About two weeks ago, I went up north to Oregon to visit a cousin I had never met, let alone, knew even existed. Long, complicated story; suffice to say, there were valid reasons. Yup. Like so many families I know, ours is messed up, too! I had been communicating with her for a few years before the idea of a visit occurred to us; it was just time. There is something to be said about meeting a person face-to-face. All sorts of information was omitted when I talked to her online, via skype, or on the phone. I realized almost immediately that I finally met someone as crazy as me, in the same ways, and she is family! ❤ ❤ Better still, she crochets, so our nights were spent with our projects out, listening to the television. She knows how to party, crafter-style.
Yea, yea. I had to put a pic of me in here. This was on our stop in Ashland, OR.
Nancy and I finally meet! Never knew of her existence until about 3 years ago.
In Tillamook country!
Clowning around with Sasquatch! Didn’t really think of the crotch shot there…
Saying goodbye to my cousin, Nancy and one of her doggies, Odie.
Super helpful employee at Web-sters in Ashland.
Obligatory visit to Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock. Reminds me so much of Morro Bay in California!
That meant a trip to a yarn shop. I didn’t get any pictures, I don’t know why, because the owner I spoke to was real helpful. Hi, Tina! Anyway, check out her page, and if you’re in the Hillsboro, OR area, meander your way into her shop. I did get images while I was in Web-sters, in Ashland, OR. I was wonky when I walked in there – no other to say it. We had driven from Colfax, California to Aloha, Oregon, with as many stops as we could handle. That meant a LOT of Starbucks and the occasional gas station (btw – did you know that in Oregon you MUST have your gas pumped by a station attendant?). By the time we reached Ashland, we were a little over halfway to our destination, and I was in no fit physical state to talk to anyone. It literally took a few minutes of walking around to orient myself. While I perused the yarn shop and confused the nice girl (see pic), my husband took a walk in Lithia Park. I don’t think he got to see all those beautiful sights, because he didn’t mention anything!
It was a great stay, and I’m thinking I have to go back. This Wednesday. And why? Because the CGOA (Crochet Guild of America) is having their annual conference in Portland. And it’s BIG. There is also a class I would love to attend that addresses my shop-opening concerns. I have tried to research yarn store opening tips online, and besides vague references to the craft or yarn itself, nothing has been very specific. I would hate to drive all that way just for one class!! Does anyone know where I can access similar information online? Thank you in advance for any leads there.
And speaking of accessing, I have been researching grants, and I must not be doing this right. I am a woman and a veteran, and I can’t find anything. I have followed up on promising information on grants.gov, only to discover that the grants are not valid anymore, or the links are no good, or just out of date. I did decide to add chocolate to the store, not coffee, because of all the regulations involved, and I’d have to be a barista, and that just doesn’t cut it in a 500 sf area. The chocolate I decided on is artisan, one brand is actually local, and it would be their bars and bagged goodies. I don’t want to try and fit refrigerated cases in here. So, if I don’t locate a good grant program, my whole idea hinges on Kickstarter – ! Again, does anyone know anyone who would be interested in philanthropic causes? The cause being me wanting a yarn shop to help boost local economy, pass on the bug to younger generations and keep the craft alive. That, and there’s a whole bunch of yarn. ❤
But enough for now. What’s everyone else doing out there? And am I the only who spends an inordinate amount of time to write these quick entries? 🙂
