Early history
Lori grew up in a home with creative, hard-working parents who both played - and taught - music (several instruments). Choosing to attend Augustana University, Lori studied arts and music, graduating with a teacher's degree from U of A. She taught for 9 years, and frustrated with the then system she left the teaching profession in 1993.
Store history
After leaving teaching, Lori actively joined the family business in Lacombe.
While working with Nowco Home Hardware, Lori managed to break a circular needle. I know none of our crafter's have ever lost or broken a needle part way through a project, so I hope you can empathize how traumatic this can be to someone who is hoping to complete a project - and move on to the next idea with new yarn/fabric.
The broken needle was the impetus to put her entrepreneurial skills and talents in gear. Recognizing a need in the area for a good quality yarn shop, Lori started exploring opportunities. At the same time Lewiscraft was expanding and looking at opening in smaller communities.Lengthy discussions were not successful.
With the blessings of the other owners and as a division of Home Hardware "The Crafty Lady" opened in the basement of Home Hardware - February 14, 1994. Lori was able to access some of her early suppliers through Nowco, including Ceramcoat paints, Premier brushes, Spinrite yarns, wood products from Stockade.
The Crafty Lady operated from this location until 2000 when the store moved to their second location on Main Street, between A-1 Chinese Restaurant and Nowco Home Hardware. (see last week's blog for more of the construction photos.) Lori's father Edwin was Contractor, Site Superintendent and "Senior Standard Setter" during the construction of the new building ensuring everything was above code for the new building.
| Dad - six weeks after surgery, inspecting the work done while he was not allowed to "do" |
During my lifetime, I (currently the oldest employee of The Crafty Lady) have experienced and encouraged change. Children grow up and create their own lives, technology is ever-changing, yarn and yarn tools also change. I do not look like I did at 16 - even my hair has changed colours - and I have added four children, three grandchildren and two greats to my family. I am not including my husband of 20 years and the family he has brought into my life. Every community, person and business must move forward, evolve and change appropriately to grow while continuing to exist. If we don't change, we go the way of the dinosaurs - sorry old cliche.
Over the past 25 years, The Crafty Lady has evolved from models, paints, brushes to primarily yarns for knitting and crocheting. As part of our evolution, on June 1, 2018, we moved to a new location - from where we are celebrating our 25th Anniversary. Our current location has a basement for storage, better lighting and we have moved from Main Street to the Main Drag.
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| New Store Front as of June 2018 |
Currently, we stock some chain mail, clock parts, beading supplies, tatting, tapestry and cross-stitch supplies, knitting/crochet/tatting pattern books and project bags. International factors seriously affect our ability to purchase from the United States, including the state of the dollar. So we are not bringing in Knitter's Pride for awhile.
"One of the first conditions of happiness is that the link between Man and Nature shall not be broken" said Leo Tolstoy. Crafting - in any form - helps us connect with nature, natural products and centuries old skills. Patterns and products have changed. Lace and cables are often featured with new colours and yarns.
Currently, we are stocking a number of merino products. Many people who are sensitive/allergic to wool can easily wear and/or work with merino, alpaca and lama as these are very unique fibres. Some manufacturers are even producing machine washable versions of these yarns.
This month we are breaking several traditions! (Another sign of change?) Each business day it's a surprise a day as our daily deals are 25% Off! Follow our Facebook page to learn what our daily deal is! Lori has never done this before. Daily Deals range from "buy 3 skeins of DMC floss - get the 4th free" to all "knit/crochet notions 25% off".
Join us this Thursday, Feb.14th for our "Everything in the Store" sale
Drop-In for Knit Night is Coffee, Conversation, and goodies for $5 on a drop in basis between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Bring your tapestry, cross-stitch, spinning (as one member did last week), portable loom, crochet or knitting and join us. We are a very shy group of people -NOT! We welcome new members. So drop in! We have regular/decaf coffee and teas. Goodies are anything from cheese and crackers to veggies/fruit and dip to cookies or cake.
Lastly as one of the original shoppers at The Crafty Lady who dragged my then preteen daughter down to the first basement location, and on behalf of all current and former staff members of The Crafty Lady, we Thank you - our customers for encouraging, supporting and offering great suggestions on new products or things you would like to see.
We are looking forward to serving all our customers - from Romania to Ireland to
P.S. We have new yarns arriving all the time come in and see them!
Written by Anne, excited TCL employee to be able to share in the upcoming events and sales! Please do not tell my husband as I have a very healthy stash at home.
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