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Byrdcall Studio, LLC
Rya Rug Revival
and Creative Arts
by Melinda Byrd
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Greetings from Byrdcall Studio | |
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
Through September!
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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.
The taproom at Milkhouse Brewery displays my art in many forms: paintings, woodcuts, linocuts, and of course some rya rugs.
In August, I offered three events for visitors at Milkhouse (as the artist in residence). This month please visit on Sat., Sept. 28th between 4 - 7 to see my artwork before it comes down off the walls and returns to my house and studio.
Mark Your Calendars if you are Local
8253 Dollyhyde Rd. Mt. Airy, Maryland
My show will run through September 29th.
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Passing the Torch Conversation | |
Another Bug for your Ear
In the last 2 newsletters, 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.
Speaking of "bugs" two-three weeks ago I had a spider bite and Lyme disease episode. I was totally out of commission for 10 days. Luckily I only had a few orders to fill during that time, but it further brings home the point that others out there--maybe YOU--could be selling rya supplies and helping others in need. Just a tickle in your ear.
Some people have expressed sadness at the fact that I am looking for someone to take the torch, but I see it as a very positive and freeing thing. I see many of you who are above and beyond in rya designing skills. I imagine you could start your own design sales (kits) and all rya supplies. You don't have to write the book--I've already done that. You'd would need to see yourself as someone who can help others with rya and maybe incorporate rya into other fiber arts for a more comprehensive offering. I've always called myself a one-trick pony in the fiber arts world. Imagine what a diverse fiber artist could do with keeping rya alive. Enough for now . . . are you feeling a buzz in your ear?
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Open Studio ~ Rya Sewing Circle~
Sat., Nov. 2nd from 9 - 1:00
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Let's get a rya sewing circle going! Whether you are a "regular" at these events 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 during those hours. 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@gmail.com. See you there!
By the way, let me know if you'd like to come to do "Studio Service Hours" like helping me make the sample cards. I'd welcome the assistance and it's much more fun with friends and music. No experience required.
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Show & Tell ~ Sharing with Others | |
Carol Solinger
Odenton, MD
Yes, you may have seen this beautiful rya last month before it was complete. But I just had to share it now that it is 100% complete.
She sketches her design ideas right on the backings and uses skillful color blending as she goes.
Look closely at this work. 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.
Carol knew rya before she met me. I could learn a lot from this artist. We all could.
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Almost done!
She has designed by eye as she progresses.
She used a 1 meter wide backing made by Taito Pirkanmaa in Finland. I cut it from the bolt to be proportionate to the stained glass.
If any of you want to design from an inspiration, let me know how I can help you. My book does exactly that, but I can help by phone or email if you want to run and idea by me like Brenda did.
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Brenda Barton
Van, TX
Sometimes, you all amaze me. Here is a good case in point. Brenda has made many rya kits. But one day she contacted me and asked about what's involved in designing her own rya.
"Melinda, a friend of mine has bought a small chapel and has converted it to an event center. The attached is a picture of one of the stained glass windows and I wanted to see if you thought this would work to convert to a Rya rug design. Let me know what you think. Thank you.
Brenda Barton"
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You may remember Buffy from last month's newsletter (click on August 24 Archives at the top of the newsletter).
She drew her Sea Star (formerly referred to as "starfish") directly on her 16" (40cm) Finnish backing woven by Wetterhoff. She used many shades of sand-color and ad libbed the color blendings. The loops were left uncut.
The judges at the Montgomery County Fair were very impressed--as I am.
Congratulations to Buffy!
I'd like to recommend more of you spread the word about rya rug making by entering your ryas in your local county fairs. Be prepared for the fact that they probably won't have a "Rya" category, but if you weave it, enter under "Weavings" and if you knotted/sewed it, enter under "Rugs" as Buffy did or "Hand-knotted Rugs." Let us know your experiences.
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From Buffy
from Common Ground on the Hill Class of 2024
"Hi Melinda,
I entered my piece in the Montgomery County Fair last week. It was hard to find a category, but this is a fair that always has an 'other' section for every division and class. I selected "weaving by needlework" as there was no Rya category. I didn't choose anything in the Rug category because it was so small I put ion a dowel and made it a wall hanging.
When I went to pick it up today it was in the Rug category. The man who released it was the chair of this category. There are only 30 entries permitted in that category. When he received it from "weaving," it was #30!
The comments on the back of the entry ticket were:
"nice even knotting...good example of Rya...needs to be attached to rug in the middle to have it hung properly because it was not hand woven, we shifted to Rugs"
I had fun in your class and am glad to have learned a new skill. Glad I bought a lot of supplies so I can do this again!"
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Zoe Willard
Sabillasville, MD
Zoe was also a rya student at the Common Ground class this summer. She was totally new to rya rug making, yet she designed this beautiful abstract landscape. Check out how she left her loops uncut on the sun.
"My inspiration for this piece was originally drawn to with the colors. I love rust tones and blues together and knew I wanted to use them in my rug. I’m an avid nature lover and thought the idea of layered mountains, or mountains/sea/sky would be a perfect way to incorporate both the colors and natural aspects that I love."
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Jordan Forrest
Jordan is an art teacher in the Frederick County school system (as is Zoe). She also was a student in the Common Ground class. (Go to last month's archives to see her rya in preliminary stages.)
She stopped by the studio recently to get a little bit more of one color so she can finish her rya. She'll probably be done by the end of the week!
Check out the long fringe she left at the bottom. 90% of the yarn she selected was from my vintage Swedish yarn bin. These are colors and rya yarns that are no longer made making this a rare and forever one-of-a-kind rya that cannot be reproduced in the exact same way.
Kudos!
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Anni Langsam
Kirkland, Washington
Anni recently shared this in the Rya Rugs Friends Facebook Group. It received a very enthusiastic response, so just in case you didn't see it there, you can see it here.
"Poppies for my daughter" she said
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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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You see? A fairly short and easy newsletter!
Some things to make note of:
- If you need any supplies, kits, or info from me, I'll be available until the first week of October--then taking a couple of weeks off.
- If you want to come to the Nov. 2nd Open Studio, mark your calendar, and let me know a couple of weeks in advance so I can hold a seat for you.
- If you are "local" stop by Milkhouse Brewery while my artwork hangs on the taproom walls. It feels good to have this rare showcase of such a wide variety of my work.
I want to thank all the people who contacted me after the last newsletter when I couldn't remember the name of one of my garden stroll plants: Wild Bergamot. It so nice to know so many of you are naturalists! I think I'll leave them unnamed this time around so my in-box doesn't fill too fast.
Thanks for staying with me through this newsletter.
Thanks for being such lovely people to spend time working with.
I'll leave you with a few photos from my garden strolls.
~ Melinda
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PO Box 162
Woodbine, MD 21797
410-615-2473
info@byrdcallstudio.com
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