Shopping in State College

Founder Michael Johnston’s bookshelves didn't just groan under the weight of other authors’ volumes, they also supported the six texts he wrote on crafting stained glass—an art which Johnston perfected for more than a quarter century. With a team of instructors adding two more decades of experience to the mix, Johnston’s Rainbow Vision Stained Glass expands the community of glass workers through small group classes. Students gather within Rainbow Vision Stained Glass’s sprawling Victorian-style headquarters to learn the fundamentals of making stained glass or the more sophisticated techniques necessary for crafting glass boxes, Tiffany-style lampshades, or glass houses for those who have sworn off throwing rocks. The studio also teaches fused-glass skills, which can yield everything from pendants to wine-bottle stoppers.

Anticipating the needs of its pupils, Rainbow Vision Stained Glass peddles everything a glass artist might desire. More than 400 styles and colors of glass gleam within, more than 300 pattern books await crafters in need of inspiration, and soldering irons stand ready to bind creations together.

Hello Gorgeous Consignment Boutique outfits fashionistas with a rotating selection of discounted wares from brands such as Coach, Juicy Couture, and Banana Republic, earning best-consignment shop accolades from Harrisburg Magazine in 2011. Treasure-seekers scour racks for shoes, shawls, and formal eveningwear or pose in front of mirrored walls to ask their reflection's opinion on their outfit. Eager to give back to the community, Hello Gorgeous allows consigners to donate part of the profits from the sale of their clothing to a local school or charitable organization.

Baby Genius's award-winning children's products teach babies and toddlers essential skills through the power of music. Based on a bounty of research, the company's DVDs enrich the learning experience by merging classical pieces and familiar songs with vibrant images, keeping kids entertained for hours. Parents can sit back while animated animal educators teach pocket-size pupils better motor skills, dictionary-defying vocabularies, vampire-free counting, and nap-inducing dance moves that ready little ones for kindergarten and beyond.