Everyone learns differently: some by lecture, others are hands-on, while still others learn visually. I’ve always been a trial-by-fire type of gal, which is why I was thrilled when Jordana asked me to visit the Bobbins Nest Studio in Santa Clara. If I’m going to learn to knit, I might as well get comfortable in an LYS, right?
Along with our knitter’s profiles, we’re also hoping to start showcasing some of the LYS’s that carry Jordana Paige, which was my mission when I contacted Erin, the owner of Bobbins Nest, to ask if she minded if I picked her brain a bit. She agreed, and suggested we do it over Thai food. YUM!
Bobbins Nest isn’t exactly a yarn store, mostly because it’s got a lot of everything, from knitting, sewing, crochet, and hand embroidery. It’s all sortsa cozy, with plenty of places to sit, whether you prefer working at a table or in a comfy chair.
And the window displays are adorable!
Oh man, those look delicious.
So after I went about taking about a thousand pictures, which I will upload to our Facebook page soon, I promise, Erin and I met for green curry, prawns and some mouth-watering conversation.
JP: You’ll be four years old in September! Congrats! What is one of the biggest surprises about owning the store? What didn’t you expect?
E: Thanks! Everyday is different and it’s own adventure! I knew I would never work harder than I do for myself. I also knew I would be my own biggest critic!
I didn’t expect all of the support and admiration that my customers give the store and to me. The Yelp reviews astound me! Whenever I am having a bad day, my husband tells me to read the Yelp reviews. It always makes me feel better.
JP: How many employees does Bobbin’s Nest Studio have? Has that changed a lot?
E: We have a staff of 5.5 right now (including myself). We’ve had as few as 2 and as many as 9. I think the perfect number is 6, but 5.5 is good too. Our .5 is an intern who we have hired to help us with a VERY special project that will be announced in October!
JP: Aside from your awesome employees, is there anyone that has really helped you with the store?
E: 1. My husband has been my biggest supporter! Without the man behind the woman, there would be no Bobbin’s Nest.
2. Other store owners both in the area and not. They are my community and my peeps!
3. Jordana! She has been great to work with, a confidante, and a friend.
Erin with Jordana and her sis at the Nest (Photo is courtesy of Bobbins Nest via Flickr)
4. Our customers! These are the folks that Yelp us, Facebook us, Tweet us, and are the jelly to my peanut butter.
JP: What project are you working on right now?
E: Knitting-wise, The Mitered Crosses blanket by Kay Gardiner and Bloomin by Grace Mcewen. I am a monogamous knitter, so having more than one project going is RARE for me!
As far as sewing, none at the moment, did you see how MANY knitting projects I have going on? Yikes!
JP: Do you play music in your store? If yes, what? And how do you decide?
E: Yes, it’s my iPod. I have an affinity for film scores, oddball groups like the Ditty Bops, Big Band, and I sneak a little country in there too. It’s a weird collection that my employees tolerate and my customers ask to be made into a Bobbin’s Nest soundtrack. You never know what you’re gonna hear!
JP: Where did the name Bobbin’s Nest Studio come from?
E: I kept thinking of an object that would be found in knitting, sewing, crochet, and embroidery…Bobbin. There are different types of bobbins, but they all basically do the same thing…carry thread or yarn.
Then I thought of something that was like a community of people or something that symbolized “home”…Nest. Well, Bobbin’s Nest sounded sort of like Robin’s Nest and I thought that was cute, but I didn’t want to sound too cutesy, so I tacked on Studio to make it sound more professional.
Cute? Homey? Professional? I think she hit the nail on the head.
JP: When is your favorite time to knit/sew/crochet?
E: Sunday mornings! I love to watch CBS Sunday Morning with my cup of tea, my dogs lying around, and a cat on my lap, while knitting. It’s my time.
JP: You say you have products from all over the world? Tell me about something that comes from far away.
E: Well, the furthest items we’ve had were from France. A few years ago I visited a friend in France and brought back buttons, jewelry, and little bits from the Parisian flea market. I LOVED it!
Ahhh Paris!
We still have a lot of display items from that trip. Some of which are the wooden shoemaker’s molds…I carried about 6 little “feet” back in my suitcase. I am sure the TSA inspector thought I was nuts!
JP: If you could choose a super power, what would it be?
E: To read minds. I would love to know what people are really thinking.
JP: You carry indie patterns…how do you find your designers?
E: Word-of-mouth, word-of-blog, happenstance. I just like what I like. When I find something new and different, I love to try it out!
JP: When did you start carrying Jordana’s bags? Which one is your favorite?
E: From day one! I love the L.J. Kaelms the best, but I own almost every single style….except for the elusive first Knitter’s Purse, because I missed picking one up in the early days. The L.J. Kaelms is my favorite because of it’s shape. I love the height of it and that you can see straight down into it.
L.J. Kaelms sighting at the Bobbins Nest Studio
JP: If you could eat or drink anything with no consequences, what would it be?
E: French bread with tomato, basil, and buffalo mozzarella drizzled in olive oil and balsamic. And a mean cappuccino….mostly foam. Sadly, I am gluten intolerant, so my days of French bread indulgences are over. I miss it though.
JP: What’s one of your favorite parts of owning Bobbin’s Nest?
E: I like the responsibility and the risk. I like being the “boss lady” (as my employees call me) and that I work with awesome people. My staff is great, my vendors are hand-picked perfection, and I love my customers! What’s not to like?
JP: What’s one of the strangest customer request you’ve ever gotten?
E: Well, we’re listed under “Art Supplies” in the phone book, so we get a lot of wacky calls. I have been asked for glass etching supplies, paint, canvas, photo paper, pens, framing, light boxes…you name it, I’ve been asked if we carry it.
JP: If you had to choose, could you pick between your crafts? Do you have a favorite?
E: Sewing was my childhood passion, but it took a backseat to knitting. Knitting is so portable! I still enjoy sewing, but secretly I like knitting better. Shhhh…don’t tell my fabric.
Your secret is safe with us.
JP: What’s one of your favorite things to do when you’re not busy being crafty?
E: Playing with my dogs and cats….or my “kids” as they are known. I get a kick out of them. They are so goofy, joyful, and they rarely have a bad day. You can tease them and they just slough it off like “whatever, I’m cute and I know it!” You don’t get that with most people. Animals are just….sweet.
Hobbie-wise…I love yoga (but don’t do it nearly enough). I am a fantastic cook, but hate to bake. I am trying to convince myself to garden, but worry I will suck at it. And of all things, I am taking up fly fishing.
JP: Is there anything your store is known for?
E: Our customer service record is impeccable and we LOVE newbies! We are great for beginners, specializing in small beginning classes and private lessons. We can relate to you at any level, but I love seeing that spark in a beginner’s eye.
JP: Is there anything you wish people knew about your store?
E: That the store is a dream of mine. There is one (wo)man behind the curtain pulling all of the levers and ropes to make it happen. It’s a lot of work, but it’s also very rewarding. Owning something that I can truly say I built from the ground up makes it one of the main piece de resistance’s of my life. I am so proud of what I have accomplished, but I am also humbled by the support I’ve been shown.
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Thanks so much to Erin and all the folks over at Bobbins Nest Studio! What fun this was! To learn more about the store, please be sure to check out the website, Facebook, Twitter and Ravelry.
If you’d like to be featured in our store showcase, I’d love to hear from you! Email me or leave your info in the comments and we’ll make it happen. We may not be able to travel to all the stores (yet), but with the miracles of modern technology, we can make it work and have a good time doing it!
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