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.
Julia's Shoppe is a wonderful yarn shop and consignment collection. We have everything you need for fun, fiber and fabulous finds.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
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!!
Friday, August 24, 2012
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.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
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!
Monday, August 13, 2012
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 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.
Friday, August 10, 2012
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.
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.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
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.
-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.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
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.
Monday, August 6, 2012
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.
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.
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