Today we’d like to introduce you to Phebie Day Lozano.
Hi Phebie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My name is Phebie Day Lozano, a first-generation Mexican American woman. I am the owner of Phebie’s NeedleArt and a teacher and designer. When I opened my shop in 1989, it was with the expectation of having the ability to work while enjoying my passion for needle art. Little did I know that it would take me way beyond my retirement years. (I will be celebrating my 87th birthday this August!) Phebie’s is a welcoming oasis. A place to form friendships while enjoying the beautiful view of our local mountains from the shop windows. A place to find yarn and related supplies from around the world. Here, you will find inspiration to expand your horizon by joining one of the many classes that we continue to offer in the shop. It has been a journey filled with accomplishments and also some setbacks.
I started knitting while I was commuting to downtown Los Angeles for my employment as a legal assistant. Early on pleasantly discovered that it (Knitting), along with similar needlers forms came to me naturally. Basically, one could say that I discovered my creative gene. Most of my knowledge in the art forms that I teach, I have gained from reading and implementing what I see and interpret from other designs and patterns. As my two sons graduated from high school, I decided it was time to pursue a career. My first location was on Foothill Boulevard in Claremont, then moved to Montclair and when the Packing House in Claremont opened, it became the perfect location for me to continue to expand my designing and teaching careers. While I enjoy designing, teaching gives me the greatest satisfaction and sense of accomplishment. My story as a businesswoman, artist, and teacher expands over decades.
I am a hardworking, strong, and tenacious individual. Throughout life, I have maintained a faith in my Christian beliefs, and also a respect for the beliefs of others. I value and appreciate people of all color, race, and age, and enjoy the beauty of nature. I am proud of the outstanding men my two sons have become and the achievements of my growing 5 grandchildren, and I am looking forward with great anticipation to the arrival of my first great-granddaughter.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Because obstacles and challenges are ever present in business, having a strong support group and maintaining a positive frame of mind when faced with financial difficulties is important. One must always be open to change as the trends, styles, and fashions demand. Throughout the many years, the shop has transitioned from offering classes in needlepoint, cross-stitch, beading, and Brazilian embroidery to knitting & crochet. This has pushed me to continually educate myself in order to provide updated instruction in these art forms.
There has been a great demise in the brick-and-mortar yarn shops over the last few years. Unfortunately, much is due to our economy but primarily to the ease of shopping online. Creativity must be implemented in order to achieve sustainability! An ability to respond to the diverse personalities of customers demands that one remain calm and patient. One must be willing to invest many hours of our time. Thus, a passion for what I do is required.
We are faced with the need to compete with the discount and online prices, and yet we have to face the reality of meeting the cost of our overhead. Keeping the shop up to date with the latest trends, the color changes, the ever-changing styles, etc. is a challenge in itself. As soon as we create a project in a special yarn, the supplier discontinues the product.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Professionally, I consider myself to be both a businesswoman and an artist. While as a business owner the challenges have been overwhelming at times. As an artist and a teacher, the rewards have been heartwarming. Developing my skills to teach has enabled my creativity to blossom! Sharing and teaching bring joy and have been the most rewarding aspects of my career. For several years, I was an instructor through the Claremont Adult School, teaching Beading, Brazilian Embroidery, Needlepoint, Knitting, and Crochet. In 2007, the City of Claremont’s Committee on Aging gave me an award for providing enrichment to seniors at the Joslyn Senior Center.
During the years 2004-2009, I organized an annual seven-day needlework cruise on the Royal Caribbean International for students and customers to participate in knitting and beading classes. The project offered were designed by me specifically for this event.
Much to my delight, the magazine Belle Armoire published my design, “A Shrug for Phebie,” in their July/August 2008 publication. This is a free-form knitted shrug with peplum worked with a variety of yarns.
In August 2009, Inland Living Magazine featured my shop as part of their “Downtown Treasure” article.
For Several years before and after 2012, I was a member of the Souther California Local Bead Store Association. We featured an annual bead shop hop, providing workshops and other events for the public. This allowed a strong bond to be formed among the owners of each shop in the Los Angels County community.
As a member of the Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery Guild, I taught at their annual conventions and was awarded First Place when I submitted an original design in their Professional Category. This design provided me with the opportunity to explore the possibilities of combining stitch techniques utilizing an assortment of threads to achieve a dimensional effect to the completed project.
In 1997, I was given the honor of designing and stitching a needlepoint ornament for the White House Christmas Tree during the Clinton administration. I was advised that the design would not be returned to me but placed in the archives of the Smithsonian Library.
Beautiful Embroidery with Judith & Katheryn, a Craftworld Books publication in Australia, published my Beaded Pansy Twig Basket design with photos and instructions.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
I have discovered that it is vital to have support and collaboration from as many aspects as possible. One can gain a wealth of knowledge and information simply by being a good listener. Observing how other individuals solve their problems gives insight on how to manage my own. The support and patience provided by my family throughout the years has greatly contributed to the success of the shop. The loyalty of my friends and customers, especially during and after COVID, has given me strength and appreciation in the good of humanity.
There is strength in numbers as the saying goes! Over 10 years ago, several yarn shop owners, including myself, formed the LA Yarn Crawl Association. This group works together to promote each other by having an annual event inviting the public to visit each shop. (www.layarncrawl.org). This has proven to be a great of source of educating the general public in the value provided by the therapy and well-being achieved by embracing the art of knitting and crocheting. We will be celebrating our event on May 17-19, 2024.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.phebies,com
- Instagram: Phebies_Needleart
- Facebook: Phebies_Needleart
