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Byrdcall Studio, LLC
Rya Rug Revival
and Creative Arts
by Melinda Byrd
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Greetings from Byrdcall Studio | |
Common Ground on the Hill Summer of 2024 | |
I always have a good time at the Traditional Arts camp on the campus of McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. This year was especially fun.
Teaching is an enjoyable experience for me after about 7-8 years teaching at Common Ground. I've been a student and a volunteer before I started teaching, so I have LOTS of friends I see one week out of the year.
When not teaching, I take classes. This year I took a dry felting class focusing on making 3 birds (See picture below), then a Wine Appreciation class before dinner. What's NOT to like?
After dinner, there are nightly Artist Talks in the Gallery followed by concerts by masters of traditional music styles.
Meet my students and their projects:
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In this photo, Sue is trying to decide if she want to use the ruler to keep her loops consistent or not. I teach both ways, though I personally don't use the ruler since it interupts the "zen of rya" for me. | |
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Zoe
Zoe chose a backing made by Wetterhoff in Finland. She designed her rya on paper, then drew it on the backing. Her color combinations were her favorite colors--not trying to recreate a photo image. With this type of backing you can choose to make a knot in every gap in the weave, or you can skip a space. She chose to skip a space. It is coming along beautifully. Hopefully she'll send me a photo when it is complete, and I'll share with you. Zoe is an art teacher in Frederick, MD.
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Penny
Penny took my rya class here last year. She designed and completed a beautiful black eyed Susan image. Then she came to my studio a few months later and got started on this fish design drawn on a vintage Lundgren backing. She was a helpful member of this class since she was the "seasoned rya rug maker." Thanks for helping other students as needed when I was tied up.
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Allie
Allie brought an image of a stained glass window featured in a Frank Lloyd Wright house as her inspiration for her rya. Her challenge was to recreate the image in selected colors within the confines of the graph paper and the number of knots possible on her chosen backing: a Finnish backing woven by Taito Pirkanmaa. In this picture her backing is folded in half, so it will be a nice size feature for her wall--like a stained glass window when complete. Allie is also an art teacher from Frederick. She came with art skills, and left with rya designing skills.
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Buffy
Buffy is looking forward to retiring from work soon. One of her goals this week was to learn new fiber art skills to enjoy in retirement. In addition to my class, she took Tyrrell Tapaha's knitting class and Navajo weaving. So she will be busy! She chose a Finnish Wetterhoff backing and decided to make knots in every knotting space. Focusing on the math was not an interest of hers, so she chose a perfectly good option of simply gathering the colors she liked and will "compose as she goes." She drew the starfish on the backing and chose exciting pinks for it. She had a collection of about 6 different sandy beige colors and textures for the sand which she combines as she proceeds.
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Sue
Sue brought to class a painting her daughter made years ago. It looked like misty mountains of Appalachia. Sue truly made it her own with her color combinations and adding just the right amount of "smoke" to her blues and greens. She drew it on the backing (made for Rauma in Norway). Sue had to miss a day of class, yet she came back strong and is well on her way.
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Jordan
Jordan put me to the test of being a good rya coach. She readily came up with a great design. She even used a laptop app that allowed her to display her design in three different color combinations so she could choose the one she liked best--and she polled other students for their opinions!
But the most challenging part (for me as teacher) was how to calculate how much of every color she needed since she had selected 4 different types of rya yarn all with different amounts on the skein and many of her threadings had more than one type of yarn in it. She actually took it home that night, used my formulas, and came back with what looks like extremely accurate amounts of yarn to gather for her project. She is well on her way and taught me a few things in the process! Did I mention that Jordan, too, is an art teacher in Frederick? I see a pattern here.
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Claudia
Claudia joined the class the day before it started. She was teaching the Pastel Painting class in the afternoons which allowed her to take my class in the morning.
She selected a Rauma (Norwegian) backing and drew concentric hearts on the backing. She tried various color combos and decided on these unique blends. (See photo in lead article above.) Although she drew on the backing, she kept the hearts symmetrical, matching numbers of knots on both the left and right sides of the rya. She completed her project on the last day of class! That rarely happens. Congratulations.
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Here are the three birds I made in my afternoon felting class. A bluebird, a Carolina wren, and a Chickadee. They are not actual size, but a good size for learning hands. I'd like to make more. Someday. | |
I was feeling a little down in the dumps not having Rauma sample cards to send to you. I printed up some high quality photos as replacement, but it is not the same. A few of you have gently ribbed me about not having the real thing. One woman (Anni in Washington state) offered to make them for me. So kind and generous, but what a challenging, horrendous job to do one at a time. And the logistics of having all the right snips in the right place.
So guess what? I'm making them now just until the Norwegian ship comes in. I make the Lundgren sample cards, so I have cards with perforations for strands. I just flip over the blank Lundgren cards and print out the number to match the holes...well, it is too complicated to even try to explain. I'll just say that when you buy my sample package or individual sample cards, you will be getting real samples as long as I can manage this. One sample card set takes close to one hour to make.
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Things are looking pretty good.
If you've been waiting for anything, check with me--I probably have it.
Things are GOOD in the supply department. I can prepare and send ANY kit you see in my Etsy shop.
We are well-stocked with all colors of Rauma Ryegarn and Prydvevgarn (except for one or two colors)
We have woven backings from Rauma in Norway, and Wetterhoff and Taito Pirkanmaa in Finland.
We still have 34 of the Lundgren Rya yarn colors in stock many at reduced prices in the Etsy shop.
Click here Etsy Shop Link for full samples package.
If you just want one type of yarn samples card, you can order them individually at this Etsy Link
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Rauma Prydvevgarn 328 yards (300 M) 100 grams (3.53 ounces)
100% Wool - Spelsau (modern); 200 strands/skein when cut
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Byrdcall Solo Art Exhibition at
Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm
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Did you know that I created art in many genres before I was hijacked by rya! Click here to see the wide variety of art I did back in the day.
I was overjoyed to connect with Milkhouse Brewery for a full taproom display of my art in many forms: paintings, woodcuts, linocuts, and of course some rya rugs.
Mark Your Calendars if you are Local
8253 Dollyhyde Rd. Mt. Airy, Maryland
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Artist Reception in the Taproom Sat., August 3 from 4 - 7PM Drop in. Check out my artwork and some of my woodcut blocks. I'll have a display rack of framable artwork to look through. I can share my beer recommendations with you. Live Music 5 - 8 PM "West Branch 3" Food Truck: 3 Daughters serving Mediterranean fare.
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Sketching Workshop at the Brewery Sat., August 10 4:30 - 5:30 Bring along a sketch pad of any size and a few pens or pencils. We will sit for a while and get pumped for the experience with pep talk and a few observation challenges. Then we’ll take a short walk to draw from nature and from the farm. If the weather is bad, we’ll move into the brewery. No stress—no embarrassment. No charge. Registration not required. We can accommodate the first 16 people who arrive with sketchpads. Adults age 12 and up.
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Rya Rug Making Demonstration (Or Rya and Bee-yah!") Friday, August 16th 4 - 6 PM Attention fiber artists! Stop by the taproom to look over my shoulder as I knot my current rya rug. Ask questions and maybe try making a few knots. Learn why rya almost disappeared for 30 years. Enjoy a beer.
My show will run through August and September.
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Passing the Torch Conversation | |
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Another Bug for your Ear
In the last newsletter, I shared my need for finding a torch carrier for the rya rug business and legacy. If you missed it, click on the June-July Issue and read the bug in your ear article.
I don't plan to elaborate too much today, but if you are in a position where you--or a collaborative group is considering making your mark in the rya world, start brainstorming the possibilities. Several people have told me they would love to . . . "IF ONLY they were 20 years younger." So just a tickle in the ear.
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Open Studio ~ Rya Sewing Circle~
Sat., Sept. 14 from 9 - 1:00
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As the weather is cooling down, let's get a rya sewing circle going! Whether you are a "regular" at these events or maybe you just took my class at Common Ground, or maybe you've been thinking about designing a rya or starting on a kit, this could be a good day for you. I can take 6 people max in my studio for a Sewing Circle. I ask that you email me to let me know you plan to attend.
Doors (and gate) open at 9:00 and close at 1 PM. You can come later or leave earlier. We don't have an itinerary and no class is taught, but I will be there to help whoever joins us to accomplish their goals and just have a good time. Bring your supplies including needles and scissors. If you like to bring snacks to share, that is awesome. Travel mugs welcome. No charge for the studio time. If two or less people sign up, we will cancel. This is rya people helping rya people! Email me at byrdcallstudio@gmailcom. See you there!
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Show & Tell ~ Sharing with Others | |
Carol Solinger
Odenton, MD
You probably recall Carol's amazing designs over the years. She sketches her design ideas right on the backings and uses skillful color blending as she goes.
Look closely at this work in progress. As I recall the backing is vintage Swedish with fringe and is about 4' wide by about 6' long. She spends her winters in Florida where she got it about 1/2 way complete. Now she is on the home stretch. Carol knew rya before she met me. I could learn a lot from this artist. We all could.
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David McKenrick
Cincinnati, OH
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Unless you are a NEW newsletter subscriber, you are probably familiar with David's work. We feature his rya creation at least 4 time a year since he is very prolific--and resourceful. I received this yesterday,
"I finished the round rug last Saturday, started 04/19/2024, 5 feet across, hard to calculate the amount of yarn needed. I’m lucky Vavstuga had the yarn because I needed to keep reordering. Once again the design was not mine, I saw an image on Pinterest and wanted to see if I could recreate. The image I saw was 9 feet across, cannot imagine the number of skeins of yarn and the time involved in that one. Greta [Peterson] had the backing which was already started. I removed all the red and had to do the bathtub wash. Water was very brown after first wash. It’s amazing the difference the color looks inside/outside."
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So David removed all of the red knots. (That is no fun at all--I know.) But sometimes you find a partially made rya on eBay, at a yard sale, or on Craigslist. People don't always know the value of what they are trying to get rid of. When you do, you do what you have to do to give it life. (CPR) David gave this vintage round backing the TLC it needed for a new and loved life.
I sometimes have some Asborya yarn made in Sweden, but I don't carry it regularly any longer. Vavstuga carries it--and it happens to be David's favorite yarn. Stay connected to Vavstuga for classes and Asborya yarn when you need it. No competition here. Rya folks help each other out.
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Arne Solbak
Lititz, PA
I would say that Carol, David, and Arne are among the most productive and skillful rya rug makers I serve. I've lost count of how many ryas they each have made.
Arne just completed this Rauma kit named Soldans. It has been a super hot summer in the mid-Atlantic area and Soldans definitely approves.
Arne completed Soldans in mid-July. Today he is starting on a new, and larger kit: View Across the Potomac! His wife, Molly, contacted me a couple of weeks ago and said, "I have been reading your newsletter and when I saw “View over the Potomac" I showed it to him who has viewed scenes across the seven seas where he has sailed as crew and master of many ships. He immediately said “Order that Rye and I will keep it here til Fall and the sun wanes and I need something to do.”
Molly told me today that Arne is not waiting 'til Fall. He is starting his new rya TODAY!
Link to Soldans Details on Etsy
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Have You Heard about the Book?
(A shameless promotion)
The hardbound books are starting to run low, but 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.
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That is all for now. If I forgot anyone, let me know and I'll add you next time. Thank you for reading all the way to the end! Stay well and safe. Keep on knotting or doing whatever artwork makes you feel wonderful. Teach the little ones.
Let me know if you are giving thought to the possibility of carrying the rya torch someday. info@byrdcallstudio.com
I'll leave you with a few photos from my garden strolls.
Thanks for being such lovely people to spend time working with.
~ Melinda
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Gypsy always at my side in the garden | |
No idea what kind of squash, but the bees like it. | |
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Joe Pye weed in its glory | |
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Aging Queen Anne's Lace that has reshaped into a "bird nest." | | |
Someone remind me what this is. ;-) | | |
Maryland's famous Black-eyed Susans | | |
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Yesterday I found the monarchs "sucking" on the dried white boneset leaves to derive medicinal benefits. (I've been documenting this behavior for three years now.
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John found this Monarch chrysalis under the eve of my Studio yesterday!
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PO Box 162
Woodbine, MD 21797
410-615-2473
info@byrdcallstudio.com
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