Alisha Reyes is a young woman whom I met several years ago when she was a passionate knitter. She knit and designed knitting patterns that she was offering on Etsy; putting her work online along with very good pictures of the finished garments. Even then she was enlarging her areas of fiber expertise by learning to spin and process fiber . She later took weaving and and other fiber related classes.
She was searching for a way to make her love of knitting, fiber and yarn the central part of her life and not just a hobby. She was also attending Santa Rosa Junior College and majoring in business.
Somehow this passion and education segued into Fiber Circle Studios which just open in January of this year.
How did you get into doing all this? is a question she often get asked as a young entrepreneur and fiber artist. The following are her answers.
I discovered knitting in my teens during at a time when I was searching for my identity as a young woman entering the “real world”. The moment I embarked on my first project (a pair of socks), I realized that this is what I was made for and what I wanted to do.
The local yarn shops quickly became my second home and place of “side” employment. I eventually wandered off to live on a sheep farm in Washington for a few months where I learned about fiber processing, spinning, and self-sustainability.
spinning
Upon returning to Sonoma County, CA, I began the Masters Hand Knitting Program through TKGA, and resumed teaching knitting classes at one of the local yarn shops.
Being constantly surrounded by such an inspiring environment and incredible artists, I began to explore the fiber world more deeply, trying to figure out a way of using my knowledge and helping others to learn about fibers as well as supporting myself in the process.
After many sleepless nights and notebook pages overflowing with ideas, it became apparent that my mission in the world was to create a place where one desiring knowledge in the fiber arts world could come and learn it all from those who hold a wealth of fiber knowledge and skills.
And so Fiber Circle Studio came to being…
the studio
After 2 years of evolving thoughts, the puzzle pieces began to fit together. My 700 sq ft home filled with various weaving looms, drum carders, spinning wheels, sewing machines and so much more! My inbox started overflowing with inquiries from people wanting to learn and teachers wanting to teach. So the search began for the perfect space. A much harder task than one might think!
The best advice that was given to me was, “let it be organic”. Strive and work hard, but don’t push your limitations.
Looking for a location really became a “push” beyond what was natural. The moment I thought I would never find the perfect space, something I hadn’t imagined came into my radar; a quaint 1200 sq ft space where a yarn shop was going out of business.
weaving
Starting a business has been my dream since I was 17, though the type of business has evolved over the years. When I was 21, I wrote out a list of short and long term goals. One of the goals was to own a business by the time I was 25. Well, almost 6 years have passed since I wrote that list and although I’m 2 years late of my goal, I must say it’s meant to be. January 27th, 2018 not only marks my golden birthday (when one turns the same age as their birthday), but also the Grand Opening celebration of my first official business!
So what is this business all about? Obviously, if you are reading this, you are a fiber artist of some sort.
Fiber Circle Studio exists to help the community in coming together to share and learn hands on skills focused in the fiber arts. This is done through workshops and workspace. The studio offers fiber related workshops for adults and children in the areas of weaving, spinning, dyeing, felting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, as well as other creative classes such as soap making, leather crafting, basket making and more!
Part of what drove me to start this “fiber makerspace/community studio” was from noticing that after taking workshops, there was no way to continue exploration in what was just learned. For example, one takes a weaving or spinning class and wants to continue the journey, but isn’t ready to commit both financially and spatially.
So the idea of a makerspace for fiber artists combined with the workshops became the perfect recipe! Now you can take a class, and continue to weave, spin, dye, sew, etc without having to purchase the equipment!
The studio has 5 main areas of equipment – weaving looms and tool of various sorts, sewing machines, a dye station, fiber processing tools (including electric & hand crank drum carders) and spinning wheels.
In addition, the studio carries weaving yarn, spinning fiber, and various dyes (natural & acid) available for purchase for use in the studio.
I hope you will join me on this incredible adventure through the fiber arts! Only want some? That’s awesome! Want it all? The studio is yours!
Alisha
Check out our website for membership & day use rates to get access to equipment during studio hours. www.fibercirclestudio.com
Interested in a class? Check out the AMAZING line-up! With over 10 instructors who specialize in what they teach, Fiber Circle Studio guarantees a selection of progressive classes from beginner to advanced!
www.fibercirclestudio.com/workshops
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