Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and I am on the lookout for that amazing idea for that someone special in my life. Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to create or give a special handmade item from yourself or a local artisan.
If you are looking for fun, unique places to shop, look no further. I have a few suggestions to help you get started:
Cottage Emmaus is a wonderful shop in downtown Emmaus off of Main Street. This one-of-a-kind shop features adorable cards, products utilizing organic materials, and handmade items. I’ve purchased a few gifts here for family members (as well as a few treasured pieces for myself), and look forward to visiting this shop again!
Art Mart popped up at the Banana Factory First Friday event this past weekend and featured wonderful handmade gift ideas for Valentine’s Day. If you are looking to connect with an artist from Art Mart visit the Allentown Art Works Facebook page. The Banana Factory also has a wonderful shop featuring the stunning work of artisans.
The Upper Perk Art & Print displays many handmade candles, cards, and more within the lovely walls of this shop on Main Street in Pennsburg. This store also hosts creative classes for adults and children!
Looking for date ideas? Check out The Grand Theater (a 1920′s movie theater restored to its original splendor), or grab a cup of coffee and something for your sweet tooth at Java Good Day Cafe. Having recently been to both, they are a fantastic way to spend a Saturday afternoon!
Lollipop, Gutai Influences: 25 artists from Osaka, Japan will take part in a three-week residency from February 10th to March 2nd, in Allentown and across the Lehigh Valley.
Also a part of Lollipop, view the work of Rebecca Reeves and Gregory Coates at the Soft Machine Gallery. This show will be on display until February 23rd.
Bring a guest to the New Bridge Arts Group closing reception of their latest show: Out of the Blue. The closing reception is Saturday, February 9th, and will feature many talented artists as well as a poetry reading!
The Allentown Art Museum is hosting Artventures on Sunday afternoons throughout February. Artventures are family-friendly, creative activities that do not require registration and are a part of Free Sundays at the museum.
Do something fun for yourself for Valentine’s Day! Learn more about the handmade community right here on the Handmade in PA site:
- Discover a new crafter or artisan today. Pennsylvania has many talented artists who have their own shops and web sites.
- Want to shop handmade in a neighborhood shop, store, or gallery? Find a brick and mortar location using the Handmade in PA map.
- Looking for a show, a class, a studio? Give yourself the gift of creativity by browsing the Handmade in PA Bulletin Board.
Art classes make a great Valentine’s Day gift for your family! The children and teen Spring Session begins at The Baum School of Art on February 18th!
Michelle Bodamer is a creative professional with a Bachelors of Arts degree in photography, a decade of online corporate marketing experience, and she offers marketing consulting, commissioned work, and photography through Bodamer Studio and her blog. Michelle enjoys teaching art at The Baum School of Art and participating in the Lehigh Valley Arts community. She lives and works in East Greenville near her garden and three energetic dogs.
