Sylvia Woods Harp Center

February 2016 Newsletter

In this issue:

A personal note from Sylvia

Caroline Steinford and her knitting patterns
Amy Clough and her cross-stitch patterns

This month's sale

How to use our promo codes

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

Caroline Steinford and her knitting patterns

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

Amy Clough and her cross-stitch patterns

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

Knitting and Cross-Stitch Designs on Sale

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.

Shawl Knitting Pattern

PDF #p9221

Regular price: $9.95
15% off with craft code

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Scarf Knitting Pattern

PDF #p9223

Regular price: $6.95
15% off with craft code

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Tam Knitting Pattern

PDF #p9224

Regular price: $6.95
15% off with craft code

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Arm Warmer Knitting Pattern

PDF #p9222

Regular price: $5.95
15% off with craft code

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Wrist Warmer Knitting Pattern

PDF #p9225

Regular price: $5.95
15% off with craft code

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Music Bag Knitting Pattern

PDF #p9226

Regular price: $6.95
15% off with craft code

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NEW Concerto in Lilac Cross-Stitch Pattern

PDF #p9261

Regular price: $6.95
15% off with craft code

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Dragon Lullaby Cross-Stitch Pattern

PDF #p9259

Regular price: $4.95
15% off with craft code

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Turlewe O'Carolamb Cross-Stitch Pattern

PDF #p9260

Regular price: $4.95
15% off with craft code

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Irish Harp Cross-Stitch Pattern

PDF #p9252

Regular price: $4.95
15% off with craft code

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Harp of Erin Cross-Stitch Pattern

PDF #p9256

Regular price: $4.95
15% off with craft code

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Scottish Harp Cross-Stitch Pattern

PDF #p9253

Regular price: $4.95
15% off with craft code

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Welsh Harp Cross-Stitch Pattern

PDF #p9255

Regular price: $4.95
15% off with craft code

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English Harp Cross-Stitch Pattern

PDF #p9254

Regular price: $4.95
15% off with craft code

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Celtic Harp Cross-Stitch Pattern

PDF #p9251

Regular price: $4.95
15% off with craft code

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Clarsair Cross-Stitch Pattern

PDF #p9258

Regular price: $6.95
15% off with craft code

Egyptian Harper Cross-Stitch Pattern

PDF #p9257

Regular price: $4.95
15% off with craft code

Sylvia Woods Harp Center

(800) 272-4277 or (818) 956-1363
newsletter@harpcenter.com
http://www.harpcenter.com

15% off select sale items when you use the code word:
craft

Our newsletter promo codes are only redeemable on-line, and can only be used for the products featured in the sale section of this newsletter. They are not valid for phone or e-mail orders.
This month's code word is craft and it is good for 15% off knitting and cross-stitch pattern PDFs.

Here's how to get your newsletter discount at harpcenter.com:

#1. Put the items you want to purchase in your cart.

#2. On the page where you view the items in your cart, type this month's code word craft in the "Promo Code" box, and click on "Enter Code."

The actual price of the featured sale products on this page will then automatically change to reflect the discount. You'll also see a note below the Promo Code box saying the name of the promo code you entered, and the percentage amount of the discount.

REMEMBER: you must enter the this month's code word craft in the Promo Code box
and click "Enter Code" on your shopping cart page by March 6, 2016 to get the discount!
If you forget, or if you have trouble adding it to your order, email us immediately .

offer expires at the end of the day on 3/6/2016.