May 2025 Newsletter
Cam’s Corner
No. 11 May 2025
Hey y’all! We hope you’re all having a great Spring. Christine and I have been busy at the shop. We recently hosted a bus tour of gals from a needlework guild out of eastern Mass. It was a lot of fun having 50 people in the shop all at once! We hope to see them again!
We’ve purchased six new bolts of wool as we try to fill in colors and shades, we don’t have. Christine has been busy in the dye kitchen. Over the past few weeks, she has added approximately 22 yards of mostly mottled colors to the inventory. The perfect color for your project may now be here!
For those who like to felt, we now have three large sections in the shop with around 100 colors in all. There are solids and hand dyed, bright and muted.
Weve added felting sampler packs. Each pack is in a clear “happy meal like” box and includes eight colors (approx. 2 oz total) and two needles. Perfect for gifts or as a starter set for anyone interested in trying out felting.
As we ready ourselves for shows this year, we have started making items with, of course, wool! Our first item is a scrappy bag. Roomy enough to pack a lot of wool in or use as purse. We plan to add wristlet purses and various other bag styles.
Long term, with the closing of Joann's, we are seriously floating the idea of adding Coats and Clarks thread. We would like to eventually add Gutterman and Mettler and/or Aurifil threads.
We are getting rid of wool bits (with the exception of hand dyes). We’ve started putting together half pound (½ lb) bags for $5.00. That amounts to approximately ¾ yard to use for applique, stash building or anything else you think of. Pieces vary in size and colors.
We will be at the MA Sheep and Wool fair in Cummington on the 24th and 25th so the shop will not be open. Stop by and visit us.
Rug Hooking 101
Classes are two hours each and are limited to 6 students and runs for 3 weeks. I also do private classes that work around your schedule. Classes run for three weeks. Please note: students are responsible for purchasing supplies; a supply list will be provided when you sign up. See the website for sign up details. The next session will be on Thursdays; June 5th - 19th
On the subject of rug hooking, the shop now has rug warp in addition to traditional and primitive linen. Rug warp is a sturdy cotton with less give and fewer threads than Monks Cloth. I stumbled upon it and it is now my favorite base fabric. It is less expensive than linen and wider so you get more for less money. Come check it out.
Rug Braiding 101
The third session of traditional rug braiding begins June 4th and through July 9th. Each 2-hr class is on Wednesdays and run for six (6) weeks. We will be making a little oval rug that is a perfect trivet for a 9” x 13” pan...or use it to put a lamp on or as a kitty bed. The options are endless. Students will learn how to make a sore thumb, how to braid, lace and rat-tail. Please note: students are responsible for purchasing supplies; a supply list will be provided when you sign up. Like hooking, I also do private classes. Classes are limited to 6 students. See the website for details.
Wool Applique 101
if you are interested in learning how to wool applique, contact the shop. Students will learn how to read a pattern and copy the design using the freezer paper method. We start with a project that can be used as a small table runner or candle mat.
Embroidery 101
If you are interested in traditional embroidery, contact the shop. Students will start with a cute raccoon sampler learning a dozen of the most used stitches.
Shows and Fairs
Applications are being submitted for shows and fairs we hope to vend at this year. Please note that the shop may be closed during these times
We are looking at the following fairs and shows this year:
May 24th -25th – MA Sheep and Wool Fair in Cummington
June 7th - a hook-in in Woodstock, CT
July 11th - 13th the New England Weavers Guild seminar in Westfield
August 21st - 24th - Cummington Fair
September 4th - 7th we will be at the Greenfield Fair
September 19th - 21st - Belchertown Fair
September 23rd - 24th – Hancock Shaker Village Country Fair in Pittsfield
October 4th - 5th – Cheshire Craftsmen Fair in Keene, NH
October 11th – 12tth - Berkshire Botanical Harvest Fest in Stockbridge
Happenings:
Please note: the shop of not affiliated with any of these events. They are only listed as things you may be interested in
Due to Hill Institute having their annual exhibit this month there will be no Vintage Sewing Machine (VSM) meeting
Hill Institute annual exhibit – May 16th and 17th at Hill Institute in Florence
Paradise City Arts Festival at the Three County Fair Grounds, in Northampton. May 24th - 26th
Memorial Day Weekend Craft Fair at the Kringle Candle Company Flagship store in Bernardston
Haydenville Artisan Fair and Collectibles on June 7th at the Haydenville Church and Town Hall yards
Annual Spring Craft and Vendor Fair on June 7th at the Town Common in Belchertown
Have fun!
cam
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