What Do History and Yarn Have in Common?

Crafters Co-op supports National History Day.  www.nhd.org

This year long academic competition is taught by one of our co-op members in the Oak Harbor, Washington School District and has sent students to the national competition at the University of Maryland for six of the past seven years.

Well, today, one of the NHD students from Oak Harbor won the National GOLD medal!  

In celebration, if you come into the shop from now through Saturday evening at close (8 pm) and enthusiastically say:  "History Day ROCKS!", then you will receive 10% off ALL supplies...yarn included!  And, not just any yarn.....Handspun, hand dyed...right in the studio.   Our Whidbey Isle yarns, Whidbey Isle handmade 100% wool felts, fiber arts, papercrafts supplies, beading/jewelry AND lots of fabric are all included in this special celebratory sale!

So, join us in congratulating student Riley Borden, teacher (and fellow co-op member) Dena Royal and the Whidbey Island community for the NHD gold medal.  Yippee...History Day DOES Rock!

Scrappy Headbands, Summer Camps and More!

"Scrappy" Upcycled Headbands (Adult and Infant)

Upcycled Upholstery Trim with Button and Sequin Embellishment-Hair Clip

We've been having way too much fun at Crafters Co-op!  It is so rewarding to create beautiful accessories from what would normally be a "throw-away" item(s).

So, we are announcing our first monthly "Make Somethin' Out of Nothin'" night for next Saturday (June 2nd) from 7-9 p.m.  Here are the details:

Location:  910 Pioneer, Oak Harbor, at Crafters Co-op
Cost: $10 and a snack to share (BYOB optional)
Details:  No supply cost, as we will be creating hair accessories, pins/brooches (and anything else you choose) from our "scrap" baskets of fabrics and trims.  You can create as many as you choose in the two hour period and may add one embellishment (i.e. button, feather or bling) to each item.  At the end of the evening, all in attendance will vote, and the winner of the cutest/most creative will not have to pay the $10 for the evening.  :)

Register in the shop or 632--4200 or www.facebook.com/whidbeycrafts.

Also, our June class schedule will be out on Tuesday.  We'll have our normal offering of fiber arts, sewing and papercraft classes, but will also have a beginning quilting class meeting one evening a week for the entire month of June.  This will fill up quickly, so sign up soon!

Don't forget to sign up for our SUMMER CRAFT CAMPS for youth!  Grades 1-5 in the mornings (9-11:30) and Grades 6 and up from 1-3:30 pm.  $125 for all week and includes all supplies for fun, yet practical projects completed each day!  All instructors background checked.

Crafters Co-op, where EVERY day is Earth Day!  Open 11-8 Mon-Sat and sometimes on Sunday
Craft store, studio, boutique, supplies and classes.
910 Pioneer, Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island, WA  98277
royalalpacas@aol.com
360 632 4200

Our FB page at www.facebook.com/whidbeycrafts provides the most up to date list of classes and events.

Daily Class Schedule for April

The daily class schedule for each day of April, 2012 will be in the shop on Monday. A variety of fiber art, sewing, scrapbooking, knitting and crochet classes will be offered! Most classes are only $10/hr plus minimal supply costs. Some classes have supplies included in the one hour $10 class fee!

Don't forget that your class fee also grants you access to the studio for the entire day of your class. :)

Crafters Co-op
910 Pioneer Way
Oak Harbor, WA 98277
360 632 4200

Crafters Co-op is OPEN!

Washington's only craft/fiber arts store focusing on eco-friendly supplies (>50% recycled,vintage, reclaimed) and practices is now open!

910 Pioneer Way, Oak Harbor, WA 98277 (3 blocks past the mermaid)
(360) 632 4200

M-F 11-8
Sat. 10-8

We offer supplies, classes, a boutique of handcrafted items, and an open studio. Studio fee ($3 for elementary age students and $5 for middle school-adult) includes the use of ALL of our studio tools, space and our 150+ craft book/pattern library!

Some of our tools include:

Two sewing machine stations
Rotary cutters/mats
Rigby Wool/Fabric Cutter
Fricke Finest Drum Carder
Drop Spindles, Spool Knitters, Lap Looms
Niddy Noddys, Ball Winder, Swift and More
Art Supplies of all kinds
Huge Stamp Collection for Scrapbooking/Paper Crafts

We also sell by the item or by the ounce and minimize plastic packaging! We have the largest collection of fibers/dyed and natural on Whidbey Island and have supplies for the following fiber arts:
Spinning
Weaving
Knitting
Crochet
Embroidery/Cross Stitch/Tapestry
Kumihimo (Japanese Braiding)
Fiber and Silk Dyes (including many silk scarves for your projects)
Nuno/Cobweb Felting
Needle Felting
Rug Making (Locker hooking, Primitive, Latch hooking, Braided, Toothbrush)

Come check out our huge $3/yd fabric section and our vintage/antique fabrics and notions! We also have the largest collection of vintage sewing baskets in the Northwest...pick out one for your crafting needs/joys!

Many scrapbook papers available by the sheet too. Die Cutter coming later this spring for the studio.

We have nine talented craft artisans to teach classes and assist you in the studio:
Jessica and Kymy: Basic and Advanced Sewing
Agatha and Kathy: Crochet and Kids Crafts
Dena and Glennda: Rugmaking and Recycled Fiber Arts
Dena: Fiber Arts of all Kinds
Ruth: Primitive Rug Hooking
Amy: Jewelry and Beading
Cheryl: Scrapbooking and Paper Crafts

Hope to see you soon!

Crafters Co-op Retail Store Update!

Crafter's Co-op will be opening on Monday, April 2nd at 10 a.m. at 910 Pioneer Way, Oak Harbor, WA. This 1100 foot retail space, in an 100 year old building with a water view is the perfect place for crafting classes/workshops, craft supplies, studio time and a boutique for handcrafted crafted art items.

Crafter's Co-op is a unique craft store concept in that >50% of all supplies sold will be reclaimed, recycled or vintage! Everything we carry will keep eco-friendly and "green" in mind. Also, you may buy just what you need for a project, i.e. one tapestry needle, not being forced to purchase more than you need in lots of plastic packaging!

Our super reasonable studio fee of $3 for children and $5 for adults (middle and high school youth included) will include access to the following:

All of our studio tools, including sewing machines, die cut machine, wool/fabric cutters, stamps, yarn winders, drum carder, all sorts of fiber arts tools, rotary cutters and mats...and more!

Our 150+ craft book library. You can peruse these books to your heart's content and trace patterns/templates. No purchasing of expensive craft books for a simple pattern or template. We'll have comfy chairs and a cuppa tea for you while you browse. :)

For the little ones, there will be lots of markers, crayons, glitter, scrap yarns, stamps/stamp pads available for them to create cards for a loved one on deployment, an upcoming birthday, etc. Just purchase a sheet of cardstock for 10 cents and you'll have all you need!

We will also have co-op members scheduling and teaching classes in the following craft genres:
Fiber arts (all kinds, including spinning, weaving, rug making, kumihimo, felting of all types, knitting, crocheting)
Sewing
Scrapbooking and papercrafts
Recycled wool projects
Jewelry/Beading
2D (painting of acrylic and watercolors)

Please "like" our Facebook page of Crafters Co-op Oak Harbor to get daily updates!

We're so excited and can't wait to see you there!

Crafters Co-op: An Upcycle Craft Store/Shop Opening!

PLEASE HELP FUND THE DREAM! Crafters Co-op is going to be an awesome, innovative craft store, combining classes, a craft library, studio space, supplies, and OOAK completed projects. It will uniquely FOCUS on reclaimed and vintage supplies of high quality at a reasonable price. (Cotton fabrics for $3/yd, NOT $10/yd and up.) Just need a needle, or a thimble, or a classy vintage button? Come in and just buy ONE.

The shop will be located in Oak Harbor (Whidbey Island, WA) at 910 Pioneer Way, with an unobstructed water view, 1100 sq. feet of studio, boutique and library space...and the tea kettle will always be on!

However, I need YOUR help. I'll be honest. I have planned this for two years, have spent 1000s of my own money and 1000s of hours of time in getting ready. Yet, I don't have a rich uncle (lol). We're going to go for "crowd funding" via PayPal. A secure, safe way to help Crafters Co-op get ready for it's April 1st opening! You will receive a gift certificate (available at the store as of April 1st) for 100% of your donation amount. So, you will be prepaying for wonderful classes, supplies, and service ALWAYS with a smile in a GREEN business on Whidbey Island. Not in the immediate area? We would still love your help in creating this upcycle store and will list your name in the store as one of the founders! Please be a part of "Outta the landfill, into your heart."

Donations accepted at Paypal, payable to: royalalpacas@aol.com (Dena Royal.) Have questions? Email me at that same address or message me on my personal FB page.