The Loft Art Studio

Winter Happenings

What is going on at The Loft these days?  As of right now we have snow falling while the coffee is brewing and The Loft is warming up.  This morning there is a retired teachers knitting group on their way in.  We knit from 10-12:00.  That means The Loft is always open those hours (Thursdays) and we love it when someone drops in to join us. 

There is new yarn on the way!  We have some Crystal Palace Mini Mochi coming in in a beautiful new color.  Also some of you have been asking for the New Crystal Palace Tutu.  We are restocking needles too that should be in very soon.  There is also more of the seasons favorite DeAire coming in some new colors.  These make beautiful cowels to keep you warm and cozy and they are soooo very easy to knit up! 

To keep updated on hours and times that we are in The Loft, check our twitter (TheLoftGirls) or go to our Facebook page.  We update the Facebook (make sure and "like" us) on a weekly basis and our webpage gets updated on a monthly basis (sometimes more)  we twitter whenever we will be in The Loft so you know we are there.  Gotta get with the times ladies to know what's going on!  You can always use the old fashioned method and give us a call.  We enjoy talking to you. 

You are Not Bothering Us

I had a customer call to see if we were open one day this week and she stated that "she felt like she was bothering me".  I want you all to know that in order for me to keep our business going and keep my sanity, I have to be able to get away for a lunch date or an appt. occasionally or to take my grandaughter to school.  That's the beauty of having a small business at home.  YOU ARE NOT BOTHERING ME when you call during the week between 9:00 and 5:00 or on Saturday 9-5:00 to come to The Loft or get help with your projects.  I am always open on Thursday mornings from 10-12:30 and most Thursdays I am here all day.  The best times to catch me home are Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.  Mondays and Wednesdays I have my grandaughter and don't have much time to even open the doors.  But if you need to reach me those days, YOU ARE NOT BOTHERING ME.  :)  I appreciate your business and that is how it is done here at The Loft.  I know that takes some getting used to for some of you, but you will catch on. 

Happy New Year!

Gosh! That year went fast!  Every year I tell myself I will start earlier on those Christmas gifts.  I have to say that I did finish all but one. My favorite was a sweater I made for Regan.  She pinned in on "Pinterest", I looked up the pattern and she opened it on Christmas morning.  It fit like a glove!  PTL!    I will be ordering some new yarns this week from Brown Sheep and Plymouth Yarns.  Maybe we will focus on pinks, lavenders and Reds for Valentines Day coming up.  Is there someone in your life you keep telling yourself that you need to say thank you to or do something nice for?  Let's cast on some stitches and get something started for them.  My Sister-in-law loves hand knitted socks, I have never made my daughters any socks, I have yet to make my husband a hat that fits!  What will it be for you.  There are a lot of homeless centers and schools etc... that need handknitted items too.  How will you tell someone that you love them on Valentines Day?  Thanks to all of you who donated scarves and cash to the Keller Park project!  It is really appreciated.  It's not to late to bring anything you have knitted up to donate to the children that attend there. 

 

 

Next contest!  Stash!  We all have stash yarn.  A little left over from those socks, some old yarn Aunt Martha gave you from her attic, a frogged sweater..... There will be a special prizes to three customers that make something from their stash.  Most original.... Most useful... and well, third place.... Get out that stash yarn and get started!  Deadline is Valentines Day! 

Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday?  Well, this is a new one to me.  I have to admit that I do think it sounds very nice.  I'm thinking I need to do something about it.  Let's have a sale!  How about a basic yarn sale.  One that can help you out in making those felted handbags and slippers or warm sweaters and scarves for the cold season coming up.  Come Saturday and get 25% off all Galway and Encore Worsted yarns.  Let's see??? what can you make with that?  Loads of things.  Scarves, handbags, slippers, hats, Tomtens!, mittens, cowels and the list goes on and on.  We have some beautiful colors to choose from.  I think I will even throw some little (light) refreshments in on the day with coffee and tea close by.  Come out Saturday to our small business, bring your knitting and sit down and enjoy the company.  You can't do that at Walmart!

Helping Locally

It's the Christmas season and most of us think often during this season about the less fortunate.  It seems like such a huge task to try to even dent the needs of this world.  We have to start somewhere and this holiday season I have discovered a way we can help locally.  The crime in South Bend concerns me and with the recent murder of the 10 year old boy by his father it brings it all to the surface.  We can help the children in the South Bend area through Keller Park Church.   There is a young couple from our area who have moved into this area and opened up a church to reach the youth of that high risk area.  They are always in need of clothing, money for trips, camps, activities etc.  They will be putting together Christmas gifts for the kids and need $10 each for 80 kids to put together Christmas packages for these kids.  This young couple is working hard to instill Christian values in these kids and this is a great start to cleaning up the crime in South Bend.  That's pretty close to home.  At The Loft, you can bring donations and we have also been told the kids would love mittens, gloves, hats and scarves for the upcoming winter.  There is a lot we can do to bless this young couple and the kids they minister to.  For information about donations, call me at 574 248-0453 and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Homespun Holidays

Join us along with many other Bremen area merchants in celebrating Homespun Holidays

November 10 - 12!

Thursday, 9 am - 5 pm

Friday, 9 am - 5 pm

 Saturday, 9 am - 3 pm

 

Everything in the shop will be 10 - 50% off.  Come in and see our new selection of Brown Sheep yarns and the many new handmade items by Jessica Flores.  Her mini trunk show will include home decor and accessories made from vintage fabrics, including aprons, pillows, headbands, handbags and much more.

Saturday, don't miss the Granny Squares crochet class with Kat Spencer.  Cost is $10, and does not include supplies.  Call Gayle at 574.248.0453 to register.  Bring the kids on Saturday as well for a $2 "make and take" holiday project all day.

Don't forget to pick up your map to other participating Homespun Holidays locations, and support your hometown businesses!

 

 

Heading into Winter

In spite of our strange hours here at The Loft, we have been very busy.  There are plenty of opportunities to come to The Loft and join in with classes, groups or just to stop in and Knit or crochet.  Crochet?!  yes, I said it.  We will be involved with the Bremen Homespun Holidays and we will be offering a granny square class by Kat Spencer!  Granny Squares are becoming very popular and the color combinations for today are amazing!  We still have our Knit Nite on the second Tuesday night of the month and you can come on the fourth Tuesday night of the month for Help on your projects.  Just want to get a few friends together and come out and knit?  Just give me a call and we will cozy the place up for you.  Our beginner classes are always free and don't forget to check out the great new classes coming up!  Just click on the class link and give us a call!

Brown Sheep Yarn is In!!!

Talk about fun!  I stepped up on the porch tonight and spotted the BIG box we have all been waiting on!  The Brown Sheep yarns are here and next week I will be filling the shelves with lots of beautiful new yarns of wool and cotton.  We have a great supply of some amazing very chunky yarn for those new cowels you are seeing everywhere in some irresistable colors.  There are some beautiful washable wools in very tempting tweeds and some very practical yet fun colored cottons for many projects on your list.  It looks almost good enough to..well, KNIT!  We are closed for the week-end for a short vacation but Tuesday I will be putting it on the shelves, so come on up and check this great new line of yarn out.  Give me a call anytime during the week.  To see if I am here, just give me a jingle at 574 248-0453. 

A New Season at The Loft

The Fall season is coming up and things are changing at The Loft Art Studio too!  We want to thank everyone for all of their suggestions and ideas for the upcoming knitting/crochet season.  We have a lot of exciting things going on while freeing up time for a very busy Grandma Gayle.  As most of you know, we have a new little grandson coming in December (that makes 5).  While our son Marty is working on getting his Masters Degree, Grandma needs to be available to help Mindy with the 4 little ones.  Nora will be starting school this year and Grandma will be taking her back and forth two days a week too.  Sooooo,  how do we squeeze time in for The Loft?  This is how we will be doing it and I think you will all like the changes:  

Knit Nite will be one Tuesday night a month instead of every Tuesday evening.  We will hold Knit Nite every second Tuesday of the month. We will have light refreshments and will start at 6:30 until 9:30 or whenever you want to leave.  We will have some great incentives for finishing your projects and bringing friends!  The First Knit Nite will start on September 13th at 6:30.  Bring a baby hat (for the womens care center) or a dishcloth (for the hospital Auxilary) or a scarf (for needy students) and get a free gift!  Bring a guest and get 20% off your purchase for the night!    We will be having Knit Nite every Tuesday in August and the new days and times will start in September.

Help Night!  Many of you have told me about knit shops with grumpy owners.  I try to always give you friendly service and help you all as much as I can.  My time is also valuable.  If you were a seamstress, I wouldn't take my dress to you and say "how do you hem this? I want to do it myself".  I would have to take a class and learn it myself.  If you were a teacher I wouldn't expect you to tutor my child for nothing.  I know we are all friends and I love you all dearly, but frankly, I don't really get a paycheck from The Loft.  I need to start making some compensation to be able to keep it open.  We will be having classes in the fall and winter so if you want to learn a new technique like socks, knitting in the round, cable etc.... you need to sign up for the classes.  If you are having trouble with your knitting and you need help, this night is for that.  There will be a $5.00 charge for that night and you will sign up when you come.  The first one on the list will get about 10-15 minutes of help and then I will move on to the next person.  Help night will also be one Tuesday a month.  It will be the last Tuesday of the month from 6:30-9:30 also.  I hope this makes sense to all of you and I look forward to helping you out on those projects you are stuck on. 

We have a new line of yarn coming!  Brown Sheep Yarn!  I am very excited about carrying this yarn.  It is made in the good ole USA!  We have had many cost increases in the yarns that I carry and one of the reasons is the shipping.  Brown Sheep costs are staying pretty much the same so I can pass that on to you.  We have some new ways of getting your yarns here at The Loft also....  With Brown Sheep, I don't have to order 10 skeins or reams everytime I order.  I can order one skein or 20.  I love that!  When you want yarn at The Loft from now on, you will need to pay half down and the remainder when it comes in.  Here is the great news!  If you order 10 or more skeins of any yarn from The Loft, I will give you a 10% discount on your order.  I will be placing my first order this week and there will be some great new yarns coming without the price increases of other companies.  That's great news!

I will be sending out an e-mail to all of my customers explaining all that is new at The Loft.  If you aren't on my e-mail list, please shoot me an e-mail at graverson356@gmail.com  and we will get you on it.  We offer coupons and discounts on our e-mail so don't miss out.  We want to keep you informed!  We will also be posting some exciting new classes to our site this week so check back with us!

I've Been Kidnapped!

Help!  Summer has kidnapped me!  I keep trying to get away to get to The Loft but summer is still holding on to me.  I have taken time to sit down with other shop owners and my yarn rep to discuss some changes the NEED to be done in The Loft.  I have several in mind for the upcoming fall and winter season, but I would love to have more suggestions from you!  What would you like to see done differently?  What classes are you interested in?  Yarns?  Patterns? etc..... Let me know a.s.a.p. while I am planning a brand new agenda.  I have several new and exciting suggestions but want to make sure I have all my ducks in a row before I get started.  There are some great new incentives for those who want to save money on yarn etc... We have some exciting workshops and classes coming up to.  Let's think outside the box and send me your feedback.  If you haven't recieved any e-mails from The Loft lately, we may need your e-mail address.  Send it to us so that we can get you on the list.  We don't want you to miss out on all the classes and changes will be setting up.   Till then.... see you on Tues. at Knit Nite 7-9:00.