July 1st, 2008

Counting continues…

One’s Blessing and days to the first Birthday of beloved Bella!

It was a tough decision to call off our Fiber Fest Show for August.  In the end, the style in which I choose to operate the event requires my presence and involvement for everything. Though, once the show starts, we have enough friends and family to count on; however, basically I wish to stay on top of all the details.  This simply proves that my way has its limitations, such as this time around.

I always had a wrist problem since childhood. Yet, they became really painful with inflammation and I needed to seek hand specialist doctors.  Then, it followed that my shoulders, elbows, knees, ankles, etc. were joining my writs for the doctors’ attention.  As you see, the aches were a mirror image of both sides of my body. “Duh!”  It was written all over, or was it?

Two sets of blood tests, suggested the results were negative for the “RA factor,” without the need to seek a Rheumatologist with knowledge of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  Finally, one orthopedic surgeon insisted that I visit with an RA doctor, not just any doctor but he specifically named The Doctor for us.  After a long wait, this doctor applied his newest MRI equipment and showed that the affected hand areas in my hands had a reason for grumbling - I was diagnosed that I had RA.

A series of tests and treatments have lessened the pain over time. Thank goodness to all the modern medications!  Now, I can even exercise!

Flip-side to all of this is that all those good medications have side-effects.  I caught a cold the other day, it made me really sick. Naturally, as soon as I felt that I got better, I tried to catch up with a few things.  I got sicker.  I had to lie down for 3-days.  The days that followed left me fatigued.  I felt no strength but was winded and with chest pains.  Within a couple of weeks, I was able to do some daily light chores.

I have recovered from the cold and fatigue symptoms for now. This week, I have one more doctor’s visit just to re-evaluate my medications.

I was caught by surprise by my state of health and forced to rethink certain aspects of life. I cannot simply stop living a life but need to make adjustments.  I needed to admit that one-too-many things were on my plate.

I will continue operating AZABU-YA as an on-line company AZABU-YA.com, just like you have been experiencing it, but I will stop going to quilt shows as a vendor.  Except that you will see us at the Long Beach Show this month.  We are looking forward to it.  We have Kelly, Penny, Sharen and my DH to back me up.  I am re-gaining strength day by day leading up to the LB Show.

I will be leading “Trip to Japan 2008” and plan to do so for many more years to come.

A heartfelt thank you for the kind words and concerns that you have given us since my announcement of the Fiber Fest Show cancellation.

We look forward to your staying connected thru AZABU-YA.com!

Thank you.

My best,

Mariko

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FYI: From March, 2005

Note: As an affiliate member of the Glendale Guild, I was asked to submit a brief note about our shop to their monthly Newsletter. It explains some questions you may have been asking us in the past. So please read on.

Is it Aba Zaba or AZABAYU?   No, It’s AZABU-YA!

It has been just over 10 years since my opening of a retail shop called  AZABU-YA on Westwood Blvd. in  May of 1995.  We  made a move across the street and then to Cyber Space over 4 years ago!  We call it an On-line Shop AZABU-YA.COM. 

Nothing has changed other than selling things On-line and at the Shows only.  I keep my 2 dogs close with me while working always.  Be it at the office or at the warehouse, they are there with me.  Waiting for me to pick up leashes to say, “Wanna go out?” and I will oblige a few times a day.

The change is that I don’t get to see you and serve you in person.   Some of you who have been loyal client of our Shop became my most loyal on-line customers.  You know who you are and we thank you for the continuous patronage!

The best part of taking things  “on-line” is that it forces me to learn the Computer, not to mention Typing.  By going High-Tech created ample time for me to do something that has been on my mind for a while.  Weaving for instance.  But on the way to becoming a weaver, I become a Spinner.  I do both Spinning, on the bike and with spindles or wheels.  I still piece but most of the time, I will send them to be quilted.  I truly enjoy all of them.

So that was 3 years ago.  I kept thinking about how I could make a connection to all that I love to do.  More or less to justify the shopping pattern?  You don’t say. 

Then I went to a regional show and was not quite satisfied as I did not find the thing I wanted to buy.  Naturally, I took it seriously and started thinking.  How and where…???  One thing however, I did not ask was why. (Why am I doing this? Why not!)

Coming August, we are presenting the 2nd Annual “Fabulous Fiber Fest 2005” at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.  It is a 3-day show for anyone who loves fabrics and fibers.  We’ll have fabulous Vendors, exhibits, demonstrations, workshops, a Fashion Show and more. 

We will have “Scrumble Night” for a Freeform crochet fans and there also will be a gathering called “Crazy Quilt Forum” on the first day of the event for Crazy Quilt lovers.  “Spin-in” will be on Sunday for spinners and would-be spinners.  Come and check to see if you too will get hooked with this ancient folk art.  It may sounds silly but I am fascinated by the fact that the women used to spin, dye and weave Cloth to make dresses, towels and everything as much as they did!  And how well they did indeed.

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FAQ

Hours of Operation and Direction to the address listed are the most frequently asked questions.  Be it on the answering machine or via e-mails, these are the most frequently asked questions.  Since December 2000, AZABU-YA has been an On-Line Shop.  After 6 years on Westwood Blvd., the retail shop was closed in November 2000.  Being an On-Line Shop allows us to operate 24 x 7 and also gives us the freedom of operating from just about anywhere.  This is the answer to another question, often asked, "Can we visit your shop?"  We have an office which has room for studio and a warehouse.  While we accept deliveries, our office remains closed to the general public.  Please check our Show Schedule and visit us at the shows we are attending if you wish to see and feel the fabric in person. 

Q. What is the minimum order and cut? 

A. No minimum order and 1/2 yd is the minimum cut. After the first 1/2, you can order 1/4 yard increment. No 1/3 or 3/8 order please!

Q. Why the extra Fabric in the shipment.  Was it sent by mistake? 

A. It's a Gift from us as a token of our appreciation for your business.

shipping charge charged to your credit card. Any questions? Write or call us. Global Priority is depending on the weight and the cost is also calculated for the distance by USPS. If it fits to the flat envelope for the Priority, that's $9.00.  But holds only 3 to 5 half yard (depends on the thickness of fabric) at the most.  Next up will be the soft envelope but has weight limit for this. 

http://ircalc.usps.gov/

Q. Availability?

A. All items are subject to availability.

Q. I don't see the fabric which I am looking for on your website. Do you have it or can you help me?

A. When you don't see the fabric that you are looking for, it means only because we don't have them.

Q. I am going to Japan next month. Where can I find the fabric shop or will you give me the information...???

A. That's very nice but I must say No. I am taking paid clients to Japan every year.  If you like to know about Japan, you can Google search, right?  Or, you can always come with us and shop at the best places!

See you at the Show!

Mariko