Welcome to Heavenly Socks Yarns!
Our shop on Lower Main Street
Happy Summer!
People always ask me, "Have you thought about moving to a larger space?' I quickly answer "NO," because I am just like every fiber lover -- I would just fill it up with yarn and have a larger yarn "stash" than anyone. And there is an advantage to you that the shop is small -- we need to constantly move out inventory if we want to bring in something new. This month is a perfect example. There are many new yarn lines in and so many need to leave us. We have listed a few below, but there are other new ones arriving and others discounted each week that we did not mention below.
We would love to see you this summer. If you are at all concerned about parking on the streets of Belfast during the summer visiting season, arrive before noon or wait until after 3 pm. There seems to be plenty of parking -- including the lot behind The Awesome Diner (formerly Dudley's Diner).
We hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather and our great state. (We hope that your fingers are keeping busy at the same time!)
-- Helen
New Yarns
This month we say hello to at least six new yarn lines:
New yarn lines, versatile and innovative
Mission Falls 1824 Wool: This yarn is an industry standard but new to us. It is superwash and knits at 4.5 sts. per inch -- maybe pushed to 4 sts. per inch. The color palette is large, but we've started with twelve colors and are anxious to see if our customers enjoy the colors and versatility. $6.25 per skein.
Kidlin: A double-stranded yarn: One strand is a laceweight mohair, and one a laceweight linen which provides a nice drape. We have a model here for you to see and try on. It knits at a dk weight and at a nice price too -- 250 yards for $12.95.
Filigran: A machine-washable laceweight wool yarn in saturated hand-dyed and solid colors. 650 yards for $22.95.
Interval: This yarn is deceptive. It is a 50% angora blend that when knit will soften and "bloom" -- the fiber lifts and a beautiful "halo" results. This yarn knits as a worsted weight and is $12.95 for 295 yards.
Baby Alpaka: Another deceptive yarn. This yarn is an undyed, superwash half-alpaca blend. This yarn has been pre-felted, so it looks "stringy," but when knit it is soft and has good stitch definition. One of our trustworthy yarn reps swears by her sweater (which we have seen worn) that it will not pill. 218 yards for $19.95.
Fortissima Cotton Stretch: A cotton sock yarn blend with stretch, at $14.95. (Trying hard to keep the prices down!)
Well loved, but we're saying goodbye!
Discontinued Yarns
So in order to make room for our new yarns, we have to say goodbye to some of our longtime yarns:
Araucania's Pomaire: A worsted hand-dyed cotton. We have a one-skein newborn model and free pattern. 183 yards for $7.00.
Mirasol's Sulka: An Aran-weight wool/silk/alpaca blend. We have a cabled hat model and a free pattern. $5.00.
Misti Alpaca's Cotton/Silk: A heavy worsted, super-soft yarn. 191 yards for $6.00.
Magic Garden's Buttons: A machine-washable wool with specks of interest. Dk weight and great for children's wear! $4.75.
Berroco's Geode: A wool/acrylic worsted blend. Subtle shading. $4.75.
Online's Supersocke Summer Stretch: We got a new yarn just like this one, but we have only one colorway left in this brand. $9.00 makes one pair.
Knit Maine 2010
Knit Maine 2010 is a two-day event scheduled for August 28-29, created and organized to highlight, support and generate income for Maine's independent yarn and needle art retailers, designers, teachers, manufacturers, fiber artists, authors, publishers, fiber-producing farms and mills. It will take place on the campus of the Merriconeag Waldorf School in Freeport, near Interstate I-295, one mile off Exit 20.
Knit Maine 2010 will provide a venue for this large network of related independent businesses to reach a larger audience of local and visiting crafters and tourists from across the state of Maine, New England, and beyond to sell their products and demonstrate their crafts. With an emphasis on education through workshops, demonstrations, presentations and book-signing opportunities, these businesses will be provided the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to creativity and education, local economic growth and small business concerns in a fun and festive atmosphere.
Stained glass mosaic by Laurel Johns
Arts in the Park 2010
The 15th Annual Arts in the Park will be on Saturday and Sunday, July 10-11 from 10 am-4 pm, downtown at Heritage Park on the waterfront. A fun family event, with something for everyone. 83 artists, continuous music both days and delicious food.
Arts in the Park is one of the most respected fine arts and crafts festivals in midcoast Maine. The variety of artwork and crafts is outstanding, and continuous live music and the smells of freshly grilled food add to the festival atmosphere.
"Clearly, obviously, and without question, Belfast's Arts in the Park festival is the best in Maine, and I attend at least 14 shows per year." -- Jim O'Reilly, painter, 2009.
Maine Celtic Celebration 2010 poster
Maine Celtic Celebration 2010
The 2010 Maine Celtic Celebration is scheduled for July 16-18, on the Belfast waterfront, with music, dancing, games and food.
Plan on attending their popular Opening Night Dinner on Friday, July 16 at 6 pm, at The Boathouse in Belfast. This year's event will include a fish and chips dinner, dessert from Belfast Bake Shop and Deli, live music, a cash bar and the annual commemorative beer debut from Marshall Wharf Brewing Company.
The ticket price has been lowered to $20 per person this year to make the event more accessible to more people, and tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Storage Jars, stoneware, 23 x 9 x 9 inches each, copyright George Pearlman
Pearlman Begins Summer Guest Artist Series at Aarhus Gallery
Aarhus Gallery is pleased to exhibit the exceptional Maine potter George Pearlman as their guest artist for the month of July. The show runs from June 29 to August 1, with an opening reception Friday, July 2, 5-8 pm.
We could say that George is a talented and indeed gifted artist, but Henri Matisse warns us that: "It would be a mistake to ascribe this creative power to an inborn talent. In art, the genius creator is not just a gifted being, but a person who has succeeded in arranging for their appointed end, a complex of activities, of which the work is the outcome. The artist begins with a vision -- a creative operation requiring an effort. Creativity takes courage."
We could say that the philosophy behind the fine design of Art Nouveau, the gilded mystical imagery of Gustav Klimt, the technical mastery and organic nature of Japanese woodcuts by Hokusai, and glorious Maxfield Parrish colors are reproduced in George Pearlman's exquisite work. But the artist Paul Klee reminds us that: "Art does not reproduce the visible, rather, it makes visible."
We could further try to define what it is that George Pearlman does, but Ani Difranco may have said it best: "Art is why I get up in the morning but my definition ends there."
It may be best to go to Aarhus Gallery to see George Pearlman's work for yourself. And while you're there, try your hand at defining the visible work of Aarhusians; Ingrid Ellison, Annadeene Fowler, Kevin Johnson, Mark Kelly, Richard Mann, Abbie Read, Wesley Reddick and Willy Reddick.
Carolyn Caldwell Show at Betts Gallery
Betts Gallery at The Belfast Framer will be showing the beautiful pastel paintings of Carolyn Caldwell of Deer Isle. The exhibit runs from July 2-31. There will be a reception for the artist the following Friday on July 9 from 5-8 pm. Everyone is welcome to come in and view the work and meet the artist. Location: 96 Main St., Belfast. Phone: 207-338-6465.
Beyond the Sea Gallery-Cafe Events
Artist's Pink Champagne Reception with Elizabeth Scott O'Haverty
Beyond the Sea Gallery-Cafe continues the Belfast Arts Friday Gallery Walks 2010 with a pink champagne reception on Friday, July 2, 5-8 pm, for Elizabeth Scott O'Haverty's exhibit Conversations with Water, acrylic on panel paintings. Formerly of England, and New York City, Elizabeth Scott O'Haverty, a Maine resident for nearly four decades, works with oil, acrylic, inks and pastel, and many paintings include collage. "My large theme concentrates on capturing the dynamics of 'the arrested domestic moment,' snapshots of everyday life taken by that most amazing camera of all time, the human eye," says O'Haverty. Conversations with Water will run from July 2-7. Complimentary fare.
Book Signing with Author Patricia Hughes
Beyond the Sea Gallery-Cafe hosts a book signing on July 3, Saturday, 1-3 pm, with author Patricia Hughes, featuring two of her published books. The recently released Maine's Waterfalls: A Comprehensive Guide explores the history, photographic qualities and accessibility of 177 waterfalls found in all 16 counties in Maine. There are directions given for each fall site, including the extinct waterfalls. Lost Loot, Ghostly New England Treasure Tales” offers ghostly and supernatural beings, monsters and pirate loot; missing treasures, abandoned and lost towns, Native American legends and buried mines! Patricia Hughes was born and raised in New England, where she encountered and explores treasure-rich and mysterious history.
For more information, contact Nanette at Beyond the Sea, 74 Main St., Belfast, 207-338-2100.
A Perfect Summer Day, acrylic painting by Susan Tobey White
The Color of Summer: 3 Visions at High Street Gallery
Join Susan Tobey White, Sheep Jones and Julie Cyr at their opening reception on Friday, July 2, 5-8 pm at High Street Studio and Gallery, 149 High St., Belfast. Phone: 207-338-8990.
Fresco painting with Barbara Sullivan at Waterfall Arts, Lorna Crichton photo
Waterfall Arts Celebrates 10th Year of Summer Art Classes
Waterfall Arts celebrates their tenth year with an expanded summer schedule of art classes for all ages and skill levels at both their Montville and Belfast sites from July 19 through August 12.
As always, there are great classes for adults and teens, including a two-week intensive of Documentary Filmmaking with Nicolle Littrell, in collaboration with UMaine's Hutchinson Center. Short clay workshops will be led by Randy Fein with Clay Garden Sculptures and Linda Stec with Raku: Ancient Art in a Modern Setting. Barbara Sullivan will teach her unique method of making portable frescos, Kris Engman will give instruction in life drawing in nature, Laurie Adams will lead a weekend workshop in Paste Paper and Gelatin Prints, Lesia Sochor will give watercolor instruction, Adele Drake will take it outdoors with Plein Air Painting and Harold Garde will teach his own color-rich Strappo technique.
Week-long classes in glass beads, small glass sculpture and basic glass fusing will be led by Suzanne Southworth, Marta Bernbaum and Alyssa Oxley. Raivo Vihman will give a five-day introduction to Timber Framing, where the group will erect a timbered outbuilding to house the cob oven Nick Jackson and his students will make in his natural building class. Architect Richard Tremaglio will help students design a "green" 300-square-foot studio or guest house, and Joline Blais brings a Life Art community project to Waterfall Arts' Montville location in her hands-on workshop.
Expressive arts practitioner Laura Jaquays brings ArtHOPE, a creativity retreat, to Waterfall Arts Montville on August 7. The retreat is free, but participants must register in advance as space is limited. More information on ArtHOPE can be found at ArtHOPE.
Classes for kids age 5 through 14 include Music and Mayhem with Tucker Daniels, the Natural Explorer Brigade with Nancy Glassman, and Song, Rhythm and Dance with Lisa Newcomb and Jeff Densmore. Clay Vessels and Sculpture will be led by Russell Kahn, and Jeni Frazee and Tricia Moran team up to lead Dance and Paint the Waterfall.
Over the last ten years, Waterfall Arts' classes and workshops have been appreciated and well attended. Through the generosity of donors and local foundations a limited number of partial scholarships are available to those in need. For details about the summer program, to register, request a scholarship application or printed brochure, to volunteer or to be added to the mailing list, call 207-338-2222 or visit Waterfall Arts' newly updated website.
Belfast Co-op July Announcements
Wine Tasting and Art Opening
Friday, July 2, 7-9 pm in the Belfast Co-op Cafe: Free monthly Wine Tastings consist of a sampling of highlighted wines for the season along with gourmet cheeses and crackers. Jack Sully from Easterly Wines and the Co-op's wine manager, Ron Poirier, will be available to answer your questions.
Featured Local Artist, Clarity, showing Camu-Lot: Curved Light
On display July 2-30. For more information, visit Clarity.
Early Closing
On July 4, the Belfast Co-op will be closing at 2 pm for Independence Day.
3rd Thursday Donation Day
On July 15, 1% of sales at the Belfast Co-op will be donated to Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County.
Belfast Co-op Board Meeting
Thursday, July 22, 6:30-8:30 pm at the Waterfall Arts Center in Belfast. Board meetings are the fourth Thursday of the month except during November and December when they are the third Thursday.
Mark Your Calendars
Saturday, August 21, 10 am-6 pm, is the Belfast Co-op's 7th annual Customer Appreciation Day! Enjoy local musicians, mini health fair, benefit book sale, bloodmobile, cookout, samples, sales, prizes and more.
Troy, midcoast Maine's friendly UPS man
Even though our Web site is not designed with a shopping cart, we will happily ship anything to you.
At this time, we only ask for the exact cost of the shipping; there is no handling charge.
By the way, the man in the photo is our well-loved UPS deliveryman. He is always smiling and happy, even when hauling heavy boxes down the stairs. (He must be a secret wannabe knitter.)
Inside our shop, with yarn lovers examining a tempting skein.