Small Business Saturday

We hope everyone is having a terrific Thanksgiving weekend!

Make plans to shop at Sheepish on Saturday, November 29, for Small Business Saturday. American Express started this annual event in 2010 as a way to encourage shoppers to support locally owned merchants on the busiest shopping weekend of the year.

If you're an American Express Card Member, you can register your card on the Small Business Saturday enrollment site. When you spend $10 or more at a participating merchant (including Sheepish!), you'll receive a $10 statement credit. You can receive up to $30 total in statement credit for as many as three transactions. Take a look at the Shop Small Map to find other qualifying businesses in the area.

Even if you're not "officially" participating in Small Business Saturday through American Express, this event is still a fun opportunity to support independent businesses, visit with your neighbors, and get some holiday shopping done without having to set foot in a mall. So grab your friends and family, have lunch at a locally owned restaurant, and make a day of it. We look forward to seeing you all!

Local goodies: Crazy Rumors lip balm

Chilly weather chapping your lips? Treat yourself to some of these little lovelies, available now at our checkout counter.

Crazy Rumors lip balms contain 100% natural, vegan ingredients, and are made by a small company based in Kennesaw. You know we always like to support local folks!

Let's take a look at the flavors we have in stock.

The "A La Mode" collection features these four delectable options:

• Orange Creamsicle - a classic combination of vanilla cream & orange indulgence
• Raspberry Sherbet - delicious fresh raspberry with a touch of citrus tartness
• Mint Chocolate - soothing peppermint meets irresistible chocolate
• Banana Split - sliced banana swirled with delicious chocolate, vanilla & strawberry

Photo and descriptions via Crazy Rumors

And just in time for mistletoe season, you can soften your smooches with these "Candy Cane" flavors:

• Peppermint Twist - cool & refreshing lip tingling mint
• Pear & Peppermint - juicy pear perfected with cooling peppermint
• Pineapple & Peppermint - tropical pineapple swirled with soothing peppermint
• Plum & Peppermint - succulent plum partners with rejuvenating peppermint

Photo and descriptions via Crazy Rumors

Stock up now and you'll be all set for cold, windy weather. These will make great stocking stuffers, too!

Foster kittens #35 - 38

Can you believe we've helped 34 kitties find homes since we started fostering in June 2013? Meet our latest fosters, who just moved in today. One or both of their parents must have had funny tails, because these babies sure do!

These are the names they were given at the shelter.

Derby is a pretty girl with classic tabby markings. Doesn't she look like she's smiling? She has a distinctly crooked tail.

Deacon is a handsome little tiger fuzzball. He's a very happy, playful little guy. His tail is shaped just fine, but it's unusually short. So cute.

Denver might appear to be solid black at first glance, but some of his fur is more of a dark gray, making him look like a tiny silverback gorilla. He has an adorable little stub of a tail.

Diego has a boy's name, but she's actually a girl. We just love her serious, fox-like face and pretty white paws. She's the only one of the bunch with a "normal" tail.

These babies are about six weeks old, so they're not big enough to be adopted yet. But you can apply to pre-adopt them, and now's a great time to do it because adoptions are FREE throughout the month of November. That includes spay/neuter, vaccinations up to date, and microchip.

To inquire about adopting one (or more) of these kittens, contact Dekalb County Animal Services at  adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com or 404-294-2165.

"Fall" in love with fosters

Welcome to another installment of kitten cuteness! We're pleased to announce that two of our current four fosters have been pre-adopted. Now let's find homes for the other two.

Astor (left) is a fun-loving girl who has the biggest, prettiest eyes. Just look at that adorable face! She has beautiful swirled tabby markings and sweet little white paws.

Benson (or Benny, as we call him) was under the weather for a bit, but antibiotics perked him right up and now he just loves to play and explore! But his very favorite thing is to be held and cuddled. Benny has a nice loud purr to show you how happy he is. Honestly, he's just about the sweetest kitten we've ever fostered--and that's really saying something!

During the month of October, Dekalb County Animal Services is running a Fall In Love adoption event. That means all adoptions (including our fosters) are FREE. This includes spay/neuter, microchip, and up-to-date vaccines.

Wouldn't you like a new furry friend to snuggle on these chilly autumn evenings? Contact DCAS and apply to adopt Astor and/or Benson today!

New: Camy's Body Butters

We're pleased to announce another addition to the roster of local artisans whose products we carry at Sheepish: Carmela Akinsuyi, creator of Camy's Body Butters!

Photo via Camy's Natural Skin Products

Carmela says, "Camy's Natural Body Butters are all natural homemade products primarily made with quality refined Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter and Coconut Oil. There are no fillers in my products."

Carry a jar of this body butter in your project bag to keep your hands smooth and snag-free while you knit or crochet. Choose from a variety of delicious fragrances, or keep things simple with the unscented version.

Photo via Camy's Natural Skin Products

Stop by to try this creamy, dreamy body butter for yourself! Grab some extra jars to stock up for the dry winter months, or to give as gifts. As always, we encourage you to support local artisans whenever you can.

The wild bunch

This is a first for us--fostering four kittens who aren't littermates. These cute "singletons" arrived from Dekalb County Animal Services yesterday and they aren't yet sure what to make of all this. They had a pretty crazy day getting used to each other and adjusting to foster care. We'll introduce them to you with the names DCAS gave them.

Benson says he's settling in just fine, thank you very much. This handsome fuzzball is a total love bug who likes nothing better than being held and cuddled.

Sue is the shy one of the group. The first day, she spent most of her time hiding from the other kittens and growling. She was scared out of her poor little mind. She's starting to relax now, and has been having fun chasing her tail and playing with the jingle bell toy.

Astor, on the other hand, is no wallflower. She might be the smallest of the group, but she's also the most fearless. Loves climbing, jumping, and wrestling with the boys. And look at those huge eyes! Sheesh, could she be any cuter?

And then there's the unphotographable Starsky. The camera batteries went dead in the process of trying to get a good shot of this guy. As you can see, he's a feisty little thing. He's not shy about meowing to get your attention, and when he gets it, he rewards you with a super-loud purr.

These adorable beasts aren't big enough to go to their forever homes yet, but if you're interested in adopting one or more of them, contact DCAS and fill out the paperwork ASAP. Adoptions are free during the month of September!

Shop Hop prize: Sock package

The 8th annual Atlanta Area Yarn Shop Hop is right around the corner. The festivities get underway on Saturday, Sept. 13. Remember, even if you don't hit all seven shops to become eligible for the Grand Prize, there are many smaller prizes up for grabs--not to mention all the fun to be had!

Each participating shop is giving away three prizes, and here's a look at the first of ours.

This is a great prize package for you sock knitters (and wannabe sock knitters) out there: one skein of Done Roving's Frolicking Feet (480 yds., hand-dyed, 100% superwash wool), one skein of Austermann Step Classic (459 yds., solid color, 75% wool/25% nylon, treated with jojoba and aloe vera for extra softness), and one set of Crystal Palace bamboo double-pointed needles.

The retail value of this prize package is $50.50.

Stay tuned for sneak peeks at our other fabulous Shop Hop prizes. And if you haven't bought your Shop Hop passport yet, come and get it! Just $1.00 is a great bargain for all the fun you'll have supporting your local shops.

Two down, two to go

Great news: Regina and Womack, two of our current foster kittens, have been pre-adopted! Now we just need to find forever homes for Texas and McClain.

Texas (or Texanne, as we like to call her) is a cuddly girl with the cutest white star on her belly. She's not easy to photograph, though, as you can see! She loves to run and play.

McClain wasn't particularly interested in holding still for a photo, either. He'd just finished a big breakfast and was eager to wash his handsome face. He's pretty much solid black, with just a few stray white hairs on his chest. And look at those eyes!

We're fostering these babies for Dekalb County Animal Services, who happen to be running a special promotion this month: the adoption fee for cats and kittens is just $10 in the month of August! That includes spay/neuter, up-to-date vaccinations, and microchip. So hurry and stop by DCAS to fill out an application, so you can take advantage of this great deal and make one (or both) of these cuties part of your family.

Introducing...Copper Dancer Designs

Here at Sheepish, we believe strongly in the importance of supporting local businesses, artists, and craftspeople. So we're very excited to announce these new additions to our inventory, all handcrafted by Copper Dancer Designs!

These sturdy wire-work bookmarks come in a variety of clever shapes and pretty colors. It's never too soon to start thinking about stocking stuffers....

Take a look at these gorgeous lampwork bead pendants. We can't decide which one is our favorite--they're all fabulous. The clasps of these leather cord necklaces are handworked copper.

Here's a closer view of the pendants. Surely you need at least a couple of these to coordinate with different outfits. :)

For you shawl knitters out there, consider one of these beauties to adorn your next masterpiece. Each shawl pin is unique. These would make great gifts, too.

Prices on these handcrafted items range from $12 - $49. Stop by and check them out, and remember to support local folks whenever you can. For more info and news about Copper Dancer Designs, be sure to like their Facebook page.

Trunk show: eco-dyed accessories

Looking forward to our 4th annual Stash Sale? Planning on coming to the Preview Party and celebrating Carrie's birthday with us on Friday night? Well, here's yet another reason to visit us this weekend...

If you've seen our hand-dyed yarns with the Decatur Dye Studio label, you're already familiar with Michele Ritan's work. Michele is now experimenting with eco dyeing on fabric, and we're happy to be hosting a trunk show of her new work, starting this Friday, August 8.

Tank top eco dyed by Michele Ritan

What is eco dyeing? Michele explains it as...

"...a technique of adding color, pattern, and texture to cloth using only local plant materials. No external paints, inks or dyes are used–simply the natural compounds within the plants. Eco-printing techniques emphasize bioregionalism and the use of sustainable, organic, and non-toxic materials. Results are unique and vary with the seasons that influence the growth and colors of the plants used. "

The trunk show will feature scarves, tops, and more. These items will be for sale, but Michele is also very interested in hearing your feedback about this new work, so anyone who fills out a short feedback form will receive $5 off their eco dyed purchase.

Please do stop by and see these unique accessories and garments. They're even more beautiful in person!

More foster babies

In the past few weeks, the most frequently asked question we’ve heard at the shop has been, “No kittens??” as customers glance disappointedly at the empty cage. Well, don’t worry, feline fans—after a brief summer break, we’re back in the fostering game!

So, let’s introduce you to our latest lodgers. This litter of three girls and one boy are about seven or eight weeks old.  Dekalb County Animal Services named them, so we’ll just refer to them by the names they came with.

This is Womack (girl) on the left and McClain (boy) on the right. They were both shy at first, but are getting used to people and are super sweet. Womack, in particular, is becoming a real snuggler. She's mostly black except for a couple of little white areas on her neck and belly. McClain is solid black. (By the way, did you know that black cats are less likely to get adopted than other cats? Help these little ones beat the odds!)

You can’t necessarily tell from this casual pose, but Regina is the most outgoing of the group. She’s pretty fearless when it comes to climbing, being first to the food bowl, and interacting with humans. And what a cutie she is, with her classic tabby markings.

And here we have Texas. This little girl is so easy-going! She likes to be held, and will even let you lay her down on her back while you pet the cute white star on her belly. But she also knows how to be independent and entertain herself with toys.

These sweetie pies aren’t quite big enough to go to their forever homes yet, but if you’re interested in adopting one (or more) of them, you can apply to pre-adopt. And here's more good news: during DCAS's Tail End of Summer event, throughout August, cat and kitten adoptions are just $10! This includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, and microchip. What a perfect time to add a special someone (or someones) to your family.

Shop Hop 2014

Get ready, yarn lovers-- the 8th annual Atlanta Area Yarn Shop Hop will take place September 13 - 21! This year's participating shops are Cast On Cottage, Needle Nook, Only Ewe & Cotton Too, Strings & Strands, The Whole Nine Yarns, Yarn Garden, and of course, Sheepish.

 

For those who are new to this event, or just need a refresher, here's how it works: Shop Hop passports will go on sale next Thursday, August 7. Purchase a passport for just $1. Then, during the Shop Hop, make a $10 purchase at each shop to get a stamp on your passport. If you collect stamps from all seven participating shops, you'll be eligible for the Grand Prize--a $100 gift certificate from each shop. That's right--$700 to spend on yarn, gadgets, or whatever your fiber-loving heart desires! Even if you don't get all seven stamps, you'll be entered to win smaller (but still awesome) prizes donated by the shops.

 

There are a couple of new twists to this year's Shop Hop. First, if you spend $25 or more at any shop, you can buy a second passport and earn an extra stamp. Spend $25 or more at other shops to receive additional stamps on your passports. This gives you many more chances of winning a prize in the drawing.

 

Also, Jenna from The Whole Nine Yarns has designed a special shawl pattern for Shop Hop. The pattern is written in seven parts, and you can pick up a part in each of the seven shops when you get your passport stamped. We'll be sharing more details about this in the coming weeks. For now, we'll just say that the pattern is beautiful and we can't wait to see the versions you all will create with it.

 

Shop Hop has become an annual tradition, and an exciting way for us to kick off our busiest season. Make plans to carpool with friends, do lunch, and have fun!

Another happy adoption

The last of the city kittens went to his forever home today.

Little Raleigh (new name: Granite) got adopted by Denise and her boys. We're so happy for them all! And frankly, we can't believe Raleigh was the last of his litter to get adopted, because we think he's just about the handsomest kitten in the world. :)

This now makes 26 kitties we've fostered and adopted out on behalf of Dekalb County Animal Services in the past 13 months. We're very proud that we've been able to help so many wonderful critters find loving homes.

We'll be taking a brief summer vacation from fostering, but expect to see more foster kittens at the shop around the beginning of August. In the meantime, if you're looking for a new furry friend, check out the special Independence Day packages at DCAS: throughout the month of July, it only costs $17.76 to adopt a cat, and $30 to adopt a dog!

Save The Date: 4th Annual Stash Sale

It's that time again! Time to empty your closets, dig under your bed, and search everywhere you may have hidden some yarn away "in case of emergency." Time to unload some things you're never going to use, and get some new goodies instead.

Some of the loot from last year's sale.

This year's Stash Sale will be held on August 9 & 10. You can drop off your items at the shop starting on Saturday, August 2, through Friday, August 8, at 4pm. We'll be having a Preview Party Friday night, August 8, for those of you who are selling stash to get first dibs on everyone's treasures. (August 8 also just happens to be Carrie's birthday--all the more reason for a party!)

If you've never participated in our Stash Sale before, or you've forgotten how it works, read our Google doc for all the details. Be sure to print out and sign the document and bring it with you when you drop off your stuff.

We hope you'll join us for the Stash Sale--it's always a lot of fun.

Summer sewing workshops

Our monthly sewing series with Chrissy Weeks continues!

Coming up on Thursday, July 24: make a cute, simple apron like the one on display in our window. This apron can be made in either adult or child size. Bring your machine and basic supplies listed here, and Chrissy will provide the pattern and assorted fabrics for you to choose from. Cost for this workshop is $25 (including pattern and fabric).

Looking ahead, on Thursday, August 28, Chrissy will be revisiting a popular topic: zippers and buttons. Learn how to select the right zipper for your project and how to insert it, how to operate your machine's button foot, and more! Bring your machine and basic sewing supplies listed here. Cost for this workshop is $22.

Sewing workshops take place 6:00 - 9:00pm. Register here, or save $2 per workshop by pre-paying with cash or check in person at the shop. All fees must be paid at the time of registration.

Introducing...Albany, Augusta, Macon, & Raleigh

It's been a year since we started fostering kittens for Dekalb County Animal Services and we're proud to say we've helped find homes for 22 critters (and counting)! This latest litter joined us just yesterday.

We have two boys and two girls. They're six weeks old and all have beautiful tabby markings.

Look at those adorable little white paws on Macon (girl, left) and Raleigh (boy, right).

Sweet girl Augusta, the runt of the litter.

Baby boy Albany at the watering hole.


These cuties aren't big enough to be adopted yet, but they're available for pre-adoption if you would like to reserve your favorite(s). The $75 adoption fee goes to DCAS and includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, de-worming, microchip and combo test. 

Stop by and meet them! They're all very friendly and would love to join your family.

Party at Sheepish

Trying to think of a unique idea for an upcoming birthday? Book a knitting lesson party with us!

Here are some photos from a recent party we hosted for a girl named Fiona who was turning eight years old. The birthday girl and five of her friends came to Sheepish on a Saturday afternoon and spent an hour learning to knit with us.

The guest of honor

Six new knitters!

The cost for a one-hour party is $30 per person, which includes the lesson, yarn, and needles. We encourage you to bring your own refreshments if you wish. Fiona's family brought pizza and popsicles.

These ladies are some of our youngest students, but why not consider a party like this for adults, too? And why limit the festivities to birthdays? Think about baby showers, or any occasion that calls for good times with friends.

Do you have an idea for a lesson party? Give us a call at 404-377-6875. We'd love to plan something fun with you!

It's kitten season!

Sheepish is thrilled to be partnering with Dekalb County Animal Services again this year, fostering kittens here in the shop. In 2013 we helped 16 kitties find their forever homes. Let's see if we can beat that number this year!

We're off to a great start so far. These three brothers were with us for only a few days before they were all claimed. They all went to their permanent homes last week.

Bye, guys!

This week we welcomed Giselle, Grace, and Gusto. These three siblings look so much alike, we honestly can't tell them apart (well, Gusto's the only boy, so we can tell which one he is when we look at the back end). :)

These babies are about six weeks old and as you can see, they all love attention. They're playful and energetic, and have great appetites. Gusto seems to be the most snuggly of the bunch. He's a bit mellower than his sisters.

Stop by and meet these adorable kittens! They're not big enough to go to their forever homes yet, but you can apply to pre-adopt them. The $75 adoption fee includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, deworming, microchip and combo test. For more info about adoption, email adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com or call DCAS at 404-294-2165.

Summer schedule

We want to make sure everyone is aware of the upcoming changes in our schedule.

Starting next week, our hours will be:

Monday CLOSED
Tuesday CLOSED
Wednesday 11:00am - 6:00pm
Thursday 11:00am - 8:00pm
Friday 11:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday 11:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Please note, the biggest change is that our Knit Nite will now be on Thursdays instead of Tuesdays. Bring a project, hang out with us, and of course you can shop during Knit Nite as well!

Spring sewing schedule

We're pleased to announce that Chrissy Weeks will be back to lead monthly sewing workshops here at Sheepish this spring! Sewing nights will be held on the fourth Thursday of each month, 6:00 - 9:00pm.

Upcoming topics will be:

March 27 - Sew an "Anything Organizer"
April 24 - Installing zippers and making buttonholes
May 22 - Sew a pillow (with the option of closing it with the zipper or buttonhole skills you learned at April's workshop)

On March 27, we'll finally be having the "Anything Organizer"workshop that had to be postponed twice over the winter due to ice and snow.

Of course, we think this project is an ideal place to keep your knitting needles and crochet hooks, but it's very customizable, so you can use it to store a variety of things.

 Here's the list of supplies you'll need to bring:

• Your Sewing Machine, all parts and manual if possible
  
• Scissors – 6 or 8 inch dress shears are best
  
• Measuring tape and/or ruler
• Thread to match your project (but please have white, gray and black with you as a back up)
  
• Pins and pin cushion or magnet
  
• Tailor's chalk or other washable marking tool (regular pencil will work in a pinch)
  
• Extra sewing machine needles
  
• Hand sewing needles (small for finishing and sewing buttons)
  
• Seam ripper
• Whatever you plan to put in your organizer: knitting needles, crochet hooks, pencils, crayons, make-up brushes, paint brushes, etc...

Cost for the class is $20 (CASH or CHECK only, please). That includes the fabric and the pattern.

To register, email Chrissy at c@chrissyweeks.com or give us a call at 404-377-6875.