Members of the Independence Hall Quilter’s Guild are doing a happy-dance over this fantastic news.
Not only is this a place we can shop for our goodies, but it is local, right here in Arnold!
I met with Megan Rosenhart, proprietor and instructor at ‘Big Heart Fiber Arts’, to see what items she had for sale, classes to take, all the information quilters and crafty folks would want to know. The first workshop she is offering is a 2-day course in “felting”. I had no clue what felting was, and even after Mara explained it and showed me the cool scarves the class would make, I still could not tell you about it. If you are interested in learning about and doing this craft, her workshop is September 27th (6-8 pm) and September 28th (1-3 pm). The $48.00 fee includes both sessions, plus all the materials needed to make a gorgeous scarf.
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For information on class schedules, registration, workshops, and things newsworthy, check on Megan’s website. It is there you will get the latest scoop.
Prior to her grand opening on July 19th, Mara taught 3 weeks of “kids camps” at the Hub in Arnold. Each week had a theme (or two):
- American Girl Doll Clothes Making
- Quilting
- Lego’s
- Duct Tape*
* For kids only, husbands and grown boys cannot attend. I asked.
Mara, a 4th generation fiber arts expert, learned quilting and crewel (embroidery) work from her great-grandmother. Her grandmother taught her to knit and crochet, and her mom taught her to sew. They mostly used the English (UK) style, and sewed by hand. Her mission is to teach these “lost” arts to young people and carry them forward. Mara’s favorite patterns are ‘historical’ – taken from the “Godey’s Ladies Books, written in 1837 – 1890’s. The books are compilations of the Godey’s magazines which were comparable to the “McCall’s” publications. A more in-depth look into these historical books will be explored at a later date…
Mara’s resume also includes sewing custom wedding dresses, she owned 2 bridal shops – one in Menlo Park, the other in Santa Cruz. She also taught at the Art Institute in San Francisco between 2004 – 2006.
Mara teaches classes for all age groups. Home-schooled and after-school kids sessions are available. She has a scholarship fund for kids who can’t afford the cost of classes but want to learn. Donations of $5 are suggested at the adult “open studio” and ‘community project” hours.
Classes for adults begin in October. See website for details, as schedules may change. She provides basic ‘kits’ with materials and instructions to make an item for $20.00 – this includes a lesson.
Mara’s family owned a cabin in Arnold and she has been coming up here since 1997. Two years ago in 2012, she moved to Arnold full time and now calls it home. In between running a shop and teaching, Mara is also busy being a ‘soccer mom’. Her son, William, an athletic 3rd-grader, has practice 3 nights a week, and games on Saturdays. In November, when soccer season ends, Mara told me her shop will have different operating hours, but they were not decided yet. Beside Mara and William, their family includes 3 rescue dogs – 2 chihuahua’s, and a Jack-Russel terrier.
In case you didn’t know: September is Learn to Crochet Month, October is Quilting Month – Big Heart Fiber Arts will be one of our vendors at The 37th Quilt Faire!
November & December are Knit Months.
Note: Our guild gets the big news first! The 2-month anniversary of the shop’s grand opening, is the weekend of Sept. 19th and 20th. To celebrate, Megan will take 20% off regular priced items and 10% off sale prices! The shop will be open both Friday and Saturday 11:00 to 4:00
So, stop by the shop to congratulate Megan and take advantage of the savings!
Check out their Facebook Page!
Independence Hall Quilters Guild 