Hello!

.

We attended Convergence in Vancouver at the start of August and had four great days. The interest in Tencel was amazing which kept us very busy for the entire show. Things slowed down a bit on Sunday so we were able to check out the rest of the supplier room and some of the special exhibits

The Fashion Show on Friday evening was outstanding , both from the point of view of the excellence of the garments and the professional staging. We found it very rewarding to see the entries in the show that had been dyed and woven using our yarns. The transition from skeins to garments bordered on unbelievable.

Another bonus at Convergence was the opportunity to meet for the first time many of our customers that live in the west of the lower 48, Alaska and Canada. We also had a chance to say hello to many people we first met at MAFA as well as a lot of folks from closer to home.

When we made a donation for the prize draw we were given a choice of different groups. Appreciating the hard work by many of the Textile Tides volunteers, we asked that the our donation be for the volunteer draw. Marie and I were pleased that one of our customers, Lynda Cavens from Roberts Creek, B.C. was the winner.

We also made a yarn donation to the Complex Weavers Seminars. Congratulations to winner, Doramay Keasbey.

On the Monday after Convergence Marie and left for Alaska on a combination cruise and land tour. As our friends who had taken the trip told us, "unbelievable". We arrived back home with a hand full of back orders which have been shipped and are now getting ready for the fall shows.

Don & Marie

[To Top of  Page]

Lantern Moon

As luck would have it, beside our booth at Convergence we discovered a wonderful array of lovely soft baskets. We needed something in which to display our hand-dyed and hand-painted Tencel and were offered a few of these baskets on loan. They fit the bill beautifully! During the course of the next few days, we had some time to talk to the owners of the Lantern Moon company and watch the enthusiasm of the many weavers and spinners who passed by. Soon we also noticed that several shoppers were actually using their purchased baskets to carry the treasures they had uncovered during their search of the vendors' booths. This basket style is unique in that it can be a bowl shape when partially folded in on itself, or more of a lantern shape with handles.

While talking with Sharon Woodcock, she explained that her family had lived in Vietnam for four years. During that time she became friends with two Vietnamese women who established a small social welfare program twelve years ago. They were trying to help the women of the village provide an income for their families without having to leave for the city and become involved in low paying or unsavory activities. A secondary goal was to revive the traditional cultural handcrafts of the area. These multi-use baskets are hand woven from naturally occurring and sustainably harvested reeds. They are not produced in a factory, and are made the same way they have been for hundreds of years. The reeds are dyed in the village and woven by the women in their homes. Lantern Moon baskets are now allowing these Vietnamese women to remain in their own village and work from their homes while earning enough income to help provide for their families needs.

Needless to say, Marie fell in love with the baskets and when she heard the background story of the company, felt this was definitely a worthwhile product for us to become involved with. There are 2 sizes available, 14" or 18" in diameter and they are either a plain natural reed colour or have a brown diagonal pattern woven across them. (see illustrations) They are ideally suited to yarn and fiber storage. See "What's New" for prices.

[To Top of  Page]

Mill Happenings….

Things are in transition at Studio 18 at the Mill. Marie sold the Leclerc Colonial just before Convergence in preparation to move in the Leclerc Nilart 45 " - 12 harness compu dobby purchased in the spring. In the meantime the Mill studio has the Harrisville 36" - 8 harness warped for some experimental scarves.

Lots of special events are scheduled through until Christmas. First is "From Mind to Hand", October 5 and 6th, with an accompanying Gallery show that runs Oct 2 to 14th. This is the Annual Fall Event at the Mill and is part of the Headwaters Art Festival. "From Mind to Hand" explores the journey from concept to finished piece in the many mediums found in the various studios at the Glen Williams Mill complex.

Marie and Josette are working on new jackets for a Gallery Show at the Mill opening November 16th. Details in the next issue.

[To Top of  Page]

What's New & Coming!

Lantern Moon Baskets - We brought back from Convergence a sampler order of the Lantern Moon baskets featured on top of this page. We will have them at the three Fall Shows we are going to attend and plan to take a look at suitability for mail order shipping. Introductory prices are $39.95 for the 14 inch diameter size in either Natural or Eggplant. The 18 inch diameter size is priced at $59.95 in either color.

Mill Dyed Rayon Chenille- Five of the popular 1450 yd/lb. colors we sold out are now back in stock; Godiva, Havana, Nutmeg, Terra Cotta and Wine. We also have a new color-Pasture which is a great dark olive green shade. All are available on one pound tubes.

[To Top of  Page]

Spinning Wheel for Sale…..

15" wheel, upright, large and small flyers, easily portable, $150. Call Sue Smart 905-542-3355 e-mail ssmart@pathcom.com

[To Top of  Page]

Here are the shows we are planning to attend in 2002!

• September 21 Five Counties Seminar, Milton, Ontario
• September 28 OHS Southwestern Region Seminar-Leamington, Ontario
• October 19 OHS Central Region Seminar, Cobourg, Ontario
  

[To Top of  Page]

September/August Special

"Be a Dyer - Starter Kit"

Late last year in response to comments at shows like " I just love the color of your yarn, I wish I could dye my own yarn", we created the "Be a Dyer-Starter Kit" promotion with G&S Dyes.

We were told the promotion in November and December was too late to complete Christmas projects. This year we decided to offer the promotion earlier so you can have lots of time.

Dyeing or hand painting yarn is a lot easier than most people think. With just a little practice you can achieve just the color you want, including variegateds. To make your first yarn dyeing experience a success here's what you get:

G&S Procion MX Starter Kit with:

• 25 gm dye: Yellow, Turquoise, Fuchsia and Black.
• 250 gm Sodium Carbonate
• 200 gm Urea
• 60 ml TNA Soap
• 1.0 kg Sodium Sulphate
• 120 ml Raycafix
• Basic Mask
• Instructions for Batik, Tie-Dye and Direct Application

Three great yarns that take Procion MX dyes beautifully

• One pound of Rayon Chenille, 1450 yd/lb.
• One pound of Silk Noil, 2600 yd/lb.
• One pound of 2/10 Tencel, 4200 yd/lb.

Plus Marie's easy to follow Immersion and Direct Application Dyeing tips and Dye Studio Safety Guidelines.

Total regular value is $117.00.
"Be a Dyer" Starter Kit Special- 1/3 % off only $77.95.
Kit with yarn in skeins, rather than cones or tubes only $95.95.

[To Top of  Page]

Customer Satisfaction Guarantee

As mail order specialists we fully understand the apprehension to purchase yarn sight unseen. If you are planning a project and feel our yarn may be suitable we'll be glad to send a reeling of any yarns you may want to order so you can be sure they are right for you. Just call toll free 1 877 448 4544 !

If you buy yarn from us and discover it is not exactly what you wanted for your project we'll take it back. We want you to be happy with your Yarns Plus purchase. To make it absolutely risk free we are happy to exchange an item or give a refund. We'll even pay the return postage. Just call!

[To Top of  Page]

A Little Pearl…..

Little by little, one travels far.

J.R.R. Tolkien

[To Top of  Page]