UPDATE : 6/18/22
Well folks, this is it. Today was my last day seeing clients in the studio here in Bend. Now the great disassembling begins. I will be leaving Bend after 42 years of living here in this community, with my family on July 1st. Once we have finished with the minor remodeling we need to do in the main house, we will begin working on the new hair studio, We will also be adding a small gallery and studio space for Doug. Look for some messaging later in July informing you all that my domain name for my website will shift from fringebend.com to fringeartcollective.com. I will do my best to keep some updates on our progress at that site. Once we have the new studio set up in Eugene, I hope some of you will stop in for a visit, and maybe an appointment! I am filled with so much gratitude for all of your support and business for the last 16 years at Fringe, (and a total of 22 years here in Bend.) You have all helped me achieve amazing things. Thank you. I love you all and hope to see you soon. Bon voyage!
Previous update:
Hello to all my beautiful clients. I have a major announcement. Some of you have been in to see me at the studio in the last couple weeks, and I've had the chance to share this news in person. I wish I could have enough time to share with all of you, face to face, but our timeline is such that it is going to be impossible to have that chance.
WE HAVE SOLD OUR HOME AND MOVING TO EUGENE.
Doug and I have been feeling the winds of change blowing for many months now, and we have not known exactly what would come our way, but we were determined to stay open to whatever presented itself. At the same time, as the world is coming out of the worst of Covid, my parents have been pondering the next phase of their lives as they head into their mid-70's. Wanting to try and fit in some travel, but also finding a way to simplify and keep their reality manageable as they age. Doug and I are firm believers in multi-generational living. We have all joked over the years (especially during the reign of the orange menace) of selling everything and going somewhere out of the country. The idea that my parents can live with us, and we can all work to manage ONE house is very appealing. (Covid changed that somewhat, watching the rest of the world try and manage the virus.) We also want to be here as Veda finishes high school and starts college. Veda has her eyes set on University of Oregon in Eugene. She is currently studying with the head of the Viola Dept at the School of Music there.
Hence, we have spent a bit more time in the valley over the last few months.
Doug and I proposed a move to the Eugene/Springfield area to my parents at the beginning of March, to be closer to some of our friends, be in a different climate (potentially less smokey in summers, less chance of snow in winters, AND to be somewhere that gets a bit more rain), and Doug and I both are excited to live in a community that has a slightly better balance between arts & culture & athletics. My parents and ourselves are not "Bend sporty". I've never felt like I was into the things most people move here for..."grabbing that Bend Lifestyle" of skiing, mountain biking, running, hiking, etc. The rapid influx of newcomers to our city has changed the way Bend is defined, and I'm excited to live somewhere that's not a tourist destination. I have no clue what that's like, having grown up here. All of us are looking forward to being closer to the Pacific as well.
So we proposed this idea to the universe, and made the first steps to begin looking for what would be the "perfect" house for our plan. Veda has decided to finish high school in the valley, attending school with one of her bestie's from music camp.This decision fast-forwarded our plans a bit....thinking we would have a year or so to transition over. Another factor is the current real estate market in Bend.
My parents have an accepted offer on their home, and we have an accepted offer on our home as well. We have found the best home option in the Eugene for our living situation.! It feels way less crazy to have a landing pad, and now just need to do some minor remodel this summer to get it exactly how we want it. We are all relieved and excited.
Looking forward for me, I am going to be taking a break from doing hair for a bit. I am booking clients out until mid-June, and then I will be taking some time to move and settle into the new house. I am unsure when or if I will return to full-time styling. I have been honored to have a full clientele for 22 years. The last 2 1/2 with Covid have been the hardest of my entire career. I weathered the 2007 recession, which changed a lot of how I ran my business, but Covid changed the fabric of what I do for a living. I adore my clients, but Covid sucked all the joy of the process out of my work. I need a change. After we are settled I may explore renting a chair once a month, to come over from Eugene to work with a few clients. Eventually I may put a small studio corner in our new space, and be available if anyone wants to pop in on their way to the coast, or just for a visit. Or I may get a booth at the Eugene Saturday Market, and sell mini paper flowers. I am excited to have some time to figure out what I want to do next.
I love and appreciate you all. I am sorry for the shock of this news. Yes, this was decided quickly, but the foundation of what we are planning has been building for a long time. I am working to compile a list of stylists in the area who are taking new clients, and I will absolutely write notes about services & cuts if desired, and I am happy to share my color formulas with whomever you may decide to try out.
Peace, Love, and deep breaths.
We will all find our way thru.
Dara
