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Knits & Bits by Linda is a home based business. It evolved into a business from
Linda's love of creating things with her hands. Linda has been doing crafts for
many years. Her Aunt Jane taught her to knit at a very young age. She enjoyed
making things for herself and for her dolls. She learned to sew with a machine,
do embroidery and other skills from her mother, Bertha. She learned more "life skills" through her years of
Girl Scouting. It was during her teen years of baby-sitting that Linda taught herself to crochet. She also learned a few things from her
crafty sister-in-law, Betty.
She perfected her sewing skills through the teen years, carrying those skills into adult hood. In May of 1970 she became engaged to Ken, the
love of her life! With the help of his Great Aunt Verna (who was a professional seamstress), Linda put her sewing talents to the test by
making her own wedding gown and accessories. They were married in September of that same year.
As the children came along (Dean, Michael & Jillian), Linda's skills were put to use once again. She knitted and crocheted blankets,
sweaters, and booties. She sewed curtains, crib bumper pads and other accessories for the nursery. She made them clothing as they grew. And
quilts for their beds. Being a stay-at-home-Mom was important to her. As the children grew she taught them some of her skills. They spent
hours working on projects together. When Jill became a teenager, she was happy to have those one-of-a-kind prom dresses on her special event
nights.
Linda passed the hours that the kids were in school learning new crafts, that is when she wasn't being chauffeur, room mother,
soccer coach, team mother, helping with scouts or whatever else their kids were involved in.
Doing all these crafty things, projects started piling up around the house. At the encouragement of friends, Linda entered the Craft Show
circuit, spending every penny she made on more supplies for more projects. Finally, in the fall of l996, she took a class on becoming a
small business, obtaining her business license in February of l997."Knits & Bits
by Linda" was officially born!
In the spring of l998 Linda decided to venture onto the "cyber highway" by creating a very simple website.
After a year, and much complaining of the website doing nothing, Dean (now a computer engineer) designed his Mom a website. It was
almost another year before things started "happening". This new website focused mainly on Linda's silk floral creations, specializing in custom
designed work. A new website spun off becoming "Silk Floral Designs by
Linda".
In l999 Linda expanded the silk floral side of the business to include wedding flowers, a section of the business that she hopes will continue
to grow. From that, another website was born, "Wedding Designs by Linda".
The "Knits & Bits by Linda" website underwent reconstruction and is now focusing on the knitting and crocheting
skills Linda learned as a child.
Ken has retired from his day job. He continues to help Linda with the transporting,
set-up & tear-down at the Craft Shows. He also has
taken over the household duties allowing Linda more time to create and attend
to the business of doing business. The children are all grown and moved away.
Dean is a Computer Engineer in Rochester NY. Michael is married to Karen. They
live in Tonawanda NY with their 3 daughters and a cat. Jillian is married to
Christian. They live in Charleston SC with their newborn son & three dogs.
Ken & Linda
enjoy time spent with the 3 granddaughters and now with their first grandson.
They also enjoy their time together golfing, gardening and traveling, when
time permits.
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