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

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.”

Anyhow, dear readers, it’s been a fabulous week! Soft opening Friday evening when Jess and I were both at the shop just felt “right”, yes, I could technically have sold a few things beforehand, but personally, I really wanted to share that with her. A pair of women were peeking in the windows and like I had been doing the past few days, I invited them in for a sneak preview. Their enthusiasm was just what we hoped for! They were THRILLED when we “allowed” them to make their purchases! They were wonderful! A few minutes later, two more were at the window… I see a trend here.

For those of you who are HodgePodgery-ists and those of you who are considering it, the timing for this is so perfect. About 3 weeks ago, Stage on Herr opened up right behind us. It is an artsy bar with local live music, a fantastic 5-7 Happy Hour, Wed open Mic nights, Indie bands, a “First Saturday” Art Flea Market and FANTASTIC Bloody Marys a la an old school mate of mine, Scott Mitsdarfer. Local art work hangs on the wall. Gary and John (owners extraordinaire) smile and wave as they trek by our windows. I don’t know what they were expecting of Jess and my little shop, but they are embracing us more eagerly as the days go on!

I hope you all can come by this week before everything is sold. It’s just a matter of time, you know. I really think you should come in groups. We’d have loved to have organized a formal open house, but I simply don’t see it happening before Tuesday. I seriously think you should just get a bunch of friends, and just come down for an afternoon.

I love you guys!
~~~Dawn

Well, since I snuck over to work on a few things, I have to get back home to go to M’s parents for dinner.  More pics later this week, and HOPEFULLY a new look for my website thanks to Tara  the wunderkind girl Social Media guru of handmadeinpa.net and a host (hee heee I said “host”) of a few more hot handmade sites.

OH!  Almost forgot!  Jess should be landing any minute!! YAY!

How lucky am I!?

~~~Dawn

Looking down the hall (workshop to the right)

Looking at the workshop

So far I realize I really, really suck at painting walls. I love painting other stuff, but painting walls to make things look “even” is NOT my forte. Nope. I’m more the “creative” type. Not so much the slow and steady, tape this off, prepare this, etc.  Apparently the teenagers were even worse.  Actually, one was pretty good.  He seemed very determined to do a good job.  Too bad he is not my son.  NICK…Michael and I would like to adopt you… = }  They’re all good kids.  VERY different personalities.

Ok, well, today I got some more equipment set up,  input some inventory, had to leave quickly to pick Tim up to take him to work (missed the bus because of a confusing bus stop he hadn’t used before…then he tried hoofing it to get the second leg to HersheyPark.  Not quite in time…)

So now, I still have a boatload of stuff to do (no, I am not painting or moving furniture, which when that’s done I will be soooo much happier!)  Oh. I also didn’t get my city and state permits to start selling.  Realized this afternoon they will not be open tomorrow!

That’s ok. As long as we are ready by July 21st.  = } Regardless, I will be here most of my “normal” work days from here on out with the exception of a few medical days and WineFest.

So…what do you think of the color choices??  (I’m sure THAT opens a can of worms!! )

Storefront Mock Up

1100 N 3^rd St

Harrisburg, PA 17102

Shop 717-236-0150

Dawn 717-364-8317 and @hodgepodgery on twitter

Jessica 717-343-1864 and @LadyCanz on twitter

Tuesday thru Saturday 10am – 7pm

hodgepodgestudio@gmail.com

TheHodgePodgery.com

Well, here it is almost that time. We are nearly finished with the interior remodeling on “the Shop” and pretty soon we will be in to lay on some color and put up signs. Now, it’s time to reach out to all our friends to start spreading the word! As you may very well know by now, The HodgePodgery is located on the corner of 3^rd and Herr in the Historic District of Midtown Harrisburg, PA. We will be focusing on recycled, repurposed functional arts and crafts.  Trash to treasure, you might say! Consignors are signing on, and diligently working on their wares. Business partners are getting there info together, and making sure everything is ready to go. Notices such as this email are being sent to our many contacts for forwarding, posting and passing along. All is going fairly well, thus far. Yes, opening dates have scooched back a bit as reality sets in, but all in all from concept to today is 7 weeks. Not too shabby!

A small favor we ask of you, our friends, consignors, business partners and potential customers is this: Tell anyone and everyone about our venture. We are looking for crafters and artists to consign wares that are made from recycled, repurposed and functional. Furniture, Housewares, Garden, Toys, Clothes, Jewelry, Pet Goods etc. We will offering cool things that you yourself would buy, although not your everyday “average” item.  We are interested in Handmade Local Goods as well as nifty things made from “found” objects. We are considering foodstuffs as well, pending what we need from the city to do so. We already have some incredible consignors on board and look forward to being a source for unique, affordable goodies. In addition to the retail sales, a big part of being The HodgePodgery will be to offer classes and space for artists and crafters to come in and work, or just hang out and exchange ideas. We want our consignors to enjoy success as they sell their wonderful, lovingly made products.

Consignors: We will be able to accept product starting Tuesday June 23. All consignors that were not at the First Crafting Call, please drop me a line at hodgepodgestudio@gmail.com so I know to expect your agreement in the mail, or that you will be bringing it in person with your first batch of products. Please remember that you are responsible for pricing your own wares. We will keep a close eye on sales as to be able to give you input on pricing. We want to keep in close contact with our HodgePodgerists.

Networkers and Business Partners: Please make sure your contacts have our info! We would LOVE to talk to them! We look forward to becoming a valuable source of information for entrepreneurs, as well as being part of the many networking groups in Central PA. We want to be involved with the community as well as for the community to be involved with us.

DATES TO REMEMBER We will generally be at the shop off and on between June 22 thru July 16^th, but please call to make sure.

Our GRAND OPENING WEEK is July 21^st thru the 25^th when we kick off our official open for business hours of Tuesday thru Saturday 10am to 7 pm.

Again, thank you so much for passing this info along!

~~~Dawn

Okay, my friends! It is TIME! It’s time to spread the word and gather together the myriad talented tweeps and other fine people for the very first meet and greet in the life of The HodgePodgery!

Everyone is encouraged to bring along samples, portfolios, and their good humor for this open house style event. Brainstorming is encouraged.

ABC offers good food and good drink if you are so inclined.

We ALWAYS welcome suggestions and ideas. Please take a few minutes for our survey so we can add you to our contact database. Much appreciated!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=tG7Rh3HZSfzli25uefhFPw_3d_3d