Frequently Asked Questions - For Shoppers
Find the artisans/makers/manufacturers who make the items you like, and visit their online stores! Some of our members also have online shops directly through us-- in our Marketplace.
If you still can't find what you want to buy, visit our Special Requests page and submit a request! We'll see if any of our members can make it for you.
In short, to give local makers a platform to receive local attention exclusive of the retail giants that are prioritized on major search engines. Many people don't know it, but Google, Amazon, and even Etsy make it very difficult to find things made in a certain area.
Because many hobbyists and makers operate out of their homes and just sell online, their businesses don't show up in Google searches unless they are substantially developed. Even larger businesses and manufacturers can be difficult to find, when really they're operating right in "our own backyard".
This website was built to help shoppers 1. Find local makers. 2. Support local makers. and 3. Buy from local makers.
If you need something customized, you can do it one of two ways:
1) Find someone who makes something similar to what you are interested in, and contact them via their e-mail address, which is on the red stripe in the center of their directory page.
2) Visit our Special Requests page and give us the details! We'll send it to our members in a Weekly Digest
You will have to check with individual members. Many local makers create their products on a smaller scale, and so bulk orders may not be possible. To inquire, please contact the members whose goods you are interested in.
Frequently Asked Questions - For Makers and Creators
Made in the Lehigh Valley (MiLV) is a privately-owned website serving Lehigh Valley makers and shoppers. Makers pay a subscription fee to list their businesses and products.
First and foremost: A listing in Made in the Lehigh Valley exposes you to hundreds of customers who might never have known your work/products existed!
There are thousands of Lehigh Valley shows, events and markets for shoppers to enjoy. In the end though, did you ever consider how "hit-or-miss" it is for you to link up with YOUR preferred customers on the right day at the right time?
This website was started by a frustrated shopper, who was going to vendor events and markets, but found it impossible to find her best-loved items after those events were over! Many of your customers are likely experiencing the same frustration.
Made in the Lehigh Valley is being built with the knowledge that makers are stronger together. Someone looking for local handmade or custom items could spend months looking for a creator just like you! OR, they could spend a few seconds searching on Made in the Lehigh Valley.
You list yourself, and MiLV will bring all kinds of new customer traffic -- realtors, healthcare workers, visitors, tourists, students from local colleges, new businesses, and even people who have just moved here. The Lehigh Valley adult population is well over 650,000 and growing. This is a great way to access as many of them as you can, and increase your exposure to your ideal customers!
Every MiLV member gets a full page featuring their business. This includes a 2-3 paragraph description, shop and social links, contact information, addresses, booking information, and a gallery of up to 12 photos showing representative work.
When you're on Etsy, customers have to filter through thousands of sellers and "Sponsored Ads" to find you. When you're on Made in the Lehigh Valley, your customers will have to do one simple search, and they'll find you immediately.
OTHER BENEFITS:
Our site will also allow you to reach out to other makers and start collaborations. It helps customers request custom or one-of-a-kind items. It helps you garner exposure to the events where you'll be, via our calendar. It will give you even more exposure through your complementary 1/4 page ad space in our biannual newsletter.
Whether you're a skilled hobbyist or a full-fledged business: MiLV is an investment in yourself, your business, and your community, all with one subscription!
The directory is typically for vendors who already have their shops/sales in other places, like online/markets/stores and social media. Our website drives traffic to individual members' links, gallery and information.
The marketplace is a way for vendors to sell their items directly to Lehigh Valley shoppers. It's sort of like a regional Etsy. Sellers can use this if they've been looking for an alternative to FB Marketplace or Etsy, or if they need to make their products available online for a while.
- All prospective members must be 18+ years of age.
- We ask that all makers have been making their products for 2+ years. That doesn't necessarily mean that you need to have been selling for that long.
- We ask our members to use little-to-no Artificial Intelligence (AI), and not advertise any "designed imports" on our site.
For more information, please visit our Terms & Conditions.
Yes! We list hobbyists and full-fledged businesses.
New members can join our directory for $11.99/month. If they want to open an marketplace online store on www.madeinthelehighvalley.com, it's $19.99/month. Check out our pricing page for further details about what's included!
No we do not. The marketplace is a flat monthly fee.
Generally, we ask that everyone be within a 20-mile radius of Bethlehem. Municipalities included in this conceptual area include: Phillipsburg, NJ, Fogelsville, Quakertown, Palmerton, Bangor, Riegelsville, Alburtis, Kunkeltown, and Belvidere, NJ.
Unfortunately, no. Our aim is that all of the items on our website are those made or manufactured here in this region.