The Short Version:
After almost 20 years, Artisan Knitworks is closing its doors as of mid-July. Larry and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity and friendship.
The Long Version:
Almost twenty years ago, Artisan Knitworks opened its doors in Grosse Pointe Park. We had in mind an early-retirement project — a specialty shop with handcrafted yarns and buttons as well as hand-knitted sweaters. Freelancers made copies of several of our designs in different yarns and sizes. We also organized workshops by well-known artisans and designers – e.g., Jean Frost, Laura Bryant, Valentina Devine, and Sally Melville. To omit is not to forget. They are friends to this day, though Valentina rather rudely (and without permission) climbed onto what she called “the last bus” not long ago.
That idea succeeded quite well for a while, but then ran smack into the Great Recession, so the shop moved to St Clair Shores, and expanded into a more traditional yarn shop, but with the same emphasis on face-to-face classes and lots of the original hand-crafted stuff. We were hooked on the colors and textures of handmade materials – and still are. It’s what sets Artisan Knitworks apart. Step in the door and you will find saturated colors, interesting textures, and walls of amazing buttons, vintage and hand made.
Then, when we realized that most of our customers were coming from NW suburbs, we moved to Farmington – and finally to Chelsea, where we had decided we wanted to live after Sandra retired from Wayne State University. And where we found an angelic landlord, Mark Heydlauff.
It’s been a wonderful run. But the day finally has come to close the doors. The pandemic introduced a growing internet presence, which tiny businesses like ours battle across the country. We especially prefer to teach in person. More and more, crafters turn to YouTube and Zoom for basic instruction. That’s fine – but it’s not us. We are face-to-face people. And traditionalists when it comes to our craft. Sandra is a “Slow Food” rather than “Fast Food” knitter-crocheter – she actually likes seaming and blocking and wants garments to last forever. For the moment, that’s not what people have in mind. Again, that’s fine – it’s just not our way. We think that you need to master tradition in any field, including photography, before you can innovate successfully. The good news: Our wonderful clients tend to agree and have filled classes – including those about to be held in June and early July (see the website).
Most important, the current economic climate is far worse than anything we’ve seen with the possible exception of the pandemic. Economic instability has triggered dramatic revenue loss over the past few months, and national economic instability will increase merchandise costs. Yarn is not a necessity, like gasoline – except to a few fiber fanatics (and you know who you are). These changes in prospects are more than many small businesses like ours can withstand.
Besides, Sandra is 80 and Larry only a few years younger. Worry and stress are bad for people.
Scheduled classes will continue if they attract three or more students. The fabulous Rick Mondragon sends his very best to all of you – he wanted to meet some Michiganders – but he will have to stay in South Dakota. We also will honor rewards cards if filled with full-price merchandise, until the last day. If you have more than one, we can consolidate them.
We will not be adding new stock. We will undertake special orders if available, but with full advance payment. For the foreseeable future, we are selling in-house merchandise at a uniform 20% discount, with some 25% exceptions. We will continue to stock the Stash at 30%. Please don’t wait for prices to fall to virtually nothing. For best choices, come early and often.
Why not steep discounts? We already have an active but modest webstore. We are going to expand its holdings, beginning soon. We will list more of our specialty yarns and some of our hard-to-find mill-spun yarns. Sandra will post new patterns from time to time on Ravelry and in the webstore; she’ll also make accessories and garments for sale. Larry will continue to sell his gorgeous photographic images and whatever we may find in antique shops or estate sales. Our library of knit-crochet books also will join the webstore. We may well establish an Etsy shop – that remains to be seen. But, whatever we do, we can’t assign silly prices to beautiful merchandise. During the final month, we’ll sell most of the fixtures. Come look. You can reserve and pay for such things, but removal for most things has to await end of July.
Sandra will be looking for ways to continue teaching, and we may well offer social groups in our home or elsewhere. If you want us to start a group somewhere or visit a guild, let us know!
The Facebook page and newsletter will continue for as long as there is a readership.
We must extend particular gratitude to the brilliant people who have contributed so unforgettably to Artisan Knitworks over two decades – to name a few, Ellen Taylor and Lynne Wardrop (former managers), Sharon McKenna (newsletter editor and much more), a number of former and present employees (Becky Layne, Linda Siegfred Mills, Cheryl Jones, and Molly Walters), and the Rakow sisters, Sharon and Sara. Special thanks go to Cheryl, who designed the beautiful website and webstore, and serves as web administrator.
We certainly had imagined a different outcome. But, frankly, we’re worn out, and prefer not to struggle against shrinking revenue, rising costs, and the prospect of yet another downturn. As our splendid landlord puts it, best to “not dig too deep a hole.”
We will benefit from long drives across the country, time beside local lakes, hours with Bella the Cat, and (in Sandra’s case) writing days. Larry has long imagined an extended photographic essay about southeast-Michigan towns. Now he can do it. He also wants to find the grave of a long-lost ancestor somewhere in Pennsylvania (!).
We look forward to seeing you soon. And, as usual, we urge you to patronize small businesses.
Sandra VanBurkleo and Larry Hart
Artisan Knitworks and Artisan Pixworks
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