Byrdcall Studio, LLC

Rya Rug Revival

and Creative Arts

by Melinda Byrd

Update on Byrdcall Studio

Good News at Last!

Hot off the presses!

Moments ago, I unpacked four shipping boxes of Norwegian yarn AND backings that had been tied up in "port" since December. I was told there were no backings in this shipment, but apparently that was not the case. I just unpacked all the yarn we have been waiting for and two backing sizes: 60 x 100cm and 80 x 120cm.

I JUST reactivated the listings for many kits and supplies in my Etsy shop and in my website shop. This is huge. Many of you have been waiting patiently for so long.

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.

My 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.

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 it has sold out and now there are 25 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.

On the Horizon! 2027 Gallery Exhibit of my Rya Rugs

in Chicago at the Swedish American Museum

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 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 casual opening reception. See you there.

My Woodcuts and Linocuts Now Available

at Moonshadow Collective in Sykesville, MD

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.

Last week, 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.

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.

Taproom Take-Over of Byrdcall Studio Art

in May-June 2026

at Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm

 Mt Airy, MD

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. I'm in! I don't have the exact dates yet, but look forward to seeing some of you there during the artist reception days and other visits. Check out Milkhouse Brewery at this link and pay them a visit.

The picture above shows some of the walls with my art from two years ago. I hope to have almost all new or different hanging works this time.

Fingers Crossed for Application Acceptance for MSAC Folklife Apprenticeship Grant

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.

Good News about

Open Studio Workdays

Next one is: Saturday, April 18th

10 AM - 2 PM ~ Drop in or stay a while

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. (If the apprenticeship is awarded, there will be two people to assist you with rya needs.)

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.



I have over 50 photos sent in since the last newsletter, but I want more. I want YOUR picture with your smiling face with 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:

(I know looking at these is fun.... send me YOUR picture, please. byrdcallstudio@gmail.com)

Talented Do-It-Yourself Designer

Joan Hurd from Rockford, Illinois



"This was my first solo project after doing Melinda’s fireflower kit. In spite of my creative cowardice, I followed advice in Melinda’s book to move through the steps of choosing a picture I liked, doing a rough sketch, transferring it to a grid, and then matching that to a grid I marked on my canvas. 

I was less systematic in yarn selection and regretted that by running out of some colors a few times and ordering some that I didn’t use. I’ll do better next time! I also learned that these yarns truly are special and can’t be substituted with yarns from my weaving stash. They just don’t hold up as nicely as the Rya yarns, especially after clipping. 

So, Melinda’s book also taught me how to replace whole or partial knots. Yikes! It was painstaking (but doable). 

The end result is a piece of art that graces my dining room wall and gets many compliments. I’m a new Rya enthusiast and planning my next project!"

Great job, Joan! You learned a lot and figured out it isn't always easy, but it does pay off in the end!

The Painting "To Life!" just sold

from the walls of the County Cork Wine Bar

in Eldersburg, MD

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 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.

I still have BOOKS!

Until Next Time, Friends,

I wish you peace and love as we head into spring.

Can you believe that yesterday was 80 degrees and this morning we had a snow storm that covered the entire yard white. It's cold, but most of the snow has melted. I keep going outdoors for the spiritual replenishment. I know many of you do too.

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.



We love you. Sending prayers for peace.

I hope you enjoy my garden pictures since I love taking them and sharing them.

With love to you,

Melinda

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.

Sincerely,

Melinda

PO Box 162

Woodbine, MD 21797

410-615-2473

info@byrdcallstudio.com