StevenBe, A Yarn Garage Workshop

Treat yourself...make sure you make StevenBe a stop on your hop! 

"StevenBe purveyor of fine fibers, creative workshop for all needle and fiber  arts, designer to inspire.

My interest in fiber arts started early at the age of 4 with mimicking my mother as she knit. Finally, given some worsted and Canadian needles from Mary Maxim, I started my life-long journey. My mother is and has remained my mentor and inspiration during my 45-year evolution. I knitted, crocheted, macrame'd and rug hooked my way through the 70s. Mom opened her own yarn shop in the early 70s, which she still operates today in Wisconsin. This opened up a whole new world of options with all those "fancy European yarns." As one decade turned to the next, I pursued a fashion career - it was either that or the stage. In these later years, I have found both in my love of fiber.

My 25 years in the fashion industry led me around the world with homes in New York, Miami and Minneapolis. I was able to see the world working in Europe and Asia and learning the fiber world from a commercial angle. Exhausted and tired of travel, I left the industry in 2003 to find my next calling. With my background in the needle arts and the resurgence of knitting in the public eye, I borrowed some yarn from Mom and opened my first shop in Rosemount, a southern suburb of Minneapolis. It was a hit from day one, and I immediately began working harder than I ever had corporately. I loved writing my own patterns and using fiber and yarn in a artistic fashion. Minneapolis has an amazing fiber-loving community and wonderful yarn shops. I brought yet another personality to the mix with my flamboyant and extravagant inventory. Although I love teaching and sharing my passion, I enjoy inspiring most of all. Everyone who visits the Yarn Garage should leave anxious to pick up the yarn and needles to create.

After 7 years of acclaimed success in Rosemount, I got my 7-year itch. My yearning to try something new led me to the inner city of Minneapolis where I found a turn-of-the-century converted forestation waiting to come to life. I cleaned up, repainted and inventoried StevenBe: A Yarn Garage Workshop. My goal is not to be just another yarn shop but a fiber lover's studio, a spa for fiber lovers, a country club for the needle artists. I have created an opulent, inspirational environment for people to not only shop but to gather and create. There are a least three to four events weekly with catered luncheons, local musicians and visiting artists from all walks of life.

I have come to where I am now with a carefree and fun loving attitude that, "There are no mistakes, only variations." I strive to provide customer service above and beyond. Creative people of all skill levels and enthusiasms are welcomed with open arms. I confess that I operate my shops more from my heart than from my head. Many would say I am over inventoried and have created a treasure hunt in organized chaos. I love my things and enthusiastically share with everyone who walks through the door. Currently, with two shops, I often work seven days a week but never regret a moment of it. All of this is made possible with an amazing staff both current and past. My glitter divas Lori, Jordan, Jessie, Jeremy, Michelle, Dora, Missy, Kerri, and of course Mama Christa, make my business the awesome place that it is.

I have created mini art crawls for myself and clients to explore all that Minneapolis has to offer. We are surrounded by an inspiring community in a city where fine arts are center stage. I love to promote other small local businesses and artists. We have a monthly "Drama, knitting, drama" night where we all gather to enjoy local theatre. My true spare-time passion is creating one of my obscure, wearable fiber arts creations, which incorporate cassette tapes or findings from the local hardware store. What ever I am doing, I seem to be creating.

What's next you ask? There is no limit to my visions. I am still working on my book, hopefully to be published soon. I would love to the do the Glitter Rock Knitter Tour, taking my unique experience on the road to share with fiber lovers everywhere. I am constantly working on creating my StevenBe brand, offering unique fibers and patterns, but most importantly an experience. If you are looking for excitement and experimentation, taking a walk off the beaten path, come join me for a Glitter Knitter adventure."

Use of Groupon is suspended during shop hop weekend.