Ma’am Cave Creations turns personalized gifts into lasting memories. 

Content originally published by Morgan Urbankski in The Owensboro Times, August 2026. Story sponsored by Independence Bank. 

What started as a creative outlet after the birth of Ashley Howard’s first daughter has grown into a business dedicated to helping customers celebrate life’s biggest moments through personalized gifts and handmade creations.

Ma’am Cave Creations is in its first full season at the Owensboro Regional Farmers’ Market, offering everything from custom apparel and engraved gifts to seasonal décor and one-of-a-kind keepsakes.

The business got its start in 2014 after Howard received a vinyl cutting machine from her mother as a Christmas gift.

“My mom bought my first vinyl cutting machine as a Christmas gift in 2014,” Howard said. “I started out making shirts, cups, and car decals, and gradually started finding new ways to make cute things.”

As family and friends began requesting personalized items for schools, sports teams, weddings, and special occasions, the hobby naturally evolved into a small business.

Today, customers visiting the Ma’am Cave Creations booth can find custom shirts and hats, laser-engraved gifts, garden flags, teacher gifts, wedding keepsakes, home décor, and other personalized products. Many feature Howard’s own original designs, while others are inspired by current trends. Some of her oldest daughter’s creations are also featured at the booth.

Customers can also place custom orders at the market and either pick them up the following Saturday or arrange a local porch pickup during the week.

Howard said creating meaningful, personalized gifts remains at the heart of the business.

“I truly enjoy helping people bring their ideas to life, whether they have a fully planned vision or just a single concept,” she said.

That personal approach has made engraved hats, coasters, graduation gifts, and printed garden flags among the business’s most popular items. Howard said she especially enjoys taking on unique requests that allow her to create something customers can’t find anywhere else.

After participating in the Owensboro Regional Farmers Market holiday market last year, Howard decided to become a full-time Saturday vendor this season.

“The Owensboro Regional Farmers Market has been a wonderful opportunity to connect face-to-face with customers and become more involved in the local community,” Howard said.

Howard said one of her favorite parts of the market has been building relationships with returning customers while getting to know fellow vendors.

“My favorite part of the market is building relationships with customers and seeing familiar faces return week after week,” she said. “I enjoy hearing the stories behind the gifts people are shopping for and helping them find something that feels truly special.”

She said shopping local helps strengthen both the Owensboro community and small businesses like Ma’am Cave Creations.

“Shopping local supports local families and helps small businesses continue to grow,” Howard said.

Howard said Ma’am Cave Creations was built around the idea that gifts should feel personal and meaningful.

“Whether someone is celebrating a wedding, graduation, new baby, Teacher Appreciation Week, or simply wants to brighten someone’s day, I enjoy creating items that become part of those special memories,” she said.

Ma’am Cave Creations can be found on Facebook, where customers can browse new products, learn about market appearances, and place custom orders. Customers can also contact the business at maamcavedigitaldesigns@gmail.com.