CiTiES Indie Boutiques LOCALLY MADE AND LOViNGLY CRAFTED Pennsylvania has long been an enclave of artisans, from woodworkers to metalsmiths and beyond. Browse the wares of the state’s newest class of craftspeople at small businesses that showcase local, handmade products. Nestled among the boutiques on Penn Avenue in West Reading, discover sustainable, ethical jewelry, including limited edition and customized pieces handcrafted by shop owner and designer Chrissy Cook, in the bright, airy Made Jewelry Boutique and Studio . At Classic Elements in Johnstown, start with a specialty coffee or tea latte from the on-site cafe, peruse the bookshelves for a good vacation read, and then pick out a souvenir from the gift shop, showcasing handmade pottery, jewelry, and accessories. Or browse the goods at Untamed Boutique in Hanover, including their homemade soaps and bath bombs, soy candles nestled in cute containers, and gourmet snacks and treats cooked up by Pennsylvania makers. Want to upgrade your home’s decor? Shop for imaginative wallpaper, woven wall art, hand-spun pottery, custom wooden furniture, and other creative housewares produced by local makers and artists at PG&H in Pittsburgh’s Mellon Square. If your favorite home good is an expertly made candle, stop into Hamilton Wax Co. in Lancaster where you’ll find a lineup of fresh fragrances—from Sunday Mimosa to Coconut Husk—in the form of hand-poured soy wax candles crafted in amber glass jars and gold tins. Hamilton Wax Co. Lancaster All Together Now: Local Makers Discover historic buildings that have transformed into creative enclaves of local artists and makers coming together under one roof. In South Philadelphia, BOK is a 1930s vocational school building turned mixed-use space housing more than 200 tenants, such as Jaydee Devine, who handcrafts funky polymer clay jewelry under her brand name Uh—huh ( shopuhhuh. com ), and Muhga Eltigani, whose company NaturAll ( naturallclub.com ) features a product lineup of plant-based, natural hair care. Harrisburg’s Millworks building was formerly Stokes Millwork and today hosts nearly 30 studios of local artisans including craftsman and lighting designer Phil Wells ( instagram.com/ philwells_ ) and visual artist Reina Wooden, known as Reina 76 Artist ( reina76artist.com ). Made Jewelry Boutique and Studio West Reading 10 visitPA.com TOP TO BOTTOM: HAMILTON WAX CO.; REUTER STUDIOS
Pennsylvania Happy Traveler Guide 2022: Page 10
