It’s been a few months now since we’ve introduced our newest product, the Crafter’s Tool Butler, and there is nothing more satisfying than seeing it in use. Here’s a photo Donna Druchunas sent our way after she’d started filling hers up. She’s still working on finding and organizing the rest of her needles, she said, but it’s a start!
Here at JP, the pictures are great because we’ve already had a chance to look at all the colors, touch fabric and put all our tools in the pockets. (It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it!)
Since not everyone has that luxury, we’re sending out samples across the United States in February. If you’re interested in seeing one of our Crafter’s Tool Butlers in action, you’re in luck! Check out our events page to see if it makes a stop at a yarn store near you. If you don’t see your shop, ask them to contact us.
This past weekend was a weekend of firsts. It was the first Interweave Knitting Lab. And I would venture to say it was a success.
There were loads of knitters filling up classes and the marketplace. We shared a booth with Bobbins Nest Studio and had some great neighbors that were pretty easy on the eyes.
Knitted Wit was across from us and Nine Rubies was to our left. But we resisted temptation, and believe me there was a lot! The only thing I (Rebecca) got was stitch markers per Sel’s suggestion in an earlier post.
Knitted Wit's pretty things.
It's like a siren's song.
Another first was that it was my first knitting show. My head was spinning to say the least, and I wanted everything! But my rule (so far) is that I must finish a project before starting another one. I’ve discovered that otherwise I’ll soon have closets full of yarn.
Think I fit in here, surrounded by amazing knitting patterns and bags? Yep, me too!
But the most exciting first (and not that we’re biased at all) is that it was the first time people had a chance to see our newest Jordana Paige product, the new needle case!
Now that's a lovely spread.
This thing is gonna change your life. OK, maybe just your knitting life, but isn’t that really one of the most important parts? It has room for every one of your straight and circular needles. It’s got style and it’s offered in four different colors that will look great with your JP bag.
There’s nothing like some good anticipation because next week you’ll have your very own first: we’ll be unveiling the first product details here so stay tuned for more info. Cheers and happy Friday!
Is it just me, or has October gone by in the blink of an eye? What a a great month this has been. We’ve had some lovely reviews, giveaways and contests. *Phew!* Is it time to take a break? We think not!
November is almost here and with it comes the first Interweave Knitting Lab from November 3-5 in San Mateo. We’ll be headed up to the Marriot where we’ll be teaming up with Bobbins Nest Studio in booths 1 and 2.
Stop by and say hello! Our booth will be closed at 6 on Friday but will be open regular market hours on Thursday and Saturday. It should be a great way to kick off the month!
When my mom and I head to a trade show that’s as far away as Stitches Midwest, we try to schedule a little bit of fun time in as well. We may be there to “work,” but you know what they say about all work and no play!
How can you be dull in such a great city like Chicago?
So yesterday we stopped at Exquisite Nail Salon for manicures to start our day, which was such a delight. Turns out Shawn, the owner and our manicurist, is friends with the Twisted Sisters, a hilarious pair I met earlier this year at Stitches West and will probably see at Stitches Midwest this week.
Afterward we walked through Millennium Park, grabbed some lunch (Chicago pizza is no joke) and then headed over to the Museum of Contemporary Art. My favorite exhibit was Mark Bradford. He used signs and posters to create amazing patterns of texture and color.We walked by a window with old sewing machines as the display fixtures. It was a neat store, and we had to take a picture of the window display.
We headed over to the Navy Pier for some lemonade and a pretzel and then back to the our hotel for a nap. (We girls have to have our beauty rest!)
We ended our night at the Blue Agave where we had the most delicious margarita. Dee-licious!
And speaking of delicious, my hotel is just two blocks from Ghiradelli and Hershey’s. A dangerous thing for me. We got a supreme chocolate chip cookie from Hersheys and brought it back to the hotel.
I was so tired from the heat and walking. We walked all over the city without getting lost, which is quite and accomplishment for my mom and I. We’re notorious for getting lost.
Today we head to Schaumburg to set up the booth and the market preview.
Check out our Facebook page for more photos from our day out and our Twitter feed for more photos as they happen! Thanks to all of the people who offered the great suggestions on Chicago — it certainly is a great city!
A few weeks ago I got several suggestions on my Facebook page of what to do when I’m in Chicago, and while I am truly excited for all the suggestions (Chicago pizza, yum!), I gotta say the thing I am looking forward to most is being at Stitches Midwest.
It’s hard to miss out, and I love chatting with people about knitting and autographing bags is always a trip. My mom, Noni, (that’s her in the photo) came with me to Stitches West this year, and she’ll be at Stitches Midwest as well.
Stitches Midwest is going on this weekend, August 25-28, and I will be at booth 726 on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Stop by, say hi and enter to win a $50 JP gift certificate! I’m looking forward to seeing you (and Lake Michigan) in Chicago.
Have you ever been invited to an event that you’re interested in going to, but your inner-hermit says, “But wouldn’t it be nicer to stay home and knit in your PJs?” It’s hard logic to argue with.
Or…or you could go out AND knit in your pajamas, which is what we and the Stitches Midwest crew are hoping for. They’re throwing a pajama party on August 26 at 10 p.m. with knitting, snacks, contests and just generally a good time. You can read more about it and RSVP at Ravelry or on Facebook.
Two of the prizes we donated for the contest will be a Mila pattern and a Rio in Blue Lapis.
It will go perfectly with your favorite bedtime clothes, your latest knitting project, or anything really. So if you’re at Stitches Midwest, take your inner-hermit for a trip out, all in your cozy PJs.
Yesterday was the Oakland Fiber & Textile Festival. I arrived and was greeted by the smile of Diane of Double Diamond Alpacas. We were neighbors for the day. She promptly told me of all the Jordana Paige bags and patterns she owns. Yep, thought I recognized that name!
It was such a beautiful day. I’ve never done an outside show before and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I pulled my chair into the sun, looked around at all the fibery eye candy…and oh, ya, maybe I should sell a bag or two. No, no need to give the ol’ sales pitch. I had fans in the booth telling passer byers all about the bags.
I didn’t leave the festival without a yarn stash. I placed a special order for some fingering weight yarn from Girl On the Rocks in a beautiful citron, no peridot, no citron color. I contemplated so much about which color to pick, I can’t remember what I settled on. Guess I’ll be surprised.
Then I headed over to Sincere Sheep where I had even more difficulty selecting yarn. I wanted it all! Really, this yarn is fabulous. It’s hand-dyed with natural dyes and the fiber is sourced from small local farms. The colors are rich and the yarns are so so soft. I ended up purchasing Keen, a superwash, fingering weight yarn in colorway Deepest Desire. I’ll be using it for my next pattern design.
Hey Bay Area Knitters! Busy July 10th? I hope not! We’re going to be exhibiting at the Oakland Fiber & Textile Festival on Sunday, July 10th and we want to see you there. Let me give you some really great reasons to convince you:
1. It’s going to be at Splash Pad Park. I’m certain it’s going to be a beautifully sunny day. Sitting outside, knitting in the sun with friends, need I say more? Just in case I do, here’s two more reasons.
2. There will be yarn and fiber.
3. Great vendors, including Girl on the Rocks, Kira K Designs, Wonderland Dyeworks, Sincere Sheep and more.
Interweave is hosting a brand new event this November in San Mateo, CA and we’re going to be there.
It’s the Interweave Knitting Lab; four days of classes, panel discussions and presentations by fabulous designers including Cookie A, Cat Bordhi, Stefanie Japel, Barbara Walker and more. Plus, there’s a three-day Knitter’s Market. The Jordana Paige booth will be open on Thursday and Friday of the show.
The Jordana Paige trunk show is on the road, making stops at yarn shops across the country. Check the calendar to see when our complete line of knitting bags will be at your local yarn shop.
Have you ever been invited to an event that you’re interested in going to, but your inner-hermit says, “But wouldn’t it be nicer to stay home and knit in your PJs?” It’s hard logic to argue with.
