ByrdCall Studio
 

Greetings, Friends . . .

Inspecting the final proof copy of the book before it has been printed. I am very happy with the outcome. Now we must wait until mid-March.

I am so excited to share this newsletter with you! My book, RYA RUGS--Design and Make Your Own, is currently at the printer in the middle of production.  In a couple of weeks (or sooner) I will pick up 500 hardbound copies of "my baby."  

In this Issue:
  • Pre-Ordering your book now
  • NEW Byrdcall Studio Website Launches!
  • Rya Kit from 1945 finds a new home
  • 192 Members in Rya Rug Friends
  • My Secret Yarn Stash moves on
  • Mark Your Calendars
  • Mentors Available and Needed
  • Frequently Asked Questions and ... 

 
 

Pre-Orders Now Being Accepted!

Please read carefully: Several months ago I polled our Newsletter readership to get a general feel for how many of you might be interested in buying a book when they are released. About 250 of you said YES!  That info helped me decide to start with an order of 500 hardbacks to be followed (when half are gone) by an edition of 500 paperback books.  

Starting on Tuesday, Feb. 25, you can officially pre-order (with payment and shipping info) and I will start filling your orders just as soon as the books arrive from the printer. Each Pre-Order will be signed by me.

The Book is hardbound with matte laminated cover. It has 298 pages with approximately 500 color photos. It weighs about 2.5 lbs. The price is $49.00. In it I have shared every morsel of my knowledge on designing and making your own rya rug, a little history, some good stories from across the globe, and all suppliers known to me at the time of publication. For shipping, I can send Media Mail rate which takes 2-7 days and is the least expensive. If you prefer Priority mail I can ship that way too. Since you have waited YEARS in some cases, I figure a few extra days in the mail won't hurt too bad. 

One further note on mailing Media Mail: I am not allowed to insert anything but the book--no brochure, business card, love note, receipt, not even a book marker--and rumor has it the postal inspectors really do open packages when they feel like it and check for anything other than the book. 

It will be enclosed in a bubble wrap sleeve and a cardboard folding mailer so they should arrive very safely.


You can pre-order in two ways: Go to my very newly renovated website:  Byrdcallstudio.com, and click on BOOK and follow instructions.  Or you can go to my Etsy shop and buy it there.  $5 shipping & handling either way. 

For those of you who live outside of the USA, be patient. I need to figure out the best shipping method for you. (There is no International Book Rate.) When I have the actual printed book in hand, I will know exact shipping costs and will update you.

I can't tell you how excited I am to finally be able to share this with you. I have dreamed of this moment for many years. 
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My New Website is 
Up and Running!
(as of TODAY!)


There is a lot at stake on Tuesday, Feb. 25th.  I hope it all goes off without a hitch.
  • Preorders for BOOK accepted. 
  • Newsletter sent out.
  • And totally revamped website unveiled.
The new website will accept orders you might have for many of the items I carry at Byrdcall Studio. As the months go by, I will add more items you might be looking for such as T-shirts, block prints on paper, and more. Many items not yet offered on my website are available in my Byrdcall Etsy shop. Yes, I am going to keep both open because I know some people really like the Etsy shopping experience, yet others "don't do Etsy." Just remember that I am one person managing  both as well as a household, a husband, an active dog, a garden, and still need time to get to the gym now and then. 

My purpose in revamping my website was to bring it in line with the actual work I have been doing and plan to do in the coming years. Rya was a sideline in my last website--now it is the feature as it is in my day. If you are a fan of my work of the past, I keep a link to the Archives 2000-2017 so you can go there to reminisce or the see what is still available in those areas.

I worked on the website through website developer Randy Goldstein at Bizmarquee.com in Westminster, Maryland. We will work together each month over the coming years to update and keep your visit worthwhile. Please let me know if you have feedback for improvement.  Note that the Calendar of Events will be kept up-to-date and you can check there regularly to see what is coming up in my schedule.
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The 1945 Rya Kit Has Found a Forever Home .

If you missed the article in last month's newsletter about the oldest rya kit I know needing someone to complete it and enjoy it, check out last month's newsletter. It is quite a saga.

My friend and experienced rya rug maker, Polly Pook and her husband, Peter, have stepped forward to accept this vintage rya kit along with its challenges and give it a forever home. 

Polly Pook first visited Byrdcall Studio in March 2016 when we entered into a collaboration project. (Polly on the right.)

Polly is a featured "story" in my book. See pages 132-135. This rya is in good hands and heading to the Pooks' home in Ontario in March.

To refresh your memory about this saga, go to this blog post to read the background
(4th article)

Then go to this blog to read the continuation of the story.

The rya rug begun by a young Swedish bride after marrying her American soldier husband in 1945 will now be brought to completion thanks to Polly and Peter Pook.
Anne Winston, affectionately known as Mormor,
working on her rya rug in 2014.

 
 

Much of  my Secret Yarn Stash Sold in February



Last month, I shared photos of my vintage yarn bins poured out for folks to see what I have available, but unknown to my customer because it is too difficult to inventory and put on sample cards. (See last Newsletter.)

Since then, most of my vintage yarn bins have been sold out--but not all.  The Frostagarn has mostly been sold out and now happily resides in Arizona.  All I have left is hot colors: orange , tangerine, and lemon yellow.   Read the blog on that story!

This newsletter has too much in it for me to take time to outline what in my small lots line is still available, so look for that in future newsletters.  

I still have the Rauma ryegarn in navy blue which is a rarity.  Here are the other "unadvertised" colors of Rauma ryegarn I have available.


These ryegarn colors are not on any sample card. I have roughly 5-10 skeins of each of these colors. I will try to order more if I sell out.  $16.00 each


I still have Åsborya in small amounts as shown here.

This big bin contains all the Åsborya I have left. I have recently reduced the price to $10. 
It is also made--even today--by Borgs in Sweden. You can easily order in my Etsy Shop. You can see I have small quantities of the colors on the card. Click on photo to see more images in the Etsy listing.

 
 

Mark Your Calendars
for My First Public Engagements as an Author!

books-apple-icon.jpg I'm so excited to announce two presentations I will be making in my community to welcome the arrival of my book, Design and Make Your Own Rya Rug.

Tuesday, March 10. 7:00 PM at the Eldersburg Branch of the Carroll County Public Library.  This will be a one-hour presentation including history, technique, and design with hands-on demonstrations for teens through adults.
6400 Hemlock Drive
Eldersburg, MD 21784

and 

Tuesday, April 7. 7:00 PM Author Interview by Ted Zaleski sponsored by the Carroll County Public Library at Carroll Lutheran Village in the Krug Chapel.  
300 St Luke Cir, Westminster, MD

Books will be available for purchase and signing.

 
 

"Rya Rug
Friends Group"

Stay in-the-know all month long! I am loving this addition to our Rya Rug Revival. There is a lot of brilliance in this group...keep sharing.  I'll throw in my 2-cents on occasion.   ;-)  We have 192 members now!

If you are intrigued by rya rugs, the only good reason NOT to join is if you are not a Facebook person.  If you are a member of Facebook (even if you never use Facebook) you can request to join this Group.  If you subscribe to my newsletter, you definitely should check this out. 

To join, go to my Byrdcall Studio Facebook page and go to GROUPS.

Click JOIN GROUP and you will be asked about your rya interest (to filter out spammers or those without any interest). You can answer in any way you want.  Then you can comment and share with each other.  Even if you just click on "like" when you see rya rugs that you like...that will make someone smile. To join, just  Click .  Consider this a  personal invitation! No product promotions, please.

 
 

Frequently Asked Questions...

Q:  What is the best way to reach me? vector_mobile_phone.jpg

A:  Email me at byrdcallstudio@gmail.com. If you have a question too complicated to type as an email, then call me at 
410-615-2473 and leave a message. If I don't answer, I will call you back as soon as possible.  Please do not google-message me or facebook-message me because it's hard for me to keep track of all those messages systems.  (I have completed disconnected from the AOL email address I had so make sure you don't have that one recorded anywhere.)

Q:  Where am I located and what are my hours?

A:  I work out of my studio located in my backyard in Woodbine, MD.  I do not have regular business hours, but I am more than happy to make appointments at the studio with anyone interested in what I have to offer. Give me a call at 410-615-2473 and please leave me a message. 

Q:  So how did I get into this whole rya rug thing? 
A:
This is such a frequently asked question, I'm leaving this link here because it is nicely put into a nutshell. Credit to Lyndi McNulty and  The Carroll County Times.

Finding My Work

My Etsy Shop has just about everything for online buying. My Etsy shop is convenient because you can see up to 10 photos of each item for sale.  Etsy also calculates your postage automatically according to size and weight and where you live. That saves me lots of time....Not that I don't love communicating with you, but that is my #1 time-consumer in the day.

My Website Byrdcallstudio.com is now up and running. It doesn't have everything I offer at this point, but in time, it will grow to reflect all I have to offer.

As shops start to carry my books, I will list them as resources on my website.

Other Ways to Keep Up-to-Date:

Like my Facebook page:   Byrdcall Studio

Join the Facebook Group Rya Rug Friends  for all the latest in rya!

On Instagram, follow me at:   byrdcallstudio

And as always, feel free to share this newsletter with anyone you think might enjoy it.

 
 

Find a Mentor, or Be One!
22 Mentors in USA, Canada, Mexico, and Europe

This is to assist someone who feels stuck in their rya work. Maybe they forgot how to make the knot. It happens. Rya help could be in the next town...or maybe the next state.  I'm keeping track of everyone who is willing to assist a beginner get started with a kit or a design.  I gladly share the mentor's contact info with the person who needs help (but I do not post their phone numbers or addresses to ensure their internet privacy).  

Thanks to those of you who have offered to be of assistance if there is a neighbor in need:
  • Larry in Hyde Park, UT
  • Gail in Black Mountain, North Carolina
  • Holly in Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Jackie in Williamsport, Pennsylvania
  • Kristin in Deland, Florida
  • Tina in San José, California
  • Kris in Paynesville, Minnesota 
  • John in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey
  • Janet in Monmouth County, New Jersey
  • Inger in Santa Fe, New Mexico
  • Marsha in Sun City, Arizona
  • Madeline, south of Tucson
  • Paul in Tucson, Arizona
  • Denise in Snohomish, Washington
  • Robbin--Vancouver/Savory Is., British Columbia 
  • David in Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Eleanor in Fleischmanns, New York
  • Laurie in Chatham and Boston, Massachusetts
  • Angie is near Mexico City
  • Polly in Oakville, Ontario, Canada
  • Mia in Stockholm, Sweden
  • Marie in Scunthorpe/North England
  • and Marian in The Netherlands
You need NOT be an expert. All you have to do to change from a little white tag to a bright pink tag is be willing to help someone in your area get started.  I will contact you to make the connection...and no mentor to date has had more than one contact, so you are not going to be swamped!  Email me today.

I am only one person in Maryland.  But you all are all over the country and the world.  I'd love to share my joy of getting people started on their first ryas with YOU if you are interested. Just let me know. If you want to be connected to a mentor, just ask me. byrdcallstudio@gmail.com

 
 

Soon We Will be Celebrating!
Thank you so much for your patience and friendship.

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I'll be back next month with the story of "how it went."  I hope to report that hundreds of books sold and the second printing is underway, but who knows?

All I know is I have given the book my "all" over the past 8 years. It has given me a place in the rya world as I learned and shared from others and with others. The experience has brought me great joy. I hope that bringing the book into your lives gives you great joy of creating in a medium recently known by very few. I also hope it will open up a dialog among present and future rya fans and a unique camaraderie will unfold.  Please share your creative experience with others to keep rya alive and thriving for years to come.

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Cheers, my friends,
Melinda


 
 

Melinda Byrd
Owner

Byrdcall Studio, LLC
Woodbine, MD

410-615-2473


Save the Dates!

Tues., March 10 
7:00 PM
Reviving the 
Nordic Art of Rya Rug Making
Carroll County 
Public Library, 
Eldersburg Branch  
6400 W. Hemlock Drive, Eldersburg, MD 21784

Free Show & Tell on rya rug making history with techniques, and hands-on knot making on the rya backing.
(Books still at Printer)

*******

Tues., April 7th 
7:00 PM
Author Interview by Ted Zaleski
sponsored by Carroll County Public  Library

At Carroll Lutheran Village, Krug Chapel,
300 St Luke Cir, Westminster, MD 

Free program where you can learn more about the rya rug making revival. 
Ted does great interviews, so don't miss this one.

Books will available for purchase and signing.

*******

Rya Rug Making Class at Common Ground on the Hill in Westminster, MD
Keep your eye out for the 2020 catalog of classes. Rya classes will be offered Monday-Friday 
July 6 - 10 from 1:00 - 3:45 PM

Get on their mailing list so you can check out other class listings to round out your week at camp.


Open Studio
Drop-In days
These monthly dates for Rya Sewing Circle 
will resume soon.
Look for update in the next newsletter.

I am open to receiving ideas from nearby rya people for best days of the week and timing. For example week-days? week-ends?
*******

 
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