Hello there.  Welcome to my first featured guest blog post here at Hello Bluebird!  Before we get started I thought I would introduce myself: my name is Amanda and I run a blog  rhymes with oranges.  I love to create things (especially crafty things) with my hands so as you can imagine I was thrilled when Alex asked me to come along with her for an adventure this past weekend to a Pennsylvania mecca for handmade goods!  This past weekend was the annual Art Star Craft Bazaarat Philadelphia’s lovely Penn Landing by the Delaware River featuring high-end handmade goods.  …

As many of my customers have (hopefully) figured out by now, I am a girl with a shop on a mission: Hello Bluebird is here to promote creativity, art, sustainability, and community-minded thinking.  In the spirit of this endeavor, we have partnered with some like-hearted neighbors in an effort to give back to the town that supports us.
Look Good. Feel Good. Do GOOD.
You are invited to join us for this special Mother’s Day event, which will benefit Friend, Inc. Community Services, a non-profit agency in Kutztown that …

It is late (early?) and a week to end all weeks. Tax deadlines are approaching, school has been out all week (equals Finn has had to endure full days with Mommy at the shop), there is a mountain of laundry to be washed and packed before we leave for a weekend trip to Virginia, and end-of-the-month bills and paperwork are upon me. If March came in like a lamb (and didn’t we love every sunny minute of it?), then this is the lion! If I was gnashing my teeth and hiding under my covers, it could actually be forgivable.

Except that today, the last whiff of March, was a banner day…

I may have mentioned at least a few times that one of the most rewarding parts of owning this shop is getting to meet so many “kindred spirits,” and providing a connection point where their diverse styles and personalities can come together in a united vision.  This is what lies at the heart of the indie handmade movement, in my opinion–this idea that business can follow a new model, that it isn’t just about dollars and cents.  Yes, the rent must be paid, but, at the end of the day, …

Functional art that adds a spot of brilliant creativity to your everyday life.  Need I say more?
Oh, yes, and I should also add: boys like them.  Finally, something for the lads at Hello Bluebird!  We even have tees in UNISEX.  The future’s looking pretty bright!  Equal opportunity abounds at Hello Bluebird!
Now for the nitty gritty: Poketo ( POH-KAY-TOH) is an LA-based designer of limited-edition art accessories, prints, and decor.  Poketo promotes the work of top international artists by showcasing original artwork through their fun and accessible wares. Poketo takes art …

Just when I think I have the shop packed as tight as I can get it with unique, artist driven goodies, another box of gorgeousness arrives! We have several new arrivals this week, which I’ll be highlighting over the next few days.

Yesterday, I unpacked and made way for four boxes filled with vibrant patterns and delicious scents that could brighten any grey, February day! Skeem candles to the winter rescue!

Graphic designer Geoff Weiser and former retail buyer, Suji Meswani, are the co-owners of Skeem Candles….

First, let me just say that it is SNOWING.  Right now.  Again.  Are the 3-4 piles in front of my house not good enough?  If things keep on this way, there won’t be enough wine, butter, or chocolate left to keep me sane.  My kids MUST return to school TOMORROW!
We enjoyed a pleasant, albeit quick, Valentine’s weekend.  Taking advantage of the brief break in this weather, my mom and her fiance came to visit.  It was a bright spot in this seemingly endless winter!  They left early this afternoon to …

Last weekend, I posted some photos of our work-in-progress of putting the shop “back together” (I still owe you the “finished” photos–see below!).  One of the things I am struggling with in my attempt to put together a new season of curated, handmade goods is that I like to make a cohesive “story”–a theme, as it were…
Looking back, it was so easy the first time!  I had a gallery theme, “Show and Tell,” to use as my centerpiece, and a the shop was a blank slate!  Using words, text, and …

We have been busy as bees this week.

News of impending snowstorm notwithstanding, Hello Bluebird is bringing on the spring! Boxes are filling the shop, full of pretty things made by good people. New jewelry, candles, diffusers, handbags and reusable shoppers, cards, handmade marshmallows–the list goes on and on! You might wonder, where on earth are we going to put all of this happy new merchandise?

Never fear…

Earlier this month, one of our favorite indie celeb locals, Jan DiCintio of Daisy Janie, wrote a lovely post recapping her handmade purchases of 2009.  Guess what local shop made the list?  You guessed right!  Thank you, Jan, for your kind words and great buys.  How lucky were the good boys and girls on your Christmas list?!
From Jan’s post, here is a great pic of the items she brought home in 2009:
1. tinsel time linen teatowel from sara smedley
2. pinecone charm necklace from michabella creations
3. large zippered vegan tote from emily lazo
4. vintage …