It all started at a craft fair in Mt. Airy, where I (Melissa) bumped into Stephanie Gleit — a fellow weaver with a table full of gorgeous handwoven towels. We got to talking, and both of us were interested in starting a weaving business and had a very similar vision of what it could become. We laughed about the idea and then... let it go. The timing just wasn't right.

But the idea never quite left my head.
I kept exploring the city, looking for affordable space in walking distance from my home, and kept crossing paths with Stephanie in the fiber arts community. The conversation slowly picked back up. Then two things happened almost at once: a local weaving studio closed suddenly, and The Village of Industry and Art announced its opening. Affordable space in the city. A real gap to fill. Suddenly, The Weaving Circle wasn't just a conversation anymore.

Stephanie and I got serious, sat down with the numbers, and realized pretty quickly that we complement each other well. I gravitate toward the behind-the-scenes computer work and love teaching weaving and spinning; Stephanie is a graphic designer with a passion for weaving and an eye for detail. We're both the kind of people who follow through, don't procrastinate, and believe in keeping things open and honest between each other. So far, it's a really good fit.

What makes us different?
We're on a mission to teach weaving and spinning a little differently than what we've seen out there — and our next newsletter will dig into exactly how and why we're shaking things up. And, if we are going to teach weaving and spinning, we want to keep your new obsession fed by providing yarn, fiber, tools and equipment.

We plan to keep these newsletters coming regularly (whatever that means!), packed with helpful tips and honest updates as we navigate the exciting (and sometimes unpredictable!) journey of building this business. Whether we're pivoting or staying the course, you'll hear about it here first.

Thanks for being part of The Weaving Circle. 🧵
Melissa + Stephanie