In a world of mass production and big-box stores, two area women are redefining what it means to shop small in the Erie region. These talented shop owners aren’t just curating their stores, they’re creating the very items that fill their shelves, from exquisite beach glass jewelry to elegant pottery. Step inside their stories this holiday season and discover gifts as unique as the hands that made them.

Every piece tells a story

Relish Studio & Gallery owner Jennifer Reed is a trained jeweler and accomplished metalsmith who has been crafting with beach glass for decades. Often found along shorelines such as Lake Erie, beach glass is weathered glass fragments smoothed and frosted by years of tumbling in sand and water. Inside Reed’s shop at 3835 West 12^th Street, display cases sparkle with one-of-a-kind beach glass earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and charms. “To me, they aren’t just pieces of tumbled glass,” Reed states. “Each one has its own personality. I love that something so beautiful and serendipitous carries history, and I want to display that in my jewelry.” Reed’s creativity is fueled by the textures, shapes, and patterns she discovers in her materials. Over the years, she has transformed countless pieces of beach glass into stunning designs. Customers are even encouraged to bring their own finds, which Reed incorporates into one-of-a-kind custom creations. One particularly memorable piece came from a shard of sea glass pottery etched with a logo from Pulakos Chocolates, an Erie chocolatier that has been a local fixture since the early 1900s.

“They speak to me,” Reed says of the materials she works with. “Sometimes I know instantly what I’ll create, whether it’s something minimalistic or more elaborate. I figure out the personality of the piece and let the design evolve from there.” The journey from concept to finished product is her favorite part of the process. “Whether it’s something I’ve found or something a customer brings to me, I love the energy these pieces give and the joy they bring to my customers.” In addition to beach glass jewelry, Relish also features distinct items curated by local, regional, and national artists that can’t be found elsewhere such as whimsical ornaments, driftwood Christmas trees and frames, beach glass suncatchers, tabletop sculptures, and even holiday hostess gifts.

Relish Studio & Gallery's December holiday hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Clay Play

Throwing clay, or “throwing pot” as she casually refers to it, has been a part of Allen Stoneware Gallery owner Vickie Allen Shea’s life for nearly 50 years. Allen Shea traces her passion back to childhood trips to museums with her family. What began as fascination grew into a lifelong journey of creativity and teaching. “I was one of those funny little kids who was always doing artwork and loved playing around with clay,” she says. Over the years, Allen Shea has shared her love of pottery with others by teaching classes throughout the Erie region. That same spirit of creativity and education defines Allen Stoneware Gallery, a space that’s equal parts retail gallery and art studio. “Pottery is an affordable, approachable art form,” Allen Shea explains. “I want to be the liaison between the art world and everyday people so they can appreciate and understand it.”

Located in Erie’s Colony Plaza, the gallery’s first floor showcases Allen Shea’s work alongside pieces from other regional artists, including some from her students. The lower level serves as a working art studio, where she offers one-day “Try It” pottery classes. Designed for all skill levels and ages eight and up, these two-hour sessions can accommodate up to 16 participants. In the class, Allen Shea guides participants through the process: slicing into a block of clay, spinning it on the pottery wheel, and shaping it into a functional piece. Once the creations are fired and glazed, handled by Allen Shea herself, they’re ready for pickup within a week or two. Shipping is available for out-of-town visitors. Each participant takes home two finished pieces, such as a mug, small dish, or bowl.

“There aren’t many places where you can visit and experience a working studio,” Shea says. “It’s special to me. It’s a great way for families and groups of friends to come together and create something meaningful.”  For Allen Shea, the connections formed between her students and customers are what matters most. “I have a core group that’s been coming here for more than 10 years,” she says. “Some of us even get together outside the studio to share meals and conversations. That means so much to me.”

Allen Stoneware Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pottery classes are held throughout the week. To learn more, click here.