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Story by
AML125
Published on October 29, 2009 in This Handmade Life |
Photo by Vida Carson of Sarah Lockard, AroundMainLine.com ePublisher |
Around Main Line CEO and ePublisher Sarah Lockard was born and raised in Philadelphia’s western suburbs, known as the Main Line. Around Main Line is Philadelphia’s very first emagazine, celebrating the people, places and events of the region — exclusively online. Today Sarah shares her favorite Etsy finds from Philly and the surrounding suburbs. You can find more of Sarah's picks in her Around Main Line series, Etsy Phavorites.
As a big city with a small town feel, we are fiercely loyal and supportive of each other. That’s why I decided to launch Philadelphia’s first emagazine, Around Main Line. This is a rich city in so many ways, not only because of the people, but also due to the diverse cultures that mix in neighborhoods across the region.
The streets of Philadelphia are alive with great stories that have yet to be told! It just made sense for me to seek out these fantastic local entrepreneurs and businesswomen who are talented artisans and handcrafters as well. The women I have met are so enthusiastic about their success on Etsy and I love the sisterhood we have established together.
One of my favorite parts of the Philly region is the endless choices of charming coffee shops and the unique experiences they offer. You can usually find me chilling in the dozens of java joints on the Main Line or in West Philly — people-watching, brainstorming with my web designer or working on my laptop!
That’s my beloved Philadelphia — home sweet home. Go Phils!
Nicole Pankratz, a.k.a. lilbooandco: “I love the Philadelphia area for its rich historic value and bustling atmosphere, but also for the hidden treasures and places to go just beyond the city. Here I am at Milky Way Farm, a local farm and creamery located in scenic Chester Springs, PA, about 25 minutes outside the city limits. I love going there to get my farm fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and of course, their homemade ice cream!” [Photo by Jubilee Photography]

Laura Kicey, a.k.a. helveticaneue: “For a designer and photographer entranced by color and historical architecture, Philly's neighborhoods and suburbs are goldmines of inspiration around every corner.” [Photo by Laura Kicey]

Krista Peel, a.k.a. kristapeel: “Although we are very new to the area, we love East Kensington's diversity, its rugged artsiness and its potential to be great. This area holds a lot of folks who are dedicated to being good neighbors. That's really exciting and wonderful to me.”
Krista is pictured at the Memphis Taproom in Philadelphia. [Photo by Vida Carson]
Kelly Galvin Robson, a.k.a. highstreetmarket: “I love that you can be experiencing the city for part of the day, and drive just 20 minutes and shop at a farm stand out in the country. Coming from Los Angeles, this feels like a breath of fresh air.“ Kelly is pictured at a flea market in Kutztown, PA.

Sara Selepouchin, a.k.a. girlscantell: "Philadelphia's pretty much surrounded by farms. Autumn is my favorite time of year to get out of the city to go pumpkin and apple picking. It's a really refreshing change of pace, exploring the rural areas outside of Philly.” Sara is pictured at Terrain at Styers, Anthropologie’s Gardening Center, Glen Mills, PA. [Photo by Laura Kicey]

Stephanie, a.k.a. PearlStationery: “The great thing about the Philadelphia area is that there's an amazing center city, but there are also so many gardens, farms and just open spaces around us. It's the best combination!” Stephanie is pictured at Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA.

El Lohse, a.k.a. elloh: “Here I am browsing in a used and antique bookshop where Andrew Wyeth would frequent. It's located in a barn, surrounded by a landscape I imagine Beatrix Potter painting. Minutes away, the busy downtown of West Chester has the opposite effect.” El is pictured in a Chester County bookstore.

Emily Dorn, a.k.a. PreciousMeshes: "West Philly is old Victorian grandeur, lovely gardens, tall trees and wide streets, and it's just a quick trolley ride to downtown. I love being part of the community of creative people who live here, people who might not fit in just anywhere. West Philly is the best Philly!" Emily is pictured in her West Philly neighborhood. [Photo by Vida Carson]
Katie Reim, a.k.a. katiejeannereim: “When I need an escape, I take a jog along the cherry blossom lined Schuylkill River, or mountain bike in the Wissahickon Valley and forget that I even live in the city. Also lining part of the Schuylkill is the famous Boathouse Row. Each Victorian-style house is unique and full of over a hundred years of history.” Katie is pictured along the Schuylkill River on famed Boathouse Row. [Photo by Vida Carson]
Shop Local Posts | Shop Local Philadelphia | Shop Local in Your Area
Please let us about your favorite local Etsy artists. Post in the comments below!
121 comments Login to add your own!
PenelopeAndAnastasia
Such a wonderful feeling of pride reading this article about our fair city. Thanks for highlighting some fabulous talent from our area ~ yay Philadelphia!
highstreetmarket
Great job, Sarah!!! What a wonderful round up, if I do say so myself. :)
ThatSomething
Great article, and lovely homage to the city of Philadelphia! Thanks!
lovesmenot
lovely picks! it sounds like a great town, too. :)
those porcelain teacups are gorgeous!
4TheSparrowsNest
I always enjoy seeing the lovely faces of our fellow Etsians! Great work Phillians!
birdie1
Really enjoyed your local "round-up". Would like to see more of these - how 'bout Chicago and surrounding area next?!
beachhouseblues
Nice portraits!!
It's good to see the artists behind the creations...
TwistedCrystals
I've recently moved just outside of Philly and continue to be surprised by everything this area has to offer. I'm excited about your emagazine what it will open up to it's readers! :)
botodesigns
wow! wonderful little snapshots of Philly and it's finest. Go Philly Arts! Go Phils!
Fairyfolk
I also enjoyed the lovely, happy faces... I can see that what you all do makes you happy... well done!!
Blessings and magic.
AML125
I can't tell you what a total delight putting this piece together was. I am so blessed to have met such amazing Etsians and my awesome photographers knocked it out of the ballpark! (Yes, pun intended.) Thank you Etsy, thank you everyone!
girlscantell
such great photos! philadelphia amazes me every single day. so awesome!
SimpleJoysPaperie
It's so wonderful to see so many fellow etsians!
Great article!
sheilaferlet
philly is a phantastic resource for creative inspiration!!! born and raised here, i have drawn so much influence from the diversity that philadelphia has to offer. i love my city! GO PHILLIES!!!
busterandboo
Born and raised in Philly - now living in the wild west. I miss the Wissahickon, and center city. I miss the wonderfulness that is Philly - and am cheering on the Phillies! Great article.
RomanceCatsAndWhimsy
Loved the Philly article and each person's point of view. Makes me want to hop in a car and go there!! :)
recycledwares
thanks for sharing these great artists from the Philly area. i wanna go to the flea market that Kelly was at and the bookstore that El was in.
happytape
wow--is everyone in philly so photogenic?! what gorgeous pictures!
great article, too! thanks!
Cultivar
Thanks so much for putting this together Sarah and Vida did an amazing job photographing!
DalkullanJewelry
Liked the article, interesting to learn something new about Philadelphia.
helveticaneue
Great piece Sarah, great photos, honored to be a part! Go Philly!
violinkeri
Love it! born and raised in the 'burbs--Montgomery County, now living in Berks. Beautiful collection of people and sights!
PS go phils!
sewsillydesigns
I grew up outside of Philadelphia, loved the article made me feel a little closer to home :)
lovelygifts
Great article! I am from the Phila. area and miss it so much!! Currently in the midwest : ( Go Phillies!!!
lilbooandco
I'm so honored to be featured! Thank you AroundMainLine.com and Etsy! I'm loving all the other Philly artists featured here - great round up!
PreciousMeshes
Yay!!! Thanks Sarah for putting together such a wonderful piece about our beloved city. It's an honor to be a part of it!
Ryanplz
loved this. agree, very nice photographs! very neat, i'm liking this series a lot. very interested, and now i have five new favorite shops. :)
Boldacious
This is a Great article!
Fabulous advert for going there too, as it's real.
Hee hee gotta say, the photograph in the bookstore - Awesome! It reminds me of Ghostbusters - +that is always a good thing:)
lorisplace
Great article Sara!
Philly looks like such a nice place!!
Great Etsians too!
novaofsweden
Great article!
I've been living in Philly for about 2 years and I love the history and culture here. I moved here from Atlanta where everything was brand new construction and quite the culture shock when coming from Sweden. Here in Philly I feel much more at home.
JetWhitePonytail
Yay Philly! I'm a Drexel grad but originally from the "dirty south" and back down here mucking about again lol. Awesome mix of artists & great feature!
buttercupbloom
Hey! Thats the Phillie Fanatic! Nice article and visit to my old stomping grounds...beautiful country this time of year.
PenelopeAndAnastasia
Such a wonderful feeling of pride reading this article about our fair city. Thanks for highlighting some fabulous talent from our area ~ yay Philadelphia!
breadandroses2
Great local flavor feature! Glad to see it's back. Thank you. Do more, maybe some smaller metro areas, like northeast Ohio/greater Cleveland.
Beadmatrix
Brings back memories! Mom was at Penn working on her masters when I was at Downingtown HS, spent a year at Bryn Mawr (they didn't even have an art department, what was I thinking?)...I really miss Philly, and Penn's woods!
susanstreasures
Lived in Philly suburbs for first 25 years. Graduate of Drexel University. Near-by resident of New Jersey. Loved your article!
adubois
Great article- Philadelphia is an amazing town with amazing people! And yes...let's get another parade going- Go Phillies!
GlassElements
I love Philly - visiting my wonderful friends from college makes it another home for me! :)
tigerluxe
i love philadelphia and grew up on the main line. it's wonderful that this rich cultural and creative city has been highlighted. i'm slightly disappointed that not one area is in the main line though. there must be plenty of sellers on the main line proper that could've been included.
HinterlandVintage
I love living in Philadelphia! Wouldn't change it for anything right now.
oldworldprimitives
I love Philadelphia! Great article and beautiful photos!
sherrytruitt
I went to college in Philadelphia and we made our home there for 10 years. Although we live across the river now, we often visit these sites. Lovely piece, thanks.
FallenHearts
Fantastic article, and great finds! I love living in West Philly :D
kristensteinfineart
YAY for Philly artists and designers. Great article Sarah! Thanks for including one of my paintings in the 'related items' section. That was such a surprise!
And to woolies...I've heard about these tastykakes and see them everywhere, but I've never tried one! :)
-kristen
accessoryalamode
Very cool putting faces with the names! I am not from Philly, but do love it! Enjoy the season's offerings!!! Great article!
elloh
The photos rock! Philly is a supercool place. Especially in the Fall! I have to say the Phillie Phanatic is the best mascot ever! :)
IrishHooksAndYarn
Philly featured in the World Series AND Etsy ... great timing. Irish Hooks & Yarn hearts AML!
JulieAbrams
Beautiful photos and stories!
Philly is one of my homes. I love it so much.
BlueToad
Great selection, photos and POV of talented Philly Artists!! Go Philly!
JiSTdesigns
The Delaware Valley has such a wealth of knowledge and talent, history and character... we have lived in many states and cities but living and raising our family in the Philadelphia area has truly been the right choice!
And fun! GO PHILLIES!
pancakeandlulu
I grew up on the Main Line in Villanova! Yay for the Main Line and Go Phillies!
gilstrapdesigns
Such a good article and all of the things to do and places to go.
1022SeaShellAve
Born in Bryn Mawr, turned Jersey Girl, but always a Main Line Girl at heart!
Lily1010
I wish someone would do an article on the city of Savannah GA and it's local etsyians.
How did nowar get back in here?
pinksupply
I'm so glad there is someone out there giving our Philly some great press. We're one of the great cultural centers in THE WORLD!! Come visit Philly, beautiful, culture, art, music, dance, top colleges, hospitals, murals ... and the list goes on. Come visit us, online and in person. Great article.
Furiousdreams
I'm just off the Main Line, in West Chester, PA. It's one of the most beautiful places to live in the world. Rolling hills, great organic farms and temperate weather.
My paintings depict my own backyard and various arboretums in the area. Come visit!
reiddamnit
Philly is my favourite "get out of NY for the day" city. Love love love it!
feronia
ah, I always want to visit the States..and now there's one more city to add to the list! How about getting to know countries outside US? Maybe my country? *hopeful*
salmonbarn
Loved the article,grew up in the Phila area - South Jersey. Still have friends there and visit often.
ArtisticIntentions
Very cool article! Nice to see faces. Beautiful pics! Thanks for sharing.
kitchenkitsch
Philly doesn't always get the respect it deserves. Thanks for giving it some and in such a beautiful way! I'll always be proud to call it home.
kitchenkitsch
Philly doesn't always get the respect it deserves. Thanks for giving it some and in such a beautiful way! I'll always be proud to call it home. Go Phillies!
AML125
thanks everyone for the last 24 hours or so, this has been a real trip for me. I am so grateful for your kind words. And, most importantly, I am so excited to see, as I mentioned in my piece, 'my beloved Philadelphia' celebrated by all of you. It is the best city, the most amazing cultural epicenter, an awesome region for handcrafters, and BTW we happen to have some kickbutt baseball team. Love you Etsy, Love You Philly! GO PHILS!
AML125
thanks everyone for the last 24 hours or so, this has been a real trip for me. I am so grateful for your kind words. And, most importantly, I am so excited to see, as I mentioned in my piece, 'my beloved Philadelphia' celebrated by all of you. It is the best city, the most amazing cultural epicenter, an awesome region for handcrafters, and BTW we happen to have some kickbutt baseball team. Love you Etsy, Love You Philly! GO PHILS!
AML125
thanks everyone for the last 24 hours or so, this has been a real trip for me. I am so grateful for your kind words. Love you Etsy, Love You Philly! GO PHILS!
momiboutique
Thank you Sarah for including Momi boutique!! :) Amazing collection!
cassidycay
What a neat idea for an article! I love cities and areas where people are very excited about where they are!
eversdesigns
great article! i am from the philadelphia area (jersey side) and that area has givin me so much inspiration for becoming an artist! i now live an hour away at the jersey shore but miss all the architecture, art and vibe that this great city has to offer...it goes over looked sometimes! i love philly and love this area...i look forward to reading more from sarahs article and also great to see the amazing artists from the area! go phils!
ChipmunkHillDesigns
I loved the pictures. I live in the beautiful country part of Berks.
knowingphotography
i loved this article!! the portraits are amazing :) thank you
porcelainlegend
The portaits, articles is really fabulous. We can even call it was Magazine's professional edition.





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This is so inspirational. You do beautiful work.
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