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.

It’s probably best if I just come right out and tell you I have serious, “Pennsylvania Pride.” I am so fond of our state’s combined quirkiness and beauty. I think it is the harmonious contrasts [say Mennonites at the monster truck show] that lead to awesome folk art.

Enter Mark May (Reading,PA)… as far as I know he has nothing to do with Mennonites or monster truck shows, but he’s undoubtedly part of a long-standing Pennsylvania folk art tradition.

Mark makes robots. “All of the materials Mark uses are found, salvaged, donated, or purchased from flea markets in his travels.”

We met Mark about four years ago at Home & Planet. He has great zeal for his work; it’s very contagious. His work is also incredibly magnetizing. It can be seen at the Outsider Folk Art Gallery at Goggle Works in Reading, PA.

If perhaps you are not in an “art collecting” phase in your life, Mark May ornaments would be a super gift.

Kate, in partnership with her husband, designs and fabricates unique sculptural and functional metal works using old farm machinery –Gatski Metal. Kate is also the mother of two busy little children.

This week I am proud to feature Brooke of Brookiellen Designs. Not only is Brooke a mommy but she makes some very unique items. Enjoy a day in her life!

Friday, July 31

5 am- I wake up to a crying little man.  Time to nurse!  After he eats, we both go back to bed for a little longer.  5am in the morning is way too early to be up for the day!

7:10am- Cash wakes up for good.  He is still not feeling too great.  But no teeth yet!  I nurse him, then let him cruise around a bit before feeding him breakfast (apples, milk, yogurt and oatmeal! mmmm)  Then I change him and he has more playtime while I make myself pancakes for breakfast! (feeling a bit ambitious this morning):)

9am- Cash gets a little sleepy so we cuddle up on the couch together for a quick catnap.

10am- We get up (again!) and I finally get to change out of my pajamas:).  I talk to my mom on the phone for a bit while Cash cruises around the living room (he loves to move!).  When I get off the phone, I get Cash in the bjorn and we take a nice walk through the neighborhood.  It starts out nice, but by the end, I am sweating like crazy and  getting sore from carrying Cash up and down all the steep hills in the neighborhood.  He is definitely gaining weight!!

11:45am- We get back to the house and its time for lunch.  Bananas, green beans and cereal!  After lunch, its time for Cash’s nap!

During his nap, I try to get as much done as possible.  Some days this doesn’t work as well as I plan, it really all depends if I am feeling up to it.  Today, I start by catching up on diaper laundry.  I hang all of the dipes up outside hoping to get them dry before the rain comes.  Instead of doing dishes like I should, I decide to go downstairs to my studio to work on crafty stuff.  This includes getting tags ready for diaper covers and sewing diaper covers.  I get easily distracted by twitter and checking email.

2:30pm- Cash is up and super cranky.  Poor little man.  Even after he eats he is still mad.  So I decide to take him downstairs to the studio to see if he will hang in the pack n play so I can get just a few more things done.  Fail.  We go back upstairs.  And of course, while I was working on stuff in the studio earlier, it rained.  Hard.  So much for dry diapers!

3:15pm- Justin is home from work!!  We eat a little something for an early dinner and then put on the Disneyland Fun Sing a long video for Cash to hopefully calm him down a bit (this is his favorite video).  He loves it, until the last song comes on (“When You Wish Upon A Star”).  He starts to get mad!  He’s sounding a bit sleepy so Justin puts him back down in his crib to see if he wants to nap a little bit more.

4:20pm- Cash is up again.  Time to eat again.  He eats so much, I still can’t believe he’s such a peanut.

After Cash’s dinner, Justin takes him to the living room to play and I jump at the chance to make some blueberry muffins that I have been craving all week.

While the muffins are baking, I come back into the living room with the boys to relax.  Cash has a total mood change- he is jumping away in his jumperoo and giggling like crazy.  It is awesome!  I love when he does this. :)

Muffins are finished in about 20 minutes and they turn out awesome! 

6pm- We all go downstairs so I can keep working on more diaper covers for Crafty By Nature this Sunday.  Justin sets up his keyboard so Cash can bang on it while I am working.  It’s so cute, but he gets easily distracted.  He would much rather play with our pups, Strummer (yellow lab) and Jagermeister (puggle).  Cash has the biggest smile on his face when the dogs are around, but they aren’t quite sure about him.  Cash is entertained by the dogs for a little while longer but he starts to get majorly cranky again around 7:15ish.  So I take him up to change him, feed him, read him a bedtime story, and put him in bed.

7:30pm- Now that baby is sleeping, I can get as much done as I want!  Justin hangs out with me in the studio while I finish the covers.  We listen to bad clips off of the Punk Goes… collections on itunes.  I finally get him to put on some good music we can sing a long to (a la Say Anything, SantigoId and Family Force Five) and I get so much more done than I thought I would!!  7 new covers done for the show.  I really hope it doesn’t rain!!

11:30pm-  Since it has been such a productive night, it’s time to throw in the towel and go upstairs.  FINALLY time to relax with hubby before going to bed.

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

I’ll be teaching a workshop on basic internet marketing for crafters on June 16th, at the Goggleworks, sponsored by the PA Guild of Craftsmen. There are still seats left in the class – but they’ll go quickly! Sign up today.

I’ll be discussing the “must-haves” in your social media portfollio, the basics of blogging, branding yourself to sell more, and tying it all together to save you time!

Yes, new ventures become “living breathing things” so quickly.

And I have two new living things to share with you that I am very excited about! First up, “The Hodge Podgery” is the brainchild of a mom & daughter team in Harrisburg. It will be a consignment shop, craft studio, meeting place, and all around great spot to be on Herr & 3rd!

The Hodge Podgery’s main focus is recycled & repurposed, handmade goods. Jessica & Dawn are looking for artists, crafters, and handy people, as well as bakers, herbalists, and other foodies who are interested in selling their work at their new store.

If you’re interested in finding out more, Dawn lays it all out in this post on the Hodge Podgery blog. And if you’re considering opening your own store, their blog is detailing every step of the process in a conversational yet informative way. It’s a must read!

The Hodge Podgery is set to open June 1st!

My new friend, Alex McCarty, has also planted a new seed that is sprouting quickly!

“Hello Bluebird” will be a craft & art consignment shop in the trendy West Reading Main Street shopping district. Alex and her husband, Corey, will feature “a mix of wholesale items that meet a specific criteria, and handmade goods made by local artists and makers from around the globe.”

The shop’s aesthetic will be “mid-century modern meets farmhouse chic meets japanese zakka meets vintage charm.” Alex hopes that her space will “be a beacon of loveliness, bright colors, and fun, upbeat designs.” If you are interested in finding out more about consigning with Alex, you can contact her here!

I will be bringing you interviews with these lovely business ladies as the details fall into place!

a message from one of our sponsors

HiP and the PA Guild of Craftsmen have a great relationship! I’m so excited to bring you this announcement of their spring workshops and seminars. You can learn from master craftsmen (and women), improve your business, and meet other artisans.

Have you ever looked into Guild membership? Why not now? The Guild is looking for the next generation of fine craftspeople and have a wide variety of resources to help you achieve the career in arts & crafts that you’ve dreamed of.

I’m also thrilled to note that one of the spring workshops is being taught by…me! Learn the basics of social media marketing from yours truly at the Goggleworks in Reading.

Spring Workshops with the Pennsylvania Guild – by Nick Mohler
Lancaster, Reading, Pottstown

The Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen’s slate of workshops in May and June are geared towards craft enthusiasts, emerging artists and established craftsmen. Registration is open to everyone through the Guild’s website at or via phone at 717-431-8706. [Read more →]

What happens when you combine a love for vintage & nature with a digital aesthetic? You get What City Studio by Wyatt Kring!

Wyatt describes the genesis of What City Studio, “After working for a number of years as a graphic designer in a corporate design setting, I felt the need for a change. So in September of 2008 I started What City Studio as a creative outlet for my ideas.”

If you like Wyatt’s style, be sure to contact him (whatcitystudio AT gmail DOT com) with your needs for custom graphic design!

And don’t forget to enter this week’s giveaway for a pair of turquoise & sterling silver earrings from Silent Lotus!

There are several coming up! For additional events, please check out the new events calendar on the right side of page. Mouse over the days to see what events are happening on that day. You can then click on individual events to get more information and check out the event sponsor’s site.

Berks Bead Bazaar

February 28 – March 1

This week’s giveaway sponsor, Sandy, will be showing her beads as well as new HiP readers, Louise and Joan. You can find glass, porcelain, precious metal clay, stone beads – and many, many more! The Berks Bead Bazaar takes place at the Inn at Reading.

Winter Craft Swap at Mew Gallery

February 21

If you’re in the Philadelphia area, Mew Gallery, is a must-see. The gallery/shop features local crafters & artists and is also the home of the Philly Etsy team. This event is also hosted by the Philadelphia Sewing Collective.

Digital Macro Photography Workshop

February 22

Building Character, in Lancaster, and Frost Imaging are hosting a workshop on macro photography. This is the kind of photography that allows you to take exceptionally detailed images of your jewerly, beads, and other small crafts. Mastering macro photography is a great way to get your pieces to stand out from the crowd! This workshop is free and open to the public!

Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet Festival

February 14-15

The Pittsburgh Craft Collective has many upcoming events but, for this weekend, they’ve tipped me off to the Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet Festival. Oh, how I wish I could go to this! There will be some huge fiber artists there as well as the opportunity to take classes and meet other knitting & crocheting enthusiasts.

Up for tomorrow, I’ll have my weekly Friday Favorites. This weekend, I’ll be featuring an interview with Melissa Frueh!

And thank you for all your well wishes – Lola and I are coming around already!

Join us at the Zenergy Wellness Center in West Reading on, Sunday, March 1st for some craft swapping goodness! Meet other arts & crafts enthusiasts, destash, network, and be inspired!

There will be two swaps:

• bring supplies you’re tired of or have no use for. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure! Yarn ends, beads, wire, fabric… Bring something to trade and you’ll leave with something new!
• bring a craft in the theme of “in like a lion, out with a lamb.” Interpret however you would like! We’ll swap items and each leave with a fabulous something new to bring on spring!

$5 per person covers light refreshments and a donation for the facility. Email tara@handmadeinpa.net to RSVP!

West Reading is full of unique shops and is nestled nicely between Central PA & Philly, making it very accessible to many of you!

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway from Sandy at OneBead.com!