Hi there...
I hope you are well and adjusting to the season change. That time between winter and summer is too short for me! I am not much of a summer person, so being indoors crafting is perfect. I also like the products that are available in the spring. Maybe it is the colors! As I think about it, fall and winter colors are not my favorite I always look forward to the paper releases that start coming about March.
As you know, last year was really crazy for me with lots of time being spent at the animal shelter. I am happy to say that things are starting to fall into place. I still oversee a lot of the operations, but we have a manager and an assistant that are on the right track and very dedicated. This means I actually get a couple of days off most weekends. Yay!
Probably because I was not sure how much time I would need to devote to the Center, and the fact that costs were going up at The Pines, I have not been sure whether there would be another Great Yosemite Stamp Escape. As you can imagine, there is a lot that goes into planning. Finding teachers that offer a variety of styles, negotiating costs with the resort, etc, etc..... I let the resort know that I did not want the price for your accommodations to go up. We have had a lot of discussions about the accomodations, rental of the meeting rooms, and food costs. They finally agreed to the accommodation prices remaining the same, which was a major concern. This will keep the prices down for you and for me, as I also pay for the accommodations for the teachers.
As you know, there have been many changes in the crafting industry which also makes it more difficult to bring in a good variety of teachers. I always try to have teachers that represent companies, so that we really get the people who know the product and can also help us get the newest products from those companies. I have really gone back and forth about whether to go ahead with 2026, After a lot of thought, and some concerns... I have decided 2026 is a GO! Mark your calendar for April 17, 18, and 19. I will be updating the website with dates, and 2026 registration forms later this week. (I will send out a reminder when the website is updated) I am pretty sure this may be the final Stamp Escape as there is also a lot of physical work, and in case you have not noticed...we are not getting any younger! I hope you will join us to make it the best Great Yosemite Stamp Escape ever!
We love seeing all of you, and we hope the industry will get back on track. So many stores could not survive Covid, which forced many crafters to go to online purchasing and classes. We were in a bit of a different situation here, as most stores rent their space. The complex that we are in is like a condominium set up, where we each own our units. Therefore, during Covid, unike most other businesses, I was not closed and still paying rent. That had to be devastating to store owners. We have, however seen the difference in class attendance and foot traffic. This is something the retail stores may never recover from. Very sad! I know how hard it is for me to purchase online for the store. I miss the days of paper swatches, and samples.....gone forever! It certainly is not the same. Stop by and touch the paper... see the real colors (not what your computer screen shows you)....and maybe pet the cats!
This is sort of unrelated, but something you might want to do....I have been in contact with a local school art teacher. I know from previous experience that teachers often purchase supplies with their own money. I asked one of our local teachers if she could use any of our supplies that we no longer use. I am sure you also have some of those things in your stash! I am putting things aside as I have time and just happen to pick something up and think "I sure haven't used that in a long time and probably never will". A few weeks ago I gave her a bag full of dimensional paints. Yesterday she got some watercolors we haven't touched in years....I'll bet, as a crafter, you have some of those things lurking in your craft room, too. And there is probably a teacher that would put them to good use....just a thought!
We look forward to seeing you .... watch for information on classes taught by Julie Kelly, the weekend of September 26, 27, 28. I will post details as we get closer.
Hugs....
What's New?
We received additions to the Cowgirl paper collections, including a stamp set. The papers have been selling well, so we were happy that the stamps became available, too.
We have two new paper collections....Yankee Doodle, a new partiotic collection, and National Parks, which includes Yosemite, Sequoia, Death Valley and parks across the country. Both collections have a great variety of colors. and some papers are coordinating, not limited by theme. They can be used as basic background papers, etc.
We are always filling in our basic 8.5x11 and 12x12 cardstock colors. We order paper and other basics about every two weeks....let us know if there is anything you need.
We received an order from Pink Fresh. I really like that the stamps (for example butterflies) will stamp several butterflies at once, and the dies will cut them all out at once. It will make stamping quick and easy. There are also stencils to make coloring a breeze. You will barely have to lift a finger to have beautiful images.
We have some additions for our yarn people. We are adding some knitting needles, (previously only had crochet hooks) and have a larger selection of 4ply yarn colors. The knitting needles are more up my alley. I couldn't crochet anything other than a chain if my life depended on it.
We added the Lisa Horton Crafts Metallic Pigments ink pads in 6 colors. These are really nice pads with vibrant colors. Check them out when you stop by.
See you soon :)