So spring usually doesn’t come to Chautauqua county until July (just kidding) well, say May. But yesterday we saw a boat on the lake near the Casino. Yes, really, and its March 17th. so thats really odd because there are often ice fishermen on the lake in March. But here’s the thing, it feels like any day now the season is going to begin and we are not unpacked at the store. But on April 4th. we are going to open our doors. We are pretty excited to welcome our friends and customers back. We’ve re-arranged things in the shop to make room for all that is new.

We have also done a little restructuring. For example Dayle will now be in charge of all the classes. This will free me up to concentrate on other things. And Dayle is excellect at being organized. She has planned a master calendar at the shop and now it is also on line just waiting to be filled. She has contracts designed for our teachers and a great new tracking and feed back system that will help us make your learning experience even more fun. This year, among other classes we are offering a beginner knitting class in June and October. Students will learn all the basics while making a lush, thirsty cotton washcloth. Have you ever used a hand knit one? Spoiler Alert! you will feel sorry for yourself if you have to go back to using a commercial cloth. Dayle is doing a sea glass pendant class in June and October as well and Chris French is coming back to do a wonderful beaded and wire necklace class in May. We are excited to welcome Barb Dunderdale,  who has promised to teach us to make socks and of course, our famous Bead Lady, Kathy Shomo will be back to sign her new book and show us some fun new projects. Fused Glass classes continue with new offerings by Wendy Cohen and we can’t wait to find out what Sandy and Joan have on their knitting needles. We are thrilled that Jackie Thies will join us with a spectacular beaded necklace. We’ll be sending announcements and list them on the site in the next few weeks.