Long time no blog!

I definitely fell off the blogging wagon! It has been a couple of years since I did this! I've had something on my mind, but was unsure about what to say or where to say it, so I figured this was as good a place as any. 

I am into my 15th year of owning this shop! It has been quite the ride. I have learned SO MUCH, whether it is how to run a business, how to knit or crochet different things, how to run a laser (!), how to run large events, etc. I've also learned some hard lessons, like not everyone will treat me with the same courtesy I show to them. I am a pretty simple person. I don't play games, I tell the truth, and I try to treat everyone with respect. Within the past year, however, I've repeatedly run into people who only think of themselves, and either take advantage of my generosity/time/expertise, or try to take customers away from my business. I live and run my business in a VERY small town, and have discovered that several other local business owners, who do not knit, sell yarn, or have anything to do with fibers, are starting their own knitting groups or knit/crochet classes. Do they have 15 years of expertise in the fiber arts? No. Will they be able to help their customers if they have issues? No. Are they fostering a good partnership within the local business community? No.

The actions of these individuals have reminded me of my own reality. Through my shop, I have found "my people". My people have helped me through many personal struggles, like hauling me around when I broke my leg and couldn't drive, and being good sounding boards when I need to talk things out. I've been sitting around the shop table on Thursday mornings for the past 14 years, knitting with a lot of the same people, plus many newcomers. Here we support and encourage each other through all kinds of life events, the good, the bad, the traumatic. These are "my people", and I wouldn't have made it through the past 14 years without them. So if you are new here, and are considering starting to learn to knit or crochet, or are looking for "your people" to hang out with and share your wonderful knit and crochet projects, you are very welcome here at Kaleidoscope Fibers. You'll find a group of people willing to help you on your knit/crochet journey, because they all love it as much as I do. We've fostered a very supportive community here through the shop, and we're always happy to have newcomers!

Thanks for reading! The picture is from our Thursday morning knitting group Halloween party 10/31/24.