a96d4033-3066-41a9-8126-fd888ed27418 image

Byrdcall Studio, LLC

Rya Rug Revival

and Creative Arts

by Melinda Byrd

Visit Our Website Shop

Greetings from Byrdcall Studio

Cheers!

I hope you are all well and coping effectively with all the things happening in the world. I'm happy to just sit for a few hours with you in spirit and share a big part of my world.

If you read my newsletter regularly, you know that I've been searching for someone to take on my responsibilities fulfilling your rya rug needs and feeding your creativity--someone to take over the supplies, kits, and service of sharing them with you. The search isn't yet complete, but I've been busy preparing and laying the groundwork diligently. I'm optimistic!

In May, my husband and I took off about 3 weeks to travel in Sardinia and Umbria, Italy. Thank you for holding off on your orders since I closed my Etsy Shop and website shop. I'm back in action and helping where needed.

Getting ready to teach at Common Ground on the Hill. Treat yourself to this last chance for my rya class anywhere--hard to believe, I know. Read all about the class. There is still time to sign up and I guarantee you'll have fun and surprise yourself with what you learn in a one week class. Read more below....and Off we go into the more complete stories. Stay with me.

Fill your mug, sit down, and enjoy. There is something for everyone here.

Relax and come along for the ride.

~ Melinda

In this Issue:

Some very important things for you to know.

Shout out to Carroll Community College for business assistance
Open Studio: Sat, June 28 10 AM-3 PM
Great deals on Corky's Stash
Show and Tell Time: Great Sharings!
New Painting "To Life!" now available on Greeting cards.
Last Call to Sign up for my Rya class at Common Ground on the Hill
Closing Words and a stroll through the gardens

Note: Be aware that your email may only open the first 1/3 of this newsletter. It might say "click if you want to see the whole newsletter." Click, so you don't miss anything.

c6473b40-a0a4-463c-942a-6012d25260d9 image

Melinda Byrd

Owner

Save the Date!

Open Studio

Woodbine, MD

June 28 10 - 3:00

(Weeknight July 1st

5-7PM also option)

Registration Appreciated

Ask me questions

Work on your rya projects

Gather Discounted Yarn, Cards, books, Framed art

Newsletter

Shout Out to Carroll Community College Miller: Resources for Entrepreneurs

I was recently featured in a Miller Case Study. See article at link below.

I've been very fortunate to have the service of my local community college to help me as I was first forming Byrdcall Studio. I attended some business management workshops and made appointments with Tom Mazerski, Director of Miller for specialist counseling towards the success of my business. He has been very helpful. Carroll County Entrepreneurs, take advantage of these great services--many of which are free.

Read the Article about Me in recent CCC Newsletter

Open Studio ~ Drop In Day

Sat., June 28 from 10 am - 3:00 pm

Impulse-Buy Rya Supplies

To all of you who have participated in the Rya Sewing Circle over the past 10 years, I invite you to drop in. Hand-pick supplies or dig through the vintage discount bins .

This is an invitation for anyone who is in the area and wants connection with rya folks, supplies, guidance, or to do some shopping. RSVP if you plan to work on a rya project so I can save you a seat.

info@byrdcallstudio.com

Studio is located at

1103 Hoods Mill Rd. Woodbine, MD

Come see your old knotting buddies and stock up on supplies for your stash--especially the discount vintage ones.

Bring a rya in progress and knot a few rows with buddies
Select a backing and some yarn for your next rya
Pick up a ready-made kit (Let me know in advance so I have time to get it ready for you.)
See the little-known artsy items I have all over the studio that no one ever sees but I would love to watch you discover!
Pick up a rya backing strip, some yarn, a needle, and make a decorative rya dog collar. $25 and I'll personally help you get started.

Registration is not required, but let me know in advance if you want me to prepare a kit for you.

Or just email to say you are coming so I have some idea how many people to expect. Thank you.

If several of you want to come but are not free that day, we could pick a weekday evening to open the studio doors for visits and purchases.

How about Tuesday, July 1 from 5-7 PM?

What's Available in Corky's Stash?

In the past two newsletters (see archives at top) I shared how I purchased a large amount of Rauma Ryegarn and Prydvevgarn from a weaver friend/customer who was no longer able to weave due to health issues. I had hundreds of skeins to share with you at discounted prices. I am happy to report that you took advantage of the offers and now I'm down to two partially-filled bins. Stop by June 28th to gather yarn or just ask me with your next order (in the coming month) to substitute from Corky's stash where possible.

Feel free to email me to describe yarn you'd like from these photos

Show & Tell ~ Sharing with Others

Carrie Langsam

from Moorpark, CA

Carrie did an exceptional job with this Fireflower kit. It is a very popular one I sell on my Etsy shop and on my Website. This is the Blue-Green version.

I'm sharing this because it was made with excellent blending of the colors offered in the kit. This is a kit where you have some color choices to make within a color bundle provided. All are different from each other in the end.

Jeanne Jacobson

Kennett Square, PA

This remarkable woman who also bought rya rug supplies from my grandparents back in the 1970s is still going strong. Check out the last newsletter to see her work in progress. This is a 31" x 47" backing.

Jeanne is also known as the "Chicken Lady" to be the first one to make a beautiful chicken on a rya backing. If you don't believe me, look here!

David McKenrick

Cinncinati, OH

I shared this on my opening paragraph because it is so unique. David is a fan of Charley Harper's work as many of you are. This turned out so beautifully.

He did most of the work on it while on vacation at the beach.

Sad to Share the Passing of

Arne Solbak

If Arne looks familiar to you, it is probably because he has been a featured rya knotter in the newsletter for many years.

I am very sad to share that Arne passed on April 23 at the age of 93. He made a rya for every member of his family--and more. From Norway, he spent most of his life working on the seas after starting his career with the Royal Norwegian Navy in 1950 when he made his first rya rugs. I'm am happy to have known him over the past 10 years or so, and his wife, Molly, who made sure he always had a rya project in his hands so he would be happy.

I met him and most of his family a few years ago. So sorry to lose him.

"To Life!" Greeting Cards

I shared this new painting with you in the last newsletter. As many of you requested, it is now available as a nice quality greeting card with envelopes. Boxes of 8 cards and envelopes cost $20. That comes to $2.50 per card which is hard to beat. The card is blank making it perfect for an all around Birthday, Cheers!, Congratulations, or Thinking of you note. Available on my website.

See more details and pictures in my Etsy shop

LAST CALL!

I'm Teaching at

Common Ground on the Hill

July 7 - 11, 2025

Last Chance to Register for my Rya Class at CGOTH!

I still have room for you!

As mentioned above, I am looking to pass the rya torch, so this will be my last year teaching Rya Rug Making at Common Ground. (I might teach something else.)

Don't put off signing up if you are thinking you want to take this class "some day." There is no better way to immerse yourself in a weeklong program. Plus there are hundreds (?) of other classes you can sign up for.

Hot off the Press!

Mark your calendars if you are so inclined.

Every year, this is a highlight for me and my students. Morning classes from Monday - Friday learning everything you can learn in a week about knotting a rya rug. I tell ALL.

Feel free to ask me questions if you have any.

Check out their website for basic information and to register.

Don't miss this opportunity.

Have You Heard about the Book? Of course you have.

I still have lots 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 .

And a Few Closing Words

Rya Friends,

I know many of you will go to my Etsy shop after receiving this and you'll find it temporarily closed since I'm leaving tomorrow to visit my three sisters and their husbands in Nantucket. A family reunion! I'll be back "to work" late Monday. Don't give up on me.

You guys are my rock. I enjoy your comments, emails, and Rya Friends facebook posts so much. It makes my day to know that you are sharing with each other whether I am there to "moderate" or not. Keep it up. You each are unique and make the world so much more interesting. Keep it up. Giving a sincere shout out to our friends in Canada. We love you.

And though life has been hectic and challenging at times over the past months, I always refresh my mind by taking a walk through the yard or at the parks (Note: Beware of ticks!).

Get out in the garden or woods or wetlands to refresh yourselves. We are all in this together. Join me for a stroll around my yard today.

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