The most frequent question I get related to this blog is: Where can I find and buy handmade crafts at a brick and mortar store in my hometown?

Buying from a a brick and mortar does three things immediately:

1. You support your local community (3/50 Project for how it works)
2. You support your neighbor artist
3. It just feels good – and that’s important

To help everyone accomplish this task of handmade shopping nirvana, I’m pulling together a Google map of shops, galleries, museum stores, gift shops, consignment shops and everything in between that sell Pennsylvania-made art & craft in Pennsylvania.

I need your help. So what makes sense for inclusion on this handmade map? Only physical locations that sell Pennsylvania-made craft (no restaurants or coffee shops). Please leave your favorites below in the comments section or email me (nick@pacrafts.org) if you’re feeling particularly helpful. All I need is the name, street address and city.

If you want to help more closely on this project, shoot me an email. Setting up a Google Map is way easy and I can share it with a group of contributors. Happy shopping.

Editor’s Note: I made a few updates to this post. I added the links to the map, which wasn’t ready to show at the time of the original post.

Wanna submit your own handmade stops in a county or town or region of PA?  Just send links to nick@pacrafts.org. This one comes from Maggie Frank-Pascoe from the Perry County Council of the Arts.

1 - Arts @ 510 – a destination arts gallery in downtown Harrisburg, located on the first floor of a 100-year-old building across 3^rd Street from PA’s beautiful State Capitol. Inside it is brimming with oils, watercolors, pastels, mixed media, pottery, glass, jewelry, wood and metal by PA artists. Also within the gallery is a full-service custom frame shop. 510 North 3^rd Street, Harrisburg, 717-724-0364

2 – Village Artisans Gallery – Housed in a light filled 1875 former church, Village Artisans Gallery offers a distinctive selection of fine American craft and art ranging from Colonial reproductions to contemporary art and jewelry. PA artists are prominently featured among more than two hundred that are represented. 321 Walnut Street, Boiling Springs, 888-258-0256

3 - PCCA Gallery – Nestled in the gentle hills of Perry County, the PCCA Gallery offers its visitors a unique experience, with original paintings, woven rugs, stained glass, pottery and jewelry that is hand-crafted by artists throughout the Central PA region. It is an ideal stop when looking for that unique, handmade gift. One S. Second Street, Newport, 717-567-7023

4 - Espresso Yourself Café – Okay, time for lunch or to recharge. At Espresso Yourself Café, one can enjoy an excellent cappuccino or latte while delighting in the expressions of local artists or enjoying a conversation with friends and locals. The dining experience will include artistic culinary creations made from carefully selected local, organic products. The café also has a variety of choices for vegetarians/vegans. Check out the web site for weekly specials. 8 South Second Street, Newport, 717-567-9882

5 – Individual Artists along Rt15 ByWay of the Arts - Rt15 ByWay of the Arts also highlights individual artists. Some have open studio hours and others are by appointment only. Enjoy a truly unique experience by visiting a studio to see a master at his craft. The ByWay has member artists who work in a variety of mediums, from pottery, watercolor, or photography to weaving, jewelry design and glass.

Looking for a place to stay on this trip? Pheasant Field Bed & Breakfast – The B&B is just east of Carlisle. They offer pet friendly lodging, overnight horse boarding, and extended stay lodging in their one-bedroom apartment. 150 Hickorytown Road, Carlisle, 877-258-0717

Where would you go from here? Share your favorite handmade stops along Route 15 in the comment section below.

Wanna submit your own handmade stops in a county or town or region of PA?  Just send links to nick@pacrafts.org. This one comes from Carrie Nardini with the Pittsburgh Craft Collective.

You would be hard pressed to find a more colorful group of printmakers who all reach out to engage the community. Here are four Pittsburgh stops that will appeal especially to those of you who are itching to create an indelible mark through one or few-of-a-kind prints.

1 – Pittsburgh’s Artists Image Resource – an artist-run organization that provides access to incredible resources for individuals interested in exploring printwork and the creative process. AIR offers open studio time and access to instruction. They even have family studio time available by appointment. Check their events calendar for open houses and community projects. 518 Foreland Street, (412) 321-8664.

2 – Sapling Press - created in 2003 by Lisa Krowinski who started her business while working as a graphic designer in Baltimore and moved with her family to Pittsburgh to create letterpress goods on a full time basis.  She says:

“Everything that leaves this shop is printed by yours truly, one at a time, on my Vandercook SP-15. The craft of letterpress printing is truly a labor of love, and I take great pride in owning one of the few shops in the area that focuses solely on letterpress. My line includes cards, prints, gift items, and now t-shirts. All of the paper I use for my cards and prints is 100% post consumer waste and made from recycled clothing.”

Lisa recently opened her studio to the Pittsburgh Craft Collective for a Valentine’s Day card making workshop. And there’s also an upcoming giveaway on HiP to keep on the look out for.

3 – Encyclopedia Destructica is a Pittsburgh art-zine with a collaborative process. Encyclopedia Destructica holds binding parties in their studio engaging artists, participants and the public in the production process with a DIY ethic. And, in the spirit of collaboration, the ED crew shares their skillset by providing support and resources for local artists to create their own book/zine projects. Encyclopedia Destructica is collaborating even further through a partnership with Pittsburgh tech and design firm deeplocal to create an artist-in-residency program.156 41st Street.

4 – Tugboat Printshop - The dynamic duo of Paul Roden and Valerie Lueth are Tugboat Printshop located in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood. When not etching away in their workshop they travel to shows, events and exhibitions spreading their love of print wherever they go. Tugboat’s prints and process offer a glimpse into true craftsmanship as every piece begins as a hand drawn image then hand carved from block and printed through a in-house etching process. Tugboat Printshop offers customers the chance to visit their studio where you can see their process first hand, choose the perfect print and Paul will frame it for you on the spot. 298 Main Street, (412)621-0663.

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

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.

Photo credit: Nathan J. Shaulis

Pictures of Pittsburgh’s first all glass public art installation created by Jill Reynolds and Dan Spitzer. On view at 11 Stanwix, Downtown Pittsburgh.  Discovered through Pittsburgh Glass Center.

A recent post about the culture of cheap on the new Crafting an MBA blog got me thinking – A LOT – about the importance of talking about handmade and its essential role in our lives.

As craft-makers and lovers, we sometimes think the act of making a craft is the most important part of then selling it.  But, it’s essential that you talk about the story behind the piece: inspiration, materials chosen, process, setbacks, resolution, etc.  Tara Gentile has great insight on the PA Crafts blog today about sharing your space in pictures.

The story of the work’s creation is why someone wants to buy the piece. Sure they may want to buy it simply because its red and matches their shoes.  But that story is why I, for example, bought a $30 woodturned dish for my son’s first food bowl instead of a $1 piece of plastic.  I want it to last, I want it to matter and I want to care about what it is.  I didn’t want it to just fill my immediate need of having a bowl.

I want us all to commit to talking about craft more often, more openly, being open about pricing and explaining the real cost of handmade goods.

If you’re a craft-maker and have neighbors or friends or family members that don’t know what you do, tell them what you do. Show them how you do it! And state why your work costs what it does. It’ll go a long way. If you love craft, share it. Make the norm to give handmade and include a business card of the maker. It connects the person behind the work with its new home.

Yes, handmade craft costs more than plastic junk (or craft imports), but its actually a real cost. It pays a living wage. Not just a ‘fair trade’ wage but a living wage. And one worth paying.

Thanks for listening to my little rant.  I hope you share in the comments below about your thoughts on the subject.  I’m leaving you with this video from Craft Scotland called ‘The C Word.’ I hope it’ll inspire you to share your craft.

So many of us are feeling moved to do something powerful to help the people of Haiti as they have experienced an inordinate share of suffering.  The folks over at Craft Hope have a great way for us to join collectively to make a difference.  They have started an etsy shop and 100% of the proceeds will go to Doctors Without Borders to help the people of Haiti recover from this tragedy.  If you have been wondering what you can do to help…check out their shop and/or donate something to the cause. You can go to the Craft Hope website to get more information on how to donate an item. It would be great to see items handmade in PA represented in the shop.

If you know of other craftivism projects to benefit the people of Haiti, please let us know in the comments.

Wanna submit your own 5 handmade stops in a county or town or region of PA?  Just send five links to nick@pacrafts.org. This one comes from some help from Brian Reilly.

The very first ‘3rd in the Burg‘ is this Friday and to celebrate, we’re making 5 stops around Harrisburg.

1 – Route 15 ByWay of the Arts – it’s that easy.  Go to this website and you have your day (or days) planned for you.  The artisans trail program sprang from the state’s tourism bureau, and has truly galvanized some region’s art galleries and organizations.  Route 15 runs north and south from the borders with Maryland and New York.

2 – Hodge Podgery – a welcoming, unpretentious boutique atmosphere.   Expect the unexpected and find some unique recycled, repurposed, and handmade whatnots.  How can you go wrong with whatnots?

3 – Radius Gallery at the State Museum – a great one two punch.  Radius has works from members of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen as well student work from HACC’s Crafts Marketing program.  Plus since its at the State Museum, you can take in the Planetarium, one of their rotating exhibitions or take your kid to the Curiosity Connection

4 – Derry Church Artisan Chocolates – cross the bridge to the West Shore for some mouth-watering handmade treats.  I’m not sure I can finish this post after looking at its website.  See the most recent giveaway for how to win yourself a 15-piece collection of their chocolates.

5 – Midtown Scholar Bookstore – this place is new and the inside is impressive.  Between their large selection of second hand books, tasty coffee shop and art gallery, it’s a not-to-miss for book-lovers.  Plus the art section is HUGE and promises to grow exponentially.

Where would you go from here? Share your favorite handmade stops in Harrisburg in the comment section below.

This post is exclusively for you to share what you’ll be doing this weekend around the commonwealth.  Whether you’re planning time in the studio, a craft show stop or long weekend out of town.  Share with us.  And share your work on HiP’s group pool on Flickr.

I, for one, am heading to the Farm Show in Harrisburg.  I hope to walk my one-year-old around to see the sheep, alpacas and rabbits (here’s the for kids page).  Then I’ll make a necessary stop over at the food court for milkshakes.  And then maybe those fresh cut fries.

What else is there to do in Harrisburg while I’m there?

Use the comments section below to share your plans, shows or thoughts.

Wanna submit your own 5 handmade stops in a county or town or region of PA?  Just send five links to nick@pacrafts.org.

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I lived in Tyler State Park in Bucks county for 3 years.  I don’t miss the traffic, but there’s a couple places I miss…

1 - Nakashima Woodworking Studio – George Nakashima was a true furniture innovator and one of the father of the American craft movement.  This working studio will inspire anyone regardless of your craft.  They have open studio hours on the weekend.  Make a point to stop.

2 - Fonthill Castle & Moravian Tileworks – Fonthill is the concrete mansion of Henry Mercer and it is wildly eccentric.  Every inch is covered in ornamentation and Mercer’s distinct tiles (his tiles adorn the State Capitol).  I loved discovering his dog’s paw prints in the concrete floor.

3 - Pineville Tavern – they make a mean ravioli in-house by hand… yummy.  Built in 1742, this place has charm, a great beer selection and fantastic food.

4 – New Hope – this river town has a lively night life, a bunch of galleries in all sizes and is home to the band Ween.  This destination can be a day trip in itself with its indie record shop, boutiques and bars.

5 - Ringing Rocks – ok this has nothing to do with handmade… bring a hammer and knock out some hands-on tones at this 128-acre park.  A fun place to hike and discover some great natural oddities.

Where would you go from here? Share your favorite handmade stops in Bucks county in the comment section below.