About Chaos & Curiosities
Meet the Chaos Creators
Chaos & Curiosities was born from humble beginnings, a shared passion, and a love for all things unusual. Founders Karli and Haley began their journey in 2022 under the name Coffee, Crystals, and Chaos, selling handmade jewelry and oddities at local farmers markets and vendor shows across the Illinois Valley. What started as two women setting up tables at small-town markets quickly grew into a movement — one rooted in creativity, curiosity, and community.
As the support from local shoppers and fellow makers grew, so did the dream.In 2023, the dream took its first physical form with a small storefront in downtown Peru, Illinois. It was cozy, magical, and filled to the brim with curiosities — but the demand for space (and chaos) quickly outgrew the walls. By April of 2024, Chaos & Curiosities found its permanent home in downtown LaSalle, where the vision could fully come to life,transforming from a pop-up vendor booth into a full-fledged oddities boutique and artisan collective. Today, the shop proudly features the work of more than 30 local and regional artists, makers, and small businesses — each one bringing their own spark of magic to the cabinets of chaos.
Our Mission: Community, Creativity, and Curiosity
At its heart, Chaos & Curiosities is more than just a shop — it’s a community hub for the beautifully unusual, the wildly creative, and the wonderfully diverse.
We believe that art and curiosity thrive best when given space to breathe, and we’re proud to provide that space for local artists to showcase their work, tell their stories, and connect with people who appreciate craftsmanship and individuality.
Every corner of our shop holds a story — from hand-forged jewelry and preserved oddities to crocheted creatures, 3D-printed creations, stained glass art, and botanical body care. Our makers come from every background, but they share one common thread: a passion for creating something authentic, unexpected, and deeply personal.
Women-Owned. Veteran-Owned. Proudly Local.
As a women-owned and veteran-owned business, we take pride in our resilience, our resourcefulness, and our relentless spirit of reinvention.
We know what it means to start small — to build from scratch, to take risks, and to grow through grit and community support. That’s why we’re passionate about lifting others up, offering opportunities for emerging artists, and collaborating with other local small businesses and makers.
You’ll often find Chaos & Curiosities at the center of community events — from Ghouls Night Out and Mystical Markets to holiday festivals, workshops, and pop-ups. We collaborate with neighboring shops like Petals by Peyton and Kea Roze Boutique, host interactive experiences like tarot readings, Krampus photos, and broom-making nights, and help bring vibrancy and creativity to downtown LaSalle all year long.
All Are Welcome in the Chaos
At Chaos & Curiosities, we celebrate diversity, individuality, and self-expression.
Whether you’re drawn to the mystical, the macabre, the handmade, or the heart-felt — there’s a place for you here. Our shop is a safe, inclusive space that welcomes all who are curious, kind, and open to exploring the beauty in the unexpected.
We take pride in not just showcasing the odd and unusual, but in celebrating the people who make this community special — the artists, the dreamers, the collectors, and the everyday visitors who make Chaos feel like home.
Where We’re Headed
The story of Chaos & Curiosities is still being written. What began as two makers selling jewelry and crystals has evolved into a collective movement — one that continues to grow with every artist, every visitor, and every spark of inspiration that walks through our doors.
We’re always dreaming, always creating, and always embracing a little chaos along the way.
Because at Chaos & Curiosities, we believe that beauty thrives in the unexpected — and there’s magic in every piece, every person, and every story waiting to be found.