Returning to myself

Dear Reader,

A lot has happened since my last newsletter. it was strange to take a break last week, but necessary, since I was traveling home.

Mountains

I’m sure I’ve spoken about this here before, but here we go again. I love mountains. The higher the peaks the better. I’ve always been drawn to the mountains. Like a cosmic force of nature, and a pull that is beyond my control. The first time I saw snow-capped peaks was as a four year old headed out west on a camping trip. I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I cried. Back in grad school when I lived in a town that was at 7,000 feet elevation the peaks would ground me. Sometimes it’s good to feel small amidst the vastness that is all around us. I’m in awe of the beauty of mountains, and they still make me cry.

So, whenever I visit an eclectic small mountain town it feels like home. That’s how I felt when I walked around Woodstock, NY. Like I had been there before. The town is replete with fantastic restaurants and unique shops, most of which will allow you to bring your dogs inside. Even though there is a ton of Woodstock (as in the concert) memorabilia to be found, the concert actually took place in Bethel, NY. More on that later

Some restaurants we enjoyed in Woodstock

• Bread Alone

  My husband brought me a delicious chocolate croissant when I was at my show and starving. We also enjoyed the loaf of sourdough rye we bought for sandwiches.

• Catskill Mountain Pizza Company

  We had some delicious takeout pizza and salads the day we arrived.

• Delicious home made organic ice cream here

• Wonderful breakfast here

  So, where did Woodstock actually happen?

  

  Due to the rich musical and arts history, Woodstock seemed like a great choice for the concert, but there was concern for the amount of people that the event might attract. The event location was then moved two other times, first to Saugerties, where there were venue problems, and then to Wallkill, where permits were rescinded. So, with only a month left until the concert, they had to find a new venue. Finally, with only weeks to spare, a venue was found in Bethel, NY.

  We decided to visit the Woodstock site on our way home, which is now home to Bethel Woods Center For the Arts.

  We did not go inside or visit the museum, but we walked around the grounds. You can’t walk around where the concert actually took place, which was a bit of a disappointment. But, I went inside and asked if we could walk around on the Bindy Trails, which are located in the woods where the concert goers set up tables and sold their arts and crafts. And the very nice woman at the front desk said yes. The trails were just newly maintained, and we enjoyed walking through the woods and looking at all of the crochet yarn bombing on the trees. I could definitely imagine the makeshift shops all along the trails and what the vendors sold. As someone who does shows on a regular basis, the freedom of this arrangement is very alluring.

Last week at a glance (aside from my aforementioned travels)

• I set up my new studio space where you can shop

• I started reading The Overstory

  and I love it.

• I figured out where to set up a small dressing room in my studio. And, I think it’ll work out perfectly.

• I found some curtains in the back of an armoire in my sewing room that I originally intended to use in our kitchen, but later discovered that I didn’t need them.

• I sat outside on my back patio as much as possible so I could enjoy the beautiful weather.

• We started the process of putting our community garden plot to bed, which will probably entail planting a cover crop.

• I found a beautiful caterpillar on my dill, which was there for two days and now it’s gone. That made me sad.

• The next day I saw a monarch on the sidewalk that was having difficulty flying. This made me even more sad.

• I took a long walk with a friend.

• I met a cute little Pomeranian named Yoko Ono who looked more like a stuffed animal than a dog.

• I sold a crochet sweater to a really nice customer who was very happy with her purchase.

• I started working on a new crochet sweater, because I have zero left in my inventory.

• With the opening of my new studio/shop, I am now reluctantly back on instagram. People need a simple way to contact me, and I need a simple way to convey (when it works) information to people. This newsletter is always the place where information is shared first. And, I also share more here than I share on instagram. How am I dealing with my return? Well, I am treating it as a place to convey information and nothing more. I do NOT spend time there or interact, aside from messaging with customers and responding to people on my posts.

• My mantra: Instagram is not a business plan.

  Shopping appointments

  My studio is now open, so if you’d like to book a shopping appointment please reach out on my website, or feel free to email me directly. Shopping appointments are open for groups as well. While I list my “hours” as 9-5 M-F, I’m very flexible and happy to accommodate your schedule. Bring your friends and hang out. All are welcome in my bright, sunny studio.

  This space is a dream come true. Everything just came together so organically and serendipitously. I just know that I’m where I’m supposed to be.

  I appreciate all of you who choose to be here and read my newsletter. Have a wonderful week. And, I hope to see you around the studio. Please, tell your friends.

  xo,

  Christa

  Links

  Email: wildchildfibers@gmail.com

  Website: https://www.wildchildfibers.com

  Gallery: here

  Book a shopping appointment: here

  Anytime 20% off discount in the online store for subscribers

  If you’d like the coupon code, leave a comment and I’ll give you the code. ♡ ♡

  20% off for subscribers who shop in my studio or shows as well.

Thanks for reading. I appreciate you.