It’s a Brand-New Stitches United and Benjamin Levisay is here to share with us on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird.
We really didn’t talk much about his background, perhaps because he may believe his story is so well-known. Here is the bio he sent: Benjamin Levisay, CEO of XRX, Inc., publishers of Knitter’s Magazine and XRX Books as well as promoters of STITCHES Expos, is a second-generation partner in this 30-year-old company originally started by his uncle, Alexis Xenakis, his father, David Xenakis, and their partner Elaine Rowley. Benjamin has been a part of the fiber industry since his family opened a yarn shop in Sioux Falls, SD when he was a small boy, an enterprise that later evolved into XRX. After a career in the software industry, Benjamin rejoined the company ten years ago as CEO and Director of Marketing & Sales. He is more commonly known as one of the hosts of STITCHES and board member of Halos of Hope. It is his intention to carry on the legacy of passion and commitment that characterized his family’s contributions to the fiber world.
Benjamin is just home from TNNA. TNNA is the The National Needlearts Association and their event is a gathering for Yarn Shop owners to visit and see what’s new that crafters will love and benefit from finding in their LYS. It’s a bit lighter responsibility for him there, as it’s not HIS event, so he gets to walk around and visit with folks in the industry, yarn companies, those that create the tools books and other products we appreciate as well as designers, teachers, indie yarn dyers. As CEO of XRX, which is a very small group of folks that are publishing Knitters (also known as Knitting Universe) Magazine (website: www.KnittingUniverse.com), also books like the recent Knit My Skirt by Candace Eisner Strick (Click HERE to listen to Candace’s recent visit on Yarn Thing) and the Stitches Events, Benjamin has been a VERY BUSY guy. His enthusiasm for all the wonderful and amazing parts of the Yarn or CRAFT community really has been highly contagious and we appreciate when we can hear him share what’s happening in South Dakota at the offices of XRX.
XRX is announcing a BRAND-NEW event, which a little bit different from recent but not far off the path for XRX historically. Beginning as a little yarn shop in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, called The Golden Fleece, that offered knitting, weaving, bobbin lace, spinning, offering a publication called Prairie Wool Companion. Benjamin himself as a child helped teach weaving! Elaine Rowley (Benjamin introduces her as the “R” in XRX) and Rick Mondragon (Editor of Knitters Magazine) are avid quilters these days, so it’s natural that the discussion around the offices would turn to creating an event that offers MANY different types of fiber/textile type handcrafts. At Stitches South during the Student Banquet and Fashion show, Benjamin announced their plan for STITCHES United happening April 2017 to include Knitting, Crocheting, Dyeing, Felting, Quilting, Weaving, Sewing and CRAFT! Their hope is to give more of us an opportunity to try our hands at some of these as many of us do have have more than one craft we’re interested in! The excitement about going back to Hartford, Connecticut, where STITCHES East used to happen, is also exciting because vendors, teachers and students miss the venue and seeing each other, many who couldn’t travel to the other locations. They will be adding shorter classes, 90 minutes as well as the three-hour classes, which will give us more learning opportunities and still allow for time in the marketplace.
IN THE MEANTIME, What’s happening with events between now and then?
- STITCHES Midwest, happening August 4 thru 8, will get to have their Erin.Lane COMMEMORATIVE bags for the first time this year. (We cannot recommend enough that if you need this treat, PLEASE use the pre-order. As folks at STITCHES South will tell you, it was so disappointing to get to the desk and find they were SOLD OUT.) There will also be a celebration with Halos of Hope with Steven Be, featuring a lot of color and sparkle. Much of what we would like to know we will have to wait to hear, because Halos founder, Pam Haschke (wh0 was on recently as well) is away from the phone with a GOOD family emergency, so will hear more of this at a later date.
- STITCHES Texas, happening September 22 thru 25, Recognizing the 25th Anniversary of the STITCHES events, our focus, too, will be on Knitted Knockers. Barbara was on the program in January, and at Stitches West there was a great deal of fun collecting, stuffing, showcasing and just getting the word out about this wonderful organization. Benjamin says they are working on a ‘Branding’ event (that sounds like a TEXAN thing, doesn’t it?) and continuing to get the word out even more.
A couple of years ago, Benjamin stepped out of the social media spotlight, so showing where you can follow him as we usually do at this point. We miss him, but this has been to our benefit, because we can see that he is really making wheels spin, setting things in motion for us to enjoy. We can give you additional links to the ones we shared earlier in this post. XRX has a lot of news that will be coming out soon about Halos of Hope & STITCHES Midwest, Knitted Knockers & STITCHES Texas and STITCHES United. PLEASE sign up for their newsletter too so you don’t miss the news: KnittingUniverse.com/Newsletter
If you missed getting to hear this live, you may listen to it as an archived episode where it aired originally: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2016/06/16/its-a-brand-new-stitches-united or in your favorite podcast catcher like iTunes or Stitcher Radio. There is also behind-the-scenes video of Marly available at her Facebook page, just for fun!
Exciting hearing all that is going on. Can’t wait to see you in Santa Clara in 2017. Congratulations on 25 years and going strong!
Hearing about the new rendition of Stitches coming to CT was thrilling. I live in NH and that would be a wonderful local event for me. I enjoyed past shows in Hartford. I will celebrate your 25 years by being certain to attend!
Was wonderful hearing about the STITCHES events and SOOOO hoping to go to either the Midwest or Texas event this year! Haven’t been yet, but have wanted to for soooo long! Maybe not for 25 years, but for quite awhile! Congrats on your 25 years, Benjamin! Excellent podcast, Marly!
So good to hear Benjamin’s voice again! Congrats on 25 years.
I always get the comment that knitting is the a fad that will never get popular. The 25th anniversary of stitches prove that it is not a passing fad. Congratulations for your 25 years Benjamin!!!
I think it’s wonderful to hear about all of these Stitches events – but will I have to wait 25 years for one to come to Houston?!
25 years and counting. Congratulations on the first 25 years and I’m looking forward to another 25 years of fun, innovative ideas and fun from XRX and Stitches.
Wonderful interview…Hope the next 25 years will be even more successful!
I’ve never been to STITCHES, but it sounds like a series of fantastic events. Adding sewing, quilting, etc sounds like a really great idea. The interview with Benjamin was both interesting and enjoyable. Congratulations, Benjamin, on your 25th anniversary.
Another great episode! I enjoyed the chat you had. Benjamin has a nurturing role in this industry as part of such a great company. Congrats on the 25th anniversary.
What a great idea “Stitches United”, can’t wait! Congrats on 25 years of Stitches!
I love listening to Benjamin’s voice – so sexy! Congrats on 25 years of Stitches. I’ve been to 3 of them, and hope to attend at least 25.
I am so excited about the new show . Congrats on 25 years
It sounds like things have changed over the 25 years. The new format sounds like a winner.
Pretty exciting news that Stitches is coming back to Hartford. Congrats on 25 years!!!
I am very excited about Stitches United since I am a multi-crafter. I can’t believe Stitches events have been going on for 25 years!– longer than I’ve been alive 😉
Great to hear about Stitches United……hoping to celebrate the 25 years in Hartford!
Loved hearing about ‘Stitches United.’ Congratulation on 25 years!!
Have enjoyed past Stitches and looking forward to 25 more years!
There are 25 reasons why I am over the moon excited that Stitches United will be in Hartford next April. First, my son and his family live near there and I always loved staying with them and seeing my little grandchildren while going to Stitches East. Second, my quilting friends will now join me. I will spare you the other 23 reasons.
Stitches United sounds like an awesome idea!!! Congrats on 25 years.
Wow! 25 years of anything is quite an accomplishment. I hope to get to a Stitches event somewhere, it is on my bucket list. Love to hear from Ben, miss his Podcast. Would love to have a Diet Dr. Pepper with him sometime. Thanks for a great show Marly.
Congratulations on 25 years of Stitches. Maybe I will be able to make the Stitches Texas one year.
I love the idea of Stitches being multi-craftual and bringing us something else crafty to do. Congratulations on 25 years!!!
I enjoyed your interview and I want to congratulate you on your 25 year anniversary.
25 years is a HUGE accomplishment! Congrats!!
Love hearing how you are making the stitches events even better. Hope i can go someday!
25 years is an amazing achievement. Congratulations. Thank you for being innovative and bringing more fiber related activities under one roof. May Stitches United be a huge success!!
It was nice to hear from Benjamin about the new project. Congrats on 25 years!
I used to listen to Benjamin’s podcast and was sorry when he had to stop. It was nice seeing his picture in your post. I now have a person to connect with the familiar voice. Congratulations on 25 years.
Driving from Michigan to Maine. Listening to Marly and Benjamin in New York in the middle of the night. Congratulations on 25 years of Stitches! Thank you for saving the podcasts for us to listen to at odd times!