July 2009

Positively Heather

Be more than a bump on a blog

Heather Gooch

If you're already blogging about your business, kudos to you. Speaking from experience, I can sympathize that it takes some investment in time and effort. However, I recently came across a study that supports the idea that all the hard work is worth it — especially for a female-dominated industry like needlework.

The 2009 Women in Social Media study, released in late April by BlogHer, iVillage and Compass Partners, found that women are nearly twice as likely to use blogs than social networking sites as a source of information (64%), advice and recommendations (43%) and opinion-sharing (55%), while they are 50% more likely to turn to social networking sites (Twitter, MySpace and Facebook, to name just three) as a means of keeping in touch with friends and family (75%).

For Heather's full article, click here. For a downloadable PDF of the study, click here.

Spotlight on:

Beth Gantz, Stitches ETC & Beth Gantz Designs

Beth Gantz admits that growing up, she was probably one of the only kids around with a dollhouse that had a successful needlepoint shop downstairs, "with Ken making a really cute UPS man." Although her mom, Carol, has had a successful career as a needlepoint shop owner and designer, Gantz was determined to take a different path. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology and her master's degree in education and adult development, and worked in the educational field.

But when family friend Liz Ryan decided to sell Stitches ETC four years ago, Gantz knew it was the opportunity of a lifetime to switch gears and get back to her true calling: needlepoint.

For the full article, click here.

If you'd like the spotlight shone on your business, just drop Heather a line at positiveyarn@goochandgooch.com.

Links I Love

Momogus Knits

Knitting designer Diana Jordan specializes in easy-to-follow patterns that offer multiple design options, and her Web site echoes a similar theme. She even includes a "help!" section on the site, which includes a beginner's guide to knitting, a glossary of terms and a helpful tips page — all of which are also available as downloadable PDF files. But my most favorite section is her blog, The Mighty Momogus, which Jordan describes as "since 2006, the Internet's premier source for combined Knitting and Phillies information." Her personable writing style and beautiful project photos are a treat to read.

Got a link you love? Tell me!

The Knitty Gritty

X Nerds n' Needles? Wired magazine reports on an exhibition opening in San Francisco in October called Open Source Embroidery. It is designed to showcase artwork that uses "embroidery and [computer] code as a tool for participatory production and distribution." The exhibit also traces the overlapping histories of computers and craft. "For example," the article notes, "the Jacquard loom is a mechanical loom invented in 1801 that used binary punch cards to design woven patterns. The loom is seen as the first programmed machine and one that inspired Charles Babbage in his design of the analytical engine."

Tip: Try an unusual display. Think like a curator for your next window arrangement. Bring in a couple of vintage pieces of needlework and accessories, and compare and contrast with some of your newer patterns and products. Use a few index card-sized descriptions to explain what everything is, and invite viewers to come inside for more information. Who knows — you may even attract an antiques buyer or two!

X Knitting goes to the dogs (and cats) for one group of students in Toronto. According to an article from YorkRegion.com, more than 20 fifth through eighth graders spent their recesses and personal time this spring knitting multi-colored blankets for the Ontario SPCA. A total of 35 18x18-in. blankets were made to keep the homeless pets warm. And if simply creating young go-getters and do-gooders wasn't enough, consider the side benefits. "Knitting is relaxing, especially for hyper students," Linda Gilkes, who led the program, points out. "It calms them down."

Tip: Combine kids and a cause. A puppy in need of a nice blanket to sleep on doesn't care whether the stitches are perfect, but rest assured that most young participants will do their best to make them so. Even if you don't have the time (or patience) to be on hand for a school or youth group knitting program in person, considering offering a donation of some yarn and needles. Your generosity just might be rewarded with a new generation of interested knitters — so don't forget to tuck in some coupons for Mom or Dad to bring them into the shop for their next project.

X Beading for mind, body and soul is a good way of looking at what's happening to at one bead shop in Surprise, AZ. A recent profile of Confetti — The Bead Place by the Daily News-Sun explores how the shop caters to elderly customers, who enjoy not only creating jewelry, but keeping their minds active and health issues like dementia at bay. Even better, many of the retirees are getting their kids and grandkids involved.

Tip: Market your health benefits. Offer to hold classes at your local senior center as a way to keep members' hands and minds occupied. Start off with something simple so that they can enjoy tangible results and a sense of accomplishment by the end of the class. Note how the needlearts can help improve hand dexterity and concentration skills — and have even been proven to reduce stress. For tips on helping arthritic hands do needlework, check out this article from the Arthritis Foundation's publication, Arthritis Today.