April Sales

No April Fools Here.
These are the real sales for this month. Hope you can come in and see all the spring new items and the new beads we've brought in. We also just signed up to start receiving beautiful 3d pop-up greeting cards I know you're gonna love, so keep an eye out for that.

March Sales

Here are this months sale items. Some of them have carried over from last month because we still have some left.

Your Favorite yarn may be going away.....

I found out recently that Spinrite, the makers of Bernat, Lily Sugar'n Cream and Patons yarns just purchased Pisgah Yarn company who makes Peaches & Cream, America's Best & Honeysuckle yarns.

There is no word yet on what brands will be kept but its easy to say that if you're making something right now with either of their yarns you should make sure to have enough on hand to finish what you're working on. Pisgah's web site is having an "inventory reduction" sale so stock up now if there is a product you really love and won't be able to live with out.
I want to first say I have nothing against Spinrite. I love and carry their yarns along side other popular brands. What I am sad to hear is that US jobs are lost because of this. Spinrite is in Canada and Pisgah was in North Carolina. Below are 2 links you should take the time read. The first is about Pisgah closing and the other is from the Wall Street Journal about Cotton Prices going up soon because of a string of bad harvest. This means yarn prices will be going up soon if they haven't already at your local store. I will be raising my prices slowly as current yarn is stock is cycled out and new yarn comes in.
Pisgah Yarn Company Sold to Spinrite
Cotton Prices Reach an all time high

Knit and Crochet in any Language

Being a business in Queens I'm lucky enough to have customers from all over the world. Some have an understanding of the english language but not always. I know a little bit of Spanish but only enough to get myself in trouble, other languages I know much less. I am able to get instruction books in Spanish but not other languages from my current distributors.

In order to try and service all my customers I have been trying to get books in other languages but no luck so far. What I did find was a wonderful web site that helps convert knitting and crochet patterns to your native language.

Wise Needle http://www.wiseneedle.com/ has a wonderful community and glossary of terms that is FREE to use. You just put in a term and choose the language. Very quickly it will give you the term in your own language. This is a great way for children of family members that are un able to speak the language to convert patterns.

The direct link the the glossary is http://www.wiseneedle.com/glossary.asp

But while you're there take a look at their vast knowledge of knitting and crochet.

Donna Dewberry Workshop

The Donna Dewberry is coming to town to teach us NY'ers how to paint the One Stroke way. Below are the details. Visit http://www.dewberrycrafts.com for more info.
If you've signed up, please consider purchasing your supplies from us. We will give you a discount once you've signed up for her class.

2-HOUR SPECIAL PAINTING EVENT WITH DONNA DEWBERRY

Date: April 28, 2011
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Where: Glendale Memorial Building, 72-02 Myrtle Avenue Glendale NY 11385
Cost: $45
Whats Included: All supplies included except water basin,double loader and brushes
How To Sign Up For 2-Hour Special Event: Please Contact Amanda Dewberry to sign-up for this event #352-394-7344.

QUEENS, NY PAINTING WORKSHOP WITH DONNA DEWBERRY

Date: April 29-30, 2011
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Where: Glendale Memorial Building, 72-02 Myrtle Avenue Glendale NY 11385
Cost: $125 Per Day
Whats Included: All supplies included except water basin,double loader and brushes

More New Products - Crochet Thread

New Crochet Thread will also be available soon. 

From Red Heart they will be selling 1,000 yard size 10 thread for only $6.25. For now they only have 2 colors but maybe if we request it enough, they will make other colors in the bigger balls too.  If you look really hard, you'll see that Red Heart is actually from Coats & Clark which is the same company that packages the Aunt Lydia Size 10. Maybe we will see a combination of the brands soon. 

Right now the only company that sells big balls of colored crochet cotton is Pisgah Yarn Company. I can order them for you by request. 

Aunt Lydia Size 10 Crochet Cotton is also coming out with some new colors. These will also be in stock soon. Let me know if you're interested so I can order enough for everyone. 

Cardinal

Russet

Passionata

Olive

Pink Cameo

Peacock

New Red Heart Yarn Colors

Red Heart has done it again. They already have a huge selection of yarns in their super saver line and now they've announced 6 new variegated shades to match any mood.
Purple Tone
Green Tones
Pink Tones
Blue Tones
Calliope
Mistletoe

Shades will be in stock soon but If you know you want some, please let me know so I can have enough on hand to fulfill the demand.

February Sales

Happy February everyone. Hope you find something in this months sales sheet you need or want. Remember, if there is something you're hoping will go on sale, let me know and I'll try and contact you!

Todays Tatting Class

Today by request we had a tatting class which was a lot of fun to watch. Other classes I've taught myself so it was nice to have a guest instructor in doing all the work.
Angie from Agasunset.com is a beautiful Tatter and knows all the different styles of the craft. Her unique designs and love of the medium really show in the work she does. Here are some pictures from the class.

Bringing in the New Year

Happy New Year everyone. Over these long weekends we've re-decorated the window for Valentines, St. Patricks Day and Easter. Believe me, if you're planning to make something for one of these holidays you really should get started now!
So here is what the window looks like now... still needs a little work but I really love that we finally wired up the neon sign we got used last year.

Then of course I looked through my distributors sale sheets and created our flyer for this month. If you're  hoping something is going to go on sale, let me know. Sometimes the distributor does a short sale that will never make it into my announcement. 

Ceramic Tree Bulbs

I'm always surprised every year how many people tell me these are hard to find. So I figured I would remind my customers and friends that I have the bulbs in 3 different sizes and 4 different shapes. I also have the light bulb for inside the tree and the tree tops. 

I wish my iPod touch could....

Its coming time to do inventory. For the last 40 years the family (and some friends) have gotten together and hand counted every item in the store on paper. For the last few years I've then taken all this and entered into excel to get the final number to give to our accountant. I really wish I could use the camera on my iPod Touch as a bar code scanner where the information would drop into an excel like piece of software. I realize it would take some time to set up I think it would be quicker and more accurate. 

So I put this out to the interwebs. Is there a program that does this? Is there someone who has solved this problem already and feels like sharing??

Thanks

Santa Towel Topper Gift

I needed a gift for a very good family friend. She always loves the crochet towel tops so when I saw an old photo of a crocheted apron of santa. I thought I could change it around and crochet just the head and hat area small enough to fit on the top of a hand towel. Here is the results. What do you think?

2011 Craft Fair

I know its early and we're all thinking of what last minute gifts we can make for our family and friends, but I just wanted to make sure you all mark your calendars for the American Legion Spring 2011 Craft Fair Fund Raiser. It's being held on March 27th from 11am-6pm.

Click Here to download a printable flyer and the vendor sign up sheet. 

New Knit Books

I always love to find new companies to deal with. The smaller the better, because you get to meet great people with stupendous customer service. 

The newest company I am now stocking is Jean Greenhowe Knitting Pattern Books. These are some of the most original and detailed 3D knitting items I have ever seen.

I found out about her books from a customer who asked me for 1. I did some research and placed the order. The books came quick and in perfect condition ready to sell. 

I started small with only a few of her titles but plan to eventually have them all. To see her full catalog go to http://www.jeangreenhowe.com/

In stock now are Christmas Special, Bazaar Knits & Little Gift Dolls.