supporting arts & crafts in the keystone state

You can probably guess that I’m not doing a good job being  “in the moment.”  With one look at the beautiful blue bird in lush green grass and gorgeous metalwork for the garden- you might just catch what I’ve got a little of.

How about this beautiful pendant by Charmed I’m Sure (Mechanicsburg)?  Made from recycled parts, this piece is a delightful assemblage on copper using pictures from a discarded Audubon Guide and a sheet of weathered copper given to me by a friend.

We met Sandra Webberking (Springfield) at the Buyers Market of American Craft Show. She is a delight and her work is fabulous! I like her artist statement… being an avid Gardner, it seems natural that I gravitated toward creating whimsical sculptures for the garden I spend so much of my free time in. I value the process of finding objects, listening to their story and reincarnating them into the creatures they will become.”

Kate, along with her husband, bring together farm, food and design at The Steel Fork. They also design and create sculptural metalworks using recycled farm machinery – Gatski Metal. Kate is also the mother of two busy little children.

I recently shared some craft show etiquette tips on the Pennsylvania Guild’s blog and thought this would be a great one to get additional advice from HiP-sters.  Here are 7 new tips for newcomers and veterans of the craft show world. Be sure to share your tips in the comments.

1. Be you. People are buying you as much as your work.
2. Stay awake and never look preoccupied. No reading. No napping. No txting, tweeting or phone calls. You should always be available when there’s a question.
3. If you are bored and looking for something to do, re-arrange items in your booth. It draws attention to your work.
4. Say thank you when someone compliments your work. Compliments can turn into sales.
5. Always greet people who walk into your booth. A simple ‘hello’ breaks the ice.
6. Small comments can open big discussion. Such as ‘do you know what that’s for?’
7. Always smile. If you’re unhappy, fake it.

So what are your tips?  Share them in the comments below!

Become a fan of Handmade in PA on our new Facebook fan page.  While you’re on there, take the opportunity to leave a note on our wall about your upcoming events or just tell us about yourself or where to find your handmade world!

Sweet grass basket-maker Debora Muhl, of Spinnerstown, PA.

distinctive valentine’s day gifts for the animal, insect and bird lover

animal lover scarf by xenotees

ruby beetle mechanique by 19 moons

cedar waxwing watercolor by sixsisters

all handmade in Pennsylvania and found in the HiP flickr pool.

These illustrations are outstanding from Leah Felicity, of State College.  They’re so expressive and rich with personality.  Take a moment and think about what you would look like as a Leah Felicity illustration, I bet it’ll make you smile.  Enjoy.

Here’s a little about Leah from her profile:

In my spare time, I enjoy bright colors, animals, cooking badly, reality television, gobbling books whole, and contributing nothing to trivia. My favorite color is purple and I only drive Dodge Neons. I live in State College, PA with my fiance, dog, and stuffed animals that stare at me while I sleep.

Wanna submit your own 5 handmade stops in a county or town or region of PA?  Just send five links to nick@pacrafts.org.  This one comes from Susan Brimo-Cox with Chestnut Ridge Studio and Forge.

The stretch of Route 40 in southwestern Pennsylvania—The National Road—is part of the “Handmade Along the Highway” Artisan Trail. Route 40 passes through Pennsylvania from Keyser’s Ridge in Maryland westward through Uniontown, PA, and further on to Ohio. If you are ever in the area, here are five worth visiting. In fact, they are worth making the trip just to see them!

1 – Fallingwater – Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic Fallingwater is located not far from Route 40, between Ohiopyle and Mill Run on Route 381. Named one of the “50 Places of a Lifetime” by National Geographic this architectural wonder is a home cantilevered over a waterfall. From many angles, it is a structure worth seeing in all seasons.

2 –  Sculptures at Kentuck Knob – The Ohiopyle area is home to a second Frank Lloyd Wright home as well—Kentuck Knob. Designed and built for the Hagens in 1953, Kentuck Knob is a wonderful example of organic architecture. The house, the view from the top of the knob, and the many contemporary sculptures on the grounds are all top notch.

3 – Art tours at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort – You should stop by to see the art collection on display at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa in Farmington, PA. Valued at more than $45 million, the Hardy Family Art Collection consists of nearly 1,000 items, including paintings, sculpture, furniture and more. You can see works from contemporary masters to rare Audubon prints daily at 3 pm as part of their art tours.

4 –  The Frank L. Melega Art Museum – The museum in Brownsville, PA, showcases the regionally-inspired artwork of local artist Frank L. Melega. The museum also features guest artist exhibits.

5 – Touchstone Center for Crafts – Pittsburgh likes to claim it*, but Touchstone is in Farmington and it’s a great place for beginning and experienced artists alike. Instructors from across the country, as well as students from near and far, come together at this rustic haven in the woods to learn new skills, hone artistic techniques, and experiment with new ones. Weekend and weeklong classes are offered.

Where would you go from here? Share your favorite handmade stops on Route 40 in the comment section below.

*Editor’s Note: I’m not getting in the middle of this.

February is a great party month. We’re tired of hibernating.  Super bowl. Valentines Day. President’s Day. Hey- whatever occasion works for you. Have a blast!

In my vision of a super relaxed but stylin’ super bowl party- I saw these incredibly handsome Pitchfork Side Chairs by Bradford Woodworking. Can’t you see these by your bar table? Bradford Woodworking has a fabulous new retail site. Shop away- feel good about these beautifully handcrafted pieces you will enjoy forever.

Speaking of feeling good and party decor… have a look at these lovely recycled glass plates by Riverside Design Group. These are part of their initiative called  Plates With Purpose™, a series of custom glass plates designed to raise awareness of the missions of our non-profit partners…. Riverside donates 15% of our Plates With Purpose™ sales to these vital organizations…

Now, to complete your lovely handmade in Pennsylvania par-tee… don’t forget your Pennsylvania made Farmstead and Artisan cheeses paired with a nice selection of Pennyslvania wines.

Kate, along with her husband, bring together farm, food and design at The Steel Fork. They also design and create sculptural metalworks using recycled farm machinery – Gatski Metal. Kate is also the mother of two busy little children.

I was a printmaking major in college.  And because of that I am forever bonded to the process.  I can smell the inks and feel the texture of the block.  These prints caught my attention by Tugboat Printshop (Pittsburgh).

Photo credit: Nathan J. Shaulis

Pictures of Pittsburgh’s first all glass public art installation created by Jill Reynolds and Dan Spitzer. On view at 11 Stanwix, Downtown Pittsburgh.  Discovered through Pittsburgh Glass Center.