in west philadelphia born & raised…

As one can imagine, there is a dizzying array of artisans and handmade supporters in Philadelphia and the surrounding communities. Here are a few of my favorite finds!

First, VIX Emporium, an ingenious store front for handmade goods from a variety of artisans in West Philadelphia.

Can you say “DANGEROUS?”

Locust Lane's Autumn Earrings

I love these earrings, featuring lucite and jasper, from Locust Lane Designs. For only $14, they’re a steal! Sellers should also take note of Andrea’s amazing photography. While the backgrounds of her photos are varied, the style of each photograph is consistent making for a cohesive – but never boring – shop.

Noami Cleary Ceramics' Creeping Leaves & Flowers Plate

Art that’s dishwasher and microwave safe? Sign me up! This dish from Naomi Cleary Ceramics should be displayed at all times and used often.

Handmade by Angela's Big Al

I recently learned to crochet – which is convenient because I’ve always had an obsession with yarn – and have since been quite enamored with amigurumi. Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting creatures. So you can imagine I was quite taken with this amazingly complex piece from Handmade by Angela.

Of course, there are many other fabulous artisans in Philadelphia and I would love to feature more in the future. Please email me at tara AT handmadeinpa DOT net and I will be happy to include you in a future post. To shop in Philadelphia on Etsy, click here.

Tomorrow, I’ll be featuring the artisans of Western PA! And don’t forget the giveaway from Baby Vagabond coming up on Monday.

Speaking of giveaways, if you’re interested in sponsoring a giveaway – shoot me an email!