 |
| Stitches' Grand Opening |
Liam and I spent a little time going through boxes last weekend. We were looking for photographs of his mom (Jen), her mom (my sister, Lyn). In the process, I unearthed my scrapbook from when I owned my needlework shop in Fond du Lac, WI. I've been sharing photos this week in the Brynwood Facebook group (HERE).
I did write about the shop in one of my first Memory Lane Monday posts ages ago. HERE is what I wrote about it in February 2011.
 |
| Stitcher of the Month - August 1990 |
Each month, I featured one of my customers as "Stitcher of the Month". I had a table set up near the entrance to the shop, and that's where I would display some of their needlework along with the newspaper photograph of them. I loved that I was able to make each one feel special for "their" month. There were women and men who were featured over the years.
 |
| Laura and Me |
Laura and I have spoken often of our love for the shop, and nostalgia for those days. Sadly, I closed after ten years. I turned my focus to designing as I became Brynwood Needleworks, and running both businesses and traveling was taking its toll. I closed the shop and that wonderful chapter of my life in 2000. A year later, Handsome and I moved to Florida.
I'll be sharing photos from the scrapbook all week on Facebook. If you're not in the group, feel free to join and enjoy the memories with me.
I love this! Great memories.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
Hi, dear Marilyn:
DeleteThey are fun, aren't they? Did they jog your memory of time spent in the shop? I do miss those days. (I was a little younger, too.) sigh Thanks, old friend.
Hugs,
xoxo
Donna
These are fun to see. How I wish I could have visited your shop.
ReplyDeleteHi MA:
DeleteWhen we first opened the doors, I had brand new floral wall paper on the walls. It wasn't too long before I realized that it took away from the needlework and my wares. I had it painted over in a beautiful forest green (we already had green carpeting with light threads that gave it a tile effect, so they went together). It stayed that way the rest of time years I occupied the space. We mainly catered to counted thread, needlepoint, rug hooking, and crewel embroidery. It was a joy to go to work every day. I even had two leather wing-backed chairs, in case the husbands came into the shop - plus they were comfy on "stitch-in" nights. There was also a farmhouse table with benches so I had space for teaching, and a comfy spot where anyone could come in and just hang out and do their needlework. I liked to think of it like the old general stores where people could come and gather around the pickle barrel and chat. Lots of folks decompressed once they came inside. I think you might have liked it. Good times for sure.
Hugs,
xoxo
Donna
I enjoyed seeing more pieces of your past... I'm certain you had a lovely shop and wonderful relationships with your customers! Close to your shop's time, we had a local shop called Susan's Stitch and Frame filled to the brim with beautiful fabrics, threads, and yarns, as well as framing services for completed stitchery projects. Sadly, they also closed in the 90s with the rise of crafting store chains. There are still a few small stitchery shops in Lancaster County that have that special personal feel... a feel I'm sure your shop was overflowing with. You two look like kids in that last picture 😊 I remember wearing my hair similar to that. Seems like yesterday. OK. So, not really yesterday.😆
ReplyDeleteHi Lois:
DeleteI opened the shop in my hometown just as cross stitch was on the rise again. It was the perfect time. We had a framing agreement with a local gal, and I also found a finishing service, which really helped ladies get their projects professional done. I carried lots of different thread companies, including the overdyed fiber companies, which were new around that time, plus the old faithfuls (DMC, Anchor, Kreinik, and Appleton wools). Needleworkers had a lot to choose from. When Handsome suggested moving to Florida, I took my design business with me, but sadly closed my shop. Laura had wanted to purchase the business from me, but her husband at the time was against it. They ended up in divorce, but I don't think my shop was the reason. At least, I hope it wasn't! I was 38 in that picture, and Laura was just a month younger. Ahhhh. We were mere kids. lol You're so right. Those were the days.
Hugs,
xoxo
Donna
I'm really enjoying this scrapbook. Those needle art shops were the best, now they are few and
ReplyDeletefar between. But those sure were the days and so was all that fabulous hair.
Shirley
Hi Shirley:
DeleteI had fun going through the photos to share on Facebook, for sure. I know what you mean about the shops. There are lots of quilt shops, but I can only think of two great needleshops in this part of the state, and there at least an hour away. Good think I have lots left over from those days. I still call Laura when I feel the need to clear some of it out, and then she comes over for boxes filled with fiber and fabric goodness to use and share. I'm about ready to do it again! About the hair...I tried growing mine out last year, inspired by some of these photographs. My hairdresser and old friend, Wendi - plus Handsome - agreed, it made me look like a crone at my age. Once that was established after trying to grow it out for nine months, I went back to my short crop in time for the summer heat. We were all much happier, but it is fun to remember younger times, my dear. Thank you.
Hugs,
xoxo
Donna