The Point of It All - Page 2
Click Here to go back to Page 1 of this Shop FeatureWithin the shop colors abound. The trademark red walls make a dramatic statement though one may disagree with Hyla when she insists that red is the most neutral color! Besides the ubiquitous red hue, colors of every shade are represented in the fibers which drape the walls in cottons, silks, wools and blends. The overdyed fibers add much to the overall visual impact. Hyla's initial intention was to create a special niche in the marketplace by being highly specialized in needlepoint. She has accomplished it magnificently with a virtually exclusive and comprehensive inventory of handpainted canvases. The shop is a full service needlework venue; the staff will eagerly pull threads for each and every canvas (no kits are stocked) and offer a personal design service for finishing completed pieces. Customized work is one of the shop's fortes and they have many exclusive designs which can be personalized to suit customers individually. One example is the Betsy Bag which had its origin when Betsy asked for a custom design on a coach bag. Now there are endless variations on this theme. Custom designing is such a passion of Hyla's that her entire staff has been infused with a similar fervor.
Teaching is an ever growing aspect of shop business. Hyla teaches a class twice a month called "Stitch and Bitch," which contrary to the implication is a fairly subdued but nevertheless rollicking good time. Laurie Bloch, a kindergarten teacher by profession, taught a wonderful summer camp for children, aged 6 and up. Hyla remarks, "To be a fly on the wall and listen to the group of children sitting around the table discussing what they had for dinner, their mom's new car or a family feud, is to know the joy of stitching in company, no matter what age." Hyla makes sure, however, to issue a warning to parents who sign up their progeny for summer camp, "If you don't want us to know your business, be sure your kids don't know!"
Hyla is also a much sought out needlework appraiser. She began offering her services because the Washington area was in need of a knowledgeable source of information. She was and remains the guiding force behind the needlepoint ornaments which have become an annual fixture on the White House Christmas tree. These are designed, stitched and donated by members of the TNNA. For several years, Hyla has designed and provided the White House with a seasonal Kissing Ball which hangs prominently in the White House Foyer. As usual, she has put her own spin on it by creating several design variations on a "3- dimensional Santa on his Sleigh" motif with a sprig of mistletoe to finish it off. When confronted with the fact, Hyla sheepishly admits to her name being the only artist's mentioned in the White House Christmas Program for several years in succession. Examples of Hyla's work hang in the permanent collections of all recent administrations, (Carter, Reagan, Bush and Clinton), as well as in the Bush home.
Hyla calls herself an "idea"designer. Fortunately, she has found the ideal partner to bring her brainstorms to fruition - the very talented Gail Hendrix, who has her own line, Festival Designs. Together they make an incomparable team and have been collaborating exclusively for 18 years. Gail, a multi-talented artist, has the unique ability to translate Hyla's cerebral musings into designs on canvas. Likewise Hyla can interpret custom design requests from her clientele so that Gail executes them exactly as imagined. In the past Hyla has retailed these designs in her store. Having finally achieved a level of experience and the resources necessary to move her business to a new level, she is getting set to launch Gail's designs to a much broader audience by offering them to the trade. Plans, among many others in the works, include a website, scheduled to be completed within the next six months.
In closing, Hyla remarks, (feigning austerity while her eyes gleam), "I just want to make one thing perfectly clear...I want everyone who comes in the shop to have a good time...and if they don't want to, I hope someone else waits on them!" Rule # 3 is To Have Fun - so hath the Queen decreed!
The Point of It All
3301 New Mexico Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20016
phone: (202) 966- 9898
fax: (202) 966- 2955
e-mail: Hylah@erols.com
website: http://www.thepointofitall.com
hours: Mon. - Fri. 10 am to 5:50 pm
Saturdays 10 am to 4:00 pmMy Favorite Stitches, a Quick Reference Guide for Needlepoint Stitches by Hyla H. Hurley is available from The Point of It All for $12.00 including shipping charges.
P.S. Hyla's other Golden Rules for stitchers are:
Rule #1-There are no needlepoint police.
Rule #2 -Always ask for help and we will do our best to find an answer.
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