Hello, Gorgeous!

For those of you too young to remember, this is precisely what Barbra Streisand uttered upon being handed her first Oscar statuette after winning the Academy Award for Best Actress. (I won’t embarrass myself by revealing the year…perhaps you remember? Don't worry, I won't tell.)

Whatever does this have to do with weaving, you might ask? Well, if you’ve ever had the joy of setting eyes upon your first Mirrix loom, this will pretty much be your response. It was surely mine last evening when I opened my glorious and much-anticipated package from Mirrix. And although I’ve certainly seen enough photos and videos of them, to hold a Mirrix Loom in my very own hands is quite a different experience. Trust me, they're absolutely gorgeous.

To back up a little...I must admit to my surprise upon learning that I had won the Social Market for a Craftsy Class contest. After all, I’m certainly not much of a weaver. And although I’ve woven a fair share of some lovely yet rather simple items on my Ashford and Cricket rigid heddle looms and even on a ginormous 7 foot triangle loom, until recently I had never heard of Mirrix Looms. I am however a Very...Serious...Knitter, having owned two different yarn shops over the last twenty years. During this time, I have taught untold numbers of classes to countless students of all levels and have blogged about the trials and tribulations of owning one’s own knitting shop. Just two years ago, after selling my most recent beloved yet truly exhausting yarn shop, I was fortunate to land my dream job as the Marketing Manager at Knitting Fever. Perhaps you've heard of us? We are the nation's largest importer and distributor of many fine yarn brands including Noro, Katia and Debbie Bliss. In this position, not only do I design knitting patterns but I often get to help develop the actual new yarns that will be brought to market each season. Very exciting stuff, I can assure you. So, if there is anything I do know fairly well, it is fiber.

Enter Claudia’s Craftsy class, Bead & Tapestry Cuffs. Upon first discovering it, it appealed to me immediately. Naturally, I was captivated by the unique fibers used in the Affinity Bracelets and of course, the magnificent Bead & Tapestry Cuff. Just one quick glance at the extravagant materials shown in the class promo, I knew I was hooked. Hand-dyed silk, golden threads and beads of all sizes and shapes. (Be still, my beating heart!) But I am getting ahead of myself…I must first finish opening this fabulous Mirrix package because there are LOTS more goodies in here to unearth. Stay with me while we embark on a fascinating, fiber-filled weaving adventure, won't you?                        

 xxx, Karen