DALLAS, Pa. — Inside the Back Mountain Makery in Dallas, you'll find crafts from nearly 80 different local artists: each item completely handcrafted.
"Everything in here is 100% handmade. That is one of the rules of being at the Makery," said owner Tanya Sakulich.
The shop is a passion project for Sakulich, opening the shop just 10 months ago.
"What started off as a small business venture, something that I always wanted to do, to see the response from the artist and the customers come through that door has been overwhelming," said Sakulich.
But one holiday item on her shelves is "smoking" hot this season.
"I've already seen so many people laugh at them because who has ever seen a snowman where, instead of coal eyes, he has kielbasa eyes?" said artist Matthew Tucker. "Instead of candy canes lining the paths, we have rings of kielbasa."
Local artist Matthew Tucker has a tradition of sending out hand-drawn Christmas cards, but this season, he's moving a beloved NEPA staple from the dinner table to the mailbox.
"I thought NEPA, I thought holidays, and I thought, 'Oh my gosh, it's kielbasa! That's what the theme is,'" said Tucker.
And from there, the Christmas Kielbasa Cards were formed. There are four cards, each with a different theme, celebrating the many holidays the season brings.
"A menorah-basa. There is a menorah-basa in the card set, yes," he explained.
As soon as Sakulich heard of his creation, she knew the sausage cards needed a spot on the shelves.
"I don't know any other way. It's what we grew up with. It's always been on our kitchen table, especially for the holidays," she laughs.
A perfect way to celebrate the NEPA tradition both far and wide.
"I also think it's a nice thing to send between families because there is that traditional element that people to connect with. That's who I want the cards to go to, but it's really just to make people smile," said Tucker.
Or for those like Tucker who, coincidentally, has never tried kielbasa himself.
"It's been on the table at my family every year and I've nibbled on it," he laughs.
The cards come in packs of four and are available for purchase at the Back Mountain Makery in Dallas.
The Makery is participating in 'Small Business Saturday' for its first year.
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