Today’s Business Highlight: B.Crafty Studio in Phillipsburg

rosajaviersales
Dec 27, 2025
8 min read

Updated: Dec 28, 2025

As an Eastonian raised most of her life in Easton, Pennsylvania - and as someone who attended the local school system - there's one phrase that has been permanently engraved in my brain: "Beat P-Burg!"

So you might be wondering why I willingly crossed the Free Bridge into "enemy territory" to conduct this interview.

The truth? Phillipsburg has always been part of my story. Without Phillipsburg Thanksgiving just would not feel the same. I still remember that freezing night during my senior year in high school, camping out to protect the wood for the annual bonfire from Phillipsburg High School seniors. Rivalry aside, these moments shaped my childhood.

Easton and Phillipsburg, in my world, are not enemies at all! They are sister cities. We share history, commerce, culture, and most importantly, community. That is why there was no better place to showcase that connection than a cozy, creative studio tucked away in Phillipsburg: B.Crafty Studio.

Business Information:

Name: B. Crafty Studio

Address: 96 Sitgreaves St, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865

Email: BCraftyCafe@Gmail.com

Phone: 1 484-903-9627

Website: BCraftystudio.com

The day I visited, it was bitterly cold. I had walked past the studio without realizing it, and wandered longer than necessary. But when I finally found my way inside, I was greeted with one of the warmest smiles I've ever encountered.

I told Malia Borges - AKA Mrs. B. Crafty, - that my hands were freezing. Without hesitation, she said, "Oh My God! Let me warm them up!"

That same warmth set the tone for the conversation that followed.

Meet Malia Borges, aka Mrs. B. Crafty

You are welcome to listen to the interview here

Transcript below (Interview was conducted in English)

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: And then, some kid…it just caught on, “six-seven”

Rosa: So funny! Okay, you’re ready?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: Sure.

Rosa: Okay, so, um, what’s’ your name?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: Malia

Rosa: Malia! Malia, what inspired you to open B.Crafty Studio?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: Um, because I like the community that builds when you’re making something.

Rosa: Aw! What moment did you realize that this creative space was needed here?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: What moment did I realize this creative space was needed?

Rosa: Yeah, in the community.

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: When the community asked me to open a space.

Rosa: So, the community demanded it!

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: Yes! (laughs). I have a space, you should open it! And also, I have all these craft supplies - most of them come from my house. So I needed a space to reclaim my house back! (laughs)

Rosa: (laughs)

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: And it’s more fun to craft with friends. So this allows me to be able to invite people in.

Rosa: That’s awesome! What does creativity and crafting mean to you personally?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: Um, it’s a way to unplug. I feel like we’re always on our phones. And so, being able to make something is you having something, right? So, like, if you make a pen, then it’s something practical and you know that you made it - as opposed to, like, it’s something being digital.

Rosa: Got it! So, something that you can hold?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: Yeah

Rosa: Awesome. What part of your personal story or background shows up in the way you create or teach?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: I think the way that I connect with people - being crafty - there’s no perfection. It’s whatever you end up making. There’s no rules. I don’t like to stick to rules often - so I feel like in that way, anybody can come and create as they are.

Rosa: Awesome. What’s the heart of B.Crafty Studio? What’s - what’s in there?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: The makers.

Rosa: The makers?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: The people that come here and make things.

Rosa: Um, what part of the studio reflects you the most? Your personality, your style?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: The mess! (laughs)

Rosa: (laughs) The mess!

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: And I feel like that’s part of being crafty, right? You have all these different supplies and all these different ways that you can put them together - and so, everything doesn’t have to be perfect and neat. And that is totally the reflection of me! (laughs)

Rosa: That’s awesome. Okay. How do you want people to feel when they walk into the studio?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: Um, like anybody’s welcome. They can have a seat and express themselves however they want - whether they’re coloring or painting or gluing things together.

Rosa: How do you want beginners and also people who are - like - they know what they’re doing? How do you treat them differently?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: Beginners come curious. Right? So I’ve had people come in and say, “oh, I’m not crafty, but I’ll come and support.” And so, they’ll take a seat and they’re like, “oh, what are you doing over there?” “Oh, we’re making vision boards,” - And inch by inch they’re like, “oh, I want to rip up some stuff.”

Rosa: (laughs)

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: And then they - they end up leaving with - with the vision board done. And then those who know what they’re doing, then, they can offer, “Oh, you might want to try it this way or try it that way.” Um, and they offer tips.

Rosa: What does the business - um - separately - like it means to you?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: The what?

Rosa: The business itself.

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: A way to provide for my family while still being crafty and having fun.

Rosa: Mmm! What makes your studio different from the other ones around the Lehigh Valley?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: They don’t got me! (laughs)

Rosa: (laughs) Personality!

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: They don’t have me! But also, like any craft, right? You can give them the same materials and it’s going to be five different ways.

Rosa: Right.

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: And so - I feel like this is just another space to be able to create that way. - And so, yeah, I feel like that’s - that’s the part of it. (laughs)

Rosa: Um, what do you want people that don’t know anything about B.Crafty to know? Like the one thing that you want them to take away from this interview?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: That they should come curious.

Rosa: So, curiosity is the most important thing?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: Yeah! Have an open mind about what you can create here.

Rosa: Okay, awesome. How do you see B.Crafty’s impact in the Lehigh Valley community long term?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: I would like it to be able to grow groups. I want to do writing groups here and be able to grow the community so that we’re not just painting and like - oh - we can follow up! I have a scrapbook group that meets here - and they’re already keeping each other accountable, “Did you make your goals? Did you do this?” - And that’s what I want. I want people to be able to grow a community outside the studio.

Rosa: What’s your favorite part of watching people create in your space?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: Seeing how differently things come out.

Rosa: Mmmm

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: I like - it’s a surprise! Right? And so, that’s why I bring all my craft things here. ‘Cause honestly, once I make something, I don’t want to sell it! I’ve made it! It’s mine!

Rosa: (laughs)

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: (laughs) But in this way, I bring all of my toys, and then you can make it,! - and then you can go home with it. I didn’t make it! So, I don’t care if you go home with it.

Rosa: Right!

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: So, here you can just make your own stuff. And I like to celebrate what everybody makes.

Rosa: That’s awesome. Um - what’s a moment that has stayed with you - um - while creating this space?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: I think the conversations that happen here - um- it’s’ at different times, people will come in and have different conversations. Um - Families come - whole families will come - or a mom will come because she’s trying to escape her teenagers!

Rosa: (laughs)

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: (laughs) She lives around the corner! So, she’ll come and she’ll - like - come and talk to me. So, I really appreciate the conversations that happen at the table.

Rosa: So - Every business - even within my trade - there’s always, like, a crazy story that you learn how to handle - you know, how you - learn how to drive by getting into an accident? Like, what’s the story behind - not behind - like - something that happened that was super crazy, that taught you how to run your business?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: I think knowing that your people will find you. We’ve had some instances where not everybody is our friends, and that’s okay! And having to learn that not everybody’s going to love it here. But those who love it here always come back. - And those are the people that I want here.

Rosa: Yeah, you’re creating your community.

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: Yeah.

Rosa: That’s awesome! That’s really cool. - Well, thank you so much for - like - having us over and giving me or allowing me to make my little gay gnome over there. (laughs)

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: (laughs) Yeah, your very colorful gnome -

Rosa: There you go, yeah!

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: So cute!

Rosa: (laughs)

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: (laughs) This is Carola’s Elf, right? Gnome. Those he have a name?

Rosa: We’ll call it, “Carola” - you know?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: There you go! This is CAROLA

Rosa: (Laughs) It’s going with the theme

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: Carola by the fire!

Rosa: Thank you so much, I am going to work on making this into two blogs. The TikTok will be probably around a minute, but I will put the entire interview on the blogs

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: Okay, cool! Thank you!

Rosa: So, Thank you so much for having us!

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: No problem!

Rosa: I actually did have a good time! (laughs)

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: (laughs) That happens here a lot.

Rosa: Yeah?

Malia, “Aka” Mrs. B Crafty: People come and, “Oh, I’m going to come and support you and they end up leaving as friends.

To Support Local is to Support the Community

Supporting local businesses like, B. Crafty Studio means supporting families, creativity, and genuine human connection. If you're looking for a place to "unplug" de-stress, talk about your day, and create alongside friendly faces, this studio is calling - and yes, probably on speed dial!