Threeravens Fiber Studio

What does your business do?
I purchase fibers, mostly animal and other natural fibers, local whenever possible. I then process and dye them by hand, using vibrant colors that come from environmentally low-impact dyes. Fibers are them either crafted with care for other fiber artists to use, or they are spun by me into a variety of styles of yarn. I am constantly learning new techniques so that my yarns are consistently cutting-edge and interesting!
I recently expanded into a retail space, where I am helping other fiber artists share their hand-crafted wares next to my own. I also teach classes in various fiber arts, to pass along the knowledge.

How would you use the grant money?
My biggest hurdle with my business has been money. I want to have a palette of fibers in all colors at my fingertips to work from at any time, but investing in stock takes capital that I do not have. I am currently slowly building my supply stock with every sale, but I could create so many more yarns for sale if I had the supplies to work with.
I would also ideally like to sponsor a local sheep or alpaca, so that I can invest back into the local fiber community, and have an intimate connection with the fiber that I use in my business. It would be a great learning experience for my customers, as well, as I would report on the status of the sponsored animal via blog and newsletters.
I also have plans to bring an apprentice position into the business, so I can help aspiring fiber artists to gain more skills and learn how to run a small business too.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?
Get more advertising out there about what I do, and help to get more stock to take my business to the next, sustainable level.

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?
I'll be able to offer more free classes - both on fiber arts like spinning, dyeing, wool preparation, and on the ins and outs of running a small, handmade business. I would also be able to bring in an apprentice, which would give them skills and also a paycheck, something I cannot afford now.

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