In 2014, Danyel Harrison began exploring how to make jewelry with polymer clay and gemstones. Combining a new-found love for crafting with her knowledge of healing crystals, she became 100 percent self-taught in making pendants and started sharing her work on social media. This led to an overwhelming response to purchase her items and, as interest grew, she began selling her work at festivals and events as well as on Esty. Now, Danyel and her husband, Andrew, own two store locations in the Lehigh Valley where their children, Gwyneth and Gabriel, work as managers. Read on to learn more about all that Handmade Mystic has to offer.
Describe the overall mission of the business.
Handmade Mystic is a place where we want everyone to feel welcome regardless of spiritual beliefs or backgrounds. Walk in feeling inquisitive and leave with an understanding on how to utilize healing crystals and tools in your everyday life. With our newest location, we are so pleased to bring hands-on events to the community as well.
What can shoppers expect to find in store?
You can find everything you need here, whether you are starting your spiritual journey or you are a professional. We carry everything from tumbled stones to more expensive unique crystal pieces, along with handcrafted candles, incense, books, tarot, herbs and more.
Describe the overall vibe of the store/shopping experience for customers.
When you step into a Handmade Mystic you will notice a calming effect rush over you as your senses experience natural scents from sage, incense, candles and oils. There are many colors and textures of gems and minerals to gaze at as you stroll through our shops. Calming music plays and there is always a smiling face ready to assist you.
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What are some customer favorites?
Our Mystery Box Vending Machine at the Center Valley location has been a huge hit. We have to restock at least once per week. And we have had such a positive response to our new Bead Bar in our Whitehall location. People are coming from all over to make their own custom bracelets—it’s been so much fun watching all of the unique creations being made.
Tell us more about the Mystery Box Vending Machine!
The Mystery Box Vending Machine was our daughter Gwyn’s idea. You get to intuitively pick the crystal that is meant for you. The mystery items are wrapped in iridescent sparkling packages and you choose by number which one calls to you. Inside your package will be a meaning card explaining why you picked that crystal along with one of the 36 different items in the machine. The meaning cards are laminated and meant to be collected.
Tell us about your new location and the Bead Bar.
Whitehall is our largest location yet at 4,250 square feet. The Bead Bar is a very hands-on approach to combining art with gemstones, just as Handmade Mystic began. We wanted to be able to share that creative freedom with our customers. Sit down at our Bead Bar, made with over 1,000 tumbled crystals, resin and color-changing LED lights. Open a menu to choose from more than 40 types of healing crystals, charms and beads to design your own personal gemstone bracelet. It’s like wearing your personality on your wrist!
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Tell us about your events!
We host one workshop per month at our Whitehall location. Each month will be something new and fun! December was our first event, featuring intention candle making; January was a Sip and Create for abundance wreaths; and February was a Sip, Paint and Tarot. At our workshops you can expect to leave equipped enough to create these things on your own. It’s always about having a great time, connecting with like-minded people and, of course, learning something new. Head to the events page on our website for more information.
What can readers look forward to from the business in 2024?
Keep your eyes open for our Handmade Mystic on Wheels! We are currently in the process of bringing that to life.
2180 MacArthur Rd. Unit 6A, Whitehall | 2845 Center Valley Pkwy. Suite 730, Center Valley | 610.737.8162 | handmademystic.com
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Published as “Get the Goods” in the March 2024 edition of Lehigh Valley Style magazine.
