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Thursday, February 7, 2013

luna grey fiber arts giveaway

hello dear friends! 

i've read and reread (and reread) your beautiful comments on my leaves of grass shawl post, you are so kind, thank you so very much. i wanted to let you know that no harm came to the shawl when i gingerly placed it over the barbed wire fence for photos, even if there were breath holding moments! (there were understandable comments and emails, how could you!?)

on to the giveaway! jackie of luna grey fiber arts, has generously offered one skein of her hand dyed merino wool to one lucky winner. jackie is a very talented and creative mother of two young boys, if you haven't yet met her let me introduce this lovely knitting mama...


 Tell me a little about yourself
 I am a midwestern girl who dreamed of living in Key West, Florida after a trip there as a teen. As fate would have it...Just out of college, I moved from Nebraska to the Keys for a job with Nature Conservancy doing rare plant monitoring and prescribed burning on two small preserves. I eventually married my husband there, bought a house and had a baby. After our son was born, we realized that we were much too far from our families. We decided to move to Colorado where my husband's parents had recently settled. We have always loved the mountains - skiing, hiking, camping, fishing were passions we both shared as kids. The move meant that we were now able to afford for me to stay home with our son. I have since had another son and I have been lucky enough to be home with him as well. While I love being so present in my kids' lives, the long days of childcare often left me frazzled. Enter knitting. I picked up the book, "Stitch and Bitch" on a whim at a bookstore. I bought myself a cheap pair of aluminum needles and some discount wool yarn. I read that book from cover to cover more times than I care to admit. And, just like that...I was a knitter! Knitting became my sanity break at the end of each day. It didn't really matter what I was working on. The rhythmic click of my needles and the soft yarn in my hands magically calmed my nerves and soothed my mind. I was hooked!






 Tell me about Luna Grey Fiber Arts
After several years of knitting with cheap yarn, I discovered an adorable little hole-in-the-wall yarn shop here in Grand Junction, Colorado owned by a young, hipster mom. She had a passion for yarn that was contagious and a shop filled with awe inspiring colors and textures. I loved all of the hand dyed yarn, especially Malabrigo. Her shop opened up a whole new world for me and really solidified my passion for the craft. I began attending fiber festivals each summer and eventually picked up a couple jars of dye at the Wool Market in Taos, New Mexico. I had so much fun combining colors on different yarn bases. My first attempts at dyeing were pretty dismal. But, I caught on relatively quickly. My yarn started getting attention at my weekly knitting group and I was encouraged to start selling my yarn. Everything sort of took off from there. 



What's been the hardest part about starting a small business?
You hear a lot about start-up home business owners struggling with time management. I must say that I fully understand this now. My primary job remains mother to my two young boys. Their school and social schedules often mean that I have had to get creative in finding time to work on my shop. My eight year old is in school Monday through Thursday. And, my four-year-old attends a Pre-Kindergarten program four mornings a week. Those mornings go so quickly! But, I manage to get the majority of my dyeing, packaging, shipping and marketing done during that time. I have found that weekends can be tricky as I must balance time spent together as a family with time dyeing yarn and completing custom orders.



What do you love most about running your shop?
Where do I start? I love seeing photos of the things that people have created with my yarn. While I am primarily a knitter, my customers are talented weavers, crocheters, and mixed media artists. I also love that my yarn is making it's way around the world! I have customers in Alaska, France, Canada, Germany, and Australia! I love that pattern designers have been inspired by my yarn to create beautiful knitting patterns. Mostly, I love connecting with other fiber artists. While being an at-home mom can be isolating. My shop has allowed me to create lasting friendships with my customers and women whose blogs I sponsor.



(all photos courtesy of luna grey fiber arts)

thank you for sharing jackie, it is so interesting to learn about the person behind the creative work, very impressive. your story is inspiring and your wool, beautiful (and her shop, oh my)

jackie has offered to giveaway one skein of her thick and thin merino wool, "Titan" in the colorway, "Tidepool", she said  'It's been a great seller and is really fun to work with'. to win just leave a comment on this post and a name will be chosen in one week, next thursday february 14th. the winner will be posted here so remember to check back!


she has also included a coupon code that will give you 15% off your entire order at luna grey fiber arts, good through the end of the month 2-28-13. just enter WoolLuv15. thank you so much jackie! good luck everyone and happy knitting!


77 comments:

  1. Oh gosh - include me please - this looks absolutely beautiful and I love knowing more about Jackie!

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  2. gorgeous color blends!

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  3. Such lovely choices. What a beautiful post. I love those colorways and the name. i want to jump into a tide pool of gorgeous yarn!

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  4. Wow, what gorgeous colors! I've been looking at her other yarns and I'm drooling here. :-)

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  5. How absolutely gorgeous...
    I love Jackie's story (Rare plant monitoring! I used to help my Papa with that when I was younger), what a beautiful family they are.x

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  6. One can never have enough yarn! Thank you for the chance!!!!!

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  7. I gasped when I saw the grey and yellow!!!! WOuld make a beautiful suki shawl....Thanks for the chance.

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  8. Absolutely beautiful colors! When seeing such yarn, I start planning projects!

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  9. Love the different colors! I love hearing about those that create such gorgeous yarns.

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  10. What a great giveaway! I love beautiful yarn. It makes the creating process that much better.

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  11. thank you jackie, i'd make a sweet baby cocoon with this yarn :)
    angela
    x

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  12. Stunning!!!!!
    SO beautiful...all of it! Great interview- she is really talented.

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  13. What a great interview, and such an impressive array of yarns. I love all of the colors and textures!

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  14. Would love this beautiful yarn

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  15. Oh wow, I am in love with every single photograph of this gorgeous yarn! Lori, thanks for commenting on my blog. I'm looking forward to perusing some more of your beautiful pictures...

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  16. Oh my, the yarn is absolutely gorgeous!

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  17. That would make such a great chunky cowl--perfect for the snow storm heading my way!

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  18. I don't knit so I don't need the yarn. I just wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoyed getting to learn about Jackie and the dyeing process etc. Lovely, interesting post as always Lori!

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  19. Beautiful yarn...and beautiful story of how Luna Grey Fiber Arts was born. I too learned to knit from the "Stitch and Bitch" book.

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  20. Gorgeous! Both your shawl and this yummy yarn. I would love to win. Thankyou!!

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  21. What a beautiful story. We stayed in Grand Junction while driving home from Kentucky after being with Kelly; hubby and kitty would be in Seattle while I flew back to be with her during the chemo. I wish I had known about the yarn shop. Her hand-dyed yarn is just lovely and I know it would make up a lovely present, XOXO

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  22. What a nice story, and beautiful yarn! Thank you!

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  23. Lovely story and a great family picture, that dog has one funky collar!
    Please include me in the give away if overseas participation is OK.

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  24. Thank you - beautiful yarns and lovely family!

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  25. What a treat! The colours are incredible.

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  26. What stunning yarns, just gorgeous! And I was so taken by your shawl, I didn't even notice the barbed wire - lol!

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  27. I love all of the colors of your yarn and would love to win this skein. Thanks for the opportunity!!
    judyk2310@yahoo.com

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  28. She produces beautiful yarn doesn't she? I've come across her before. I'd LOVE to win :)

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  29. What a beautiful color!1 And a great story to go with it! Thanks Lori!

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  30. Such a fun giveaway! I admire fiber artists and their talents.

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  31. I love this shop! Thanks for the chance :-)

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  32. Enjoyed your interview! The yarn is beautiful! What talent. Thanks for a chance.
    Lynn
    LynnIL ravelry

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  33. I really loved getting to Jackie a little better!!! And such a wonderful giveaway. THanks for the chance to win.

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  34. Such beautiful yarns and such a thoughtful giveaway.

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  35. Beautiful yarn. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  36. it's always interesting to read about what drives people creatively. i enjoyed reading about jackie's journey and it almost makes me want to pick up a pair of knitting needles :))

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  37. Lori, it's so interesting to read about how Jackie got involved with knitting and how that lead her to dying such beautiful yarns...while also raising those adorable boys...and a chicken, too!

    Of course, I would love to be able to try that Luna Grey yarn.

    Best wishes, xo

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  38. So beautiful yarn, would love to make something for my coming grandson in Italy.

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  39. One of these wonderful stories, I'm planning on dyeing myself later this year but for now a sweet skein would help out...

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  40. Nice post Lori, so important that we all support each other as women in our little home businesses that allow us to be Moms as well. These yarns are really beautiful, she certainly has the dying down well. Lovely patterns too!

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  41. What a great opportunity. Gorgeous yarn, I'm in awe of such talent and creativity!

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  42. Beautiful yarn, beautiful knits, and beautiful, beautiful family! Thanks for the introduction!

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  43. Beautiful colours sigh! Loved your shawl.

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  44. i do not need more yarn, I do not need more yarn, I need more yarn....more yarn!!!

    what a wonderful story that is, I love the images of raising boys, and knitting and dying yarn. Lovely.

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  45. I've always loved this yarn co. Gorgeous stuff!

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  46. Oh... pick me wonderful, magnificent random number generator and I will be your friend forever! Thanks for the offer Luna Grey and Lori!!

    Blessings, Debbie

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  47. I have not heard of Luna Grey Fibers before, so thanks for introducing the shop. This yarn is just gorgeous!

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  48. Beautiful! I would love to try out that wool!!

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  49. would love to win! thanks for hosting this giveaway.

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  50. Just love that skein of yellow, white and grey *drool*
    Have to check out her shop ;)
    Great giveaway!

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  51. what an inspirational talented lady! I would love to work with her yarn, I'm off to check out her website now. Thanks for the chance to win Lori!

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  52. Desperately keeping my fingers crossed...what amazingly beautiful yarn!!!

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  53. That yarn is drop dead gorgeous. Those sea green colors are all my favorites.

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  54. Wow, that's some beautiful yarn. Thanks for the great give-away!

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  55. Lovely to read the story behind the yarn. It really personalizes it. Beautiful colours! Who knows where this yarn fascination will take us all!

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  56. I love reading the stories behind women who turn their hobbies into successful businesses. A very inspiring article and a gorgeous yarn she is giving away. Mel x

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  57. Yes, please! Thanks for hosting the giveaway. :D

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  58. Thank you for visiting and your lovely comment. I have enjoyed seeing your knitting and your beautiful photographs, talented lady. Also now I can be in this exciting giveaway.
    Your Leaves of grass shawl is going to be a family treasure, so beautifully worked.
    Milly

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  59. Absolutely gorgeous and I loved reading Jackie's answers. I'd love to be entered into the giveaway!

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  60. An hopping into this pool here quickly, you never know... ;-)

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  62. Fantastic yarn, would love to knit with it.

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  63. Perhaps I will enter after all!! If Australia is not too far to send this, then I would be delighted to knit something up with this yarn if I won!!

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  64. Oh, the things this lovely yarn could be...

    Such stunning colours in all of the yarns. Now I am off to follow the link to a yarny dreamland.

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  65. Please include me in the draw for the yarn. It looks beautiful. If I win I'll put it to good use! gillian.s.frazer@btinternet.com

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  66. the colors and texture are so rich and fluid. thank you for this link to a fabulous shop. sherry (redmittengirl (at) yahoo (dot) com)

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  67. Please include me in the draw for the beautiful yarn.
    Thank you so much Lori

    xxx

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  68. I would love to work with this beautiful yarn! Thank you for the give-away offer!

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  69. I am a mama living in Oregon but longing to get back to my beloved Rockies! I would love to have a little piece of Colorado artistry to knit up. Thanks for doing this giveaway.

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  70. Such a beautiful colour way, I'm sure it is glorious to knit with.

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  71. i looooove that color! beautiful yarn...

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xoxo lori