Helena Spring Craft Show

On Saturday I traveled two hours to Helena to try and give my Blue Zen skincare line some exposure. It was a long day.

Note the crazy eyes...

 

First off, set up started at 6:30 am. I was debating going up the night before and "motelling" it so I wouldn't have to leave at 4:30 in the morning. I decided I was tough and wouldn't spend the money. Coffee is my friend. I showered at night, set my alarm for 4am, and tried to get some sleep. Mia, my daughter, was coming with me.

At 5:24 Saturday morning, I was awakened by a puppy who needed to be let out to potty. I whipped upright and yelled, "SHIT!!" Apparently, my super modern, easy to set alarm clock didn't get set to go off on Saturday and Sunday, just the weekdays. Stupid easy-set alarm clock!

Anyway, I ran into Mia's room screaming something about being late. She was right up and dressed in 10 minutes. I was racing around the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen getting my ducks in a row to leave. By 5:59, we were out the door. We stopped for snacks and away we went.

I can't say I drove extra fast, but it only took me 1 hour 45 minutes to get to the Civic Center.

trying to look calm and cool

After a whirlwind set up I finally sat and relaxed. It ended up being a long day of hardly any traffic. But, I did make friends with some of the other vendors. We all agreed that this was not the best day ever for sales. Except for the guy with the amazing yard-art sculptures! Holy moly they were just practically walking out the door on their own. I would have bought one if I could.

I did, however, learn exactly how I want to set up my booth next time. I also learned what people like and what they don't like of mine. Good feedback. I made some friends and had a ball.

"Your lotion feels WONDERFUL!" *blush*

Mia was a big help. No whining, always smiling. She is becoming such a little lady, I have no idea where the time has gone. She was recruited to watch a booth while the owner took a break a couple times. She did a good job of being the smiling face and even made a transaction or two. 

The fair ended at 4 pm and by then I was exhausted and ready to go home. 

My confidence has been boosted and I can't wait for the next fair. I will be sure to double check my alarm. :-)

Surprise! Kids!

I had a plan for today. I was going to come home from work around noon thirty and spend the rest of the afternoon finishing up the readying for the craft fair in Helena on Saturday. I had more lotion to make, a couple of signs to print out, and some other last minute details I hadn’t gotten to yet.

But, Nature had other plans. Our big, fat, pregnant goat was overdue to have her kids and –Surprise!—they were born while I was working today.

I guess there are worse things that could have interrupted my schedule! Nelly is a great mother. When I got home it was pretty evident that they had only been born less than an hour ago. They were still quite matted and they were laying right next to placenta. Two of them were up and walking, while one was still receiving the royal licky treatment from mom. I think I actually squealed!

Butter and Lily, the other 2 goats in the pen, were running circles like they were celebrating. New babies! New babies!

I got busy checking on the kids, making sure they had all their parts and who was a girl and who was a boy. There are 2 girls and a boy. The last born is the smallest. She was concerning me with her funny leg and squished up stance. She didn’t want to nurse either. I gave her some Nutra Drench ~ a supplement for newborn goats that helps them get the energy get started nursing and walking.

Then there was cleaning to get done. I got rid of the placenta (YUCK!) and swept up the area where they were lying and laid down some new straw. Mom got fresh water and a big meal of grain and hay. She was pretty excited for that.

By the time I got done with that little baby girl was ready to nurse. She was screaming her head off, but mom was eating and not particularly interested in stopping. I picked up the little bundle and hauled her over to Nelly. After a few rather hilarious attempts, she finally figured out which end was the food end. When she’d had enough I put her down with big brother and sister to nap.

 

I suppose I still have a few hours left to get my fair together, but now I’m exhausted!

So, yeah, I’m going to be in Helena on this Saturday, March 31 for the Spring Craft Fair at the Civic Center. I’ll be bringing lotion, soap, and other arty goodies.

Spring is HERE! Sort of...

So, it is spring. At least, that is what the calendar says. You wouldn't really know it around here. Sure, the snow is melted, mostly. And the ground is thawed, mostly. But it sure isn't green yet. Or warm.

There is a goat due to burst here shortly. That is a definitely a sign of spring. (Note the ice that refuses to melt right behind her.)

So is the fact that spring cleaning is in full swing. Everywhere I look there is mud to wade through, poo and moldy hay piles that need composting, pine needles that need raking, pine cones and pine branches that need picking up, fences that need mending, compost that needs turning and things that got blown out of place by the gale force winds that accompanied the snow this winter.

In case you haven't noticed, NONE of that is clean work. Or light work because nothing is really dry yet. The ground may be thawed, but it is a soggy bog of mud. Each step makes an audible sucking sound. It's gross.

I will be so excited when the ground dries up a bit, things green up and bud, and I can see if my raspberries survived the goat attack last fall. Till then, I'll be outside with muck fork in hand. When it's all cleaned up, I may have to throw a party just to celebrate the fact that I'm done.

Snow Day!

After a strangely dry start to this winter Montana has received a healthy dose of Jack Frost’s best fluffy white stuff.
Yesterday morning we awoke to a fresh 2 inches of fluff. Just enough to freshen a dreary dead landscape.

The goat’s weren’t too put off by the snow.
In town, the trees took on an eerie quality. Their branches a high contrast jumble looking like dancing serpents.

And the snow kept falling all day. By the time we got home a good 8 inches had fallen on our neighborhood. We had to shovel a spot for our car before we could park!

When I woke up this morning, the snow had stopped falling. There’s over a foot of snow on the ground... and on our picnic table, and on the grill, and on the everything. So sorry, the barbeque has been canceled So has school and work. (shucks!)

It’s snowing again now. I wonder how high that pile will get? And what am I going to do with myself today? Time to play!

The End of the Beginning of Something New

There's been some strange whisperings here and there about the gallery. Something about a hairdresser... maybe an architect...

Anyway, the story is, the Artsiehorse Studio and Gallery is closing April 9th. I won't go into the gory details, but the short version is: I don't want to!!! But I'm very casually and calmly being forced to. Eventually.... So, I'm taking initiative and doing it sooner rather than later.

I know that's really vague, but this isn't the place for dragging people under the bus. I just don't do that here. But, if you call me, maybe.

So, I'll be packing up my studio (sigh...) and bringing it home again. Somehow in the short amount of time I've been in Artsiehorse, I've accumulated MUCH more STUFF. I'm not sure how I'll fit it all back into my shoebox studio at home again, but I'll try.

There will be one more First Friday opening that promises to be a winner. April 1st, Beth Martin, mixed media on velum paintings. So awesome! Come say hello.

There may be a big sale on everything come the last week. I'll let you know. I'd rather get these starving artists some money rather than just give them back their art. Artists really appreciate being appreciated monetarily. Complements are nice too. Just sayin'.

Prints by Elizabeth Claire Rose

I have a love affair with Etsy. I am always looking for new things to make me "ooooh" and "awwww" and Etsy is a great place for finding that.

So, one day while browsing Missoula artists I found Elizabeth Claire Rose. I was so impressed by her prints and photos that I asked her if she would like to bring a few by for the gallery. She said she would (yay!). Just yesterday brought me a huge assortment of prints: photographic, block, and intaglio. She has some greeting cards and magnets made of her work as well.

I would have asked her to write a bio like some of the other artists here in the shop, but she's on her way to Eastern Europe tomorrow and just a little busy getting ready. Maybe later.

Till then, you MUST come see her work in person.

Call to Artists!!

Ok. It's time to get this new year rolling along.

I'm looking to fill spots in the gallery for the First Friday art walk from February till June of this year. If you or anyone you know has an itch to get their art out into the world, please email me with three or four .jpeg images of the art that you would like to display to artsiehorse@gmail.com under the header: First Friday!

Any medium will be considered, though I have a special affinity for mixed media and fiber art...

The display area is 15' along one wall and 12' along another. The face of the wall is brick and mortar. If the work is 3 dimensional we have ways to accommodate a limited number of pieces.

My Entries for Living Arts Montana

A couple of months ago, friend of mine talked me into doing a donation piece for the Living Arts of Montana's 6th annual Light Show. She is a volunteer for the group and was recruiting artists. I had heard about this show from other artist friends of mine who had participated in past years. All had nothing but good things to say about the experience. Though, I really had no idea what Living Arts did or what the donation would go to, refusing a chance to include a piece of my work seemed insane! The Light Show is to be held on May 14 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Missoula.

So I had to get to know a bit about the organization to really know what this was all about about. I mean, I can't enter a piece into an auction that benefits something horrific. (Not that I thought it was...)

According to Living Art of Montana's website:
Living Art presents at local, national and international workshops and conferences and teaches classes for professional care-givers and at the University of Montana Social Work Department.
and:
Living Art works with other health care providers and organizations who share a common vision of creating holistic and integrative options for wellness.

(Living Art of Missoula's Website)

This year's Light Show theme is "An Evening in Red". I hadn't had much time to think about what I was going to submit what with the opening of the gallery and so many stinking holidays and events happening in the last bunch of weeks. So, now that things are more settled I thought hard about what that would mean to me, how I would capture it, what media I would use, how big it should be, etc. I've finally got a solid idea started.

Sneak peek at the sketch...

Yes, it is intentionally obscured. I'll post more progress pictures as time goes on. Now that the holidays are over, I'll have more time to devote to the studio (yaay!) and less pressure to create for fairs and for gifts.

The nice folks at Living Arts also invited all the artists signed up for the Light Show to exhibit in February one different piece of work in a group show. I think I'll include this one:

If you want to see it in person, it's in the gallery. Come on by!

Kelly Smith, a.k.a, Stella Latwinski

Just last May, Kelly finished graduation at the University of Montana, Missoula with a master's degree in Economics. She quickly found a job at an environmental consulting firm and her career was on its way. But, just months after her graduation, Kelly let go of her new career and chose to be a full time freelance artist and illustrator. She hasn't looked back since.

She has changed her working name to Stella Latwinski -in honor of her grandmother- in order to separate her artistic side from her Kelly-ness.

One of her characters, Unconventional Ida, has had a loyal following and has inspired an entire world of unconventionality.

Kelly's, er... Stella's, usual artistic M.O. is Sakura Pigma Micron pens and Prismacolor colored pencil on recycled wood block or board that she gets as leftovers from her father-in-law's cabinet shop. She has recently been expanding her canvas to include jewelry and Moleskine Journals.

Artsiehorse Studio & Gallery is ecstatic to be able to carry some of her wood mounted prints, Journals, and Greeting Cards!

Visit her at her website:
stellalatwinski.com

Spotlight on Pam Cozby

These beautiful fabric bowl sculptures are the work of Pam Cozby, another member of the TARTS fiber artist group out of Hamilton, Montana. Her work is entirely her own. With the help of a computer, Pam creates the patterns on the bowls from photos. Then she prints them onto plain white fabric to create one of a kind designs and finishes off with intricate stitching.
The result is absolutely stunning!

Every piece is a unique creation. There are boxes and vases, bowls and platter shaped designs. Some are fuzzy, and some are sleek. They all beg to be held.

Stop by and see what she has done lately...

Anita Mistry–Itsamistry Design Studio

Anita Mistry is a friend, as she would say, from the other side of the pond. Anita harks from Ashton-Under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, England and has graciously sent some of her divine handmade jewelry for sale here in the States.

Itsamistry Design Studio specializes in hand crafted jewelry, made mainly from sterling silver, combined with semi precious stones, artisan or glass beads, Swarovski or Czech crystals. Anita designs and custom makes a unique range of her own designs, where no two pieces of jewelry are the same or designs pieces incorporating client’s ideas and themes. The product range includes necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets and hairpieces and is now being diversified into cake jewelry.

Anita was also invited to submit a craft jewelry project recently for a National Craft Magazine about the Ananta Bead Necklaces (which are stocked in the Gallery!) and was subsequently asked to run a workshop in the USA and is further developing a series of workshops at her studio for adults and children from age 8 upwards.

See more of Anita’s jewelry, paintings, greeting cards and other artsy creations on her website. http://www.itsamistrydesignstudio.com/

On a Frosty Saturday Afternoon...

T'was a dark, cold, wintery, blustery, frozen solid Montana afternoon...

My fingers needed warming. The wool was calling me.
So I gathered roving and needles, scissors and foam mat.

And created some friends who wouldn't melt away any time soon.

Snowman Ornaments. Fun!

The Power of the Universe

Today I got the keys to my new downtown store... MY NEW DOWNTOWN STORE!!!
It's still empty as of today, but I have enough love to fill it up. And I hope to have enough art to fill it up soon too.

Story:
About 3 weeks ago I wrote here and on Facebook about my need to find my next "something".

Almost immediately a friend wrote me asking for help with a project run by the Missoula Cultural Council called the Missoula Storefront Art Project. It is intended to put life back into the windows of storefronts left empty by business that have gone under due to economic distress. This is to be done by having local artists install creative displays in shop fronts. This is intended to make the area look more upbeat and less deserted. More of a desirable place for new businesses to open. I was asked to organize the info from the artists with examples of what they planned to do. So far none of the buildings had art in the windows. I thought this was a wonderful thing to put my attention and focus on when I needed a good challenge.

That same week, maybe a day later, Michael, my husband was searching studio spaces downtown. No real reason, just for kicks. I have a small space for my quilting and art-making, he has the bedroom for his circuit bending and electronic music gear... he just thought it would be fun to have a place to go that wasn't "here" to be creative.

There were a few teeny tiny spaces available. Not much spectacular. But one really stood out. It was a huge basement studio with room for the both of us and attached storefront above. Both for rent. Both for not much more than the little studios he'd seen. Michael casually showed me the Craigslist ad. I don't think he was really serious, but for the price, the studio alone was worth looking into.

The first thing I thought was, rent the space for the studio below and just allow the shop space to be used for the Storefront Art Project. I didn't need it, but they did. It would be a good start to the program.

But it was nagging at me. The more I thought about it, the more I began to see the potential. What if I really could get into a new line of business? Could I be a successful art gallery owner? I ruminated over it for a couple of weeks before deciding that, yes, I would try this! The lease is only for 3 months because the last person defaulted. I could see what happens in 3 months and go from there.

I went and looked at the space last Thursday. It was in rough shape downstairs, but upstairs in the shop it was nice. Really all it needs is some paint and good light. I wanted it. BAD. I brought her a deposit the next day and today I get the keys. This is happening very fast.

Tomorrow I meet up with the first Storefront Art Project artist. I really can't believe this is happening. I must be out of my mind. I've already filed for my licensing and have started buying fixtures. THIS is what happens when you ask the universe for a challenge.

Pictures soon!

No Maps on the Career Path

I need to move on. I need a new direction. A new horizon, a new job... but not any ol' job. I need something that will inspire me to smile or whistle while I work. Something creative. Something I can feel good about. Something that I want to do when I get up in the morning. Something that will contribute to the happiness of other people or animal's lives. I do lots and lots of things that fit these descriptions on a daily basis, but the point I am making is that I need the things I do to PAY ME!

Cleaning houses is a fine job. For someone of a heartier constitution, it may be a lifelong career. It pays well, the people are generally very happy you are there to make their lives easier, usually no one breathing down your neck so you are free to work as you please. BUT! I have been having physical issues that complicate my work. Back pain, joint pain, dizzy spells, and low blood sugar have been making work uncomfortable lately. Well, for a while actually. I just am getting fed up enough about it now that I'm whining. Audibly.

Let's brainstorm ways Melanie can make money creatively:

Etsy

My etsy store has sold a whopping nada since I opened it. But that could because I've neglected it horribly since I listed my first 18 items. I hear tell that the pictures on an etsy page will make or break a store. The pictures not taken by me are just lovely. I hired a photographer friend of mine to photograph some of my work for my etsy site on trade. (I still owe her a set of gloves) The ones I took are hideous and don't show the products in good detail. My camera gives me a case of the "goddammit"s. I just can't get the lighting right. So, I haven't listed anything else since because I have only gotten crappy photos. I think my crafty things are better appreciated when held in your hand anyway.

I think the whole etsy thing is not for me. I spent more time online than making things to put online when I started it. That's not really productive. I'll keep it up and probably will add things here or there, but it's not going to be a full time pursuit.


Craft Markets

My husband has suggested I take my creative vomitings to the local arts and crafts markets on Saturdays throughout summer. I suppose it's a start, but it's hardly a full time job. I mean we just bought a house! I need a regular income! Once a week for 20 or so weeks is not going to feed us year round. I may give it a shot next weekend... but what would I sell? There's my knitting, quilting, stuffed critters, dyed fabric, paintings, drawings... where do I focus? That's like asking an amphibian to pick land or water!

I'm not a very fast knitter, which makes keeping a full inventory difficult. Though, people do really like the things I make. I've had numerous requests for my gloves and hats. Sideline maybe? But not my main focus... I just wouldn't make enough off of it.

I've not been doing much in the way of painting or drawing lately. The "good stuff" comes in spurts of creative genius (HA!) with lots of crap in between. Not good for making me rich either. No one wants crap.

I LOVE making my little tater stuffies! They are so fun. I really just want to keep them when I make them. And set them on my bed. And talk to them. But I've yet to sell a single one... I don't know if anyone else is as crazy as I am about armless furry things. Maybe I'll push them for a while and see where it takes me. Maybe.


Art quilts are fun. They are fantabulous to make. I really enjoy the process of dyeing, printing, hand sewing, and touching all that fabric! But I don't know if there's really a market for them. I seem to have a ton of them on display around town and have sold 2 in the last year. I suppose that's better than the big fat zero etsy sales.

Something Completely New

I've recently toyed with the idea of doing something new. Daring even. Like opening a gallery/studio space for other artists ala the Ceretana. I have ideas on how to run things in a more professional way than how they were run at the Ceretana. Things there didn't run all that smoothly at times... but that's another story. There are many open store fronts downtown and a ton of artists in this community who need space to work and exhibit on the cheap. With maybe a small modest shop for selling arty/crafty things too. I think I'd focus on mixed media and sculpture since that is a niche that seems not overly full in this town.

This all takes money though. And I am not exactly rolling in it. I could share responsibility with other like minded artist types or business folk. But do I want it to be a co-op or a profit driven environment? Do I want to let other people have a full share? I'm not really sure I'm that trusting or giving. But then, if it were a co-op and it failed... it's not JUST my fault and it's not JUST me who loses. I'm not thinking failure right now though. I want to succeed!

Fact of the matter: I must start something. Soon. I can't wait forever.

BAAAAA!

I got a goat.

She's the cutest thing. 3 years old, a Nubian, Saanen, Alpine cross, has milk, likes her belly rubbed, walks on a leash... sort of.

Why on earth would I do such a thing, you ask? Well, it all started when I learned to knit. I was reading up on the kinds of fibers there are, how much they cost, where they come from, etc. I had also just learned to dye fabric. So an idea sparked. "Hey! Wouldn't it be cool to learn to spin and dye my own yarn?"

I began to research Angora goats and their care. I figured mohair would be the way to go. It's shiny, warm, not too scratchy and I've always liked goats since I was a kid. While I was

researching, I noticed that Angora goats are kind of funny looking with their long curly coats. Not to mention once they're shaved; they look like trimmed poodles! But they can't help it, right?

I looked up goat breeders and the prices for a full blooded Angora goat is not what I expected. I was looking and expecting for around $75 or less. Like the other random goats I've seen in the paper. I was finding them for as much as $500! So, my goat search was put on hold for a while.

Last October I made the difficult decision to sell one of my 2 horses. It was difficult because I didn't NEED to sell him, and he was the best mannered horse... most of the time. But, circumstances did make it necessary for Joker to find a new home that was a better fit for him.

That left Spirit alone and lonely. She's been alone for almost a year now and seems quite content most of the time. She gets lots of attention from the kids and me. But it's not the same as having her herd with her all the time. Some one to bat flies with, someone to scratch itchy spots with while lounging under a tree in the lazy part of the day. So, I thought about goats again.

Goats have historically been kept with horses as companions. They actually will form quite strong bonds. But I couldn't bring myself to pay extravagant amounts for a goat. I'm not sure why I'll pay thousands for a horse that will not bring any physical value to the household, but not a goat who would. It really isn't logical.

Then I found a book called Goat Song by Brad Kessler at the library. It's a memoir about a change in lifestyle from New York writer to Virginia goatherd. I fell in love with his milk goats. I fell in love with the idea of providing sustenance to my family by caring for and being cared for by a goat. Not to mention that dairy goats are much more normal looking than Angoras!

So, I made half hearted calls to people in the paper advertising goats for sale. I bookmarked Craigslist ads but never replied. I hadn't actually been around goats for a very long time and was a bit nervous about this new creature coming to live with me. Every kind of animal has it's own quirks and characteristics to get used to. I know horses, dogs, cats, iguanas, chickens, lots of animals! Goats have always been someone else's animals, I've never had to deal with the day to day of goat care or goat behavioral issues (of which I'd heard a few stories). And would I really be up to milking a goat? Daily?

This last weekend was the last weekend of the Western Montana Fair here in Missoula. Of course we had to go and ride some rides, eat some good tasting bad food, watch the rodeo, bet on horse racing, and get our eardrums burst by the demolition derby. And the animals. I have to go through the animal barn.

There were goats in the animal barn. About 20 of them. And some of them had for sale signs on their pens. All of them were so friendly. A few were practically climbing the gates to get scratched behind the ears. One little floppy eared black goat was batting her eyelashes and being coy, then she'd lay her head on you when you got close. She was not for sale. I'd have put her in my pocket and run off with her if no one was looking!

I had a conversation with the mother of a 4H family about their goats and she told me all about them. I pet all the curious faces and scratched behind all the horn bumps.

I asked her if any of hers were for sale. Yes, 2 were. A milk goat named Cutie Pie and a yearling boy named Sarge. I already knew I didn't want a male if it wasn't castrated. They can be pretty horny, nasty buggers and I just don't want to deal with that! How much was the girl? $35. She's "just a crossbred" so she's worth much less. Oh, my. I think I found myself a goat, I thought to myself. Before I really thought too much about the decision I wrote a check.

I made arrangements to pick her up, we swapped phone numbers, and I was on my way to find my husband to tell him what I'd done. Luckily, my husband is an understanding guy.

The nice 4H mom showed me how to milk her when I came to pick her up. I'm not really very smooth at it yet, but I'm getting better.

Cupie (short for Cutie Pie) has been here for only 4 days but already I think she's part of the family. Spirit is certainly enamored of her. She's been trying to groom her, but Cupie is still a bit overwhelmed by the size of her new roommate.

So, I guess spinning mohair isn't going to happen right now. That's ok. I just have to learn how to make cheese.

Holiday Bazaar

I have been working my fingers to the bone to get ready for the Ceretana Holiday Bazaar. I've been knitting, felting, quilting, making papercloth, painting, drawing... yup, to the BONE! It is on December 4th during the ususual Missoula First Friday events. I figured that I had so many extra art and craft supplies around that I had better start making something out of them and maybe even try to make some dough from them.

But I'm not the only one working hard to have tons of pretty things ready for the Bazaar. Kim Shirley has made cards and posters from her wonderful original watercolors, Patricia Thornton has tons of artworks and her lovely Manny pillows ready, Don John Linton will have some of his amazing photo prints for sale along with so many other artists and crafters!

There's going to be an art raffle and a Cheap Art Salon for artists to sell their "mess ups" and "practices" on the cheap. All art in the Cheap Art Salon will be $1 - $20.

Here's a preveiw of what I will have for sale:a smattering of fingerless mittens,

a few warm scarves (this one's camelhair/wool!),

a dash of papercloth in the form of ornaments,
a couple cute felted purses,

and more to be seen!

Summer Retreat

The Gardners have just returned from our summer getaway at Camp Tuffit on Lake Mary Ronan. It was beautiful, even when it was raining and thunder storming.

There is a nice sense of community to the camp. There is a shop, a cafe, a nightly hosted campfire, cozy, fully appointed cabins and a friendly staff. Most campers have been there years in a row. It actually is hard to make reservations because most families have a "standing" reservation. This is our second year. We had to wait till someone canceled last year and plan on booking every year for at least one weekend now that we're IN. Some families have been going for generations.

The lack of water in the cabins is kind of quaint. You have to lug buckets into the kitchen and use big basins to wash dishes. There's a lot of water chucking going on in the mornings out the cabin back doors.

I think the thunder and lightning added a little mystery to the camp. Especially when my 11 year old daughter went out on a boat with friends and then the lightning started right over the lake. It was a mystery to me that I didn't panic too hard. The moment they got back to the dock a huge clap and flash went across the far shore. Yikes!

The rain was intermittent but forceful. Bright sunshine mingled with drenching downpours. It was actually kind of refreshing.

I brought a knitting project to keep my hands busy in case the fishing was bad.

And it was.

But the knitting was good! It spawned a conversation with a wonderful woman with a wonderful name. Melanie Cross. One of the awesome people who work at the Camp saw me knitting and told me about Melanie. She owns a store in Kalispell Montana called Camas Creek Yarn. I struck up a conversation with her around the campfire. She is such a cool lady! In addition to some pointers and tips for the bag I was making, I got a "free sample" button for the front. A 2-inch abalone square. NICE!

So when I got home I immediately checked out her website www.camascreekyarn.com and the store is amazing. She and her husband Andy took an old historic storefront and restored it to the original brick walls and ornate ceiling. And her yarn selection is unreal! She carries yarn of all types- hemp, wool, mohair, silk, cotton, blends- from all over the world. Tons of books, patterns, and classes if you are lucky enough to be nearby.

I'm definitely going to stop by and shop... and say hi to my new friend.

In stitches,

Mel