Hello!

All the Fall shows are over so now all we have to do is handle the requests for items to weave and knit Christmas gifts. The cool damp weather really slows down the warp and skein drying times. Last week we completed applications for two spring shows so before long we'll have to gear up to go to them.

With Convergence, the summer and fall this year was a blur! We are now planning for the New Year and thinking about new colors and yarns. Be sure to check "What's New and Coming" for some of the changes that will happen.

It is hard to believe we are wrapping up another year. If we had to give 2002 a name it would be the "Year of Tencel". The growth of this premium yarn gained a lot of momentum in the past year. Our source is making mill runs at more frequent intervals and at times can barely keep up to demand. True, it's a great problem to have and speaks volumes to the success of Tencel.

We have placed orders to coincide with each run and are in a great stock position for 2003. We expect new mill dyed colors in the next year that will complement the 15 colors currently on offer.

We are very excited about the response to the Lantern Moon Baskets. Check out the continuation of the introductory offer below.

The Yarns Plus team would like to extend Warmest Holiday Greetings to all our readers. May you enjoy Peace and Happiness at this special time of year. Please accept Best Wishes for a healthful 2003. Alison, Lee Ann, Marie and Don

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Yarns Plus Holiday Hours …..

This year Yarns Plus will be closed for the Holiday Season from close of business on Wednesday December 18th to Wednesday January 4th. Orders for items in stock received by the 18th will be shipped that week.

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Humor with a Touch of Truth…

Quite often humor bears a lot of truth. Marie subscribes to a number of net lists, one being WeaveTech. Bill Koepp from Central California is an active contributor to the list and shared the following. We hope it brings a smile. Bill mentioned the author is unknown, thanks Bill.

The Weaver's Rules

• If anything can go wrong with the warp …. it will.
• No matter what the draft is, there is always someone eager to misinterpret it.
• Even if it is difficult to come up with the wrong threading, still a way will be found to do it.
• Any error will not show up until nine picks are thrown.
• No matter what the design is, it will be out of fashion as soon as the fringe is tied.
• No matter what the tieup is, there's probably a better one.
• When the fell smiles the weaver does not.
• There are never too many bobbins and shuttles.
• Only your best shuttle will hit the floor.
• In any set of notes the parts that are obviously correct beyond all need of checking … are the mistakes.

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Mill Happenings….

The artists in the Yellow Mill are staging "The Yellow Gold Show"on Saturday, November 16th. Visitors are invited to search the studios for yellow gold works of art and enter a draw for a $100. gift certificate. Each studio has planned special events for this day beginning with a walkabout fashion show at 11:30. More details can be found at www.williamsmill.com. Join us for a little fun, some refreshments and a head start on your Christmas shopping.

Marie and Josette along with Janice Smith, a jeweler with a studio in the gallery building are staging a show entitled " Solstice". The exhibition of garments and exquisite hand crafted jewelry will be held at the Glen Williams Gallery November 13 to December 24th. The opening reception will be on November 16 from 2 to 5 p.m. Marie will be starting a new series of weaving lessons in Studio 18 at William's Mill on January 11th call toll free 1-877-448-4544 for info.

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What's New & Coming!

Lots of changes are taking place at Yarns Plus product wise.

Mill Dyed Rayon Chenille - We just firmed up a buy on four more 1450 yd/lb mill dyed rayon chenille colors. In January look for Tabasco, a rich red/brown color, Cinnamon, a dark red/rust shade, Dublin, a mid green with strength and Peach, a light orange that should be a great accent color.

Undyed Rayon Chenille - We have secured another large lot of undyed 1450 Rayon Chenille from the same mill as the previous lot. This is great chenille and is the yarn we use in all our hand painted variegated skeins.

Variegated Hand Painted Rayon Chenille - Marie is working on new colorways for the variegated chenille line. These new exciting color combinations will replace some of the current offerings in January. Stay tuned!

Going, Going, Going….. We are going to discontinue the Rayon Chenille hand dyed line at the end of the year. With so many great mill dyed colors available, we find that customers can usually find what they want in the mill dyed line.

Gone, Gone, Gone….. The 2600 yd lb Silk Noil we have carried for the last three years is completely sold out. We have been in touch with the yarn company that twisted it for us and there is no chance of getting any more. This was a great yarn at a great price that we know many of you enjoyed using in your projects. We have the word out, hopefully we can get a replacement.

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Lantern Moon Baskets….

In the last issue we introduced the delightful and very handy Lantern Moon baskets. We went to two shows recently and still find it hard to believe how well these great baskets were received.

We have restocked, shipped all the back orders and have a basket in stock with your name on it.

Both sizes are still introductory priced!
Small (14" dia) in Cranberry, Eggplant, Blue or Natural are only $39.95. Large 18" baskets in the same colors are only $59.95.

Order now, the intro price ends when we close for the Hoildays on December 18th.

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Prices….

Yes, regrettably in early 2003 we will have to make some price adjustments. A combination of events have affected certain products dictating that we raise some prices.

Involved will be Tencel Mill Dyed, Tencel hand painted warps, Chenille Hand Painted Warp Scarf kits and Chenille Hand Painted Variegated skeins. Prices will be held on Rayon Chenille Mill Dyed and Undyed ( unchanged in five years ) and undyed Tencel.

It is hard as a small business to avoid things like higher business insurance, deregulated hydro doubled in cost, ( we use lots of hot water and cure hand painted skeins with heat ) increased freight costs, higher prices for selected yarns. The list goes on…. We can only hope in spite of having to raise some prices we can still offer you good value for the money you spend.

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Here are the shows we are planning to attend in 2003!

• May 2-4 - OHS 2003 Conference - Thunder Bay
• September 20 - Five Counties - Guelph
• October 18 - OHS Central Region Seminar - Barrie

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November/December Special

Spinners Special - Save 25 %

Save 25% on any of our three Tencel and Tencel Blend fibres. If you have thought about spinning with Tencel now is the chance to give it a try and save at the same time.

Tencel Tops 8 oz. package Reg. $24.00
Special $18.00

Tencel/Merino 50/50 8 oz. package Reg. $26.00
Special $21.75

Tencel/Cotton 60/40 8 oz. package Reg. $20.00
Special $15.00

Buy Now and Save Big-
remember we close December 18th !

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Postal Rates Have Changed ….

Canada-In early October Canada Post increased regular Parcel Post rates for in Canada shipments. With our Venture One status, except for distant points, Expedited Post works out to be the same or cheaper than regular Parcel Post. Expedited is faster and easier to trace plus includes the first $100.00 of insurance. As in the past postage will be charged at cost.

United States- Also in early October, in a joint announcement , Canada Post and the US Postal Service discontinued trans border shipments by regular Parcel Post. All parcels must be sent Expedited Parcel. This level of service requires a full contents and valuation declaration for customs purposes and is a bit more expensive than was the regular Parcel Post. The advantages are faster service with number of delivery days specified plus better tracing as each parcel has a coded label. This change is apparently part of the Homeland Security package. Taking the dollar exchange into account the Canadian rates are competitive with US domestic rates. Postage cost will be charged at cost.

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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!

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A Little Jewel…..

Creativity is not the finding of a thing, but the making of something out of it after it is found.

James Russell Lowell Poet, Critic, Editor, Diplomat

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