You might be surprised at the variety of items you can find handmade right in your own state! Often times there is no reason to stop at a big box or chain store. You can buy the things you need directly from people in your community.

Here’s a list of my top 10 reasons to shop local & shop handmade. My list, of course, is for Pennsylvania – but I challenge you to create a similar list for your community!

1. all-natural skincare

• Lilith’s Apothecary I’m loving the Wise Woman Healing Mask that I just got in the mail! My skin is so soft, smooth, and tight.
• Nicki Leigh Bath & Body the clementine lavendar scent is heavenly – feminine without being frilly!
• Krugs Ecologic
• Sun Stone Soap yummy = honey cinnamon soap.

2. original wall art

• Spread the Love lovely, whimsical illustrations
• Strawberry Luna screen-printer, poster-designer extraordinaire!
• Stephanie Corfee a new find for me
• Chez Sucre Chez original cross-stitch to adorn your walls or wherever you see fit.
• MJ Rojas Photography fine art photography prints

3. unique and personalized stationary & paper products

• Little Love Shop a new stationary shop from Melanie from Spread the Love
• Blue Toad hand-bound journals & original art – also this week’s giveaway sponsor.
• Brookiellen another new find!
• LE Designs watercolor notecards.
• The Point Jody creates fabulous stationary out of fabric collages.
• Lovelee

4. funky kitchen textiles

• girlscantell Sara creates screen-printed kitchen accessories with diagrams of everyday objects.
• Leanne Graeff simple illustrations of houses, campers, and tractors are printed onto fabric.
• Sara Smedley geometric prints on aprons & placemats.

5. stunning jewelry

This list could simply go on forever. Some of my current cravings…

• Wired Design
• Penelope & Anastasia
• Scarlet Wire
• Huffalo
• Red Raven Studios

6. funky accessories

• RuJu not only are Erin’s bags original – so is her photography!
• B Stauff Designs Barb enjoys creating bags out of vintage fabric & inspired by vintage designs.
• J Almodovar another new find! absolutely adore these bags that incorporate bright cottons with recycled burlap.
• Kamatrice
Griffith Gardens

7. clothing no one else has!

• Sew Nasty reworked vintage clothing.
• Xenotees many styles of screen-printed tshirts for men & women.
• Yay for Fidget Art Marissa creates prints her original drawings on tshirts.

8. delicious & fresh baked goods

• Kitch Witch
• Whipped Bake Shop
• Cupcakes in Jars

9. dishware that speaks to your soul

• Teaspoons and Petals original haikus, many about Philly, on simple white teacups.
• Little Flower Designs hand-painted, hand-formed ceramics.
• Chester P Basils wooden kitchen utensils
• Organic Ceramic

10. feminine products ;)

For more fabulous items that you can buy directly from the hands of fellow Pennsylvanians, check out the PA craft directory!

You may also enjoy: Buy Handmade, Buy Local: Mew Gallery (Philadelphia) | Welcome to Handmade in PA.net! | why buy local? why buy handmade? |