Thursday, March 20, 2014

Oh My Gosh! More Blue Russian News! UPDATED

Gold Maiden

Look at that! There's a new Maiden companion to the Russian Santas set from Leigh Designs, exclusive to the Enriched Stitch which is doing a monthly club with four of the Russian Santas! 
http://astheneedleturns.com/exclusive-snow-maiden/

I want hair like that!

UPDATE:  Enriched Stitch has posted photographs of the two finished Russian Santas in their Leigh Designs club which they are about to ship to club members.  They call them The Ivans.  LOL
http://astheneedleturns.com/birdland-santa/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

March 21-25 Exemplary

The National Academy of Needle Arts's seminar and exhibit is in Troy, Michigan from March 21-25. If you are in the area, please go see some outstanding needlework! 
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2014/03/swanky-cute.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 17, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Best Needlework Shops 2023

This article is over six years old, but is receiving a lot of visitors recently, so I thought I would update and republish it so that folks can add more shops to the list if they so desire. After all, there are new shops Out There, and I know I didn't include all that are fabulous. So please email me your favorites to me at chilly hollow at hotmail dotcom and I will post for you. Thanks!

Welcome to the list of the best needlework shops as recommended by readers of Blog.  My list is by state (and alphabetically within state) to help folks who stumble across this posting locate a shop as close to them as possible. After all, who wants to stand at the mailbox waiting for a package any longer than necessary?

A Dragon's Tale has a list of recommended shops that do mail order on her blog.  The shops are located in the UK and USA.  If you are not in the USA, there's a tab at the top of Blog that lists shops which will ship overseas to help you collect supplies you can't get locally.
https://adragonstaleneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2020/03/where-to-buy-threads.html?fbclid=IwAR2WUIn9eyi62Qd8b95dcCeXTMBcOGsdezINwyvNu9bu-SF40jJwfEzid0A


***********************************

Alabama:  Montgomery's The Needle Bug is a shop you want to visit for their terrific inventory and even better classes.  The customer service is first rate as well.
https://www.theneedlebug.com

Arizona:  Folks rave about BeStitched in Scottsdale.The shop has amazing classes and does some incredible videos at NeedlepointFlix, some of which are free and some of which are viewed by subscription.
http://bestitchedneedlepoint.com

Arizona:  Family Arts Needlework Shop in Phoenix has a wonderful selection of painted canvases and every type of thread you could imagine or want. They have been in existence since 1967, are staffed by volunteers (plus paid professional Director) and donate their profits to charities that assist women and children.  They have excellent sales periodically.

Arizona:   Old Town Needlework (Scottsdale) is a classic shop that specializes in Southwestern themed needlepoint and cross stitch.    I can tell I need to schedule a Scottsdale and Tucson vacation to check everything out!
http://www.oldtownneedlework.com/shop/Needlepoint/Southwest.htm

Arizona:  Quail Run Needlework (also in Scottsdale) does wonderful classes, have great finishers, and also have a terrific stock of canvases.  Because Quail Run Designs is affiliated with the shop, you can find some great Southwestern-themed painted canvases from their line here.
http://quailrunneedlework.com

Arizona:  The West in Tucson donates all their profits to charity.  The volunteers who run the shop are extremely knowledgable and helpful!
http://www.thewestinc.com

California:  Aristeia is the home of amazing teachers and amazing stitch guides, particularly for Melissa Shirley designs.  They also do a fabulous yearly retreat.
http://www.aristeianeedlepoint.com

California: Come 2 the Point in San Rafael is a tiny shop run by Michelle who specializes in great customer service.  If you are a guild member, there's a ten percent discount.
http://www.cometothepoint.com

California:  Golden Gate Needlepoint in San Francisco is at 3310 Sacramento Street.  They don't appear to have a website or Facebook page but they have many happy customers and have an Instagram page.

California: Needle in a Haystack in Alameda is a fabulous source for unusual threads and counted thread supplies. I use their online thread listing constantly and order anything exotic from them. They have a great mail order service and will get you anything you want if they don't stock it.  Don't miss their online thread listing which has color photographs of the thread lines they carry.
http://www.needlestack.com/

California: Needle Nook of La Jolla always has the latest canvases, and their sale prices and trunk show discounts are fabulous. They also have a very good stock of books and tools of various kinds.
http://www.needlenookoflajolla.com/

California:  Old World Designs in Menlo Park, CA (between San Francisco and San Jose) has an amazing selection of hand painted canvases, monthly trunk shows, 2 in house teachers, June McKnight teaches the third Saturday of every month, Mary Legallet of Whimsical Stitch comes quarterly and Sherry Bray of Queen Anne Stitches comes quarterly.  The store has a great selection of threads, books, gadgets, bags and excellent finishing. They ship nationally and internationally - a customer in Ireland calls and emails regularly for her needlepoint fix.  You can order online or call the shop for more personalized service +1(650) 321-3494.
http://www.oldworlddesigns.com 

California:  Queen Anne Stitches in Santa Clarita doesn't have a website, just a Facebook page, but they carry wonderful canvases and Sherry Bray teaches there.  Definitely stop by if you are in the area.  The shop has moved so make sure you check the location and hours before you go.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Queen-Anne-Stitches-Needlepoint/150442344989761

California:  The Needlepointer is known for their clubs and classes.  My spies add that the shop is known for its colorful thread room, excellent instruction, beautiful finishing, monthly trunk shows, and retreats held three times per year.  They moved from their old location in Edmonds, Washington in 2023 and now are located in Sacramento, California.
http://www.theneedlepointer.com

Connecticut: Alex Paras NeedleArts has a nice little selection of tools, many charts, and some great photos of stitched models scattered throughout the website. If you plan to visit in person, you'll actually be visiting Thistle Needleworks in Glastonbury. Alex Paras is their online presence but in person they are Thistle Needleworks. However you visit, you'll find lovely stuff and knowledgeable staff ready to help.
http://store.apneedlearts.com/

Connecticut:  Enriched Stitch is a newer shop, distinguished by their very talented staff and amazing classes and stitch guides.  They have a wonderful annual retreat.  The shop also is the distributor for Amanda Lawford's designs and has their own line of canvases called Vallerie Needlepoint Gallery (VNG).
http://enrichedstitch.com

Florida:  Absolutely Needlepoint is Miami's needlepoint shop.  They do classes and are enough to bring any stitching tourist off the beach and indoors.  Note that they have moved fairly recently so make sure you go to the right place if you visit only periodically.
http://absolutelyneedlepoint.com

Florida:  Bristly Thistle is where I want to retire.  Michele does terrific stitch guides and classes but throw in a beach and wonderful trunk shows, and this is the place to end up.
http://www.bristlythistle.com

Florida:  Needlepoint in Paradise is in Naples, Florida.  They have a wonderful stock of canvases to admire.  Susan Portra and Tony Minieri often teach here in the winter season.
http://www.needlepointinparadise.com

Florida:  Stitches By the Sea is in Delray Beach, Florida.  They are in a resort community and ship everywhere to customers who visit only during "the season."
http://www.stitchesbytheseainc.com

Georgia:  Labors of Love Needlepoint is a new shop in Atlanta (2019) opened by the owners of Labors of Love series of canvases.  They are just getting started but I expect great things from Mark and JP.
http://www.laborsofloveneedlepoint.shop

Georgia:  The Nimble Needle Atlanta.  This shop has fun classes, a huge inventory of painted canvases, great finishing and Robin King teaches here periodically.  What more could you want?
https://www.atlantanimbleneedle.com/home.html

Kentucky:  M's Canvashouse is owned by Meredith Willet, who also owns Elizabeth Turner Designs, now called the Meredith Collection. So you know this is going to be good!   Their line of canvases is huge, especially for belts.
http://www.mscanvashouse.com

Maryland:  Bedecked and Beadazzled is Ruth Schmuff's online only shop, full of amazing bling and fun canvases that Ruth distributes that you can't find anywhere else.  Ruth is known for her mystery classes many of which she is now hosting via Zoom.  Bookmark her blog and watch her dazzle us with her incredible stitching!  The shop website now has photographs of the beads and sequins she carries, which helps when you are looking for just the right thing.  There's also a section listing the stitch guides available in the shop.
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com

Massachusetts:  Good Harbor Needlepoint is a newer (2015) shop in Massachusetts.  Right now (2019) the brick and mortar shop has closed.  WWD writes: "I haven't shopped there in person, but I recently had excellent mail order service from Susan at Good Harbor Needlepoint in Topsfield.  We communicated via email and over the phone and everything was seamless.  She even contacted me after I received the package to make sure everything was to my liking."
http://www.goodharborneedlepoint.com

Michigan:  Homestead Needle Arts isn't flashy.  The shop concentrates on a wonderful newsletter, canvases that you can't find anywhere else, and great customer service.   Theresa is very helpful and her dog is a charmer!
http://www.homesteadneedlearts.com

Michigan:  Peacock Alley Needlepoint is a fun shop that specializes in customer service and has a amazing shop window every month.  Follow them on Facebook to see the latest goodies.  The designer Machelle Sommerville works here so there's always a great selection of her designs.
http://www.peacockalleyneedlepoint.com

Michigan:  The Wool and the Floss in Grosse Pointe has been around for twenty plus years (although the shop changed hands in 2017) and is a great resource.  The shop offers a nice selection of canvases and threads, classes 3-4 times a week, and great finishing. They are also happy to help with any questions or problems that arise and also offer knitting supplies.  Don't miss the Pointing It Out podcast on YouTube that the shop co-hosts with Needlepoint Club House in St. Louis.
http://thewoolandthefloss.net/cgi-bin/p/awtp-pa.cgi?d=the-wool-the-floss&type=2879

Minnesota:  3 Kittens Needle Arts is located in the Minneapolis suburb of Mendota Heights.  My spy says it carries both needlepoint and knitting and is known for its outstanding customer service, a thread inventory of many, many different kinds of threads, a wonderful book selection and a large inventory of canvases. They have frequent and great classes for all levels of stitchers and knitters. The stitch guides available from their in-house instructors are spectacular. The finishing done is classic, modern, creative, and innovative. Custom acrylics and other custom finishing is a specialty.  They also have a line of painted canvases called 3K that has some lovely designs, plus they have quite a few of Sue Spargo's art quilt designs in needlepoint.
http://3kittensneedlearts.com

Missouri:  Needlepoint Club House in St. Louis is owned and operated by the co-host of the Pointing It Out podcast and features classes with nationally known teachers such as Susan Portra, Sandy Arthur, David McCaskill and Julia Snyder.  Want to stitch a belt?  This is a great resource.
http://www.theneedlepointclubhouse.com

Nevada:  Golden Needlepoint is the newest Las Vegas shop.  They have a nice selection of beautiful painted canvases and also license artwork for needlepoint canvases from painters like Sascalia that you can't find anywhere else.
https://goldenneedlepoint.com

Nevada:  Most people go to Las Vegas to gamble but needlepointers go there because that's where Stitcher's Paradise is located!  I've heard great things about this shop.
http://www.stitchersparadiseinc.com

New York City:  Annie and Company is in Manhattan and everyone raves about it.  This is a great place for painted canvases.  Their threads are organized by color, so if you are going to kit out a chart or painted canvas, make sure you have plenty of time to find what you need.
http://www.annieandco.com

Ohio:  Absolutely Needlepoint in Cincinnati got a rave review from a customer who says she spends way too much money there but it is worth every penny.  They have a bare bones website and a Facebook page.
http://absolutelyneedlepointcincy.com

Ohio:  What's the Point? Needlepoint is in Dublin, a suburb of Columbus.  This shop offers wonderful clubs and classes, stocks a lot of great canvases and is always surprising us with great sales via their Facebook page.  Don't miss the videos of the shop interior on Facebook!
http://www.whatsthepoint.biz

Oregon:  Mindy's Needlepoint Factory in Eugene isn't only a great shop with a fabulous selection of trims, buttons and canvases, it is the home of the designer Mindy.  There's a wonderful video on the Mindy website but don't forget to peruse her designs as well when you visit the webstore.  Mindy also sells great buttons and trims and she now features canvases sized for the Turtle Bags, which she also stocks.
http://www.mindysneedlepoint.com/about-us/

Pennsylvania: Fireside Stitchery is the closest out-of-state shop to me so when I need it NOW and the local shops don't have it,  I order from them. They have a fabulous stock of threads and charts and some lovely wooden tools and also have constant trunk shows.  Fireside is known for their customer service.  Great place!  Note that they are about to move (2023) if you plan to visit in person.
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/FS/about/index.cfm

Pennsylvania:  The Porcupine is located in Sewickley, right outside of Pittsburgh. It has a lovely selection of fibers and painted canvases according to my informant.  Judging from their website, they do lots of classes and clubs, too.
http://www.theporcupineneedlepointshop.com

Pennsylvania:  Rittenhouse Needlepoint is right in the heart of Philadelphia.  The shop has great finishing, has a great custom painter, does stitch guides and charity works and is just a fun place to hang out.  Personally, I love to search their online shop.  Their finishers don't have a cut off date, either.
http://rittenhouseneedlepoint.com

South Carolina:  Two's Company in Rock Hill is worth a visit just for their full selection of threads.  It's been described to me as a threadaholic's dream!  
http://www.twoscompanyneedlepoint.com

South Dakota:  Souix Falls, SD has Barbara's Needlepoint, a shop that is famed far and wide for their in-house finishing and their in-house designers like Ann Hanson.  They do a yearly retreat, a limited edition Santa canvas each year, have a great series of strawberry canvases and much more.
https://www.facebook.com/Barbaras-Needlepoint-107558659287177/

Tennessee:  Nashville Needleworks is an older shop with a new owner.  Connie Glenn Camp has revitalized the shop with some fabulous clubs and classes, not to mention a lot of new products.  Browse the website and you'll be dazzled.
http://nashvilleneedleworks.com

Texas:  Chaparral Needlepoint in Dallas is one of the first shops to start offering monthly clubs. They do wonderful classes, too.   Note that the shop has recently been sold and relocated to Dallas from Houston.  Check out their Instagram page for the latest.
http://www.ndlpt.com

Texas:  Chandail Needlework in Houston is an older shop under a new owner  They jumped on the monthly club bandwagon early with an eclectic and fun series of choices, many of which are still available.  They do lots of fun classes now and always have something interesting to look at online.
http://www.chandailneedlework.com

Texas:  Creative Stitches and Gifts in Dallas carries both needlepoint and cross stitch and a lot of different fibers, not to mention great classes.  My spy says it is a great place to spend both time and money!
http://www.creativestitchesandgifts.com

Texas:  Fancy Stitches in Cleburne carries unique Texas items, has great classes and does superb finishing.  Their website is worth a fun browse, too.
http://fancystitches.com

Texas:  Needle Works in Austin has one of the largest selections of threads you could ever want and always have the latest canvases and the greatest teachers visiting.  They ship quickly and are always helpful with ideas.  The shop changed hands in 2019 but the new owners are continuing the dream with this shop.  They are now the source for Amy Bunger's Home Study kits, too.  
http://theneedleworks.com

Texas:  Pocket Full of Stitches in Lubbock are the creators of the monthly clubs that almost every shop offers now.  They have a great selection of them, wonderful sales and terrific customer service.  Don't miss visiting if you are in the area.
http://www.pfos.com

Virginia: Waste Knot is my local shop. It is fabulous, especially when it comes to painted canvases and books!  I salute you, Lori! (Good thing I don't live close by or I'd be bankrupt.)  They don't carry counted charts, though—just books and trunk shows and great models and lots of threads and painted canvases.  Plus a nice selection of bags and boxes with spots to insert a canvas.
http://www.wasteknotneedlepoint.com/directions.html

Washington State: Threadneedle Street has a great selection of books, silks and silk gauze supplies. I visit their site to just read the book reviews!  This is the place for something special.
http://www.threadneedlestreet.com/

Online Only:
Blue Dogwood is an online website shop. You can get hand painted canvases, kits, stitch guides, nearly everything you might need.https://bluedogwooddesigns.com

Many thanks to all the shops who cater to us so very well!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com © Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

I'm Hungry Now

Thanks to the Kreinik blog, I discovered the UK teacher and counted canvaswork designer Yvonne Close.
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2014/03/everlasting-cupcakes.html

Her designs are available under the West End Designs name on her website. And yes, I've updated the Counted Canvaswork Designs tab with Yvonne's information.
http://www.westendembroidery.com/West_End_Designs.html

Those cupcakes are making me hungry!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 12, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.