Gina McKlveen
Is there anything more pleasant than the scenic views of the fall season? Perhaps those Pittsburghers prone to leaf peeping ought to visit fdp studio+shop located in Pleasant Unity, a few miles from the Westmoreland County Fairgrounds and local pumpkin patches, for an added adventure exploring the autumnal arts.
This month fdp studios+shop, is hosting three festive events, including a bonsai workshop with Nancy Neel of Sunny sprouts bonsai workshop, Halloween Cupcake decorating with Leah Poponick of Pipetown Pastries, (tickets for these two events are sold out already), and a Floral Bouquet Bar with Tracy Quinn of Quinn’s Wooden Floral Creations. Each of these events is the perfect example of the fdp studio+shop ethos—supporting small businesses, locally sourced products, and artisan home goods.
In 2022, fdp studio+shop, officially opened its brick-and-mortar storefront located at 2082 State Route 130 in Pleasant Unity, Pennsylvania. Francis and Lynn DeFobo, the husband and wife duo behind fdp studio+shop, are equal parts art and business. Francis, who loves being a potter and would be thrilled to work at his pottery wheel seven days a week, makes the pots in the downstairs studio of the business. Lynn curates and manages the shop on the first floor, putting her college marketing studies to good use, visiting with shoppers, and enjoying all the facets of running a small business.
According to Lynn, the business came together rather organically. She said, “We were looking for a place to move Francis’s pottery studio out of our garage. Our friend and real estate agent suggested that we check out this property. It is an 80-year-old building that was built as a country grocery store. The current owners were operating a cozy country diner in the building. Though it was more space than we were looking for, we fell in love with the history of the building and the sweeping views of the surrounding farm and fields.
“Francis had been making pottery for about a decade. He sold to restaurants and stores as well as directly to collectors. Our favorite place to sell pottery was our annual open studio pottery sale—we loaded every room in our home with pottery and opened the doors to all comers. It was great fun, and people really responded to seeing how we live with pottery—in the living room, kitchen, dining room, and even the bathroom! I think it helped folks realize that handmade pottery is best lived with and used daily. So when we decided to move the studio out of the garage, we wanted a display space that echoed the experience people enjoyed when they came to our open studio event.”
As for the day to day at fdp studio + shop, Lynn says, “I stock the shop with beautiful things that I’d pick to furnish our own home. We love to feature local makers, but also include the work of artisans that we’ve discovered on our travels. Our workshops and trunk shows feature talented local artisans—many of whom are good friends as well.” That eye for beautiful things recently landed fdp studio+shop among House Beautiful’s list of the top 25 most beautiful shops in America.
fdp studio+shop is open to the public every Thursday through Saturday, and will begin Holiday Sunday shopping hours from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM starting November 2, 2025. Looking ahead to holiday season, fdp studio+shop is hosting a Felted Christmas Ornament workshop on Thursday, November 20th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
-GM
For more information on events and products visit https://www.fdpstudioshop.com/.
