Small towns ...

I love living in a small community.  Up until I was 23, I had always lived in or near a larger city.  Things like malls, shopping districts, more than one grocery store, and several shoe stores were common place.  At 23 we moved to a small town where even a Kmart was a relatively new thing.  A McDonalds was new too.  Nearly 3 decades later, there is still one grocery store, one shoe store, a Walmart and a few mom and pop shops.  Oh, and Kmart and McDonalds are still here too.   I am not considered a native because I wasn't born here, but my kids are natives.

A small community means that most people in town have a connection to you somehow.  You know their children from ball teams or dance.  You see them on the street as they drive to work.  You see their dog at the park and know it's name.  Owning a yarn shop in a small town means you know the favorite colors of many people.  You know what they are making for the next grandchild.  You know which people like wool and which people prefer acrylic.  I love meeting and supporting so many talented people.  It's a great way to spend an afternoon and evening.  And I get to play with all the yarn I want to.

Craft Shop Hop!

Save the Date!

What: Craft Shop Hop

Where: Richfield

When: Oct 9-12, 2012 during regular business hours

Participating Shops:

      Julia's Shoppe-yarn

      MARCIA'S-fabric

      The Crop Circle-scrapbooking

       Spontaneous Idea-scrapbooking

      Barrie Unique Baby Boutique

      Nielson's Ceramic's and more

Objective:  Visit each shop on the list and see the great deals in Richfield.  Get your passport stamped at each store you visit along the way.  Enter raffles to win great prizes.

Each shop will have a store raffle during this event and all completed passports will be entered into a Grand Prize Drawing.

Have Fun!!

120 days until ???

Christmas is coming people!  I counted the days just make sure.  I have lots of people on my list who need/want/expect something hand made and I am sure that you do too.  The new yarns will soon be in the shop to start all of those wonderful projects.  We have new yarns coming and we have the usual red, green and white variations as well.  Let us help you find your creative spirit and put those lovelies under the tree this year.

A Sale!

Labor Day is coming up the first weekend in September and Julia's Shoppe will be having a great big sale to celebrate.  Everything in the shop will be 30% for Thursday August 30 through Monday September 3rd.  EVERYTHING WILL BE DISCOUNTED 30%!  What a great way to get your Christmas projects started!

Pondering on the Anachronistic Arts

Are the people who love needle arts the last of a dying breed?  I am surprised at the number of people who comment in the shop that "no one knits anymore" or "I can buy a sweater cheaper".

The people that use yarn in their leisure pursuits do so for the pure pleasure of working with color and fiber.  They are clearly aware that the big box stores carry fully functional sweaters and socks for much less than the cost of quality materials and tools.  They crochet or knit for the creative outlet.

It would be a better debate by far to ponder why and how an electronic box that displays moving pictures and sound has eclipsed our desires to do artistic activities in our leisure time.  When was the last time that watching TV or a video actually produced something or made a change in your life?

Yarn is good therapy.

The County Fair pt 2

I was back at my spot in the arts building at the fair this morning bright and early.  I had a wonderful batt to work on and was really enjoying the scene.  Today I got to visit with an assortment of stock show kids, older folks, teachers, and parents chasing their children.  I really love the questions people ask about spinning.  They are genuinely surprised at the process of taking fiber from raw product to yarn.  They are surprised that people still do this sort of thing.  I thought about how interesting it is that people can be in a fair exhibit hall be amazed at the work.

There are a huge number of crafts people in our community and this is only a small sampling of the work that is done.  These people still find satisfaction in taking color, fabric, fiber and thread to produce a unique work of art that is personal to them.  They display these works in their home and give them as presents to family and friends.  I don't know that these are the dying arts that many people commented about today, but certainly they are undervalued arts in a time when you can buy your comforters and clothing at a big box store and never think about the process.

The County Fair

I spent an hour at the county fair today.  It was interesting to say the least.  I didn't wander too much.  I was there to spin as part of a demonstration booth.  I got to sit and people watch and visit with passersby.  I had some interesting questions today that sort of made me think about all sorts of issues.  Here is a sampling:

-Did that come from a real sheep?
-Does your foot get tired?
-Do you know how to work that thing?
-How long have you been spinning?

I take the County Fair for granted.  My children have had animals in the fair for a long time.  I usually enter a few things in the fine arts building just to support it.  But it's a really important event.  Once a year, the fair reminds people where things come from.  Real things.  Vegetable and fruit come from gardens.  Quilts, pictures, sweaters and baked goods come from people who still know how to make things and enjoy doing it.  There are a lot of people out there who are very talented in these "old arts".  The things that your Granny did are still worked on and shared.  I enjoyed watching others soak it in and appreciate it unfiltered.

Knit Happy

                                                   

Join The Club

The Knit Happy Club

Learn a Technique

Meet New Knitting Friends

Receive a Fun Pattern

Get a Yummy Recipe

Sign up Today

Sessions Filling Up Fast!

Club sessions will meet the second week of each month for Oct., Nov., Jan., Feb., March and April.

Wednesdays at 3:30

Saturday at 3:00

$10 per session, includes the tote bag.

The Knit Happy Club!

Join your friends at Julia's Shoppe for The Knit Happy Club - I know you will love it.
Join this exclusive small group club … each session lasts 90 minutes and you will learn a new technique or stitch, meet other knitters, work with different yarns and products, and on top of that you will receive exclusive offers and discounts.

Starting in October 2011 we will have sessions on the second week of the month on Wednesday at 3:30 pm Saturday at 3 pm.
The initial membership is for 6 months and costs $60.
Membership includes the exclusive Knit Happy Tote pictured.

Stress?

Stress is a good thing because most of the time it compels us to make changes.  The "uncomfortableness" of our body in a stressful situation forces us to do something.  Options often include fleeing, handling the situation differently, seeking help, or a combination of actions seeking to be in a comfortable position again.

A few days ago I began a regular exercise program (again).  I had had a consistent one for several years, lost a lot of weight and then.... got lazy.  Last school year I gained most of it back.  It was a stressful year and I chose to eat my way through it :).

This year is beginning to be very challenging and I am already in an exercising routine.  I woke up this morning actually ready to tackle all of the big things on the list today.  Remarkable change.

Yarn is good therapy.  My lovely spouse says  the shop is cheaper than counseling sessions and meds.  He is right about that, but my treadmill is great therapy.  The hard things I have to do today are still there.  But I can do hard things.  Without french fries.

Changes, changes...

The name "The Painted Sheep" belongs officially to a very nice person in Connecticut somewhere.  She and I visited today.  She called to say that she officially owns the name "The Painted Sheep" and I would need to change the name of the shop.  For what could have been a terribly nasty encounter, all is well.  The paperwork will take a bit.  Changing the signage and the business forms will take a bit.  We may have to work a bit harder for a while.  But I did get something important out of this and I need to make sure it is recorded in "print".  In my real life, I work with what is politely called a lot of "challenging" people.  All of us have "challenging" people in our lives.  Once in a great while, when you commit a really serious wrong, it is possible to work things out without having a meltdown and going crazy.  This was one of those times.  Kudos to the original  "Painted Sheep".

We need something wonderful to call this place.  Most of you who frequent here call it "Julia's Shop" anyway and that is probably what it will remain unless someone in the week can come up with something else.
Send your ideas my way.

Baby Presents

Fleece yarn seems to be the "in" thing for edging baby blankets this summer and fall.  Crochet thread with fancy scallops is still popular but fleece is edging out the thread.  Pardon the pun.  Flannel baby blankets with a hand crafted edge are such a fun, fast and  easy project to give to expecting moms.  Babies certainly need a lot of them.  There are so many colors to put on the edges too.  It isn't just a blue and pink world out there.

Start a project for someone you love today.  Yarn is great therapy.

Crafty Classes

Classes filled with creative souls are energizing.  I love it when there is a group of fiber arts or budding enthusiasts trying out new things.  It takes some kind of crazy to step out of your comfort zone and do something new.  It takes some struggle with the unfamiliar.  But what I hear over and over again is, " I always wanted to try this but..."  It's so wonderful to hear a group of people wrestling with new skills.  They laugh.  They giggle.  They frustrate.  But in the end, they come away with a positive experience.

What do you want to learn to do?  What are you waiting for?

Passing on the Passion

Tatting is a rare craft.  Fine thread and tiny knots blend to create lovely lace.  It is one of the most popular classes I've ever offered at the shop.  Lots of people want to learn how to tat like their grandmother or aunty did.  A few people are priviledged have doilies or small samples of the items these ladies left as a legacy but they are fiercely protected in keepsake boxes.  The handcrafted items of our forebearers allow us to touch their spirit many years after their passing.  Learning and perfecting a craft that they valued allows a part of them to continue with us.

Passing on the passion for a craft is an amazing thing.  I recently attended a funeral for a great man where many of the grandchildren talked of the legacy of woodworking and fly tying that their grandpa had left to them.  This grandpa worked with his grandchildren by his side as he produced useful items and toys for play.  He also spent time with these children so that they felt of his spirit and sense of humor.  Both girls and boys spoke of how this grandpa built animal cages and kites and took them fishing frequently.   These grandchildren hold tangible evidence of an enduring love and a skill to continue on with them.

Such is the nature of handcrafting.  It is the item and the experience we value.

The Painted Sheep has added a section of counted cross stitch kits.  There are kits for every interest and skill level.  If you are looking for short weekend project, we have little items with animals, snowmen, butterflies and many more.  There are kits for new babies.  There are beautiful, artistic works that would look good in any room.

Many of our regular customers have asked about cotton yarn for dishcloths.  We have 17 colors of Sugar n' Cream on display now.  Dishcloths are a portable project for travel or wait time.  They are also a gift item that is very much appreciated.  It's not too early to start thinking about your Christmas gift making list.

We are getting new things every week.  We are not on Main Street but it is worth your time to find The Painted Sheep.

This little sign is a bit scuffed.  It has weathered some wind, rain and snow.  It is sitting outside right now in intense sun that would wilt anyone.  It was an impulse purchase shortly after we opened the shop.  We needed to generate some more traffic and one of the suggestions was to place a sidewalk sign out.  This little sign has brought in more people than any one ad has.  Yarn shoppers are a bit attention deficit disordered.  They can be diverted by a simply word. "Yarn".  They are pretty motivated to come check "it" out.  Just give them a ready excuse.  "Yarn".  They swerve over to the side pretty quick.

Like flowers in spring after a short snowstorm, these wooden pins appeared on Monday.  They are handcrafted by Dennis Bertucci over in Boulder, Utah.  There are more colorful in person, so you must come see them.  They make wonderful hair picks for those of us with long hair and they look stunning closing a sweater or a shawl.  I am sure that they won't last long on the table.

Reggie, the shop sheep and the hat models have formed a committee to plan and execute the First Annual Crazy Hat Contest.  The have announced the official entry date to be June 23rd, 2012 with voting to be completed and announced  on June 30.  The voting will be via shop visitors and facebook friends.  Only one vote per person will be counted. 

Rules: All hats made by knitting, crocheting and or felting are eligble.

Catagories: Prizes will be awarded in the catagoies of most colorful, most embellished, most glamorous and most bizarre. 

Prizes:  First place winners will recieve a prize redeemable at THE PAINTED SHEEP (of course).

Reggie and the hat models have already observed many visitors checking out the crazy art yarns and hat patterns so get going now.

Snowy Weather and the Shop

Today was a blustery day.  The skies couldn't decide whether to snow, rain or hail.  It was the perfect kind of day to settle into your favorite chair with squishy yarn and a warm drink.  We had a few people into the shop, but not many ventured out.  I sat at the work table with my sweater for quite a while and watched the trees across the street.  They are beginning to look like they are budding out, but still mostly grey and dead looking.  It was lonely and would have been improved by some chatty knitters.

The shop feels better on a sunny day.  People are just more cheery on a nice day.  I think I want spring to hurry up and get here.  I'm hoping for sun, warmth and the return of my friendly knitters.  If not... well then a vacation sounds good too.

Tools and goodies

My knitting bag is jam packed with the tools that I use playing with colored string.  I love to work with the good stuff.  It's not only the nice fibers, it's the gadgets that go along with creating wonderful socks, gifts and sweaters.   You can have a lot less frustration if you use the right stuff to create your works of art.

Things any yarn crafter would love to have: a good pair of scissors, a measuring tape, some nice lotion for hands that might snag the yarn, stitch markers in all shapes and sizes, and pins.  If you need a gift idea or just a little present for yourself, make your crafting easier with the right tools.

Cables anyone?

Cables are one of those things that appear scary and challenging but actually are easy to master and make your work so much more interesting.  If you've always wanted to learn, but don't have a class nearby, take a look on Youtube.  There are some nice tutorials there that can walk you through it.  For practice, a scarf is always a nice present for yourself or an early Christmas gift.  Try something new and keep life interesting.

Summer Projects????

Knitters knit all year long.   It's a hobby.  It's an addiction.  When the weather gets a little warmer, thoughts turn to projects that are easy to tote to activities (like kid's ballgames) and not so warm to handle.  Socks are an answer.  Sock yarn comes in all sorts of yummy colors and fibers.  Self striping yarns look like you went to a lot of work to create the patterns, but it's all in the yarn.  Try a sock for a change of pace.  If you haven't done anything in a sock project yet, Google "Silver's Sock Class".  It will walk you through the whole project with really clear instructions and great photos of every step.