Sometimes we want to get our holiday shopping done while sitting in our pj’s, but how do you do this and still support local shopping?

Well, it turns out that many local crafters and artists are on Etsy, a site set up for people to build online shops to sell ‘all things handmade’.

Some of our picks:

Noon To Two - Canajoharie

A mother of four focusing on yarn work out of Canajoharie, NY. Her shop contains fingerless mittens, hats, scarfs, and our pick, the Sugar and Cream Coffee Cozy.

She also has a shop set up for her other items, such as embroidered onesies and aprons, called JustSewIt.

Generations Farms - Amsterdam

Generations Farms of Amsterdam has a wide selection of handmade jewelry from pearl neclaces to stone and crystal pendants and vintage-inspired earrings, and our pick, the feather earrings.

Generations Farms is convo and trade friendly, and accepts custom and orders and special requests (but contact soon for Christmas… tick tock, tick tock…)

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Part 3 in a 4 part series

Two weeks ago, we discussed the Cooperstown Beverage Trail, and made a visit to our first stop, The Bear Pond Winery. Last week, we visited the Cooperstown Brewery.  This week, we are stopping by the Brewery Ommegang.

As we headed out of Milford, we turned up on County Highway 33.  After a short drive through the beautiful countryside, we came upon the large, Belgium farmhouse styled building on an 136 acre property. Turning up the driveway, you bring your car through the archway in the center of the building to the parking lot in the rear. From here we could see people relaxing at picnic tables outside the tasting room.   (more…)

Part 2 in a series

Last week, we discussed the Cooperstown Beverage Trail, and made a visit to our  first stop, The Bear Pond Winery.  This week, we are stopping by the Cooperstown Brewing Company.

Located just south of Cooperstown, NY in the small town of Milford is the Cooperstown Brewing Company. As you drive past the Leatherstocking Railway, with vintage 1930’s & 40’s rail cars parked at the station, you head up a side street, and approach a small, unassuming building.

Walking through the front door, you walk into a room resembling your hometown local bar. Behind the bar is a friendly host, welcoming you. Behind him on the left, large plate glass windows give you a glimpse of the large tanks where the beer is brewed.  (more…)

Part 1 in a series

Although I have lived near the Cooperstown area for all of my life,  I have never gone along the Cooperstown Beverage Trail. For those of you unfamiliar with this,  it is a group of Beverage Producers in the Cooperstown Area who have joined together to form a trail.

The idea, of course, is to band together and pool marketing resources to help people enjoy a day in the area, experiencing these local beverages.

For those who visit all four, and get their stamp for the Beverage Trail Card at each location, you can receive a nice laser-engraved pint glass or wineglass, available at each location,  so no matter which location you start or end at you can receive your free gift.  There are also other promotional giveaways at each location as well.  The coupons can be found in  “Quench”,  a printed brochure available at many stores and businesses throughout the area and across the state and at each location along the trail.

So last weekend we headed out to visit the trail,  starting at the southernmost end at the Bear Pond Winery.  (more…)