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Byrdcall Studio, LLC
Rya Rug Revival
and Creative Arts
by Melinda Byrd
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Happy Spring from Byrdcall Studio | | Update on Byrdcall Studio | | |
Plenty of Yarn Available for you.
Both Ryegarn and Prydvevgarn
Etsy Shop and Website should be up-to-date with what's available. We are in excellent shape nd business has been brisk.
I reactivated the listings for many kits and supplies in my Etsy shop and in my website shop.
If you don't see what you are looking for in the Etsy shop or my website shop, feel free to ask me. I may have just overlooked relisting an item as available.
Our prices are still the same as they were 13 years ago.
I also have a good amount of the Finnish Taito Pirkanmaa backings in various widths. See them on Etsy. These are the surface-knotted backings. I also have the popular Wetterhoff backings.
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Lundgren Rya Yarn
is selling fast with the recent price cut for 20 skeins.
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Add to Your Yarn Stash
Once we had 91 colors of the Lundgren rya yarn--my grandparents' yarn spun by Harrisville Designs. But over the decades much of it has sold out. In the last newsletter, there were 25 colors in this $8/skeins offer. Now there are only 20 colors!
This is your opportunity to fill your rya yarn basket with beautiful colors. Mix this yarn with your stash of Ryegarn, Åsborya, and Prydvevgarn for a healthy mix of color and texture. I'm happy to hand-select your custom order of 25 skeins if you don't need all those colors.
Read more about this offer at my Etsy link.
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On the Horizon! 2027 Gallery Exhibit of my Rya Rugs
in Chicago at the Swedish American Museum
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Last November, I was thrilled to be contacted by the curator of the Swedish American Museum in Chicago saying that they were considering offering me a solo gallery exhibition. A couple of months later, their board confirmed the offer. It will be scheduled for spring/summer 2027. No exact dates yet.
I know it is a little early to put on your calendar, but just know I am totally IN! There will be an opening reception and possibly workshops and talks. Stay tuned. I'll tell you more when the date gets closer. If one of you told them about me, thank you.
| | Come See Some of my Rya Rugs at the Carroll Arts Center | | |
For the local folks among our readership, the Carroll County Arts Council is participating in Maryland's 250th Anniversary with a Threads of History Fiber Art exhibit from April 21st - July 5th. Fiber artists from Carroll county and across the state have been invited to display their work. Mine will be among them.
Mark your calendars for May 21st 5 - 7PM for the opening reception. See you there.
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My Woodcuts and Linocuts Still Available
at Moonshadow Collective in Sykesville, MD
until Mid-June this year
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Last spring while shopping the Sykesville Farmers Market, I noticed a sign outside a building that was being renovated that mentioned "artists space." It wasn't open, but people were in there and they looked nice, so I strolled in to see what was up. I introduced myself as a local artist who worked in several media art forms. I love sharing with community, so promised to be in touch in the future.
Just over a month ago the owner, Beck Stavely, contacted me. She had noticed my block prints offered on my website and wondered if I would consider having her carrying them in her shop's inventory. So we met, talked, shared enthusiastic energy, and I left her with 26 original woodcuts and linocuts ready for framing.
Click here to see the Moonshadow Collective's website.
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Latest News on Moonshadow Collective.
Sadly (for the Sykesville Community) Beck Stavely has decided to close the storefront and run her art collective from her home-based operations where she can tend to home responsibilities more efficiently.
She will be leaving the sweet artist studio space she developed in the heart of Sykesville. I don't know what will be next. I'm happy to have been with her for the spring of 2026. Wishing her the BEST!
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If you aren't familiar with Sykesville, plan a visit. It has metamorphosed from a dull town to a vibrant fully-alive-and-inviting town over the past 10 years. My husband and I consider it our honorary town of residence.
Right next door to Moonshadow is The Vine on Main the shop where my t-shirts and notecards are sold. Check them out while you are here. Check out the schedule of the Sunday Farmers' Markets and the free outdoor concerts.
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Taproom Take-Over of Byrdcall Studio Art
in May-June 2026
at Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm
Mt Airy, MD
My Artwork is currently on display.
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Some people know me for my appreciation of fine craft-brewed beverages. Lucky for me, in the town to the west of us there is an excellent farm brewery which welcomes craft brew connoisseurs from around the region.
Milkhouse Brewery has invited me again to hang my art on the walls of their beautiful taproom from May - June.
Please stop by to see my artwork and taste their delicious brews. They are also very family- and dog-friendly.
Stop by THIS Saturday, May 9th from 3 - 6:00 PM to see me there and ask me about my art work--or what my favorite beer is. I will bring my print rack and greeting cards, maybe some of my art t-shirts for the afternoon.
I'd love to see you--REALLY!
Check out Milkhouse Brewery at this link and pay them a visit.
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Fingers Crossed for
Application Acceptance for MSAC Folklife Apprenticeship Grant
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The staff of Common Ground on the Hill contacted me about how suitable this one-year grant period might be for sharing my rya expertise with an apprentice. I agree. Recently I have been worried that if not for my book, there would be no passing along of the rya knowledge I have gleaned over the decades. I am hopeful that the grant will be awarded and the talents of my apprentice will soon be evident through more Open Studio days, newsletter articles, possibly new kits.
She and I have collaborated a plan and we both are hopeful. I can't wait to introduce her to you but won't until it is definite. Official notification doesn't come until July 2026, but I thought I'd share this hope so you have something to look forward to. Cross your fingers, pray, and/or send energy. Thanks.
Nothing NEW to report here except we are very hopeful that our application will be accepted for this great opportunity to keep rya rug making alive.
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Open Studio Workday
Next one is: Saturday, May 23rd
10 AM - 2 PM ~ Drop in or stay a while
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People sharing with each other.... You never know what an open studio workday will bring. Free of charge, this is your opportunity to sign up for a seat to work on your rya, create a design with my assistance, gather supplies, search through the discount bins, and just hang with other interesting people. If you have no project, I have been known to put you to work doing fun rya jobs to meet the studio needs.
If you have ever been to a Rya Sewing Circle, consider yourself invited. If you've never been but have been thinking about it, you are invited. If you've put your rya aside for years, this is a good day to bring it back to life.
I ask you to let me know if you are coming so I can stop the registration if it goes over 6 or cancel the event if only one or two sign up. It's most fun with several knotters. I'll be there to help you, and will be helping others at the same time.
Email me telling me about when you'd like to come between 10 AM and 2 PM. I will send you directions to the studio if you haven't been before.
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Keep Sending in those Photos of
YOU and Your Rya
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I want YOUR picture with your smiling face with your rya.
If you have put off sending a photo, please take a moment to add it to your to-do list.
I really, really want a picture of YOU and your rya.
As I was writing my rya book, I asked for and received many photos which were published as "The Many Faces of Rya" (pages 256-261). Now, about 8 years later, I think it is time to shine that light on YOU again. I would like to prepare a slide show of the nearly 1,000 rya rug makers I've connected with since the book came out in 2020. I'd like to post the slide show to my website, maybe Instagram, and maybe to run at shows and exhibitions to show everyone WHO YOU ARE... who makes rya rugs? It is for everyone!
Here is my request: First, consider this a personal invitation directed to YOU. If you've made a rya or many ryas, ask someone to take a picture of you standing by it, holding it up (but make sure your face shows), sitting on it, whatever. Name the photo with your name. Send it to me at byrdcallstudio@gmail.com as a jpeg file so I can open it. We will assume that since you are sending it, you give me permission to use it in a slideshow (or maybe a newsletter). In a slide show, it will be seen for just a couple of seconds, so don't stress over this. ;-)
Here is a random sample of a few pictures sent in the past month (or years!):
(I know looking at these is fun.... send me YOUR picture, please. byrdcallstudio@gmail.com)
| | | New "Grab Bag" Option for Designing | | |
In my Etsy shop I used to list grab bags of random colors that I would gather to go along with a 16"x16" rya backing. It was called a non-kit. It contained needles, but no design. The creativity was left to the creator. Often the yarn is from my vintage bin collection--mostly Swedish rya yarn. I am currently charging $50 for the yarn alone.
Due to popular request from weavers and people who already have a backing, I'm making the yarn available as is without the backing. You might want to buy a backing a different size or just play with other uses of the yarn.
Read about the details in the Etsy Listing at this link.
Here are some recent grouping which may or may not still be available
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Becky Zimmerman from DC
Makes New Color Rendition of Magnetism
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Becky asked me about making a new color rendition of Magnetism for her to make as a kit.
I originally designed Magnetism while working for my grandparents' company, Lundgren Rya back in my early twenties. I had about 5 different color combinations in Lundgren-only yarns--since that was all we had at the time.
In recent years, as the Lundgren yarns started to run out of certain colors, I stopped actively offering it as a design. But Becky's request and her delight in the new color combinations I put together with Rauma yarns for her made it all worthwhile to add a new color combo. And this is the final rya rug.
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The top threading card is a current version for the blue spectrum.
Magnetism in blues and blue-greens and Becky's choice in the middle. --->
The bottom threading card is very similar the the mix of blues and greens, but it is definitely more green.
| | | Best Way to Communicate with Byrdcall | | |
[This is a repeat from the last issue.]
Most of you have been in touch with me one way or the other for a decade or more, but I wanted to share with new folks the best way for me to communicate with you most efficiently.
Best Email: byrdcallstudio@gmail.com. Info@byrdcallstudio.com also works and comes right to my gmail address.
Contacting me via my Website: This works fine and goes straight to my gmail address.
Contacting me via Etsy messaging: This is fine for questions about Etsy purchases, but not so much for asking general questions that don't relate to Etsy orders. They monitor my message with algorithms and I must respond within 24 hours or they give me demerits that affect my 5-star rating. It's like having a "boss" looking over my shoulder. But definitely use their message system regarding an Etsy order.
Messaging me on Facebook. Please don't. I won't notice and will feel terrible when I notice weeks later.
Contacting me by Phone: All of my promotional info which I send out when you make a purchase has my phone number on it. During business hours, I welcome a call. But I must say that 90% of the calls I get are spam or junk calls. If I don't recognize the number, I'm not apt to answer, so LEAVE A MESSAGE. I will call back asap. If no message is left, I might assume it is spam and "block the caller." Sorry. I know you all experience the same thing and it is frustrating. Texting is OK (not great), but my friends and family all text, so I'm afraid of mixing up business texting with personal life texting and I try to live as disconnected as I can from "devices."
UPDATE: My phone has a mind of its own. If you call you might get a screening reply saying something like "Please give your name and reason for your call." Please do. I will either answer if I'm there or call you as soon as I see it is a legitmate phone call.
So, I'm here for you, but email is best so a speedy response and my ability to locate your past messages for reference. Thanks.
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If you don't have my book, why not buy yourself one as a gift?
I still have several cases of books to send out. I self-published so no one else is pushing them for me. Unless you do. And I thank you.
Do you know anyone who would enjoy this book? I would so appreciate your support of sharing my book with anyone who might enjoy it. If you know a shop that might like to carry a few books, I sell wholesale. Share with anyone who might appreciate the book. Thank you. Click here.
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Until Next Time, Friends,
I wish you peace and love this spring.
As usual, I am ending this newsletter with a walk through the yard and gardens around my house. I love to share the pictures of the season with you.
We are all aware that we are going through tough times now and in recent years. Sharing with one another and being in nature can help us through it.
Giving a sincere shout out and love to our friends around the world especially in Canada and the Nordic countries. We are all in this together.
Sending prayers for peace.
With love to you,
Melinda
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Thanks for reading all the way to the end
Stay connected. I'm here for ya.
Let me know if I can help you with anything rya.
And . . .send me a photo of you with a rya!
Sincerely,
Melinda
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PO Box 162
Woodbine, MD 21797
410-615-2473
info@byrdcallstudio.com
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