Let’s get down to the mini tour!

#1 Get yourself signed up for free and let the shopaganza begin!

#2 Take a look at the home page to see what the hot happenings are!

#3 Scroll through the Treasury pages for different categories of cool finds! *Pic 4 shows an example of an Etsy Shop- Mine!

#4 Use the search tool- be specific. *Search both by Shop Owner as per Pic 5- I did a search finding my shop by name or by specific product details like in Pic 6.

#5 Happy Etsy Shopping!

Pics from L to R

A little background on myself & my company:  I’m a scientific person by nature and have my Master’s degree in Engineering.  I love science and baking and found that soap making combines both those loves beautifully!   I make all my soaps the old fashioned way – the cold process method- which takes water & lye together with skin nutritious oils & butters to make the gentlest soap possible.

I started my company in 2005 and named it after my son’s favorite Greek stuffed elephant.  I love creating new recipes with different oils, scents, additives, and colors – there are no limits to what you can do with soap!

In my next week’s blog, I will provide some how-to’s on making an easy, natural skin care product you can do right in your own kitchen!

Happy Soaping!

Besides having a blast scrolling through amazing ideas and photographs, how else can we utilize a new addiction for keeping track of things we love? As an artist myself, I have a Board simply called Products I design and Create. I post finished product photos, sales, how-tos, and during the creation of… photos. I have my Pinterest setup so that every time I share to that board it automatically shares on my Facebook and Twitter. This lends to sharing my creations not only with my friends and family, but with everyone I am connected to in the social media world! By having followers who re-pin and like your pictures they gain a feeling of who you are as a person too.

So, are you ready to give it a shot? Of course you are! It takes two seconds to setup your FREE account, and away you Pin! But do not say I didn’t warn you about it being addicting, ok?!

Watch for the BIG red button and go pinning for beauty!

Watch for the next bloggeroni next week! “To Create is to love.”

Don’t know Little Amps? Check out their website to learn just why they are Harrisburg’s premier locale for awesome coffee, fresh treats, and rocking tunes. Aaron Carlson, owner of Little Amps, says that, with their coffees having sold previously at the Garden Fresh Market and Deli and the City House, the HoPo isn’t Little Amps first foray into wholesaling. Still, they’re excited to see what comes about from teaming up with Midtown’s favorite craft consignment shop.

What are you waiting for? Why are you still reading this? Go get some coffee!

On a closing note: Please be sure to stop in to Little Amps Coffee Roasters at 1836 Green Street. Order the cortado. Trust me on this.

Or Joe.

Or whatever.

The point is that this is a formal introduction. My name is Joseph and I am the newest member of the HodgePodgery’s elite online media brigade. The task? To bring you interesting snippets of HoPo-related info. This may mean artist interviews, it may mean updates on new featured items or upcoming events. The point is this: when it comes to HoPo blogging, I’m your guy.

Now, you may ask yourself: Who is this mysterious Joseph character? Why are they trusting him with authorship-access to their website? What’s with the Moby Dick references?

Permit me to provide a brief summary of myself.

I’ve lived in Harrisburg just shy of three years, the past six months of which have been spent in the Midtown area. I’m a big fan of the city and love to see good people doing good things in it (such as our glorious institution, the HodgePodgery). While I’m also a big fan of artisanal goods and local art, my abilities in the realm of the plastic arts is nonexistent – unless, of course, you consider tying a bow tie artwork. Despite my obvious inabilities, I wanted to contribute to HoPo and, finding them in need of an incidental blogger, was lucky enough to find a niche for myself to fill.

Some other contextualizing details about myself? I’m a young, professional technical writer and yes, it is as boring as it sounds. I’m happily married to a wonderful artist and curry cook. I have a degree in literature with minors in writing and philosophy and a specialization in modernist literature. I’m absolutely fanatical about books. I have a love/hate relationship with short fiction writing.  And I like sauerkraut.

Now, the important part: what’s in it for you.

What’s in it for you is…

• Updates about events, new artists, featured items, and other HoPo-related news
• Artist interviews
• Super-special online-only info (content of super-special online-only info TBD)
• Incidental happenings in Harrisburg (because who doesn’t like to be surprised with good news?)
• And more!

Are you excited? I know I sure am.

Tune in next time for more great HoPo blog posts!

 ***Photos shown are SAMPLE mandalas of other clients used with their permission, your mandala will be custom made for you!***

Mini Personal Meditation Mandala Session

Only $20

Session takes about 20 minutes and includes one 4×6 Personal Photo Meditation Mandala with Key Words & an information sheet on how to use your mandala.

WHAT IS A MANDALA?

Mandala means ‘circle’ in the Sanskrit language which can also signify the wholeness that surround us and all that is within us. The central point or focus point within the mandala suggests there is a center within each one of us which represents our source of energy and power, or what we may refer to as our soul, our “Higher Self” or the “Christ within”.

Mandala’s are primarily used during meditation while searching for personal growth and spiritual transformation. Tibetan Buddhism use mandalas to capture the images of demons and gods. Navajo sand painters use them in their healing rites. Native Americans use a Medicine Wheel, a mandala form, to connect to earth energies and the wisdom of nature.

WHAT IS A PERSONAL PHOTO MEDITATION MANDALA?

Personal Photo Meditation Mandalas is a meditation focal tool created from a photo of YOU!  When used as a meditation focal it can help give us a deeper understanding of ourselves. Instead of using a mirror that will give us a reflection of our “outside shell”, a personal photo meditation mandala will provide a reflection of our souls. This can help us find the energy within ourselves to trust our inner voice to guide us down our life’s pathway towards a better understanding of ourselves and how we may perceive the world around us. While using it as a meditation tool, it will provide you with a reflection of your soul to help you achieve inner peace and a deeper sense of self understanding. While focusing on the mandala, your mind has no chance to wander and worry about things you *think* you “should” be doing … you know .. like laundry, dishes, etc.

You can find more information at my Facebook Page   http://www.facebook.com/#!/InVisionItpage

                                     Etsy Shop             http://www.etsy.com/shop/InVisionIt

Or give me a Call at (717) 571-7554

Many Blessings ~ Kim Sheaffer

AAAAnnyyhooos…as we move full tilt boogie into the summer we have scads of new goodies coming into the shop.  A new look is developing. A new feel is settling in. We are groovin’ to a new vibe, my friends! We are also pulling back and refocusing on our initial focus of recycled and upcycled. What do you think about the new logo?

Feel like a little road trip? This Saturday, July 2nd, look for our stand at Carlisle’s Summerfest on the Dickinson campus 8-3pm. Say hi to Tara and our HoPo volunteers! Of course the shop will also be open 11-5 right here in Midtown for your shopping pleasure! We know you will have a bunch of guests, so we FULLY expect you to show them YOUR favorite place for uniquely functional art, y’hear?

SPEAKING of Midtown, I just got word today that Friends of Midtown is doing a Fire Hydrant painting contest “Paint the Plug”  Check out the goodies so you can submit your design for consideration!  Looks like some nice CASH prizes are up for grabs! The submissions must be in by July 15th and after selection, the artists will have a month to “Paint the Plug”  Submit to Susquehanna Art Museum PO Box 11818, Harrisburg PA, 17108 and more info is available by emailing beautification@friendsofmidtown.org

Ok, kids!

Enjoy your holiday weekend!

~~~Dawn

This weekend, my amazing boyfriend Michael and I will be busy making chocolate covered Easter Eggs! Get your order in NOW by hopping over to this form!  We’re planning on making 250 this weekend, and by the end of the campaign we hope to have sold 500! We’ll be stirring and forming and dipping away all day Sunday..the foils are due today!  I know you didn’t know it, but MDG makes some KILLER Easter Eggs!  Ask his co-workers!  He supplies them with dozens every year.  This year tho, they’re gonna PAY!  What sweeter way to donate to a worthy cause, right?

Have you made your appointment yet for The Ink-a-thon? Check out the events page for details on the participating studios both at the Maennerchor 2-10pm April 3rd and some at their locations on both Saturday and Sunday!  Show some tattoo love, yo! DJ Chris Vroman of Cashmere entertainment will be spinning some mad tunes, Lisa will be laying out some Tarot, and Jan will be sketching your pets (from photos, please) There will be food available and a cash bar as well as some nifty neat art and stuff for sale.

Of course, don’t forget about your chance to BUY YOUR WAY to FAME at our Cabaret and Talent Show Sunday night Apr 3 from 7-10 at Stage on Herr!  Get registered so we can get you on the ticket!  Juggle, dance, sing or tell a few jokes.  Any magicians out there?? CABARET IS CANCELLED!!!

Sign your Junior Photographers up for Kid.Art.Love. Photo Collage for two Saturdays April 9th and 16th at the HodgePodgery 1100 N 3rd St in Harrisburg. Two age groups for the parent and me class. Call the HoPo to register! 717-236-0150

There’s another FULL day on April 10th beginning at  noon on city island with the Paws for a Cure Pet Walk by Abrams and Weakley General Store for pets. Then at 3 register for the Poetry Slam at ABC on Cameron from 3:30 t0 6:30.  During the SLAM items will be out for the Silent Auction leading into BLUEGRASS with Ragtime Willi from 7-9pm. Event door is $5.

April 17th is the FIRST EVER Bacon ‘n’ Brew Ha-Ha at ABC up in the Abbey Bar and The Gallery. Sign up now to enter your favorite bacon dish or home brewed beer, cider or rootbeer!  Seriously!  EVERYTHING is better with bacon! Greenbelt Events and The HodgePodgery are sponsoring this yummy delicious fundraiser! Live music and a Beer Belly contest…what more could you ask for of an afternoon of fun?  Tickets available NOW at the HoPo! $10 includes 3 tasting tickets. ALL PROCEEDS GO TO LLS!!

AGAIN…MANY, MANY THANKS for everyone’s help and to all the businesses who have donated time, prizes and supplies for our events as well as for the artists who have donated their work! You all have been wonderful!

Of course if you can’t make it to any of the events, PLEASE DONATE online at http://cpa.mwoy.llsevent.org/dawnrettinger

Hats, Scarves & Mittens…get in before they are all gone!