As visitors drive through the rolling countryside of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, they can't help but notice the artistry that lines the quiet country lanes. A ride along any of the area's many back roads reveals clotheslines of beautifully hand-stitched, colorful quilts, hand-crafted wrought iron ornaments, beautiful wooden furniture, toys and more. Local quilters, craftsmen and artists provide top-notch work, and all of these brilliant and traditional crafts of the Amish and local artists make the perfect one-of-a-kind souvenir.
The vibrant colors and intricate stitching make the handmade Amish quilts of Lancaster County works of art. These amazing masterpieces are hand-stitched by Amish women, many of whom own tiny quilt shops in their homes. Each quilt is slightly different - with designs based solely on the creativity of the quilter - and each one of the thousands of tiny stitches are made by hand, without the use of modern equipment or machines.
Quilts, however, are not the only items visitors can find as they browse through Amish villages and quiet country roads. Pennsylvania Dutch Country is known as the place to find wonderful wooden handicrafts, from birdhouses to bowls to children's toys. Additionally, Amish carpenters create gorgeous handmade wooden furniture. Each piece is painstakingly hand-carved to ensure unique beauty and creativity. For those seeking pieces of art for their collection, Lancaster County is home to some of the finest potters anywhere, creating redware pots, vases, bowls and more. The unique scherenschnitte, or paper cutting, folk art also created in this region is sure to provide for a great and unique gift.
As visitors wander throughout the towns and villages of Lancaster County, they'll discover numerous and beautiful crafts, each with the personality of the community. Wrought iron lawn ornaments will make for an eye-catching display, and hand-painted milk bottles, bird feeders, gazebos and more create a country feel to any home. Whatever the desire for decorating, the arts and the crafts of Pennsylvania Dutch Country can provide one-of-a-kind masterpieces.
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