up to — stop in Tuesday 5/26 and check out the transformation for yourself. We can't wait to show you!

04/16/2026

This might look like a boring stack of boxes to the average eye, but it means a lot to us! You're looking at almost 1,000 pounds of raw creativity: Standard Clay in all varieties, ready for artists to shape into beautiful works of art and functional pottery for homes across Iowa.

For us here at The Blok, this also represents years of work. We've been eager to bring in a second ceramics line for what feels like forever, and this year (thanks to our Main Street America grant) we were finally able to make it happen! Our store is the fullest it's ever been. In fact, we're having a hard time making space for all the new product we're bringing in. This week our family has been putting in long, late nights unpacking, shelving, and lugging these 50 lb. boxes of delightful raw material around.

We hope you'll come in soon to see everything new, and maybe take a little home. We could use the shelf space! 😄

03/09/2026

Our shop will be closed Monday and Tuesday due to a family matter that requires our attention.

We’re a small family-run business, and occasionally things come up where we have to step away from the store for a short time. We appreciate your understanding and support.

We plan to reopen on Wednesday and look forward to seeing you then. Thank you for supporting a local art shop!

02/19/2026

Looking for weekend plans?
Join us this Saturday to create your own marbled keychain. Pick your colors, dip your piece, and take home something you made yourself.
Spots are open, reserve ahead or walk in if there's space.
Call or stop by!
515.305.6404

02/18/2026

We're so grateful to have received this grant. It will support our business immensely and help us to bring high quality art supplies to artists in the Des Moines Metro!

🎉Congrats, grant recipients!

The Backing Small Businesses grant program, supported by American Express, has awarded $10,000 grants to 400 small businesses across the country. From investing in growth to expanding their local impact, these businesses are proof of what’s possible when small businesses are supported.

Congratulations to all our recipients! See the full list here: https://mainstreet.org/the-latest/news/announcing-the-2025-backing-small-businesses-grant-recipients

02/14/2026

🎨 Spots still available for DIY Keychain Day! 🎨

Join us for a creative afternoon of marbling magic! Design your own custom keychain, choose your favorite colors, and watch the mesmerizing transformation as you dip it into swirling paint.
✨ Haven't reserved yet? No problem, spots are still open!
✨ More of a spontaneous crafter? We welcome walk-ins too!
Give us a call or stop by to secure your spot. Let's make something beautiful together!

02/12/2026

We have been working hard to bring in some exciting new products. Here is the first of many to come. Lets show a big welcome to Standard Clay. We have 8 different clay bodies for you to come and test out. In store now thanks to the wonderful grant we received from Main Street America. It has been an honor to be chosen for this grant and the opportunities it has opened up to bring new products into the store.

11/29/2025

We hope everyone is staying safe today. Due to the snow, we've decided to close for the day. We will reopen on Monday, 12/1/25, for all your shopping needs. We hope to see you during the week or next weekend as you continue your holiday shopping. The snow had different plans for Small Business Saturday this year! Please reach out if you need anything or have any questions."

09/23/2025

Let's see what you're working on! Whether it's sketches, pottery, or paintings, we love getting a peek into your creative process. Share your latest project and inspire others in our art community. And if you need fresh supplies to keep the ideas flowing, we've got you covered sketchbooks, pens and more.

Post a photo of your current work-in-progress and tag us.