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Saturday, June 30, 2018

A couple of smiles



When my sister and I started a business together, we didn’t know if we would end up in cotton or wool, so we called our business The Ewe Tree. This was a time everything natural was so engulfing retail that we received offers not only to purchase the name, but to do business as, and use on the internet. When we retired weaving, Jan kept the name for her quilting business. It was twenty plus years old, known and respected, had great credit and accounts; why start over.

Now she has a lovely web site that features her work, and that would be the end of it. Oh, for years there were anguished emails begging for one more shirt, one more jacket. The occasional phone call did end when she relinquished the thirty year old phone number several years ago.

Recently she forwarded a lovely email:

Hello, Janice

I was in a thrift store outside Philadelphia today, shopping for interesting clothing, and came across this excellent sweater – I’m always drawn to clothing I can tell is unique or handmade. I’d just gotten rid of a number of sweaters and thought I had room in the closet for another, and noted the odd label – “The Ewe Tree, handwoven” it said. So I looked it up and found this site.

Just wanted to drop you a friendly line and tell you it’s strangely in the 50’s and raining tonight here in Philly and I’m really enjoying your sweater. It’s going to have a good second (or third or fourth or however-many) life with me! I’ve attached a pic if you want to see if you remember making this one.

Hope all is well, Joe


Awwwww. We made that style shirt from the mid-nineties until I retired in 2002. I remember putting on that tomato soup warp. We only wove it one time, and I have no recollection of when. I do recall two or three shows in Philly, but it could have come from anywhere. I’ll never forget the woman who found me in Virginia and called her husband in Boston: “I just found the weaver who made the shirts that your brothers took!” and bought half a dozen of that very shirt for her husband and his brothers.

Friday I saw the shoulder surgeon. After discussion, he recommended a “reverse” replacement. After cleanup of all the damaged goods, a new ball is placed in the shoulder blade, and a pad on a shaft in the upper arm bone is the new socket. Reverse of the old. I will have as much motion as now, more if I work at it, and no more pain.

Next week I’ll schedule out all the protocol to be able to meet the surgeon in the operating room.  It’s an overnight stay, and I was offered local anesthesia. I think I’ll do that. But first, we’re spending a week in Wisconsin.

33 comments:

  1. It must feel good to have your work appreciated after time has passed. I don't envy you the surgery but I'm glad you'll be better than new. Have a wonderful week in Wisconsin.

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  2. That is a beautiful, woven shirt which obviously stood the test of time. It still looks new. How nice it was of Joe to take the trouble to find your sister and send the lovely note of thanks. I'm glad you seem to have a solution to your shoulder issue.

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  3. That is a lovely sweather and he looks mighty cool in it as well. How nice of him to make the effort to express his appreciation of your work. Enjoy your vacation and good luck with the surgery.

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  4. Beautiful sweater! Good color! Oh, I keep thinking about shoulder surgery, but it doesn't quite hurt enough yet....I'll be interested in seeing how yours turns out.

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  5. what a gorgeous bit of work that sweater is!
    Oh dear, SURGERY, that word is so scary! I hope it goes well !

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  6. A local? You're tough as an old boot (I mean that lovingly) Joanne. I also love the story of the sweater. It really has been loved.

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  7. It’s a beautiful sweater and such a lovely note to receive. Joe was thoughtful!

    Imagine such a surgery with local anesthetic and just an overnight stay!Incredible. Enjoy your vacation! I hope afterwards the surgery produces the best possible results.

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  8. How lovely that he contacted Janice. And how lovely that your work has gone to someone who will appreciate it.
    Emjoy your time away, and hooray for no more pain. I hope it can happen soon.

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  9. what a gorgeous sweater. and I kick myself for not buying the shirt when you revived your business briefly. hope the truth is as good as the hype re your shoulder.

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  10. How sweet with that note! Good quality sweater to last all those years with however many owners it had! Enjoy Wisconsin! It will be good to have your shoulder replaced to be pain free hopefully and more mobility with it.

    betty

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  11. Excellent news all around!! It was nice of Joe to get in touch. It really is a handsome garment and it looks good on him.

    I'm glad to hear the surgeon can do something for your pain. It will be a bionic shoulder! I'm interested to learn more about this as you go through the process. I wonder if it will work differently than what nature gave you?

    Hope you have a great week away.

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  12. Firstly, what an amazing email. That color does look exactly like Campbell's tomato soup.

    Secondly, may all go well with the surgery.

    Thirdly, expect a postcard out your way in the near future.

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  13. I love the colour of that sweater. It looks in remarkably good shape - a testament to your product! -Jenn

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  14. Good news about the surgery! And isn't it wonderful that you have such loyal fans of your weaving -- a real testament to your skill.

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  15. He looks tickled pink with his purchase, as well he may be. Obviously a man of good taste.

    Enjoy your holiday and, of course, I wish you well for the op.

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  16. I really, really hope the shoulder surgery goes well and is successful.
    I LOVE that tomato soup sweater style and will print the picture of it to take with me when I do the rounds of thrift shops here.

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    1. Well, I hope one wound up in Adelaide. It's just a barely shaped pullover shirt with a Henley closure, bias neck binding and extra long sleeves, to roll up.

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    2. I'm hoping to just find the same style in good condition, I always liked those Henley closures.

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  17. Hari om
    What a thoughtful young man and a worthy owner of a Ewe Tree!!!
    Will keep you in thoughts for that op, Joanne, and happy travels between now and then... today I make my trip back to the Bonny Land and am hoping the sun stays with me! YAM xx

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  18. Lovely email from the sweater man. I like that sort of thing. A man after my own heart. Good luck with the shoulder. Amazing what can be done in a day and a local anaesthetic.

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  19. Two very cheerful stories this morning Joanne. Enjoy your stay in Wisconsin.

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  20. Good luck with the shoulder op. I'm amazed that it can be done under a local, but agree that is the best choice if it is offered. How lovely that someone took the time to write about his purchase.

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  21. Good luck with your surgery. (Sounds a lot like my knee surgery.) My surgeon is one of the BEST shoulder surgeons going and had videos and pictures in his office.

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  22. I haven't treated myself to a video yet. I may do that.

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  23. What a beautiful sweater.

    Love,
    Janie

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  24. I've heard good things of well done shoulder operations so I'll be keeping my fingers crossed, and hope your surgeon doesn't.

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  25. Good luck with the operation. I didn't even know you could get a shoulder replacement.

    What a sweet email.

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  26. How nice of those people to reach out. Good luck on your surgery.

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  27. Dear Joanne, receiving that letter must have touched your sister's heart and yours too. To think that you created an item that continues on--that one person cherishes and then another. You have a human legacy with your family and another legacy with your weaving. To me that is a true gift from the Universe. Peace.

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  28. What a great letter, nice person, and absolutely beautiful sweater.
    Good luck with the operation, and enjoy Wisconsin.
    Oh, and I've sent you an email.

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  29. Simply wonderful shirt stories. Thanks. Nice bit about the surgery too. Enjoy the backwoods./

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  30. Love that sweater-it will never go out of style!

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