Open House

One never knows. Build it and they will come is a great motto to go by. Posters were plastered around town plus emailed to all my newsletter recipients.  Notice was said in my twice a month article in the Broader View Weekly. Then an unexpected neat 3-inch column telling about the Open House was printed on the first page of the second section of the Ithaca Journal. Too cool! Even with all of that I was nervous no one would show up. We went merrily ahead with the motto chanting in my brain. I made lists and more lists.  Items were checked off each day as I had a calendar of what to do when.

On Friday we put up the new canopy. Sheesh is that thing heavy. However it does go up relatively easily, is very sturdy and has weathered winds quite well. We also laid out some outdoor rugs that were duct taped together which gave a festive feel under the 10 by 23 space. Inside the shop there was a cheese tray, cherries, apricots, grapes, a bread bowl, chocolate covered strawberries (on Sat) and cold drinks in a cooler. The beautiful bouquet was a gift from Vickie M. (And that is the Iris Sock and a sneak preview of the Keeburu Cable Clog sock on the windowsill).
Jim was in charge of music and door prizes. He tried to get live music but since it was also  Ithaca Festival weekend anyone we wanted was busy.  So Jim went with  an eclectic selection of his CD’s and did a great job on both the music and getting people to sign up for door prizes. Jim also put up balloons and signs by the road and turning points which helped direct people and even flagged a few who had not heard of the Open House. Thank you. I could not have done this without your help and support.

By 11:30 on Saturday we were all ready with Ruth arriving early to help with anything last minute plus the spinning and knitting demos. She did a spectacular job all afternoon. Thank you.

AND at 11:45 our first visitors arrived! Karen B (who just learned to spin) and her husband from Sayre, PA chose to come to our event rather than a wedding! And following them was a steady procession of knitters, spinners, felters and a plethora of vets whom also spin/knit/felt. Basel was in his element getting pets from kids and adults most of the afternoon.
Folks made earrings, spun, chatted, knit, ate, spun, knit, ate, shopped, and seemed to be having a good time. Audrey, of 3-bobbin fame, came with a large bucket of peonies, which we set on the deck so the smell could waft by us all afternoon.

Alanna came with her Mom and Aunts from near Syracuse. She has not shown any interest in knitting but took to felting as a duck to water. Alanna is a natural artist. Her flowers and bird are spectacular. They were done solely from her mind without looking at a picture.

Sunday was supposed to be rainy but the clouds kept their water until after the Open House. Fewer people came that day but those that did stayed longer. Several learned to spindle spin and many brought their knitting.

I enjoyed meeting so many new people from the area and beyond. We all enjoyed the camaraderie of being together sharing our skills and getting to know one another a bit. Thanks to all of you, this Open House will become a yearly event.