Maine Fiberarts Showcase at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

We recently told you all about Halcyon Yarn’s Annual Open House on Saturday October 8th from 9am-4pm. It’s a great event that is certainly worthy of a special trip (we’re not biased). Nevertheless, we wanted to make sure you knew about other great events in the area in case you wanted to make it an extra special trip. We mentioned our Annual Open House coincides with our great city of Bath’s annual Autumnfest, in which the glorious season of autumn is celebrated in style. Well, now we have another special event to tell you about.

Just a little further up the coast in Boothbay the Coastal Maine Botancial Gardens will be hosting the Maine Fiberarts Showcase on Oct 1 & 2 from 10am-4pm. The showcase features demonstrators, displays, exhibitions and art/craft sales. Although the main event will be held the weekend before our Open House, the Fiber Art Exhibit will run Oct 1-10. So for a completely fantastic fiber weekend, plan a visit to Halcyon Yarn’s Annual Open House, then venture just a bit further up the coast to view the Fiber Art Exhibit at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens on Sunday, then back to Bath on Monday for our Day with Richard Ashford.

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Bath let us recommend one of our many wonderful Bed & Breakfasts. Both the Inn at Bath and The Benjamin F. Packard House offer a 10% discount to anyone coming to Bath for a Halcyon Yarn event.

Save October 8th…Halcyon Yarn’s Annual Open House

(See a slideshow of last years open house!)

When

It’s hard to believe, but it’s almost time for Halcyon Yarn’s Annual Open House. Each year on the Saturday of Columbus Day weekend we open our doors and welcome you all to a grand celebration. This year our Open House will be on Saturday October 8th from 9am-4pm. It’s a day many of our customers look forward to all year long. Why wouldn’t they? After all it’s our biggest day of the year.

What’s Happening

The shop will be filled with demonstrators showcasing different fiber arts such as weaving, spinning, knitting and felting. There will be the ever popular “stash bags”. All sale yarns and books will be further reduced for extra savings. *Plus, all purchases that day will receive an additional discount of 10%-25% off (to celebrate our 40th Open House one lucky customer will receive 40% off their purchase). Which discount will you receive? When you check out you’ll choose a red bag. Simply open your bag to reveal your discount. If you visit all our demonstrators that day you’ll get an opportunity to choose a second bag and use the larger of the two discounts.

Giveaways

Plus, in honor of Halcyon Yarn’s 40th Ruby Anniversary we’ll be adding an extra perk. Giveaways! Those of you who joined us for our Ruby Homecoming Party in July will know all about these great prizes. Once again we’ll have Noro books and yarn, special Ruby edition products and more. Here’s how it works, as you enter the store you’ll be greeted and handed a card. Hold on to this special card and present it to us when checking out. If your card has the special code – YOU WIN!

Fun in Bath

So make sure your Columbus Day weekend includes a trip to Halcyon Yarn on Saturday  October 8th. As luck would have it, our Annual Open House coincides with our great city of Bath’s annual Autumnfest, in which the glorious season of autumn is celebrated in style. The downtown will come alive with live music, artisan and food demonstrations, and  ”shop locally” rewards. You’ll find a Made in Maine Craftshow, scarecrow making, face painting and other seasonal fun activities. Make this a great family fun day in Bath!

*Offer only applies to items purchased in store. Not valid on internet or mail order purchases. Bulk price 3, floor looms and special orders are not eligible.

Rug Hooking Exhibit at the Farnsworth Art Museum to Include Work of Susie Stephenson

This fall the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland Maine will host its second textile show entitled Beyond Rugs! The show, which runs September  24, 2011 – February 5, 2012, will examine the contemporary world of rug hooking. The pieces featured will represent rug hooking artists from throughout the country. See how these innovative artists are changing the face of rug hooking today. Remember that Rockland is only an hour up the coast from Halcyon Yarn! So you’ll easily be able to fit in a visit to both in the same day.

Among the featured pieces will be the work of Susie Stephenson, Maine artist and author of Designing and Hooking Primitive Rugs. Susie, who describes herself as a primitive folk artist, is anything but ordinary. In fact, we would describe both Susie and her work as extraordinary. She is an inventive artist who creates all her own designs. Never being one to be influenced by convention, Susie is not afraid to break rules or try non-traditional techniques or materials in her work. The results are unique, one-of-a-kind, works of art.

Halcyon Yarn is pleased to have Susie Stephenson joining us this fall to teach Beginner Rug Hooking. This is a fabulous opportunity to take a class with a master rug hooker. Not only will you learn the basics, Susie will expand and challenge your viewpoint of rug hooking. Keep an eye out over the next few weeks as we add some video clips of Susie showcasing her rugs and introducing the basics of rug hooking with yarn.

Don’t forget to check out the complete list of classes being offered this fall at Halcyon Yarn.

Fall Classes at Halcyon Yarn

It’s amazing how one’s perspective changes with time. As a child and young adult I remember never wanting summer to end. The thought of going back to school and beginning new classes left me somewhat deflated. Now as an adult with the craziness life seems to hold, I long for the opportunity to step away for a few hours, a day or even a weekend to take a class, especially a fiber class. It’s a real treat. So although the children in your lives might not be excited at the thought of going back to school, I hope the announcement of Halcyon Yarn’s fall classes elicits a different response from you. Our newest class offerings are posted on the web for all to view and those of you who receive the class schedule in the mail can look forward to seeing it in the next week or two.

Jane Weir, our class coordinator, has been busily working behind the scenes to put together a great array of classes. We have quality instructors from near and far joining this fall. There are classes for felting, crochet, knitting, weaving, spinning and rug hooking. As always, if there is a specific topic of interest for which you do not see a class, remember Halcyon Yarn will create individual or group classes at your convenience.

In our newest class offerings we’re pleased to welcome a new instructor, Diane Christian, who will be teaching Landscape Felting on Oct 29th & 30th. Diane is an amazing artist. She employs both needle and wet felting techniques to create her inspirational works of art. To see samples of her work visit her blog at http://feltinspiration.blogspot.com/. If you’re inspired, don’t delay. Her class is sure to fill quickly. Sign-up for Diane’s class or any of our other classes on the web or by calling 1-800-341-0282.

A Great Homecoming Party

As many of you know, our Ruby Anniversary Homecoming Party took place Sunday the 17th of July. As I sit and reflect on the day I can’t help but smile. It was my sincere hope that this event would be a day to connect with our customers in a fun and celebratory setting. It was all that and more. I send a sincere thank you to all who shared in this event.
Customers came from near and far, California, Washington, Arizona, Michigan, Indiana, New York, New Hampshire… It just affirmed that we may all be from different places, but the fiber community in which we share creates a special bond that you rarely find elsewhere. For those of you who were unable to attend please take a look at our photo album. I think you’ll agree, it was a great day.

I will look back at these photos (you can see a nice big version of them as a slideshow on flickr) with fond memories. My 40th anniversary has given me cause to reflect. I have thoroughly enjoyed the past 40 years of bringing you all the best in fiber arts and look forward to continuing the commitment for years come.

I would love to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to leave a comment.

Fiber Dyeing Party

It was at Halcyon’s Homecoming Party when I began to think “this should happen more often”. Why not host a party of my own? Of course her party was bit more grand than anything I might host, but I was focused on the concept. That day I saw so many people with common interests sharing ideas, enjoying good food and each other’s company. I reflected on how our lives are enriched by good friends and our passions. Marry the two for the day, add some good food and you’ve got an unbeatable combination. But what kind of party?

Being a lover of all things fiber, I thought it might be difficult to decide. Luckily it was not. I quickly focused on a dyeing party. It’s summer time, so as long as it wasn’t windy, everything could be done outside. With perennials gardens in full bloom we certainly wouldn’t lack for color inspiration. Another great plus was the idea of combining different fiber interests. After all, we could dye wool yarn, fabric and roving, pre-felt, wool locks and recycled sweaters. What fun!

So the invites went out. Friends came with good things to eat and good things to dye.

Our basket of "goodies" waiting to be dyed.

It was a day to experiment so we tried a couple different dyeing techniques. I have an extensive library of fiber books so I pulled out my 3 favorite on dyeing. We used Teach Yourself Visually Hand-Dyeing , Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece - Dip-Dyeing, Hand-Painting, Tie-Dyeing, and Other Creative Techniques and  Dye One Knit One as our guides for the day. As for the dyes, one step update   Country Classic acid dyes for protein fibers helped us create glorious colors. Take a look at a few photos from the day. Over dyeing previously dyed, less than beautiful, skeins and light brown roving using the immersion technique.

Teach Yourself Visually Hand-Dyeing Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece - Dip-Dyeing, Hand-Painting, Tie-Dyeing, and Other Creative Techniques Dye One Knit One update

Hand-painted and steam dyed yarn that has been reskeined. It's patiently waiting to be woven.

A variety of dye techniques used with the coneflower as inspiration.

My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed the day. Now we need to get together and use these luscious colors.  I can already feel the creative juices flowing. Any fiber party plans in your future?

Here are the Country Classic Acid Dyes

Last Call for Ruby Anniversary Homecoming Party

Last call… This Sunday, July 17th from 11am-3:30pm, please join us for Halcyon Yarn’s 40th Ruby Anniversary Homecoming Party. We know we’ve been talking about it for weeks, but an event this big comes along just once. Halcyon, her family and her staff will all be there for this memorable celebration and we look forward to sharing it with you. After all, these 40 years would never have been possible without you, our customers. So join us and let us show you our appreciation. (Can’t be in Bath – check the next blog post to find out how to be entered into the prize drawings.)

For those of you who have read our previous newsletters, you’re probably well aware of the details so we’ll be brief.

• Live Fiddle Music with The Nequosett Duo

• Vendor Demos Cascade Yarns, Knitting Fever, Skacel, Harrisville, Wood turner Mark Irving, Kick the Moon Farm, Gowdey Reed and more

• Sheep to Shawl Demonstration – Led by Michael Patterson

• Yarn & Fiber “Tastings”

• Prize Drawings and Giveaways - winners will be announced every half hour

• Special “Ruby” Coupons

• Traditional Maine Luncheon of Lobster Rolls or BBQ Pork Sandwiches (a vegetarian option will be available too) from 11:30-1:30. Open to all, but a limited number of  tickets for lunch available so purchase soon. See our Homecoming Party page for details and to order luncheon tickets.

If you’re just hearing about our Ruby Anniversary Homecoming Party please see our Homecoming Party page or previous posts for more details.

Can’t wait for Sunday! Hope to see you all.

Join the Homecoming Party even if you can’t make it to Maine

Join us on Sunday for the Homecoming e-Party! We know that many folks are simply too far away to make it to the Homecoming Party, and you will be missed… But you can still be a part of the excitement! There are two ways we’ll keep you involved: First, we’ll be posting photos and videos of the event early next week. Second, on Sunday, on-line, there are several ways you can enter to win prizes.

And the prizes are: A Yarn Store in a Box 2 Skeins of Schulana 100% Cashmere Yarn and Skacel Lunch Bag (donated by Skacel) Halcyon Yarn 40th Ruby Anniversary Travel Cup update

Yarn Store in a Box Halcyon Yarn 40th Ruby Anniversary Travel Cup update

And the ways to enter:

• Get one chance to win for each $10 you spend online at halcyonyarn.com on Sunday, July 17th. Only requirement is that you leave a comment in the comments box during checkout to let us know where you want your chances to go – choose one or more items from the list above.
• Comment on this post (you must be reading the single post here to comment below) on Sunday, noting which item you’d like, and you’ll get one chance to win.
• If you haven’t already, “Like” us on Facebook… Then, on Sunday comment on our Facebook page, again, noting the item that you’d like, for one chance to win.

Remember, your on-line chances to win are only available on Sunday July 17th. Good luck and enjoy your Sunday!