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 A Personal Note from Sylvia
Did you know that you can buy craft patterns featuring harp motifs and designs at harpcenter.com? I've been selling Caroline Steinford's knitting patterns and Amy Clough's cross-stitch patterns for about 5 years. A few weeks ago, Amy sent me a new pattern called "Concerto in Lilac," which was the inspiration for this newsletter. Many of you live in cold climates where winter is still in full swing, and some of you may be snow-bound. So I thought that you might need some additional indoor extra-curricular activities to keep you occupied (besides obviously practicing your harp.) So this month I'm featuring the two amazing artists who have created these wonderful harp designs. And the great news is that they are both harp players! You can read their stories below, and their patterns are on sale through March 6th.
Plus, since it is Leap Year, you get an extra day in February to work on your favorite projects!
Aloha, Sylvia Woods
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Caroline Steinford and her knitting patterns |
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Here's what Caroline wrote about herself, her harp playing, and her knitting patterns.
I grew up loving music and creative endeavors and was fortunate to have parents who were thoroughly supportive.
In elementary school, the first instruments offered were strings. The harp was not one of them, so I started with the violin at age 8. It didn't turn out to be "my" instrument, but I stuck with it through high school. One good thing which came out of the experience was learning to read music, though to this day treble clef comes to me much more easily than bass clef. Eventually I came to miss playing an instrument, and since there was a piano in the house, it seemed like the next logical step.
After a few years, I decided piano wasn't portable enough and it was time to learn a new instrument. Too many of my friends already played guitar, so I thought hey, what about the harp? The internet was relatively new at the time, so I searched the web trying to learn about harps. I stumbled across Sylvia Woods' website, which was truly informative and taught me everything I needed to decide on an instrument.
So in 2001, my parents bought me my first harp, which is still my favorite. It was a Triplett Celtic II, which I learned to play on my own, using Sylvia's "Teach Yourself the Folk Harp" book and video. Later, I added smaller instruments for travel, a Triplett Avalon and a Harpsicle. Though their smaller size was my primary motivation, I came to appreciate both for their unique voices.
For several years, two girlfriends and I played and sang informally for family and friends. Since we combined harps with guitar and mandolin, we called ourselves "Strings Attached." A benefit of playing for small groups is being able to be a sort of harp ambassador. So many people like to hear the harp but are intimidated by the actual instrument. I can't tell you how many have said they've never seen a harp up close before. They seem almost afraid to touch it, so I like to sit them down in the harper's chair and show them how to play a glissando. It's such a treat to see their faces light up when they realize they're playing a harp!
In 2006, I learned to knit, and after a few years, I began designing knitting patterns professionally. Perhaps inevitably, the two blended, and some of my patterns began to feature harps. Sometimes they're stylized, but when they're more realistic, I like to base the silhouettes on real instruments, particularly my Celtic II. It has such graceful curves! Even when harps are not directly involved in the patterns, they'll often influence my design process. For instance, a lacy poncho provides warmth and looks dressy but won't fall off my shoulders while I'm playing.
Since 2012, Sylvia Woods has offered some of my harp related patterns in the Harpcenter's selection of Craft Pattern PDFs for other harpers who enjoy playing with string of all types.
With the harp, I finally found my instrument. Though I have no plans to play professionally, I truly enjoy playing as a hobby and sharing the music with others, and I hope to continue to do so for a long time to come!
-- Caroline Steinford
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Amy Clough and her cross-stitch patterns |
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Here's what Amy wrote about herself, her harp playing, and her cross-stitch designs.
I've been an avid embroiderer since I was a teenager, but a few years ago I got discouraged with the patterns that were commercially available. The designs I wanted to stitch, which included harps and harp players, were hard to find and the selection was extremely limited. So I decided to create my own cross-stitch patterns with original designs. Coming up with new and different designs has added another dimension to my enjoyment of embroidery. Over the years I have moved from very simple designs, like "Harp of Erin", to very complex ones, like "Concerto in Lilac", my latest pattern to be offered by Sylvia Woods.
I began playing the Celtic harp about 20 years ago. I think that, next to marrying my husband, learning to play the harp was the best decision I
made in the '90s! Previously, I played the clarinet so learning to read bass clef music was my biggest challenge when I started. However, the beautiful and calming sound of my harp has more than repaid me for those challenges. Most of the time, I play for myself alone in the comfort of my own music room, but I have played for a few receptions and Scottish ceilidhs. Like embroidery, making music is another way in which I can express my creativity.
-- Amy Clough
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Knitting and Cross-Stitch Designs on Sale |
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To get the 15% discount on the PDF patterns shown below, enter the code word craft in the Promo Code box on your shopping cart page and click "Enter Code" by March 6, 2016. For more information, see the 15% Off section at the bottom of this newsletter.
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Regular price: $9.95
15% off with craft code
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Regular price: $6.95
15% off with craft code
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Regular price: $6.95
15% off with craft code
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Regular price: $5.95
15% off with craft code
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Regular price: $5.95
15% off with craft code
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Regular price: $6.95
15% off with craft code
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Regular price: $6.95
15% off with craft code
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Regular price: $4.95
15% off with craft code
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Regular price: $4.95
15% off with craft code
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Regular price: $4.95
15% off with craft code
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Regular price: $4.95
15% off with craft code
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Regular price: $4.95
15% off with craft code
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Regular price: $4.95
15% off with craft code
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Regular price: $4.95
15% off with craft code
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Regular price: $4.95
15% off with craft code
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Regular price: $6.95
15% off with craft code
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Regular price: $4.95
15% off with craft code
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