HANDCRAFTED ITEMS IN BUCKS COUNTY
If you're interested in one-of-a-kind, handcrafted items, Bucks County has four unique attractions that are sure to delight!
- Byers Choice
Byer's Choice
Begin your trip at Byer's Choice, famous for their unique, handcrafted Caroler figurines. For more than 35 years, teams of skilled artisans have continued the tradition of making each Caroler by hand. While these figurines are popular around Christmas time, their Christmas Museum and visitor's center are open year-round, so you can plan your group tour at any time! Start by strolling down a life-sized cobblestone street scene taken right out of Charles Dickens' London. Afterwards, head into the Christmas Museum, with displays of Carolers old and new, as well as depictions of Christmas traditions from around the world. Make sure you stop by the observation deck where you can watch Byers' Choice artisans bring the Carolers to life.
The Craftery
The Craftery Market is a modern and unique market experience with 50 + vendors, featuring carefully curated, artisan handmade items, antique and vintage finds, fresh flowers, original art and more.
Glencairn Museum
Step back in time at the Glencairn Museum, a medieval inspired castle-like museum in Bryn Athyn's National Historic Landmark District. Take the Highlights Tour to see all the best the museum has to offer. This 90 minute guided tour starts with a 15 minute, award-winning orientation video. You'll then take a ride in the original elevator to the Tower. With its stunning view of the local area and the Philadelphia skyline, you'll definitely want to have your camera ready! The tour also includes the Pitcairn family's Chapel and the Master Bedroom, a variety of art galleries showcasing the Museum's collection of religious art and a visit to Glencairn's breathtaking Great Hall and Upper Hall. Stay and explore the rest of the Historic District featuring the spectacular architecture and gardens at Cairnwood Estate, the gilded-age Beaux Arts historic mansion and the Gothic-Romanesque Bryn Athyn Cathedral.
Malmark Bell Craftsman
Head up north to Plumsteadville for a stop at Malmark Inc., the world's premier handbell and hand chime manufacturer. Take a tour to see the step-by-step process for how handbells, chimes and other musical instruments are made, beginning at the lathe, to the polishing room and onto the voicing room. Malmark has something for everyone: music, physics and an opportunity to see U.S. Manufacturing, up close and personal. During your tour, you'll even have the chance to ring the largest handbell in existence!
Makers Off Main
Makers Off Main is a community of artists and crafters who have come together to share their products, host creative workshops, and teach kids' classes in downtown Doylestown. If you're looking to stop in somewhere with your tour group that has a more current, local feel, head into this arts and crafts shopping store.
The Tileworks
End your day at The Tileworks, a National Historic Landmark that operates as a "working history" museum. Handmade tiles are still produced in a manner similar to that developed by the pottery's founder and builder, Henry Chapman Mercer who directed work at the pottery from 1898 until his death in 1930. The museum invites you to take a self-guided tour through the facility, where you'll see original installations, various displays, and selected aspects of current tile production. You can also purchase handmade reissues of tiles and mosaics made in the American Arts & Crafts tradition.