The HodgePodgery » The HodgePodgery-ists

The HoPo is Open for Business! Hooray!

Dawn — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:45:59 +0000

This past Friday night our sneak peek turned into a full blown 3rd in the Burg happening!

So many friends and fans stopped it, it was an awesome welcome back to Midtown! It was pretty darn cold out, too! Serving mulled cider and yummy nibbles helped fight the chill! Happily, some of our tweeps got pics, because we were busy schmoozin’ and ringing up sales. Life is good.

We are now open our regular hours Thursdays and Fridays 11-7 and Saturdays 10-5. Speaking of Saturdays, after the snow we got lots of visitors, old friends and customers. The excitement is catching, that’s for certain! Everyone’s enthusiasm makes us so happy to be back!

We had our first impromptu clinic when Jess gathered a few girls for a Crochet class. It was cozy with our rockin’ 70′s sofas. I promise a pic soon. The sofas and a 1960′s dinette and buffet make up the charm of my Travel and business office, where we will have small seminars and roundtables as well as some of the make n takes and classes.

Our FIRST Make n Takes are the first two Saturdays in February 10a-2p Julie will be

back to offer Valentines. There are 5 types to choose to make at $5 each.

Well, folks, make it a point to stop in and buy local! The new HoPo is feeling fine and ready to put the renewed energy to good use! SEE YOU SOON!

Peace, Love, HoPo Karma!
~~~Dawn

Artist Opportunity 2012

Dawn — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:42:57 +0000

The HodgePodgery is currently seeking community minded artists to join in our local functional art and craft collective. The new space will open mid to late January at 1320 N 3rd St Harrisburg, PA and will be operated by The HodgePodgery, LLC.
As a collective space, artists will contribute $50 per month plus 10% of sales which goes toward operating costs, marketing and growth. They will also be required to contribute 5 hours “time”per calendar month. “Time” can be in hours helping on site, teaching classes, offering seminars or make & takes, promoting, contributing blog posts, marketing, shows and so forth.
As a member of the collective, you are welcome to sell your wares, cross promote your business, use co-working space, attend round-tables, teach and attend workshops, share and in some cases, co-brand with The HodgePodgery.
We strive to create an atmosphere of creativity, support, education and economical growth for local artists and crafters as well as enriching our surrounding communities.
Artist’s wares must meet specifications determined by the ownership and managing partners in order to ensure quality products and service with consistency as well as ensure a proper mix of offerings i.e. 20% jewelry, 15% accessories,15% clothing and so on.

Individual artists must act as independent business owners, provide displays, merchandise and inventory their own wares in accordance to The HodgePodgery’s guidelines.
There is limited membership in the collective and once that is met, applicants will be placed on a waiting list. Physical space allotment will vary according to product and display type and is considered movable on the sales floor as we see fit.
Also available early 2012 is semi-private studio space for rent on a daily and/or monthly basis. Pricing varies.
If you are an artist or crafter in the Harrisburg area, willing and committed to investing in growing your business we welcome you to apply to our collective. Our goal is to create a retail outlet and cooperative work space, and to support creators of local arts and handmade wares in building their independent business to continue to enrich our community.
Please contact dawn@thehodgepodgery.com for your application.

NEW HOPO! NEW LOOK! NEW ARTISTS!

Dawn — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:05:01 +0000

2012 at The HoPo will be bringing a whole lotta change! Currently, most everything (including our computer systems) are in storage waiting for our new home to be ready. I have been away, training for my new additional income generating career, as well as visiting my sons.

Yesterday, I signed our new lease and we are hoping to begin HodgePodge-ifying the new digs Dec 15th. Of course, that is HOPING TO. One never knows what will come up in a building rehab.

Artists and crafters interested in working with us should get in touch by email dawn@thehodgepodgery.com with the subject “Info Please” so I can find it easily. PLEASE, we have lot going on so give me some time to respond. We are restructuring our business plan and updating software. We have inventory and inputting, along with a bazillion other physical moving things to get done over the next few weeks. We would like to be open by the beginning of 2012.

Lessons learned: Just because we WANT to do something and TRY to do it, does not always make it happen. For example: We really wanted to do the online shop thing. It seems simple enough, right? WRONG. Didn’t happen, and no longer on our list of priorities.

You all know that we are pretty transparent. Probably to a fault, but that’s just the way it is. My life is an open book, and I reflect that in writing for the HoPo.

I’ve missed being in Midtown daily and I am looking forward to getting back in the swing of things. I personally have some life organizing to do in order to make a living as well as get the shop back up and rolling. Anyone know the best way to juggle cats??

Peace, Love, HoPo Karma!

~~~Dawn

HoPo Karma

Dawn — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 18:25:22 +0000

I have to admit, the HoPoCo are some of the most giving and creative people I know. They are simply good people. I know for a fact that the things here in the shop are made with a lot of love and caring. It always makes me smile when new things come in, and makes me sad when things leave.

No matter what, when asked, our people always step up to help out and with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Woman of the Year fundraising campaign it’s no different. There are so many things too choose from on the Donation table and more to come! (more pics and info on Flickr )

3/5/2010 THIS JUST IN!!! BUY ANY ROSIE’S WHIMSY SKIRT, TUNIC or HANDBAG and the ENTIRE PURCHASE PRICE IS DONATED TO LLS!!! Get in NOW! THIS IS ON HER ENTIRE INVENTORY! Thank you Rosie & John Nevius for your generosity!!!

3/8/2011 Oh My!! Weezawear has donated her entire line of WEEZIEBANDS head bands! $10 a piece.

3/8/2011 Cynsible Creations has donated her line of fun fabric lanyards…only $5 a piece!

b.b. bibs

Donation Table

Can’t make it in to the shop? Please donate online. It’s simple.

I have also commissioned a special necklace series with a new consignor, Gretchen Enrietti of Just Beachy Jewelry. It’s inspired by my friend David Pringle’s suggestion that our GoTeam HoPo theme should be “The Art of Determination” Gretchen has bottled some determination for you or even for you to give to someone else who may need some added OOOoomphh in what they are trying to achieve. Stop in, call or email us for your own message of determination! You choose between the leather cord or silver chain for only $20, $10 of which goes to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Determination on Leather

Be sure to slide on over to The GoTeam HoPo website to get details of events, or better yet, step up to the Social Media Challenge. We have a LOT going on in the next 7 weeks and welcome your support!

Again, thank you to all our volunteers, our friends and our wonderfully tallented HoPoCo!

Giving is good Karma!

…And We’re Off!! LLS Campaign Begins!

Dawn — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 20:28:00 +0000

So it begins! Last night was the KickOff to the 8 week event. I was so very excited and surrounded by friends, and had to go up to give a short little UNEXPECTED speech…and froze. I think I got our words like “The HodgePodgery” “Bacon” ”Brew” and “Tattoos” and of course “Thank You” but the rest was ahhh…rather embarrassing. We are all convinced that I have them fooled into thinking that I am a blithering idiot and incapable of raising ANYTHING. (Haha we have them fooled!)

So friends, it is time. Donations are being accepted NOW!

ALL DETAILS FOR GOTEAM HOPO’S WOMAN OF THE YEAR CAMPAIGN IS AT: www.goteamhopo.wordpress.com

Fan us at http://www.facebook.com/pages/GoTeam-HoPo/186085748095967

Grand Opening for HoPoLanCo at the STAHR Center

Dawn — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:01:10 +0000

December 3rd’s First Friday will be the official Grand Opening of The HodgePodgery in Lancaster! Join us for some nibbles and check out all the wares from our core artists as well as new! The space Hollie has created for us in our humble basement abode is coming along quite nicely! The cages have been put to great use and soon she will start on a mural to coordinate with the fabulous floor she painted!

First Friday always brings cool funky things to the STAHR center! Located at 438 N Queen St in Lancaster PA, join us downstairs in the “basement”and check out the newly cleared out Garage performance space where Loretta Bilieax will have her CD Release party. Check THIS out to get a taste of Loretta and Chad’s gig. I’m sure you’ll be digging on this indie performer’s sound!

Also that night on the main floor Theater of the Seventh Sister/Artistic Village hosts The Season Through the Ages by The Susquehanna Trio. Lest we forget, Dec 9th thru the 30th TSS performs A Christmas Carol…pay what you will for a truly divine Christmas gift.

As you stroll through the STAHR center, realize that what’s really needed to keep this space moving into the realm of awesomeness that it promises is VOLUNTEERS! Donations of time, supplies and cash money needs contributed to beautify and green the building! A call to arms, dear friends, to donate some time to paint floors, walls and ceilings, build storage, fix windows, clean drains, seal walls, and all sorts of cool stuff. Artists, in exchange for your help, there is gallery space available for you to hang a show.

Get in touch. Let’s show them how much we appreciate being given this unique opportunity! All kinds of help to fit all kinds of free time is needed.

Have a great Thanksgiving and know that we love and are thankful for you all! Without our HoPoCo, our faithful friends and supporters, we would be nowhere!

Peace, Love, and HoPo Karma,

~~~Dawn

HoPoLanCo: Sneak Peek First Friday

Dawn — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 21:43:48 +0000

Some of the cages are dismantled and the painting has begun! We’ll be working during First Friday and may even have a small selection of wares for sale if all goes smoothly tomorrow! At the VERY least we should be ready to give Lancaster a taste of what we’ll have to offer.

Phone and internet are to be installed next week so Look for us to be up and running in some capacity next weekend! Tell your friends and loved ones, to stop by and say hello, ok?

Hollie is going to soon establish a facebook page and sooner or later we’ll have a HoPoLanCo blog and more. What fun it is! New consignors are on board and my steadfast awesome ones are beginning to bring in wares. We have a rough idea of our hours, but will have more for you at a later date.

Thanks all!

~~~Dawn

HoPoLanCo Update

Dawn — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 21:49:09 +0000

The HodgePodgery is opening a NEW SHOP in Lancaster, PA! We will be in suite B-7 (B meaning basement) of the Stahr Center at 438 N Queen St. The building is the former Armory for the National Guard and for the past few years has housed Theater of the Seventh Sister. The theater purchased the building and the goal is to convert it from a cold institutional building to a way cool green building! We will also share the basement with Lancaster Creative Reuse and The Artist Studio as well as a recording studio and a ballet studio.

This coming weekend we are looking for volunteers to help move some things over, help us tear down some cages (yes…I said cages) and paint floors!! The artists next door have turned the halls and bathroom into really beautiful, funky space.

We hope to have at the very least, a PRESENCE for Lancaster’s First Friday: Nov 5th.

We are looking for HoPoCo to be part of the co-op atmosphere in both the Lancaster and the existing Harrisburg shops. If you want to learn how we do things, get out of the house and workshop and truly hear what customers are saying when they walk through the door, we encourage you to contact us with your availability. We would love to have you! We will have current consignors as well as some new ones.

If all goes well, the Lancaster HoPo will be full tilt boogie by Mid-November for the main shopping season!

~~~Dawn

Guess Who’s Been Nominated for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Woman of the Year!!

Dawn — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 00:57:52 +0000

Hello to all our HoPoCo, loyal customers, Twitterati, facebook friends and all our business buddies!

Well, I have a little announcement to make and then a HUGE favor to ask of all YOU! I have been nominated for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Woman of the Year for 2011. Yeah. Wow. I am simply flabbergasted. Our friend Kristen Zellner of Abrams and Weakley General Store for Animals was the Central PA Winner last year! Kristen and her team raised some insane amount of money to go on and win 2010 Woman of the Year for Central PA! Kristen, in her mad, crazy, what the heck was SHE thinkin’ nominated yours truly. As one of the nominees, it is my duty to raise as much moola as possible to contribute to a cure for the myriad of blood cancers known as Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma. As one of the nominees, it is also my sworn duty to pull in as MANY of my friends as possible to HELP to raise some crazy, never before seen amount of contributions! You know The HodgePodgery. You KNOW we are going to have a FABULOUS time doing this! We will kick fund raising BUTT!!

I am currently building a team of people to help in the HoPo’s campaign. These individuals are dynamic in so many different ways and I simply cannot wait to see what they come up with! I am also really looking forward to meeting the Boy and Girl of the Year…You know how the HoPo loves sharing creativity with the young ‘uns! These cool kids are going to have a busy time ahead of them! I think they will be the toast of the town, so get ready to celebrate life!

The 2011 campaign kicks off February 24th and runs to April 21st.

We will be gearing up and getting our fundraisers planned out and ready to go, so that when the 8 week fund drive starts, we will be goin’ out there a hellin’!

If you or your business would like to be one of The HoPo’s sponsors, I’d love to hear from you! Like The HodgePodgery, this is a joint effort among the most amazing people I know. I would like to have members of my team from all over Central PA, but of course, we will take donations from all over the world!! There will be a webpage set up that you can direct people to that will accept donations directly….BEGINNING February 24th. No money can be accepted prior to the kick off date, so start saving your pennies now!!

In donating your time, money and/or talent, not only are you helping to find cures for the various blood cancers, you directly touch the lives of cancer patients and their families. I really don’t know a soul who has not known someone affected by some form of cancer. Personally my losses have been great. Living the day to day is important. Bringing hope, peace of mind, financial assistance, and education to families affected NOW is just as important as cures in the future. I am honored, inspired and eager to help raise awareness, as well as dollars.

So. Watch for some really cool, rocking things this spring: craft events, art auctions, concerts, fashion shows, food events and who the heck knows WHAT else we will come up with!

The gauntlet is thrown, help me to win this challenge!

Peace, Love and HoPo Karma!

~~~Dawn

HoPo a Go-Go Challenge!!!

Dawn — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:26:51 +0000

CHALLENGE!!! We challenge you to post something, ANYTHING, ANYWHERE, in ANY TYPE of media regarding your experience at The HodgePodgery. Blogs, Yelp, Twitter, Facebook, (even myspace goldarnit!) bulletin boards, TripAdvisor …anything you’d consult or check for something to do, a way to market, or a place to shop. We want to see what you have to say about us. Share your posts, Share your experience, rate us, tell us what you think. ok? now Go! GO!!!