Category: Amish Country

Unusual Amish Communities

Beth Rice 09/04/2020

You might be surprised to hear that Amish communities can and do differ. Erik Wesner, founder of amishamerica.com, a great source of information on everything Amish, contributes this guest blog about how practices among Amish communities vary. Unusual Amish Communities by Erik Wesner The Amish might at first glance seem like a uniform group of people. Plain clothes, beards, buggies…yet within the 2500+ Amish congregations, there is a surprising amount of variety. While all Amish… Unusual Amish Communities

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Guide to Visiting Sarasota, Florida

Beth Rice 19/07/2018

If you had 48 hours to spend in Sarasota, Florida, where should you go? What should you do? Located on the southwestern coast of Florida, Sarasota is home to dreamy beaches, fine cuisine, plenty of culture, and the DutchCrafters office. The team at DutchCrafters shares some of their favorite must-see spots in this handy Guide to Sarasota. SIESTA KEY BEACH (Voted #1 USA beach and #5 worldwide) My favorite place to visit in Sarasota is… Guide to Visiting Sarasota, Florida

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Woodworking and Whoopie Pies: Highlights from Ohio Amish Country

Beth Rice 01/02/2018

In early January, five of us flew to Ohio to visit some of our woodworkers in Amish country. Our group included product team manager Scott, sales team interim manager Alex, sales team assistant manager Kari-Jo, furniture specialist Reagan, and me. We went to further build on our commitment to offer only authentic products, as well as to learn and bring back our new knowledge and observations to our work and the rest of the team… Woodworking and Whoopie Pies: Highlights from Ohio Amish Country

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When the English Fall: A Book Review

Beth Rice 14/12/2017

If the power went out and stayed out everywhere, but you knew how to sustain yourself and your family by living off the land, then you’d be ahead of the game, wouldn’t you? The Setting An Amish community in Pennsylvania. Photo from workman.com The Situation In David William’s debut novel When the English Fall, we meet Jacob, an Amish farmer who keeps a journal. Troubled by his daughter Sadie’s seizures and “funny ways” but relying on his… When the English Fall: A Book Review

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Traveling Amish Country: Scenes Behind the Furniture

Beth Rice 27/07/2017

We’ve spent years finding talented woodworkers, and getting to know them and their work. Trips to Amish Country take us to Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Ohio where the day usually starts before the sun rises. There are no warehouses with rows of pre-made chairs and tables waiting to be selected and shipped. Solid wood furniture of this magnitude begins with the ideas of Amish woodworkers who have been perfecting their skills since they were children. Take a… Traveling Amish Country: Scenes Behind the Furniture

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Inspiration from the NIWA Expo

Milca Rivera 20/03/2017

The Northern Indiana Woodcrafters Association (NIWA) is a group of over 80 dedicated Amish furniture builders who sell to retailers across the U.S. and Canada. Their mission is to build “beautiful and unique furniture and accessories for generations of enjoyment.” Once a year, members of association gather under one roof to exhibit new furniture and old favorites for retailers. This year a few of our team members attended the invitation-only event, held at the end of… Inspiration from the NIWA Expo

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Inspirational Calendar Wallpaper: January 2016

Jayca Pike 28/12/2015

It’s Monday after a long holiday weekend, and the last thing you may want to think about is your January schedule. But how about thinking of kindness? Related Posts Everything You Want to Know About: Amish Church We’re welcoming Erik Wesner, author of Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive,  back to the Read more Everything You Want to Know About Amish Beliefs We’re so pleased to welcome Erik Wesner back… Inspirational Calendar Wallpaper: January 2016

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Amish Holiday Tradition: Epiphany or Old Christmas

Jayca Pike 10/12/2015

On January 6th, the Amish get an extra dose of Old Christmas cheer. So what is this Amish Holiday Tradition all about? Related Posts Holiday Guests: How to Create an Inviting Guest Space Got guests?  If you’ve got friends and family planning to stay with you for the holidays, we’ve got the goods Read more Father’s Day Gift Picks We’d like to offer a warm welcome back to Interior Designer Emily Wignall, presenting her favorite Father’s Day… Amish Holiday Tradition: Epiphany or Old Christmas

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Plain Pleasures: Fall Traditions inspired by Amish Heritage

Jayca Pike 02/11/2015

Diving through piles of leaves, stretching for the shiniest apple, inhaling the cinnamon and pumpkin spice in the air — fall captivates your senses like no other season. The Amish have long practiced these kind of simple fall traditions, each growing in meaning as the years pass. Take your family for a whirl with these four fall traditions before you’re snowed in for the winter! Related Posts 5 Questions About Elm Wood Mixed in with the big players of Amish furniture like oak, cherry and… Plain Pleasures: Fall Traditions inspired by Amish Heritage

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Stories from Amish Country: Spring 2015

Jayca Pike 14/05/2015

Furniture-making is a craft, and we respect our Amish woodworkers for elevating that craft with every hand-rubbed, hand-stitched, hand-carved, and heartfelt piece of furniture they build for the DutchCrafters brand. Each season, you’ll find us visiting their Amish Country woodshops to see new designs, to hear about new processes, and — in Spring 2015 — to discover some brand new rustic hickory furniture. Related Posts All About Hickory Wood Furniture Perhaps you’ve spotted hickory wood furniture in a log… Stories from Amish Country: Spring 2015

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Places You Didn’t Expect to See Amish People

Jayca Pike 11/03/2015

We’re happy to have Erik Wesner, founder and editor of Amish America, on our blog! From time to time, he offers us his insights into various aspects of the Amish culture and communities. Take it away, Erik  –  Let’s start with the basics: Where do Amish people live? Related Posts 10 Ways Amish People Travel We are thrilled to have Erik Wesner, founder of amishamerica.com and author of Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at… Places You Didn’t Expect to See Amish People

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#KnowledgeGrab – Whit Monday

Jayca Pike 09/06/2014

As some of us here at DutchCrafters are returning from a whirlwind trip to Indiana (more on that over the next few weeks!), our Amish brethren in the woodshops that we visited are taking today off! Why is that, exactly, and what is Whit Monday, anyway? Related Posts Family Foods and Fine Furniture: Favorite Holiday Recipes from our Staff As holiday preparations get underway, warm thoughts of family traditions and outings come to mind. Somewhere between carols,… #KnowledgeGrab – Whit Monday

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Pennsylvania Dutch – the Amish Language

Jim Miller 25/07/2013

This post was updated on Nov. 7, 2018 to include a link to more information about the Pennsylvania Dutch language.  One of the important ways in which the culture of Amish communities is defined and maintained is through the Amish language. The Amish speak a German dialect known as Pennsylvania German, and is often referred to as Pennsylvania Dutch (Deutsche). Amish children learn Pennsylvania Dutch at home and are fluent in it before they learn English.… Pennsylvania Dutch – the Amish Language

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