Byrdcall Studio October News

Paintings | Glassware | Pets & Animals | Floorcloths | Printed Shirts

Happy October, my favorite month of the year. Hope you enjoy the cooling weather and have no problems with all this rain and the threat of a hurricane! Last month I sent a very full newsletter with more photos and stories than usual. Guess what story got the greatest response from readers. The Smiling Pig story! If you missed it, click here. So without further ado....

In this issue:

My New Rya Completed and given as a wedding gift
Mark your Calendars for my last two shows of the year: Mistletoe Mart and the Carroll County Artists Studio Tour
Rya Kits from Norway now available through Byrdcall Studio!
And on a personal note ...

So Excited about this New Rya Rug!

I had to keep it a secret since this rya was to be a wedding gift for my niece, Kristin and her husband-to-be, Asa. They are getting married this weekend in Boston, but I mailed it to them earlier in the week (so I am not ruining their surprise by posting it here).

It started with the inspiration of their love for water and the wave-or-hug shape of Kristin's engagement ring. I played with designs on paper with watercolor paints and finally focused on this design because of the movement and action it depicted.

I sketched the design onto graph paper and picked joyful watery colors. This rya was in progress at Common Ground on the Hill as a demonstration piece. Even my husband, John, got into the knotting process. So it is with love that we give this rya to Kristin and Asa on their special day.

Here is the rya in progress on a table top with graph, threading card combinations, and needles.

"WaterSwirl" Complete and ready to hang on the wall.

I will be putting this design in my book along with the whole process illustrated as a designing lesson. It is also available as a kit now. Just ask me.

Upcoming SHOWS!

Since I am amping up my efforts to complete my rya book, I am only going to be holding TWO Fall/Winter shows. Make note if you are interested, and please come by to see me to say HI or for holiday shopping needs.

Thursday, Nov. 12 (10 AM-8 PM), Friday, Nov. 13 (10 AM - 8 PM)

and Saturday, Nov. 14 (10 AM - 4:30 PM) Click on image for link to web site.

And it is not too early to mark your calendars for the Studio Tour! This is your opportunity to see all the unusual things that go on in the studio--the things that I never take to shows...But mostly you'll have a chance to pick up my luscious hand-printed shirts for gifts. You also will be amazed by the amount of rya rug making supplies I have on hand. I can even prepare kits from designs you may see there that you like--probably in time for the holidays.

Ask for a Studio Tour brochure at the Mistletoe Mart!

At Long Last:

I Now Can Provide you with Rya Kits

from Norway!

I have always tried to convince everyone who has interest in rya to design and make their own. That is basically what the focus of my book is.

BUT, I also realize that the majority of rya appreciators out there are uncomfortable with designing their first rya. Why not let someone--a professional--do all the designing and calculating? OK, friends, you asked for it, you've got it.

As of October 2015 I will be importing over 100 kit possibilities for you from Rauma in Norway. I will order them for you as you order them. It will take a month or so, and I will get you started with my directions in English and a mini-lesson in the studio if you are nearby. Can't beat that.

It is ironic because about the year I was born, my grandparents started importing rya kits from Sweden to sell here in the USA. Now at the age my grandparents were (more or less) I am starting to fill their shoes once again.

Full circle.

Click here to see the first 10 Designs. What is your favorite?

And on a Final Note for the day....

First week of October I hope to witness the monarch butterfly emerge from its chrysalis and begin its long journey to Mexico!

October is going to go fast. I just know it is. So this is a shorter-than-usual newsletter, but hey, you have plenty to do, so get out and enjoy your day.

October--on a personal level for me--is filled with weddings of loved ones, several birthdays of special friends and family members (including my own big fat birthday of note which I will not mention), there will be a vacation thrown in there for rejuvenation, and some out-of-town guests dropping by.

Other than that, I am working on the challenge of my life in getting this book completed.

And thus brings closure to the October newsletter.

Thanks for sticking it out to the end. You are amazing!

Off we go...BACK TO WORK!

Melinda

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