Tired of beer and pizza?

Wine and cheese parties just more your style?

The Artisan Connection, 206 S. Allen St., presents Cocktails at 6, a handmade collection of items for the home and for those evenings when entertaining with a keg and some plastic cups just won't do.

"We represent over 200 artists at the Artisan Connection," publicist Laveta Piemme said. "We decided we have so many really beautiful handmade items that could be used for entertaining purposes, so we put together a variety of pieces from a variety of artists, both local and national, for this feature."

The gallery will showcase a wide variety of handcrafts, including cheese trays, goblets, cutting boards, olive platters, martini glasses, wine chillers, serving plates and utensils.

Piemme said because the featured pieces are all from different artisans, each work has a different tone and has been created in a variety of mediums while still encompassing a common theme.

"What we have is a variety of pieces that you could use at a party," Piemme said. "Each piece is very different and beautiful. We have ceramics, hand-blown glass, pieces made of wood, pewter and a variety of pottery -- something for everyone's taste."

Linda Thiel, Artisan Connection owner, said she thinks this feature will be very popular as the season brings more celebrations, parties and weddings.

"We wanted to do something fun and interesting for the gallery right now," Thiel said. "And this theme shows people what it might look like to entertain with unique hand-crafted pieces or give presents that have a more personal feel. They are also very beautiful wedding gifts, unique and affordable."

Jason Silverman, an artist who works out of Philadelphia, will have several of his pieces featured in Cocktails at 6. Silverman makes wine glasses, martini glasses and margarita glasses using a hand-thrown ceramic stem and clear glass.

"When you start working on the wheel, you just try to think of what to make," Silverman said.

"I do drink a bit of wine, and I know if you're drinking a good wine, you want to be able to see it. So that's the kind of glasses I started making. It began with a simple white wine glass and went from there."

Thiel said she is happy to have Silverman's work at the Artisan Connection, a gallery that focuses on a blend of handcrafts and fine art.

"We really appreciate and love American handcrafts," Thiel said. "We know all of our pieces are handmade, and we know how much effort goes into being a craftsman in this day and age. It's fun to put all these different handcrafts together in terms of seeing a theme, the idea behind something. And it gives people ideas -- to see what they can do with these beautiful pieces."

Silverman said he is pleased his work is being featured this spring in State College and at the Artisan Connection.

"There are so many different kinds of people in State College," Silverman said.

"And the Artisan Connection is such a great place there. I throw pottery all day every day, so I try to do things that are a little bit different. I know that not everyone buys crafts, but a lot of people do. And with spring coming, everybody is going to need a good margarita," she added.