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.
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? 🙂