Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Michael
Hi Cindy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In 2014 I was working as an IT Project Manager in Corporate America and lost my job in April of that year. I had thought about a job in the yarn industry as something to do after retirement but decided that there was no time like the present. I knew that our local yarn crawl took place in September each year and my goal was to be open in time to participate… so I had 4 months to open my doors.
With no location, no inventory and no experience in retail I had my work cut out for me. But I was a Project Manager so I knew how to identify tasks, timelines and lead times to meet a project’s deadline and that’s just what I did. Those 4 months were a whirlwind of activity, but I signed my lease on July 17 and opened my doors on August 26th, 7 days before the first day of the yarn crawl!
It’s hard to believe that was 10 1/2 years ago. So much has happened since then and I’ve learned so much over the years. Incredible friendships have been made and unbelievable challenges overcome, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for Harps & Thistles Yarn Emporium!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
COVID! Who would have ever imagined that would happen? We were lucky because we already had a website with our entire line available for purchase. I was working 10-hour days by myself to keep the doors open but we made it!
Something that did come out of that year was people’s reliance on online shipping which has, in many ways, been a challenge to small businesses everywhere.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Because of my past career, it’s my nature to want to plan things… lots of things… sometimes BIG things! Yarn Bombing is a fun way to make a statement and promote our fiber arts community. In 2016 we coordinated our community to cover 3 levels of the downtown parking deck with approximately 720 sq ft of knitted and crocheted panels for the city’s Better Block event.
In 2017 I was awarded a Knight Arts Grant to work with ‘Love Across the USA’ on a 20′ x 40′ installation honoring Sojourner Truth who gave her ‘Ain’t I a Woman’ speech in Akron in 1851. The installation took place on Memorial Day weekend in 1918 at their downtown Canal Park and remained up for a year. I’ve coordinated other smaller installations and hosted other events, retreats, etc.
What makes you happy?
This community means the world to me. From the people who walk through my door, to the many friendships I’ve developed with people who have been with me since the beginning and other yarn shop owners who I lean on for support and inspiration. My teachers are the best in the area, allowing me to provide classes for folks to learn something new and grow in their creative skills.
I’m so proud of our Thursday evening group we call Yarn Therapy. We promote it as a safe and welcoming space for folks of all ages, races, genders & sexual orientations to to gather, socialize and work on projects. I love it when someone new walks in and everyone opens the circle to welcome them.
Since opening I’ve also created a dye studio in the basement of the shop and started my own hand-dyed yarn company. 1918 Yarn Co. began as a way to stock my shelves more quickly when product ran low but has happily turned into a second love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://HarpsAndThistles.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harpsandthistlesyarn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarpsAndThistles/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@harpsthistlesyarnemporium67
