[image_caption]The Pop-Up Shop at Your Fired Pottery during the Ridgway Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous[/image_caption]

A Pop-Up Shop Success Story in the PA Wilds

Pop-up shops appear in empty stores, venues for art exhibitions and performances, restaurants, or otherwise unoccupied spaces.

The pop-ups can last for a few hours, a few weeks and in some cases become permanent fixtures due to their popularity. The beauty of a pop-up shop is just that, a wonderful retail experience popping up in unexpected ways. The PA Wilds region is perfect for this style of retail so a PA Wilds Pop-up Shop was proposed to take place during the Ridgway Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous. Taking advantage of the foot traffic during this popular event was also a benefit. Now to find the perfect location.

A new pottery studio owned by juried PA Wilds artisan Stacie Johnson-Leske will be opening this summer. Your Fired Pottery will be located at 143 Main Street in Ridgway. Stacie was planning to host a little preview of her studio during Rendezvous. A decision was made to see if she was interested in hosting a pop-up shop that weekend as well and she was – what a perfect combo! Now to gather artisans.

Days before the show.

With her husband rushing to finish the new walnut floor, installing new front windows, running electric and drywalling the space, time was tight with only 3 weeks until the event date. Stacie’s original plan was to work in the front window area throwing pottery while also selling her finished work during that week of the Chainsaw Carers Rendezvous.

Here are the eight juried artists and artisans that participated:

• Stacie Johnson-Leske, pottery
• Perry Winkler, watercolor
• Molly O’Bryon-Welpott, photography
• Deborah Ruhf, soap
• Stephanie Distler, artisan jewelry
• Elaine A. Russell, jewelry, paper and fiber
• Kristin Russell, graphite, watercolor and acrylic
• Lois Crozier, fiber

Friday morning we started setting up on the beautiful new floor, against the gorgeous walls and also in the windows with our artwork and artisan wares. The weather was unbelievably warm and sunny for mid-March as were our smiles as we were able to come together as artists in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

Lois Crozier explaining the weaving process on her Triangle Loom.

“I really enjoyed having the opportunity to take part in the pop-up shop. Before participating in the pop up shop, I felt very disconnected (through no one’s fault) from the group….but afterwards, even with just the few artisans that were there, I feel very much a part of the group and can’t wait to see what the future holds!” says Deborah Ruhf, owner of Muddy Moose Bath Boutique.

More pop-up shops are to be scheduled during events around the region.  Look for us!