People You Will Meet at Dances
Debbie Floyd, Owner
Knitting has been a passion of Debbie's for the last 20 years. Learning at the age of ten, the needles were soon put away as she entered the teenage years, and they remained packed away while she went on to college, raised three children, carted said children to MANY activities, attended grad school, and taught middle school first as a sixth grade teacher and then as the librarian. She picked up needles again on vacation during the fun-fur faze, after visiting a yarn store with a friend. She hasn't stopped since, and there isn't a city she visits that she doesn't find the nearest yarn store. Debbie retired in 2016 following an educational career of 31 years and decided opening the store two months later would be her "chapter 2". It is her sincere hope that Dances is a place where you find great yarn and also experience a welcoming and inclusive gathering spot where you just want to sit and share companionship and a cup of coffee with others who love the craft. Welcome!
Erin Lowery, Shop Manager
Erin didn't have a grandmother, mother, or anyone else teach her to knit as a child. She didn't pick up her first set of needles until her early 20s when she purchased a “Learn To Knit” kit at a big-box craft store on a whim. The yarn wasn’t the best quality, one of the aluminum needles was a little bent, and the book’s pictures were terrible. (Fun fact: For the first couple of years she twisted all her knit stitches without realizing!) But something about the hobby just captured her. Twenty years later, she refers to her knitting as a “lifestyle” and is never without multiple projects on the needles. Several years ago another kit introduced her to spinning yarn, which quickly built into another beloved hobby. Now entire sheep fleece follow her home from festivals, and she adores all aspects of the fiber world! Erin teaches many of our spinning classes as well.
Nikki Katsaros
As a young child, Nikki learned the basics of knitting from a beloved aunt. Periodically she would pick up needles and yarn to knit small squares or strips that became little scarves for stuffed toys. Fast forward through the busy years of college, graduate school, work life, marriage and motherhood - the knitting interest continued. When her youngest child started school Nikki decided to learn to knit garments. Twice she enrolled in knitting classes at craft stores only to be disappointed when they were cancelled due to low enrollment. Not willing to give up on yarn and sticks, she bought a book, some bright, fabulously pink Anny Blatt 100% wool yarn and knit a cardigan. There are mistakes in that cardigan and the finish work is imperfect. However, so much has been gained – knitting friends, a whole world of fiber, the sharing of knitting skills and the life long learning of new skills. In addition, Nikki realized a valuable lesson with that solo project. It is one that she would like to share with all would be knitters. That is, that there is little to no risk in knitting. It is a forgiving, fun and exciting personal art form which yields great reward. After years of happy knitting, Nikki still wears that imperfect sweater on cold winter days while preparing supper or puttering around the house. By the way - the color is still fab!
Keyser Glancy
Keyser considers herself a lifelong maker. As a child she was happiest surrounded by potholder loops, crayons and glue sticks. Both of her grandmothers were makers and taught her to knit, needlepoint and counted crossstitch. As an adult she dabbled in scrapbooking, watercolor painting, and ceramics.
About 15 years ago, inspired by a fellow playgroup mom, she picked up her knitting needles again. Head over heels for fiber she taught herself how to crochet, and when the world shut down for Covid she learned how to weave.
Keyser is looking forward to sharing her passion for color and texture with both shoppers and with her weaving students.
Keyser considers herself a lifelong maker. As a child she was happiest surrounded by potholder loops, crayons and glue sticks. Both of her grandmothers were makers and taught her to knit, needlepoint and counted crossstitch. As an adult she dabbled in scrapbooking, watercolor painting, and ceramics.
About 15 years ago, inspired by a fellow playgroup mom, she picked up her knitting needles again. Head over heels for fiber she taught herself how to crochet, and when the world shut down for Covid she learned how to weave.
Keyser is looking forward to sharing her passion for color and texture with both shoppers and with her weaving students.
Chris Schoen
Chris learned to knit after seeing a picture of his grandfather in a photo knitting his own socks in WW2. After seeing the picture his mom and aunt sat down and taught him to knit. Chris grew up in Richmond and attended James River High School and Virginia Commonwealth University. In 2016 he moved to Washington DC and received his Masters Degree in Arts Management and worked as the Patron Services Manager at the Washington Ballet. During the Covid shutdown he moved back to Richmond and started his own company, The Ursidae Workshop, selling hand poured soy wax candles and knit/crochet goods. He currently has a studio space at ArtWorks in Richmond’s Manchester district. When not knitting or crocheting, he is an AVID roller coaster enthusiast!
Millie Floyd
And then there is our newest staff member, Miss Millie. Millie is a golden retriever pup who has joined our family. She is a ball of energy! With crate training and potty training in progress, she will be a fixture in the shop for the foreseeable future. Treats will be on hand if you visit the shop and would like to help with socialization skills. It takes a village!
Lucy Floyd (crossed the Rainbow Bridge Dec. 9, 2022)
Lucy was Debbie’s faithful companion since 2012. She was a rescue through the Lab Rescue of the Potomac, after being found on a street severely malnourished. It didn’t take long for Debbie and Lucy to form a deep bond. She was a mama’s girl with a gentle soul who loved people and greeting customers when they visited Dances. She started this dream with Debbie and will always be a part of the shop. It will not feel the same without her presence.