Namaste Inc.

Family. Tradition. Joy.  These qualities make up the motivation behind The Loopy Ewe; a family owned, web-based and brick and mortar knitting store located in St. Louis, MO.  The site and physical location allows shoppers to purchase and browse through their fun and colorful collection of yarn and accessories.  With such a huge variety of knitted patterns and textures, everyone can find something that fits their needs.  At The Loopy Ewe, a combination of the best quality of products and amazing customer service makes the customer experience fun and easy.

Since we (Namaste) started doing business with owner Sheri Berger at The Loopy Ewe a few years ago, we instantly connected with her and her crew with regards to our shared commitment to customer service, creatively growing our businesses, and smiling while we do it.  We’ve truly enjoyed these past few years of working together and look forward to what’s to come.  We asked Sheri the following questions to learn a bit more about the background and inspiration for The Loopy Ewe.

The Loopy Ewe Interview

Kelly (Namaste): When did you open the doors for your store?

Sheri (The Loopy Ewe): August 1, 2006. We’re celebrating our fourth anniversary this summer!

Namaste: What did you previously do before opening your store?

Sheri: I was a remedial reading teacher for three years (before my husband and I had kids) and then I was a scrapbooking consultant for 15 years. The Loopy Ewe was just going to be a small side business for fun, because I really liked my scrapbooking job. However, it grew quickly and I soon retired from scrapbooking to put all of my focus on the shop! (It was a good decision. I love having this shop.)

Namaste: What do you think sets you apart from other (knitting) stores?

Sheri: I think there are a lot of great knitting stores out there, and all of us are working hard to keep our businesses going and growing in this economy. No doubt we all stand out in different ways. I can tell you what is important to us at The Loopy Ewe – we focus on providing excellent customer service, getting orders shipped quickly, and bringing in new products and re-stocks every week to keep things fresh. And we really love our customers!

Namaste: What is your favorite Namaste piece? Why were you attracted to the line?

Sheri: My personal favorite is the Hermosa bag. I have one in black and one in red. I love the size and shape, and in addition to using it for knitting, it’s also the perfect carry-on bag when I travel.

I was first attracted to the line because it was such a top quality product at such reasonable prices. One of my customers from Italy told me that when she carries her Namaste bag, all of the Italians ask her where she bought it. (And you know, Italy has really good leather!) I also love how Namaste is constantly updating colors and coming up with new products. They are great at listening to input from shops and knitters, and their customer service is amazing.

Namaste Hermosa bag in black

Namaste: How does the Namaste product line fit in overall with your store?

Sheri: It’s our biggest bag line. We have a big piece of furniture that my husband made, just for storing all of our Namaste products. It works well and customers know just where to head, when they’re ready for a new Namaste bag or accessory.

Front of the Namaste product showcase at The Loopy Ewe.

Namaste stock at The Loopy Ewe- a skilled craftsman's work indeed!

Namaste: What do most of your customers look for when they come into (the store)?

Overwhelmingly beautiful!

Namaste: What encouraged you to open up a knitting store?

Sheri: Knitting was something that my daughter and I enjoyed doing together, when she was in her early teens. When we moved from “fun fur scarves” to socks (because one can never have too many socks), we couldn’t find much variety in sock yarns at our local shops. That led to a lot of research, and then eventually led to us opening up an online shop that specialized in just sock yarns. Within a year, we had moved to a brick and mortar location and expanded way past sock yarns. It has been a lot of work, but we’re having a ball!

One of the factors that links Namaste with The Loopy Ewe is that we both built our business with and around our families. At Namaste, Mama Toni (Dawn & Clint’s mother and my mother-in law) is our warehouse manager and has been with us from the start.  Joe (my brother) manages packing and shipping as well as a host of “front of the office” tasks. Papa John (Toni’s husband) does our accounting and bookkeeping. Clint does all of our photography whether it’s abroad in Istanbul or on the streets of LA.  We’ve also “adopted” Nancy as our own, and she’s responsible for secretarial tasks.  Dawn and I (jokingly referred to as “chief” and “bosslady”) run the show, so to speak. Within the past 6 years, we’ve formed an unbreakable bond of family and friendship that goes hand in hand with our creative process for new products. We’re not businesswomen by trade, we see ourselves as regular people who were willing to take a journey towards something we believe in.  Within the Namaste workplace, positive thinking, positive energy, fun, and fur (our dogs), are all invaluable factors to the overall success of our business.

Joe, Mama Toni & Nancy (& our fur friends) at the most recent Namaste party.

The Loopy Ewe has also been a family effort from the start. Everyone in the Berger family is able to contribute their individual skills into this project. Sheri’s husband helps with the graphics and photography, while her son puts his skills of web design to use. Sheri’s daughter is in charge of stocking up products for inventory, while Sheri focuses on keeping the business up and running. With a contribution from the entire family, the company has come to be a very well known and well respected business in the crafting community.

The Berger Family

Additionally, the staff at The Loopy Ewe are lovingly referred to as: The Elves. Sheri told us that there are 10 gals who work there, all part-time, so that they can still keep up with mom-responsibilities and keep their schedules flexible.  She started with one gal (who was actually her assistant in my scrapbooking business, before Loopy) and then she just kept adding in more people as they grew. One day, early on, one of her customers was in shopping and he commented on “those Loopy elves, scurrying around, packing orders”. Well, the name Loopy Elves just stuck, and they’ve been calling them the Elves for the past 3 years now.  All of their customers call them that, too! (And then ask if they can BE a Loopy Elf.)  Please make sure to stock up on the best quality of sock yarn and Namaste accessories at Loopy Ewe’s online shop at www.theloopyewe.com.

The Loopy Elves

The Loopy Ewe & Namaste both believe in doing business with a smile.  Sheri and the Namaste team agree that “Life’s too short not to enjoy the simple joys of each day”.  We both believe in using our platforms to do good and to help others.  To Sheri & the gang, thanks for being a bright ray of light in our days since your family came into ours.  Namaste.

For Breast Cancer Awareness

Coming in October, Namaste lovers and those who just love will be able to purchase our Oh Snap! pouches in light pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month.  The Oh Snap! pouches are available in a set of 3 (small, medium, large) and a set of 2 (XL,XXL).  10% of all proceeds from sales of light pink Oh Snap! pouches will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation: www.bcrfcure.org/
Contact us by phone or email to preorder yours at: www.namasteinc.com

Get yours before they’re gone!

Statistics prove that a woman will die from breast cancer every 13 minutes, on average, in the U.S. alone.  Let’s all unite to be a part of the solution together.  Namaste…

Happy Birthday M.T.!  Yesterday was Mama Toni’s birthday and the Namaste family threw her a Cowgirl & Indian birthday party that was just her style!  Mama Toni (affectionately known as M.T.) is our warehouse manager, my mother-in-law, and Dawn’s mother, and also our friend.  She has been with the company since the very first days, back when we were sewing Namaste Cozy’s & Roll-ups with our vintage Kenmore machines at home and Namaste wouldn’t be possible today without her.  Although I’m working from overseas, the team sent me photos of the party that I thought I’d share with you.  It looks like they had a great time at work yesterday- and lots of laughs!

The cake had 4 horses on it, 1 to represent each of her babies at home: JJ, Jessie, Hollywood & Ducky.

Before she got to work yesterday, the team was quick to decorate the offices and warehouse into a rip roarin’ hoedown just how she likes it.  All the dogs got bandanas, special cake, and clearly some special treatment (see Bella on the lunchroom table).

She likes to dress up, and LOVES pictures of herself .

56 years young!  Dawn poses for a photo with our birthday girl.

Lola says “yes” to being spoon fed some vanilla frosting!

Here’s M.T. as she’s about to blow out the candles- sparklers no less!

Is that a bling horseshoe necklace?  You guys are too much .

She did it!  Now for her favorite part- eating the cake!  And boy, does she love her sweets.  Sometimes I’ll bring in a batch of cookies and she can eat 12 before lunch…..  Who knows where it all goes.

Yesterday, I couldn’t be at the party so they sent the party to me.  I thought I could do the same for our blog readers.  When looking at these photos I felt like I was there laughing with them.  So, here’s your slice of party on a fantastic Thursday.

Happy Birthday M.T.  We love you.

Namaste..

With the arrival of the brand new Hip Holsters and Messenger bags to the Namaste warehouse, we thought it would be a perfect time to share a little about the creative process involved in making this new line.  We are proud to introduce Franklin Habit, to those who don’t know him and for the millions who do, as our friend and mentor in developing the Namaste Hip Holster.

Writer, illustrator, and photographer Franklin Habit is the author of \”It Itches: A Stash of Knitting Cartoons\”(Interweave Press, 2008) and proprietor of The Panopticon (www.the-panopticon.blogspot.com), one of the most popular knitting blogs on Internet.  On an average day, upwards of 2,500 readers worldwide drop in for a mix of essays, cartoons, and the continuing adventures of Dolores the Sheep.

Franklin’s other publishing experience in the fiber world includes contributions to Yarn Market News, Interweave Knits, Interweave Crochet, PieceWork, Cast On: A Podcast for Knitters, Twist Collective, and a regular column on historic knitting patterns for Knitty.com.

These days, when he’s not teaching at shops and festivals nationwide, Franklin knits and spins in Chicago, Illinois, sharing a small city apartment with an Ashford spinning wheel and colony of sock yarn that multiplies alarmingly whenever his back is turned.

The Urban line currently includes the Hip Holster and the Messenger bag, both made of a luggage quality nylon canvas material, which is extremely durable as well as made of vegan materials.  The ideas encompassing the Urban products are organization, unisex appeal, and rugged materials made to withstand real use.

We at Namaste had always wanted to design and make products that men could use and enjoy, but were never confident that there was a big enough demand for them.  Besides that, we weren’t sure what most guys really want in a bag or accessory.  Cue Franklin…

Dawn & I were thrilled to meet Franklin in the flesh just a few years ago at an industry tradeshow.  Franklin has a very personal, open way about him and as a result we were instantly excited when our creative juices began co-mingling into what eventually became the inspiration for the newest collection, the Urban line.  Franklin willingly explained his ideal product to us, and we held onto every word from this creative genius in the  industry.  We created a sample for it, sent it to Franklin for review and the rest is Hip Holster History.

Recently, Franklin took the time to answer some questions regarding the process of how the Hip Holster came to be, from his perspective.  We also threw in some other questions while we had the experts attention

Namaste: We’re super excited to let people in on the “process” of creating the Hip Holster from your perspective. Can you offer any thoughts on this for example how it went from your end and what your initial thoughts were?

Franklin: I was amazed at how much the prototype holster fit my description of my ideal project bag. I’d been looking (without success) for something small that would hook onto my belt, and that wouldn’t in any way resemble a purse.

Sure enough, the prototype had was small enough to be portable but just large enough to hold a surprising amount – at different times I’ve had entire shawls-in-progress stuffed into it. And the detailing was spot-on: tailored, quiet, with hardware that wasn’t glitzy. I loved it. The only change I could think to recommend was adding snaps to the belt loop.

Namaste: The product you helped us to create is what we call the Hip Holster. Inquiring minds want to know, “What’s in Franklin’s holster?”

Franklin: On any given day, the contents of the main pouch will change. Usually, it’s a project with a looming deadline. That could be socks, a shawl, or maybe a sleeve, plus the associated charts. In the small pocket, without fail, I keep a tape measure, a crochet hook, a small bag of stitch markers and a pencil – plus a couple of mini chocolate bars if the deadline is really close.

Namaste: Do you prefer to carry your Hip Holster with the strap attachment or the belt attachment?

Franklin: Definitely the belt. It keeps my hands free and also makes it possible for me to run for the bus or subway unencumbered by shoulder straps. (I live in Chicago, and take public transit all the time.)

Namaste: If you were to change anything about it, would you? What are your thoughts about the color options?

Franklin: I specifically suggested that the bag be done in quiet colors, and that’s why I’m so grateful that Namaste listened and produced the prototype in basic black with a gray lining. I wanted something simple and versatile that wouldn’t draw attention to itself, and this is perfect.

The shoulder strap isn’t an option I expect to use much, but it’s smart to put it there for those who might prefer it.

Namaste: Do you think that crafty men want more accessories and bags for their stuff? What are “must-haves” or “no ways” when it comes to storing or toting your projects and personal items?

Franklin: If the number of threads on (for example) Ravelry.com about the difficulty of finding men’s project bags are any indication, yes – men want more choice than they’ve had in the past.

I can’t speak for all men, of course – our opinions are as varied as women’s. But I think I can safely say these are true for a lot of us:

No Way.

- Pink, anywhere
- Printed with kittycats, inside or out
- Styled like a purse or handbag
- Styled like grandma’s beach tote
- Printed or embroidered with slogans like YARN SLUT! or I LUV 2 KNIT!

Must Haves.

- Tailored exterior
- Solid construction
- Quiet fabrics and sleek, unfussy details
- Enough pockets/sections to allow for organization

On the whole, when it comes to function, I don’t think we’re any different in our desires from women who knit or crochet: make it functional, make it comfortable, make it handsome – the sort of thing Namaste has always done!

One of the themes that emerged during our communication with Franklin is one that we like to take with us wherever we go: it’s the journey that matters.  At Namaste, we like to take the time to enjoy the subtle things- we take our time without rushing through the process to get to the product.  We listen and we learn, we modify and change, and we make sure that the final product is something we all love.  Franklin, we’d like to personally thank you for being a voice for the many, for opening yourself up to creative investigation, and for making the process such a joy.  Namaste.

By request, an additional photo of the Hip Holster is found below:

Belt attachment feature of Hip Holster

June 10-15th, we headed to Columbus, OH for our annual June TNNA show.  Here are some photos to help recap some of the events of the weekend.

Our new tradeshow booth was a breeze to assemble, thanks to the help of the Namaste team.  Here’s Mama Toni and I glad to be finished setting up the booth.  We’re ready for our first day at the show.

And here’s Joe

As the weekend went on, we asked some TNNA attendees if they would be so kind as to let us photograph them with their Namaste gear in action.  Here is our friend from The Yarn Patch, we spotted her walking around the tradeshow floor with her Hollywood Pink Zuma.  She wears it well, thanks for stopping by and saying hi!

Then we spotted a Lime Wallet and a Lime Monroe flitting by and we grabbed them!  Well, they came willingly

And here’s Vicky from Loopy Yarns in Chicago, she’s sporting her brand her Hip Holster in black that she got when they were sold exclusively at the Sample-It event at TNNA.  We sold 100 pieces of the black Hip Holsters at the sale on Friday night and we’ll have these in stock in August.  Glad to see you’re enjoying yours Vicky!

Steven Berg & crew from Yarn Garage & StevenBe are always so much fun to see:).  Steven and I had fun hamming it up with the popular Monroe bag, and showing off our new patterns for a small accessory pouch.  We call the print “Lola” because it’s got tiny little hedgehogs on it, which remind us of the face of our little dog Lola, and it comes in either the pink or the green color scheme.  Complete photography for the “Lola pouch” will be coming soon.  Thanks for delighting our senses with all of your fantastic sweaters Steven, keep up the amazing work.

And here are some new customers with their Peacock Hip Holster and Peacock Monroe.  Thanks for coming over and it was nice to meet!And we always LOVE to see our Ravelry family.  Mary Heather is sporting her charcoal Zuma and Jess has her Peacock Zuma.

And here’s our show display of the newest products to the Namaste line, the Urban Collection.  This is a unisex line including the Messenger bag and Hip Holster.  Both are made in a luggage grade material that is PVC free and animal friendly.  The Messenger bag is laptop tested and the Hip Holster has an optional belt attachment or shoulder strap.  We’d like to thank Franklin Habit for his input in the development and testing of the Hip Holster.  Thank you Franklin!!  These new Namaste products will be available in August and we’re accepting pre-orders for these now.

We’re all back at Namaste headquarters again and it’s been busy; “all hands on deck”, as we like to say.  We just got another shipment of Monroe bags, Oh Snap! pouches, and the new Lola pouches into stock.  The weather is getting warm here in Southern CA and we’re ready for summer .

Namaste..

Kelly

Thank you for your continued patience while awaiting the announcement for the charity drive raffle contest to support Soldier’s Angels.  Soldiers’ Angels is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) non-profit with hundreds of thousands of volunteers providing aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, veterans and their families.  They do this in a variety of ways, including sending handmade items to soldiers in the battlefield or in their hospital bed.  In addition, Soldier’s Angels currently donates to 93 Veteran’s Associations across the states. The following handmade (knit or crochet) items will be accepted in exchange for a raffle ticket to win one of our prizes:

• blankets/lapghans
• hats
• scarves
• prayer shawls
• trach bibs
• wheelchair/walker totes
• knitted/crocheted helmet liners

Yarn should be washable/dryable.  Variety of colors/patterns are appreciated.  For more information regarding patterns/suggestions for the above stated items, go to http://soldiersangels.org/crochet-craft.html

We at Namaste are accepting handmade donations in the form of any of the above mentioned items.  Each item submitted will earn the creator 1 raffle ticket, so the more items you send, the more chances you have to win in the prize drawing.  Each submission must include contact information of the sender, including email address, phone number, and address.

PRIZES:

3rd place: Hip Holster

2nd place: Messenger bag

1st place: Messenger bag & Hip Holster

Winners will be announced via blog post on September 10th 2010 and we will accept donations from now until then.

Please read below for more information reagarding Soldier’s Angels, the organization that will be the recipient of our charity drive.  As mentioned above, for specific pattern suggestions, please go to the Soldier’s Angels website:  http://soldiersangels.org/crochet-craft.html.  These patterns are intended as suggestions, but feel free to modify as you wish.

“May No Soldier Go Unloved,” encapsulates the motivation behind Soldiers’ Angels.   The volunteers of Soldiers’ Angels work tirelessly to demonstrate active care and concern for veterans, the wounded, deployed service members and their families.  To date, the Soldier’s Angels volunteers have sent hundreds of thousands of care packages and letters to deployed service members; they have supplied the wounded with their First Response Packs directly at the Combat Support Hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan and the major military hospital in Germany, as well as provided care and comfort to those in stateside military and VA facilities and have provided emergency aid to military families in need.

www.soldiersangels.com

To be a part of these care packages that are sent to some of the many men and women in uniform, just send your donations to Namaste headquarters, attention Soldiers Angels donation:

Namaste Inc.

attn: Soldier’s Angels donation

9025 Eton Ave.  Suite A

Canoga Park, CA  91304

www.soldiersangels.org

We look forward to donating to this worthwhile cause with your help.

Namaste….

After we shared the pictures from our photo shoot in Istanbul, Turkey we thought we should share some pictures of the Istanbul scenery.  My sister lives in Istanbul and I’ve been to visit her at least once a year over the past seven years and have always been inspired by the culture, the people, the architecture, the food, the animals, and the sense of community in such a big city.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures from my trip:

During the most recent trip, I got to try my hand at working from Istanbul, as I would be staying over a month and the plans for the future include spending more time there.  What I found was that with daily Skype calls, I could stay completely connected to the Namaste operations in LA.  Since my trip I’ve been awestruck when I reflect on the power of technology to connect humans and activities.  Even while staying in Istanbul, I was still able to take care of the day to day requirements as an owner of Namaste.  I couldn’t do it without the support of my unbelievably supportive and generous business partner Dawn, and the phenomenal employees that make up our Namaste family.  For that I am immeasurably grateful.  

–Kelly

Hi all!
We’ve decided on the next charity cause to donate to with a handmade items drive. Please stay tuned for details about which items we’ll be collecting for our charity drive, and what the prizes will be for the drawing winners. The organization we will be working with is here: www.soldiersangels.org. We feel it’s a very worthy cause and are looking forward to doing our part to help. Please stay tuned for more details to come!
Namaste…