5 handmade stops in Berks county

by nick

Wanna submit your own 5 handmade stops in a county or town or region of PA? Just send five links to nick@pacrafts.org. from Kathleen Walck of Katydid & Kid and Melissa Strawser of Bertoia Studio.

1 – MADE Shop – Labeled a ‘SoHo-like arts and crafts store’ by the Morning Call, MADE Shop is co-owned by husband and wife team David Jones and Tess Doran. Expect a wide selection of trendy fashion and functional crafts. The shop is open six days a week from 11 am til 6 pm most days (don’t go on Tuesdays, that’s their day of rest). 277 W. Main St, Kutztown.

2 – Global Libations – If you’re doing these 5 stops in one day, you’ll want to make a pit stop here (its only a quarter mile from Made Shop so walk down). Organic coffee and baked goods plus a vegetarian menu. 21 E. Main St, Kutztown.

3 – Goggleworks Center for the Arts – 145,000 square feet of space dedicated to 34 artist studios, daily art courses, several galleries, revolving exhibition spaces and (perhaps a hidden gem) 130-seat movie theater. The center is impressive and deserves your time, so be prepared for two or three hours or exploring and discovering. 201 Washington St, Reading.

4 – Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen – Looking to join other crafters, crafts-men, crafts-women and like-minded lovers and makers of all things craft? Reading-Berks guild is the largest and most active of the 15 chapters of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen. You don’t have to live in Berks county to get hooked up with this group. They meet monthly at the Goggleworks.

5 – Z-Town Made – Ztown Made is a small collective of artists living in Berks county. Less a location, more a combined force in design, Ztown Made is made up of Sara Smedley, Melanie Linder Design, Skylark Studio, Clothesline and Chez Sucre Shez.

Where would you go from here? What are groups stand out in the area? Share your favorite handmade stops around Berks county in the comment section below.

7 comments

1 Kathleen { 02.10.10 at 1:17 pm }: I’m so glad to see these great local (to me) places featured. Thanks HIP!
2 Brookiellen { 02.10.10 at 2:41 pm }: why isn’t Hello Bluebird on the list? So many awesome handmade goodies in Alex’s shop:) check it out http://www.hellobluebird.net
3 ArtTales { 02.10.10 at 4:38 pm }: I love the GoggleWorks! I live in Berks County and have never heard of the rest, but they sound great. If it ever stops snowing I need to check them out :)
4 nick { 02.10.10 at 5:18 pm }: Thanks Brookiellen! What was i thinking?
5 alex/hello bluebird { 02.10.10 at 10:35 pm }: Hi! Just want to add another plug for my shop, Hello Bluebird, in West Reading! We are proud to represent over 120 indie artists and designers, many from Berks County, PA as well as awesome handmade and eco-friendly products from across the US and around the world! Many of HiP’s artisans sell at the shop–I’d love it if you’d come to visit!
6 brandeye { 02.11.10 at 1:04 pm }: looks like i need to take a road trip!
7 karen { 02.15.10 at 3:13 pm }: there’s also a wonderful handmade lotion shop in K-town right next to the MADE shop – Paisley and Co.
http://www.paisleyandcompany.com/
they make their own lotions, soaps, incense, etc in the back of the store – you can customize to any scent as well! and they have private parties! woo hoo!

thanks for the z-town mention!!