Fine Craft of Yellow Breeches: Central Pennsylvania’s Cumberland County and Environs

By Margaret on February 21, 2012

Alongside Harrisburg, there is Cumberland County and Carlisle and the home of the Yellow Breeches Chapter of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, not to mention The Village Artisans Gallery in Boiling Springs. I’ve always wondered what yellow breeches were. The story goes that during the Revolutionary War, British soldiers wading into the creek in their white breeches came out with yellow ones because of the water’s source in limestone and freestone, and thus it was “Yellow Breeches Creek.” Recently, Paula Lewis was the featured Artist in Action at The Village Artisans Gallery.

Paula Lewis. Copper enamel.

The Village Artisans Gallery was honored to be selected Cumberland Valley’s 2011 & 2012 Best in the Valley Place to Shop, voted 2011 #1 Gallery and #1 Gift Shop on Central PA Magazine’s HOT LIST and chosen one of the 2011 NICHE TOP RETAILER AWARD winners.

Raku Vase by Willow Creek Pottery

Karri Benedict & Rod Meyer of Willow Creek Pottery work out of their Waynesboro studio, and are inspired by the rolling hills of the Cumberland Valley. My husband has a beautiful teapot from Willow Creek.

Egg Tree by Ron Stinson

Ron Stinson is a metal sculptor from Carlisle, who makes fountains, sculptures and wall hangings. Check out this video of Ron Stinson at work.

Go collect some Cumberland County craft at Foundry Day in Boiling Springs, on June 2nd, 2012.

More PA goodness on my HiP Passions: Collecting PA Craft Pinterest Board

Margaret makes glass mosaics to catch the eye and delight the soul. She works from a one-bedroom-two-studio rowhouse in Lansdale, with her husband Wayne Stratz, and together they are Nutmeg Designs: Fine Glass Craft. Discover her blog, etsy shop and tweet @margaretalmon.