Makers market brings ‘small business love' to Pottsville

Heather Schlein hopes her new pop-up makers market - a summer-long series of gatherings by women, for women - is a future Pottsville tradition in the making.

Schlein's Handmade Happy Hour is taking over Arrow Studio & Events on Centre Street almost every Wednesday evening this summer. The recurring event brings together female business owners from Schuylkill County and beyond to network, share their creations and bring some "small business love to downtown."

Walk through Arrow Studio's open doors if you're seeking an air-conditioned break from the heat, but linger a while to explore macarons baked by Tootsabelle from Cressona, fresh bouquets arranged by Golden Sun Greenery from Orwigsburg, and small-batch baby clothes handmade by Wildflowers + Cotton from Berks County.

Schlein has owned and operated her own business, Lucy and Leigh, for about five years now, and sells hand-cut leather and cork earrings and necklaces. She also works as an instructional coach at Reach Cyber Charter School.

When she was just starting out, she relied on connection and community to get her small business off the ground. Now, she wants to pay that sentiment forward. "I always think about how it's the men who have this seat at the table, and for the women, we have to work a little harder to be taken seriously," Schlein said. "So I think being able to connect is really, really important to have that network to help lift you up."

At each Handmade Happy Hour event, Schlein brings together a different group of around 10 female vendors, making no two markets the same. She intentionally plans the vendor lineups so that women who aren't already acquaintances are working the same event and have the chance to connect for the first time.

"I think right now the maker space is starting to become very saturated, and I think people are looking for ways to branch out," Schlein said. "Here in Schuylkill County there's not a lot of that yet, and it's a good place for people to kind of start to ease their way out."

For that reason, Handmade Happy Hour welcomes vendors of all experience levels, from newbies to pros. That includes Spade Craft and Crochet, which was selling crocheted creations for the first time at this past Wednesday's market.

The weekly market also collaborates with Pottsville's Black Rock Brewpub and Paradocx Vineyard to provide wine and cocktails to patrons.

The summertime can be a slow time of year for small businesses, Schlein said, which makes for another unique benefit of Handmade Happy Hour. Many makers markets are held outside this time of year, but heat can discourage patrons from attending and rain can stop an event from happening altogether. Hosting the makers market in the cool indoor space at Arrow Events is helping support small businesses all year round.

Jen Gavalis, owner of Nora's Pawsome Tees, was one of the vendors at this past week's market. Her business, which is more than two years old, sells hand-drawn, Skook-inspired characters on T-shirts, cups, stickers and more. For example, one design features a personified iced tea carton, Yuengling bottle and pierogi celebrating the Fourth of July.

Having a designated group of female businessowners as been a game changer for Gavalis. She said the women often go to one another for advice, opinions or to bounce ideas off of.

"I have my friends, and I have my family, but they don't understand all of the things required of being a business owner," Gavalis said. "We all just help each other out, build each other up."

Handmade Happy Hour events are scheduled for July 15, Aug. 5, 12 and 19 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Arrow Studio & Events, 316 N. Centre St., Pottsville. Entry to the event is free. For more information, visit @Lucy & Leigh on Facebook.

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This story was originally published July 11, 2026 at 6:51 PM.