Hello Everyone!
We hope you had a great Thanksgiving break and spent some quality time with family and friends! We have some events coming up this week….including a sheep shearing in Santa Cruz!

Class Updates

We have a few more spaces in our second session of Camp Pluckyfluff for January 24th 2009. Register now as the class is already being filled!

We have also added a weekend of Beginning Spindle Spinning on Saturday December 13th and Sunday December 14th. The 2 hour class class includes a handmade Greensleeves bare bones spindle made from solid maple. Want to start out in style? Then for a little more money you can upgrade to one of their sleek, and exotic hardwood spindles. We have a variety of natural colored woods and sizes. Let us help you pick out a spindle that will be a cherished heirloom! Our instructor Kim is available to do individual/small group wheel classes that weekend! Please contact us by e-mail to inquire.

The Table Top Loom Class Starts MONDAY!. The cricket looms have already gone home with several happy customers. So if you’re considering one of these fun looms be sure to enroll in the class. We have two spaces left! This should be a fun class so consider it an early Christmas present for yourself! If you already purchased the loom and would like to take the class we will deduct the difference from your registration.

Visit our Calender for More Classes

TOMORROW!!! Sunday 10-2 at Sheepie Dreams Organic Farm there will be a crafts show and shearing the wensley lambs! You can contact Sandra 415 734-1663 for more information! They are located at:
1983 Ocean Street Extension
      Santa Cruz, CA 95060

We will try to drop by and pick up some choice fleeces for our customers. A great way to meet some local CA farmers, take a short day trip and buy certified ORGANIC wool! Sheepie Dreams will be sold in SF at Urban Fauna Studio so be sure to check out the wool next time you are in the shop!

Urban Fauna Studio Shop Schedule
We will be open Friday thru Monday 11am-6pm with the following exceptions:
Dec 24th - Jan 1st 2008 for the Christmas Holidays
*You can always e-mail or call if you need a specific item. We can meet you at the shop by appt.

–> Watch our blog http://maryjanesattic.net/blog/ for updates and giveaways! We have some great craft books to review and raffle off.
–> We have started a Flickr group for Urban Fauna Studio. Please feel free to join if you have pictures to share or want to keep up with our events and products. http://www.flickr.com/groups/urbanfaunastudio/

Also shop our current stock of Mary Jane’s Attic yarns and Fibers at the Fog Belt Studio Craft Fair this weekend!
Fog Belt Studio Holiday Show
25th Avenue San Francisco CA 94116
(415) 244-8402 2528
Friday, 12/5 from 12noon – 8pm
Saturday, 12/6 from 10am – 6pm
Sunday, 12/7 from 12noon – 6pm

Camp Pluckyfluff Was Awesome!

The November Camp Pluckyfluff was a success. The participants were an incredibly fun bunch! Not to mention Lexi is an amazing artist and teacher. We had such overwhelming demand for this class that we have scheduled another section of Camp Pluckyfluff January 24th 2009. Register now as the class is already being filled! And for Camp alums, we will offer a second workshop for more advanced spinning techniques. We will let you know as soon as the dates are confirmed. You can see more pictures of their fibertastic fun on our Flickr Set Here

Lexi will also be giving a lecture and slide show about the evolution of hand-spun yarn as an art form at the Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco. This lecture/discussion is not to be missed and a bargain at only $8.00!

Classes Added and Updated

We have also added a weekend of Beginning Spindle Spinning on Saturday December 13th and Sunday December 14th. The 2 hour class class includes a handmade Greensleeves bare bones spindle made from solid maple. Want to start out in style? Then for a little more money you can upgrade to one of their sleek, and exotic hardwood spindles. We have a variety of natural colored woods and sizes. Let us help you pick out a spindle that will be a cherished heirloom! We have updated the Table Top Loom Workshop for December. The cricket looms have already gone home with several happy customers. So if you’re considering one of these fun looms be sure to enroll in the class or pick one up in the shop.

Urban Fauna Studio Shop Schedule
We will be open Friday thru Monday 11am-6pm with the following exceptions:
Saturday Nov 22nd - Shop will be closed early at 2pm
Friday Nov 28th & Saturday Nov 29th - Shop will be CLOSED*
Sunday Nov 30th - UFS will be vending on location at the Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco - come on out to the SF County Fair Building, participate in low cost craft workshops, shop with local artists and support youth art education in SF!  *You can always e-mail or call if you need a specific item. We can meet you at the shop by appt.

–> Watch this blog for updates and giveaways! We have some great craft books to review and raffle off.
–> We have started a Flickr Group for Urban Fauna Studio. Please feel free to join if you have pictures to share or want to keep up with our events and products.
–> Watch your E-mail box in early December we will deliver an exclusive sale to all our newsletter subscribers and special surprise offer that will leave you feeling like your dollars spent will bring change to the global craft community!

Hello Everyone!

We just wanted to weave you a little tale about the wonderful new items at Urban Fauna Studio and in our webstore. We also wanted to remind you of our upcoming mini loom  class! The Schacht Cricket Looms are for sale in the store and online! The Table Top Loom Weaving Class is being rescheduled due to shipment issues but it will be updated on our calender next week.

From Schacht….“The Cricket Loom is compact, capable and cute! At only 11″ x 18″ x 6″ and just under four pounds, it’s easy to take along. The ten inch weaving width gives plenty of room to make a variety of projects without sacrificing portability. Comes with two stick shuttles, a warping peg, threading hook, two table clamps, and 8-dent rigid heddle reed and two balls of yarn ” All this for the Affordable price of $135.00! Makes a great gift for yourself or a loved one! Make scarves, pot holders, place mats, shawls, pillows, and more!  The upcoming class will include two sessions of instruction AND the loom for only $200!

Don’t have time to take a class? Prefer to learn on your own? We suggest the new book from Interweave Press: Weaving Made Easy by Liz Gipson. We  find it to be a great beginner’s manual to both inform and inspire!  A step-by-step guide on getting started weaving; weaving vocab 101, tools and materials explained, the basics of warp and weft, and how to start weaving. The book comes with 17 attractive and approachable projects. Definitely a keeper for those who want revisit the basics or to learn a new craft. Price $24.95

The Hazel Rose Multi Looms are selling like hotcakes! We only have 2 inch looms left in the shop. We have a few spots left in our Handheld Loom Weaving workshop! In this class students will learn to choose appropriate weaving materials, how to weave, and examine a wide variety of completed projects incorporating woven squares.This 2 hour class will also cover advanced weaving techniques and how to join woven squares for large projects. Students do not need any prior weaving experience and will leave with a small completed project. It’s happening this SATURDAY 11/8/08 from 11am-1pm. So don’t delay! Call or E-mail us your name and phone number to reserve your space in the class!

Don’t forget to check our other workshops and classes on our calender page:
http://www.urbanfaunastudio.com/calendar.html

We’re stocking the store this week with new items such as:

* Handspun Yarns
* Merino Wool Felt Hats
* Felting kits by Made by Moxie
* Newly released Knitting, Felting, Weaving Books and more…..

Urban Fauna Studio will be selling at the You Bazaar tomorrow!

You Bazaar is TOMORROW SUNDAY NOV 2nd at the San Francisco County Fair Building! Come meet  popular crafters, toy and plush designers and other indie artists, who will be showcasing and selling their work. There will also be some craft workshops at You Bazaar!

COME! MEET IN PERSON awesome Plush artists such as….

Heidi Kenney of My Paper Crane - Meet the genius behind the popular donut keychains series!
Planet Tokki - Lovable Huggable Poo
The Donut Lounge - Adorable Plush Sushi
Katy Kristen - Handmade Bigfoot, Lock Ness Monsters & Hedgehogs
Made By Moxie - Amazing felt creations and kits
Patricia Chin - 2008 Fred Flare Next Big Thing FInalist
Cynically Delicious Cupcakes - The name says it all folks

ALL these artists and MORE QUALITY VENDORS! You can visit them for FREE tomorrow!

Please tell your friends and family! Blog! E-mail! Send out a Psychic message to all your friends who love handmade plus! Here are all the details and you are welcome to cut and paste the following text and badge to add to your blog:

Sunday November 2nd 2008
10:00am - 5:00pm
San Francisco County Fair Building
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

FREE ADMISSION

You Bazaar! will be on November 2nd 2008 from 10am to 5pm at the San Francisco County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park. You Bazaar! will feature 30 select craft vendors selling quality handmade wares and a series of rotating workshops throughout the day with some of your favorite plush designers. While we would like to use this event to promote plush art we welcome all crafters to apply for a vendor space. This will be a fun family friendly event to kick off the Plush You SF Show, opening Friday, November 7th 2008 and excite customers for the holiday shopping extravaganza Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco on Sunday, November 30th 2008

Check out the Vendor List!
Get directions!
Peruse You Bazaar Crafty Workshops!

Howdy y’all! We’ve come back from Maker Faire Austin. It was great fun meeting new crafty friends in the lone star state!

Craft Workshops
There are some great workshops on the Event Calendar!

Knitting Workshops are available in two series and the first one starts this Thursday Oct 30th 2008!
Learn to Knit Session 1: First Class 10/30; Second Class 11/6
Learn to Knit Session 2: First Class 11/7; Second Class 11/14

Learn to weave on a Hazel Rose Mini Loom - We can’t keep these looms in stock! This fun tool will be demystified by our local “mini loom guru” Karrie Weaver.

Baby Bootie Knitting For Beginners - A great one day workshop to whip up cute baby booties with our organic wool/cotton yarn. A rainbow of colors to pick from and a wonderful present for new baby!

Knit Socks - Learn how to knit your first pair of socks! No experience required.

Make A Funky Sock Monkey - Make your own colorful sock monkey with the creator of these locally made sock monkey kits!

DIY Photo GIft Tags - Perfect way to commemorate family photos on your holiday presents!

Sock Monkey 101 - Learn to make the “old School” original red heel sock monkey! A classic plush toy that people of all ages go “bananas” over

Classes that are full or canceled:
Camp Pluckyfluff is FULL. We are still taking names. If we can convince Lexi to open a second section we will notify everyone ASAP.

The Table Top Weaving course has been rescheduled due to a delay in our shipment of looms. They’re due to arrive in the next few weeks.

More classes are being added soon: Children Knitting; Hat Knitting; Needle felting; Gocco Screen Printed  Ornament Making and More. Check out all the classes in more detail at http://www.urbanfaunastudio.com/calendar.html

New Products: The store is restocked with more artisan hand dyed yarns, hand spun yarns and fibers. Soon we will have a full line of flat wool felt in a rainbow of colors and organic wool from a small farm in Santa Cruz.  A bump (22+ pounds!) of Falklands Wool has landed on our doorstep. This fiber is super white and a great fiber for spinning  or weaving.  It is a wonderful fiber to try for a variety of reasons:
* Fibre diameters range from 20 microns to 31 microns.
* Excellent soft handling and good bulk.
* Dyes beautifully like Merino wool yet resists felting a bit more…great for beginners to dye and spin.
*These sheep are farmed without the use of herbicides, pesticides, dips, footbaths or regular injections.
* There  is no need to use bleaches in the processing – the natural white is just that. - These are eco-friendly practices that make this wool greener than other breeds.

You Bazaar Craft Show
You Bazaar will be on November 2nd 2008 from 10am to 5pm at the San Francisco County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park. You Bazaar will feature 30+ select craft vendors selling quality handmade wares and a series of rotating workshops throughout the day with some of your favorite plush designers. This will be a fun family friendly event to kick off the Plush You SF Show, opening Friday, Nov. 7th 2008 and excite customers for the holiday shopping extravaganza Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco on Sunday, Nov. 30th 2008. *ADMISSION IS FREE*


Workshop information can be found at this page. We have a great line up of classes from needle felting to DIY plush fortune cookies with Heidi Kenney of My Paper Crane!  Kits and workshop spaces are limited so please be sure to check with us if you want a spot in a particular workshop.
This is a GREAT way to take a mini craft workshop with little investment! Great for kids and adults alike!
* Handmade Crafts
* Well Known Plush Artists from Around the US
* Homemade Cupcakes
* Tons of Fun!
The UFS staff and most of our inventory will be at the show! Please come visit us and 30 other vendors for a fun afternoon of crafting and shopping!

Blas and I are embarking on a two week trip to Japan starting tomorrow. We will still have regular store hours at Urban Fauna Studio. Our crafty friends Anthony and Yuki of Chibiland.com will be minding the store for the next two weeks. They will be hosting a a trunk show featuring their beautiful handmade bags. Come out and see these lovelies in person for a limited time or just stop by to say hi to our guest shopkeepers!

We have some fun craft courses scheduled on the Urban Fauna Studio Calender! Click through our Oct/Nov/Dec calender pages. We’re offering weaving, sock monkey making and more! Be sure to reserve a spot now if you are interested! It’s as easy as sending us an e-mail! Someone will contact you within a couple days to confirm your reservation. Payments will be taken starting October 1st.
Classes being added soon:
Beginning Knitting For Adults - Learn to knit by making your first handmade scarf
Beginning Knitting for Children - Learn to knit by making fun beanbag
Knitting Baby Booties - Knit your very first baby booties.
Tiny Crochet - Learn to make tiny croceht jewelry.
Fiber Fun Days - Card your own fiber blends on our drum carders
Needle Felted Bird - Make your own needle felted robin with Jame. Make several and string up in a mobile!
Sock Knitting, Stamp Carving and more will be added in the coming weeks!

We saw this on Crafty Stylish Blog and has to post! Green Upgrader blogged about the  design studios of Greetje van Tiem and her “Indruk” project. She could spin 20yds of yarn from a sheet of old newspaper. Their tutorial is nicely detailed. What a great way to use your spindle, some newspaper and a whole lot of eco sense!

Thank you so much to all the people who came out to the Urban Fauna Studio opening! We are so grateful to have such a wonderful bunch of fiber lovers in the SF Bay Area! We appreciate your patience and enthusiasm during the beginning of the day. Our computer quirks are worked out and we thank you for hanging in there with us! You can see more pictures on our Flickr Set.

Congrats to the Gift Basket Winner Jessica Berglund! You will be getting a wonderful gift basket of goodies donated by Craftzine, Maryjane’s Attic and Margaret Crossland.

We know everyone is excited about workshops and studio time. We’re going to start adding events this weekend so check the Calender Page starting next week for specific classes and studio time.  The mini looms were very popular! We sold out of ALL by Monday. More are on their way!  For all those new loom owners, we hope you’ll join Karrie W. from Girl On The Rocks in her upcoming Mini Loom class. What a great way to use your extra bits of yarn and precious hand spun.

Saturday

11 AM Mini Loom Demo

Visit with UFS instructor Karrie,  from Girl on the Rocks. Karrie will be demoing the fun uses and quick ease of our Hazel Rose Mini Looms.  These looms are a great portable project and come with almost instant satisfaction!

2pm - Spinning Demo

Watch Lynn Li of Red Sheep Crafts demo spinning on one of our most ancient textile tools….the drop spindle! We will demo using the beautiful handmade spindles from Greensleeves Spindles.

Sunday 

11 AM Needle Felting Make and Take

Come make a simple bead from wool and felting needles! See examples of the endless forms and shapes  you can create with this versatile raw fiber.

2 PM Wool Pom Pom Make and Take

photo from Clover.

Try out the fun Clover Pom Pom Maker! Make fuzzy pom poms from wool roving using this easy tool.

We hope to see you this weekend!
Urban Fauna Studio
Fiber Boutique & Craft Studio
1311 16th Avenue (cross street Irving)
San Francisco, CA 94122
415-664-1267
F-M 10-6:30pm and By Appt.

Susan Beal...the awesome gal behind the popular West Coast Crafty Blog, did a great write up about the shop on Crafty Stylish! Thank you Susan