Spotlights

Every Sunday, we turn the spotlight on some great creatives. This week, we have AnneMarie Troutman from the local band, Sweet Anne Marie!  Sweet Anne Marie is a Philadelphia born and Northeast Pennsylvania based Singer/Songwriter. Drawing influence from folk artists and alternative musicians alike, her songwriting has been called “contemplative and a bit fearless” and has been compared to artists like Joni Mitchell, Counting Crows, and Brian Fallon.  She has toured nationwide to promote her debut album ‘IN TIME’ released in 2021, and…

Every Sunday, we turn the spotlight on some great creatives. This week, we have Angie Roback, owner of The Crooked Branch! An NEPA local, Angie is a mom of two boys and a wife to an amazing husband. She worked as an interior designer for about 20 years.  Angie works a lot with wire and alcohol ink in order to create wire trees. If she finds an old frame with glass, she creates a scene on it from vibrant colors and then wires…

Every Sunday, we turn the spotlight on some great creatives. This week, we have Deanna Shaver, owner of Sweet Replica! Born in NEPA, Deanna is a local artist who’s passion for sculpting started at a very young age. Throughout adulthood, she worked in the wedding industry as a florist and coordinator. Later, she would combine her love for art and wedding, opening up her own small business — Sweet Replica.  She now works as a full-time sculptor, recreating peoples wedding cakes into custom…

Every Sunday, we turn the spotlight on some great creatives. This week, we have Kristin Sepela, owner of The Not So Basic Batch! Kristin is the baker behind the yellow mixer covered in dough, icing, and her favorite, sprinkles! She always loved baking, but never really knew how much until the magic was released from her heart one snowy night in December, when she took out her great grandmother’s old rolling pin, some hand-me-down cookie cutters, and rolled out a magical sheet of…

Every Sunday, we turn the spotlight on some great creatives. This week, we have The Faerie Cauldron! The Faerie Cauldron was created by Rita Menapace, wife and mother of two little future potioneers. Rita creates handcrafted decorative potions for fans of witchy decor, horror, folklore, fantasy, TTRPGS and the general gaming community.  The handcrafted potions are created for many fandoms and many occasions. Rita creates Halloween-themed potions, to fun gaming potions and continues to grow her list based on her own favorite communities…

Every Sunday, we turn the spotlight on some great creatives. This week, we have Steamed Accessories! Steamed Accessories is brewed from three sisters who have a love for all things comfy and cozy. They wanted to create a shop that every cozy enthusiast could enjoy just as much as their mom does.  Native to NEPA, Amanda, Ashley and Afton spend a lot of time together doing everything from weekly family lunches, vacations, shopping trips, or grabbing a cup of coffee — which made…

Every Sunday, we turn the spotlight on some great creatives. This week, we have Jenica Lodde! Jenica is a major depressive disorder having, suspected ADHD, frenetic creative wannabe farmer. Her poetry has been published in io, SWWIM, The Scop, Gravel, and more. She has a collection of poetry available, “Emotional States” (2020), and an upcoming book, “Go My Own Way” — a collection of poems based on her childhood as the daughter of a Manson/Kerouac hybrid father. She is currently working on a…

Every Sunday, we turn the spotlight on some great creatives. This week, we have Lori Prashker-Thomas and Michael W. Thomas!   Michael has been creating black and white and color photographs for over 40 years. He served his country in Vietnam as a proud member of the 173rd Airborne Brigade and upon his return, realized how vital capturing life is. This led him to returning to his favorite hobby — photography.  For Lori, creativity fuels her soul. When she met Michael, she picked…

Every Sunday, we turn the spotlight on some great creatives. This week, we have Shelby Luxenberger!   Shelby is a stay-at-home mom and self-taught resin artist, owner of Dear Universe Resin. She resides in Turbotville, PA with her husband, daughter, and 2 cats and enjoys traveling, hiking, and good day of self care.  Ever since she was young, Shelby loved creating. When the pandemic hit in 2020 and she found herself at home, she became interested in adopting a new hobby. While scrolling…

Every Sunday, we turn the spotlight on some great creatives. This week, we have Brooke Wandall!   Brooke is an avid book collector and painter living in NEPA with her two daughters. She attended Marywood University and enjoys selling her art on Etsy.  For Brooke, drawing was an activity she never grew out of. Her mother is a notable local folk artist and Brooke always felt inspired by her and her work.  Brooke usually paints abstract terrariums with flowers, but she also enjoys…