See update at bottom of page for current information.

Last week, I put out a call for stores, shops and galleries in PA that carry handmade crafts for sale. With thanks to the HiP community, there’s now nearly 100 listings on the Handmade in PA Google Map.

I’m ecstatic! But I know there’s many, many more than 100 galleries, shops and stores in PA selling handmade crafts. Lets make this something bigger and tap into the power of the collective. I think we can easily double or triple this list. What do you think? You wanna help? Its easy. Here’s how…

1. Think of your neighborhood brick & mortar store carrying handmade.
2. Go to the Handmade in PA Google Map.
3. Type the gallery name and/or street address, city in the search bar.

Once you find the shop or the address, you can add it to the Handmade in PA Google Map by doing the following steps:

1. Click ‘Save To…’ under the map listing (see image). You may need to make a Google account if you don’t have one already.

2. Then make sure ‘Handmade in PA – Map’ is selected from the dropdown and click ‘Save’ (see image)

3. You’re done! I’ll take it from there and add the special shopping bag icon and then sort it into the bigger HiP map listing. And it’ll look like this:

If the above is just too much work, I still love love love receiving emails about shops at nick@pacrafts.org, tweets to @handmadeinpa or comments below with name and address, city.

And by all means, rate the map and leave reviews for the shops and galleries. Go to the HiP Google Map and click ‘Rate this map‘ in the top left corner.

Thanks everyone.

Update: I’m still accepting addresses (leave them in the comments below), but due to a Google Map error the map is replicating information over each of the 100+ listings on the HiP map. I had to remove open collaboration for the time being. I’ll update everyone once its back online. Thanks for the dozens of submissions today. And cross your fingers this gets resolved or we’ll have to start over. Sigh.

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.

If the act of making craft were the key to selling craft, there would be millionaire artists all over the place. But that’s not the case. Marketing your craft can be the hardest part of running a successful craft business. And if you’re new to making, you may be overwhelmed by where to start.

The PA Guild of Craftsmen has a wide range of craft-relevent business classes scheduled in the next two months. All classes are managed by the Guild but occur at three locations. Registration is online and easy. Plus you’re going to recognize a few names below.

At HACC in Harrisburg:

• March 10 – Social Media with Ken Mueller

At Millersville University:

• February 27 – Photoshop for Artists with Jeri Robinson
• April 17 – Business Basics with Megan Auman
• April 17 – Wholesaling for Artists with Megan Auman
• May 11 & 12 – No Excuses Arts Marketing with Alyson Stanfield

At Guild’s headquarters in Lancaster:

• March 20 - Blogging your Passion for Craft with Tara Gentile
• March 27 - Starting an online shop with Sara Selepouchin
• March 27 – Running a Successful online shop with Sara Selepouchin

While the year is still new, take a craft business class and see where it takes you.

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.

The name Jibby and Juna comes from the names of two imaginary friends. That playfulness and creative fancy is evident in the polymer clay jewelry made by Genevieve Williamson, of Southern York county.  Textures and muted earthtones  are a delight for the eye.

Want to see more? Where can you find Jibby and Juna? She’ll be the artist of the month starting in March at Radius Gallery at the State Museum in Harrisburg. She’ll be there in person on the first Sunday of the month (the 7th). If you need to see more right now (like I did), here’s her etsy shop, Flickr photostream and blog.

After a short break, I am back this week with fellow jewelry artist Jodi of Tubby Tabby’s Jewelbox. I’ve seen Jodi’s work up close at The Hodge Podgery where we both have items for sale, and her designs are both unique and creative. Jodi uses dominos as a backdrop for many of her pendants. Recycling at it’s best! Enjoy a day in her life…

As a self-employed graphic designer, I work from home and therefore my day can start anywhere from 5:30 am to Noon. A typical day for me is spent in my pajamas at my computer.

After I drag myself out of bed and loosen up all my stiff joints, I pour myself some iced tea and go directly to the computer. Checking emails is my first priority (after the iced tea and cigarette). I love checking email as I am always looking forward to that overnight Etsy sale or new graphic design assignment.

12:20 p.m. Next step, twitter. Ah, the twitter, where I can find comfort knowing I’m not the only one who’s suffering with boredom or financial woes. After a few minutes (really hours) of tweeting, I realize I have to get something accomplished today. I begin to think about my new jewelry designs. Mostly, my design process, for the jewelry anyway, just comes to me as I begin to make things. I have certain ideas in my head, but they always turn into something totally unexpected. I will usually work on jewelry for a few hours until I end up with at least a few pieces I am happy with. Yippee! I’ve accomplished something for the day! Now to get SOMEONE else to think it’s great and buy it!

3:30 p.m. I’ve now realized I haven’t eaten all day. When I get involved with something, it’s usually very intense and until I’m finished, I’m usually not aware of my hunger.

3:31 p.m. Eat something, anything, cause now I’m starving.

3:35 p.m. (note the time) I said I was starving! I now have to photograph my new creations (if there is still light in the window) I will photograph, make adjustments in Photoshop and begin my new listings.

4:00 p.m. Woohoo! Received a call from a customer. A design job is coming tomorrow, that’s wonderful!

5:00 p.m. Wait for David (the significant other) to make dinner. I am not the greatest cook.

5:45 p.m. Eat dinner, watch TV, play games on the computer.

6:30 p.m. Check in with my tweeps!

8:30 p.m. maybe play with more jewelry designs, watch TV, pay bills.

9:30 pm. more of the same (I am guessing now this boring life is not what you signed up for when you started to read this story).

More of the same and so on and so on until…

3:30 a.m. maybe now I can sleep…oh wait, here comes another hot flash! Damn menopause!

Michelle is a graduate of Albright College with a B.A. in Visual & Apparel Merchandising. After years in the fashion/ retail industry, she is now a WAHM. Michelle is a self-taught jewelry designer and owner of Michabella Creations.

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.

Get on your walking shoes…the Art Association of Harrisburg will host the 21^st Annual Harrisburg Gallery Walk this Sunday, September 13^th.  With 27 galleries and shops participating, there promises to be plenty to see and a wide variety of art being exhibited.  I spoke with Carrie Wissler-Thomas, President of AAH, to find out how the event is helping to promote the development of the downtown Harrisburg Gallery District.

“When we founded Gallery Walk 21 years ago, the intention was to present an event that would promote the visual arts throughout the city, whatever the venue. We wanted to bring together nonprofit and commercial galleries, as well as all the alternative venues.”

Collectively, through the print, radio, and Internet advertising organized by AAH and the promotion that each individual participating gallery contributes through their own mailing lists and websites, they have created an opportunity to launch an expansive marketing campaign for very little expense.

The attraction of like-minded folks to an event like this makes for a great opportunity to cross-market as well.  Jessica Watson, curator of Arts and assistant manager of the Radius Gallery, feels that the addition of new shops and galleries to the art district is a boon.

“The addition of new art venues, like The Hodge Podgery and Midtown Arts… help bring attention to all the other existing art-related scenes. And they attract the same crowd, so cross-marketing can be used.”

Two new galleries will be having their grand opening this weekend in conjunction with the Gallery Walk, according to Wissler-Thomas.  The Yellow Wall Hall Gallery in Midtown Scholar and SPRAMA gallery will both open their doors to the public.  Many other galleries will be opening new exhibits, and Radius gallery will have 3 artists demonstrating on Sunday one being my husband, so if you are there stop by and make him laugh.

Do you have a tip to share about:

• Your process
• Finding inspiration
• Time management
• Advertising
• Marketing your work
• Networking
• Working with clients/customers
• Finding resources for your work

If you do, and you would like to share it through Handmade in PA, contact me!

Elizabeth Sterling and her husband John market their one-of a kind furniture and jewelry boxes at shows in the Northeast and Midwest, through their web site, and their etsy shop, so wabi sabi. Elizabeth shares her life and love of all things handmade, homemade, and homegrown in her blog so wabi sabi.

Gallery Blu is the new kid on the block in mid-town Harrisburg’s developing art district.  I spoke with owner, Christina Heintzelman-Jones, and asked her what seems to be working for them.  By hosting frequent exhibit openings, Gallery Blu has created a lot of opportunities to establish and maintain connections with potential customers and regional artists.

“We have drawn in fantastic crowds with each new opening.  Originally, we planned to have 6 openings a year but have found that featuring an entirely new group of artists in an exhibit every month to 6 weeks seems to work well for us.  This enables us to offer a wide variety of local and regional art that has broad appeal.”

Just breaking onto the scene in March of this year, they have already had 4 openings.  Their current exhibition is “Japonisme” which features the work of artists from the West whose work is influenced by the art of Japan, including Susan Faeder’s fabric collages,  Joann Wells Greenbaum gouache paintings, and sculpture by Donna Belleson and Paul Long.  The exhibit runs until September 5^th.  Gallery Blu will then be opening its 5th exhibit called Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and will be a participating gallery in Harrisburg’s 21st Annual Gallery Walk on September 13th.

Do you have a tip to share about:

• Your process
• Finding inspiration
• Time management
• Advertising
• Marketing your work
• Networking
• Working with clients/customers
• Finding resources for your work

If you do, and you would like to share it through Handmade in PA, contact me!

Elizabeth Sterling and her husband John market their one-of a kind furniture and jewelry boxes at shows in the Northeast and Midwest, through their web site, and their etsy shop, so wabi sabi. Elizabeth shares her life and love of all things handmade, homemade, and homegrown in her blog so wabi sabi.

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