Sometimes a picture can say a thousand words. This gallery of photos show some of the classes these past few weeks and some that are coming up in the next month.
Landscape Quilting (Aug. 12-15)
Willow Shapes: Baskets Gone Green (Aug. 15-17)
Airy Fairy Felted Scarf (Aug. 15-17)
Beginning Weaving on a Floor Loom (Sept. 21-26)
Soft Jewelry That Tells A Story (Sept. 28-Oct. 1)
Schoolhouse Beach at Sunrise (Any day the sun shines!)
Our fifteenth biennial Gathering takes place soon! Begun by founder, Walter Schutz, the Gathering is a great way to keep in touch with each other and is an opportunity to return to the Island and share a sample of what happens at Sievers School as well as a little of the “Island magic”. All visitors are welcome and all events are open to the public. Here’s what’s waiting for you…
Yarn Sale - Starting at 10 am on Friday, October 3, all of our yarns will be sold at 30% - 50% off their regular price. Stock up for your winter knitting and weaving projects!
Workshops - Three workshops are scheduled for Friday afternoon from 2 pm-5 pm: “Baby Melon Basket” with Jo Campbell-Amsler, “Viking Knit Bracelet ” with Barbara Heike and “Instant Silk Screen, Instant Fun” with Stephanie Robertson. (Enrollment is limited, so register right away!)
Baby Melon Basket with Jo-Campbell Amsler - $65
This is a perfect basket for beginners in willow. A twisted handle and rim, simple X-lashing and traditional shaping of ribs will create this pleasantly round “baby” basket. (Size 4″H x 4″) Workshop fee includes basket materials. Students will need to bring a pair of basket shears, small awl and a beach towel. For all levels. Sign up on the Sievers School website for Class G1 or call 920-847-2264.
Viking Knit Bracelet with Barbara Heike - $75
Before the advent of chain mail, and as early as 850 A.D., the Vikings used this knitting technique in making armor. Viking Knitting is a perfect technique for making wire-woven bracelets. It involves weaving sterling silver wire around a wooden dowel, and then pulling the weave through a draw plate. Participants in the class will learn the wire working techniques involved in Viking Knitting and complete a bracelet in class. Handouts will be provided. Workshop fee includes materials for bracelet: copper wire, sterling silver wire, end caps, clasp, drawplate, dowel and card stock. Students will need to bring a wire cutter, roundnose pliers, chainnose pliers, small awl or metal knitting needle. For all levels. Sign up on the Sievers School website for Class G2 or call 920-847-2264.
Instant Silk Screen, Instant Fun with Stephanie Robertson - $65
Create instant silk screens with a thermofax machine, water soluble pencils and watercolor inks. For those of you who have been wondering how this works, or if you enjoy an environment of fun and experimentation, here is your opportunity. We will work with copyright-free images, drawings and rubbings to create silk screens that can be printed on fabric. Workshop fee includes: inks, screens and various supplies. Students will need to bring 1 yard of cotton, silk, linen or rayon fabric, ebony pencil, paper, photocopied images NO BIGGER than 7″ x 9″, photo-copied text from the computer and a willingness to try something new. For all levels. Sign up on the Sievers School website for Class G3 or call 920-847-2264.
Friday Evening Program - We begin at 7 pm with social time and refreshments in the Sophie Studio. At 7:30 pm, Washington Island Ferry Line Manager, Dick Purinton presents a program: “Behind the Scenes”, Island scenes and narrative that promises to be a change from the ordinary.
Sievers Fiber Arts Garage Sale - This has been such a popular event at the Gathering, that we’re holding it again! The Fiber Arts Garage Sale will be on Saturday from 9:30 am - 1 pm at Sievers. Many items have been donated for this already, and we welcome yours, if your have any to donate. The proceeds will go towards the Sievers Scholarship Fund, offering scholarships to students who wish to attend a Sievers class and to Washington Island High School graduates that have been involved in the arts.
Silent Art Auction - Our generous instructors have again donated their beautiful handwork for an art auction with the proceeds to benefit Sievers School. Among the items that will be available are a willow basket made by Jo Campbell-Amsler; a framed woodland scene made by Bill Kallner; a vest sewn by Diane Ericson using Carol Gresko and Doreen Speckmann fabric designs; a stuffed lamé lizard made by Blanche Young; a reproduction of a Great Lakes fish basket (ca. 1900) made by Jacki Bedworth; a wall quilt made by Francie Ginocchio from Doreen Speckmann-designed Provence! fabrics; a handwoven rag rug made by Ann Young; a basket made by Christi Ehler and more! Bidding will begin on Friday at 10 am in the Sievers Shop and ends Saturday night, 7 pm at the buffet dinner at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Vendors - A favorite part of the Gathering! Booths will be open from 10 am - 3 pm on Saturday. Visit the Washington Island Art Association’s display of local artwork; Heidi Brodersen, owner of Door County Embroidery, will demonstrate and sell custom machine-embroidered items such as tote bags and hats; Jacki Bedworth’s “Wicker Woman” outdoor camp with traditional handwoven willow baskets; an assortment from Apple Hollow Fiber Arts, including triangle frame looms and demos, assorted yarns, books and supplies; plus “Circle of Hope” Bracelets, beaded bracelets made by volunteers as a symbol of life and a visible connection among women in the fight against cancer. Most bracelets feature a combination of various crystals, sterling silver Bali beads and silver-plated spacers.
Demonstrations - Here’s a chance to meet Sievers teachers and students, as they demonstrate a variety of the types of subjects that are taught in Sievers classes, answer your questions and share their enthusiasm for fiber arts. Demonstrations will be held both in the morning and afternoon on Saturday and will include: Polymer Clay Beads & Buttons with Judith Yamamoto, Temari with Susan Greenfeldt, Coiled Basketry with Lynn Schuster, Spinning with Virginia Thomas, “Fiber Mojo” with Donna Kallner, Needle Felting with Jeannie Shay, Recycled Wool Mittens with Kathleen Morris and Twining with Jacki Bedworth.
Student Fiber Work Display - Bring your work to share with your Sievers friends. Maybe it’s something you began in a class, or an entirely new project. Don’t be shy…you worked hard to create something unique. Whether it’s a basket, quilt, handwoven, knit work, piece of jewelry, article of clothing or woodcarving, we’d love to have it on display. For each item you bring, please also bring a 4″ x 6″ card filled out with the following information: Your name and city, the type of artwork, a description (title, how made, fibers/type of fabric used, techniques used), your inspiration. Let your creativity and craftsmanship shine!
Viewers’ Choice Award - Since the 1992 Gathering, this has been offered as a way to allow everyone to show their admiration for the students’ work in the Fiber Work Display. Each person who attends the Gathering will be given a ballot and the three items that receive the most votes will earn awards for their creators, which will be presented at the Style Show. There is no judging, just a non-competitive opportunity to applaud your favorites!
Style and Quilt Show - Come, be entertained and inspired on Saturday afternoon by a wide variety of beautiful handwoven, quilted, beaded, felted, batiked, and creatively sewn garments and accessories (hats, purses, scarves and jewelry) and quilts created by Sievers teachers and students. Instructor Mary Curran will coordinate and serve as commentator for this highlight event. For each item you bring, please also bring a 4″ x 6″ card filled out with the following information: Your name and city, the type of artwork, a description (title, how made, fibers/type of fabric used, techniques used), your inspiration. If you’d like to be a model in the Style Show, please let us know when you arrive.
Cash Bar/Social Hour - At Fiddler’s Green on Jackson Harbor Road.at 5 pm. New in 2008, Fiddler’s Green has an eclectic lounge atmosphere and serves wine, specialty beers and soda.
Buffet Dinner - This year at the Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall on Town Line Road at 6 pm. Catered by Lois Jessen of Karly’s, a delicious dinner of turkey, beef, seafood lasagne and all the accompaniments will be served. $20 per person includes tip and tax. (Advance reservations are required for this. On the Sievers School website, note in the “Comments” section the number of dinner reservations you would like or call Sievers at 920-847-2264 by September 29th. Reservations can be paid in advance with a credit card.)
Gift Certificates - Another highlight! You could be one of the winners of a $100.00 Sievers gift certificate that may be applied to any Sievers class. Four winning names will be drawn.
Musical Entertainment Program - Dan Hansen and Cindra Hokkanen return for their fourth Gathering program. Titled “www.sievers.song: Musical Interweavings,” the program will feature a selection of vocal and piano music, laughter and memories, at the Trueblood Performing Arts Center on Main Road at 7:30 pm. $12 Adults, $6 Students. (No pre-sales; tickets will be available at the door.)
Accomodations - Sievers will have limited group housing available. Please call us at 920-847-2264 regarding housing. For other Island accomodations, please visit www.washingtonislandchamber.com or call 920-847-2179.
Ferry Schedule - For the October Washington Island Ferry Line schedule and fares, please visit www.wisferry.com or call 800-223-2094.
2008 SIEVERS GATHERING
OCTOBER 3 & 4
Friday, October 3
10:00 am - 5: 00 pm (Sievers Shop) Yarn Sale/Silent Art Auction/Register Items for Student Fiber Arts Display and Style Show
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm (Tomson Hall) “Baby Melon Basket” Workshop
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm (Sophie Studio) “Viking Knit Bracelet” Workshop
2:00 pm - 5: 00 pm (Walter Studio) “Instant Silk Screen, Instant Fun” Workshop
7:00 pm (Sophie Studio) Social Time with Refreshments
7:30 pm (Sophie Studio) Evening Program: ”Behind the Scenes” - Dick Purinton, W.I. Ferry Line
Saturday, October 4
9:00 am - 5:00 pm (Sievers Shop) Yarn Sale
9:00 am - 10:30 am (Walter Studio) Register Items for Student Display and Style/Quilt Show
9:30 am - 1:00 pm Fiber Arts Garage Sale
10:00 am - 3:00 pm (Sophie Studio) Silent Art Auction & Vendors: Apple Hollow Fiber Arts - Kathi Cascio & Jon Huber; Wicker Woman/Tradional Willow Baskets - Jacki Bedworth; Door County Embroidery - Heidi Brodersen; Washington Island Art Association; “Circle of Hope” Bracelets
10:30 am - 12:00 pm (Walter Studio) Student Fiber Arts Display & Demonstrations: Polymer Clay Buttons and Beads - Judie Yamamoto; Japanese Temari - Susan Greenfeldt; Coiled Basketry - Lynn Schuster; Spinning - Virginia Thomas; Twining - Jacki Bedworth
1:30 pm - 3 pm (Walter Studio) Student Fiber Arts Display & Demonstrations: ” Fiber Mojo” - Donna Kallner; Needle Felting/Embellishment - Jeannie Shay; Recycled Wool Mittens - Kathleen Morris; Twining - Jacki Bedworth
3:00 pm Student Fiber Arts Display Viewers’ Choice Award Voting Ends
3:30 pm (Tomson Hall) Style and Quilt Show - Mary Curran, Commentator and Viewers’ Choice Awards Announced
5:00 pm (Fiddler’s Green) Cash Bar/Social Hour
6:00 pm (Trinity Lutheran Church) Buffet Dinner and Silent Art Auction
7:00 pm (Trinity Lutheran Church) Silent Art Auction Ends/Winning Bidders Announced and Door Prize Drawing: Sievers Class Gift Certificates
7:30 pm (TPAC) Dan Hansen & Cindra Hokkanen Entertainment Program ”www.sievers.song: Musical Interweavings”
Things Sure Have Changed!
(Excerpted from the Farmgirl Connection™)
We got a chuckle from this “advice” one of our farmgirls came across in her 1949 Singer Sewing Manual:
“Prepare yourself mentally for sewing. Think about what you are going to do. Never approach sewing with a sigh or lackadaisically. Good results are difficult when indifference predominates.
Never try to sew with a sink full of dirty dishes or beds unmade. When there are urgent housekeeping chores, do these first so your mind is free to enjoy your sewing.
When you sew, make yourself as attractive as possible. Put on a clean dress. Keep a little bag full of French chalk near your sewing machine to dust your fingers at intervals. Have your hair in order, powder and lipstick put on…(If) you are constantly fearful that a visitor will drop in or your husband will come home and you will not look neatly put together, you will not enjoy your sewing as you should.”
(Thanks to Jeanette Biederman for bringing us a copy of this.)
Beginning Papermaking taught by Tom Grade saw nine students create many, many colorful and imaginative pieces. The bright sunshine was perfect for drying paper out on the back deck of the Walter Studio. Here’s a sample of some of the work in progress last weekend:
We will revisit paper in two other forms, Making Silk Fiber “Paper” with Deb Menz on August 1- 3 and Handmade Paper Lampshades with Michelle Workowski on August 29 - 31. We have some of these lovely paper lampshades (on lamps) available for sale in the shop.
Sievers Knitters…Iowa Needs You!
We received a letter from Sievers instructor Carol Anderson (of Cottage Creations) regarding her plan to collect and distribute through the Red Cross and Salvation Army, hand-knit items such as: mittens, caps, scarves, afghans, prayer shawls, baby blankets, dishcloths, socks, infants, children’s and adult sweaters to communites across the flooded Cedar River and tornado-ravaged Parkersburg, IA. She notes that 11 years ago, Cottage Creations did the same for the flooded Grand Forks, ND area and people were so appreciative. “It was heart-wrenching”, writes Carol.
If you’d like to participate, one or two articles is sufficient and should be mailed or sent UPS before November 1st. Please attach a card to items with the following information: 1. Name of item, 2. Size, if applicable, 3. Fiber content (most items should be machine washable and dryable), 4. If desired, your name and address and any words of encouragement.
Send to: Post office
Cottage Creations, At the Farm on Deer Creek, Carpenter, IA 50426
UPS or FED EX:
Carol Anderson, 4562 Zinnia Ave, St. Ansgar, IA 50472
Beautiful weather and spectacular fireworks helped make this 4th of July perfect through and through. The American Legion sponsored bicycle parade down Main Road preceeded the fireworks at the ballpark. Over the weekend, the Farm Museum hosted a group of colonial reenactors and Sievers instructor Jacki Bedworth, who had finished teaching Basics of Stake-and-Strand Willow Basketry, joined the reenactors demonstrating basketry.
This week we’re excited to have Mary Sue Fenner with her Weave, Cut & Sew class. They are weaving today and come Friday, will have a fashion show on the boardwalk at Sophie Studio. (Fashion show photos to follow! ) Mary Sue will again coordinate the Sievers Gathering Fashion Show on Saturday, October 4. We can’t wait!
Quiltmaker, author and publisher Marianne Fons will present “Why We Quilt” on Tuesday, August 12th at 7:30 p.m. in the Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. Sponsored by Bread & Water and Sievers, Marianne will examine the many reasons American women, past and present, have devoted their time to the design and construction of quilts in a thought provoking and entertaining way. We look forward to Marianne’s return to the Island and to her presentation.
Studio Visits
Time is set aside each Thursday when two classes are in session for a “field trip”. When classes visit each other, they are able to see not only finished pieces, but also the process behind that particular fiber art. Here we have basketmakers paying a visit to the Finnish Knitting and Crochet class:
June 5, 2008
We have 10 “Beyond Beginning” weaving students in our class this week, team taught by Jean Hutchison and Lou French. Each student is working on a different project ranging from a shawl woven with silk and wool to a rag rug. This group is helping one of their fellow students wind the warp onto her loom:
Coming up in June will be Beginning Spinning and Rainbow Dyeing (June 8 - 13) and Basics of Stake-and-Strand Willow Basketry (June 29 - July 2). Here’s a photo of each:
The bell rang promptly at 9 a.m. to begin our 30th season with the class, “Making Your Mark: Dyeing and Silk Screen” with Stephanie Robertson of Indianapolis, IN. Here’s a photo of the class working in the Walter Studio this morning:
During this same week, the Washington Island Art Association is holding their Spring Open Workshop in the Sophie Studio here at Sievers. A field trip between studios is already being planned.
Upcoming classes with openings include Wildcrafted Trellises, Plant Towers and Garden Art with Donna Kallner, June 13-15; Landscape Needlefelting and Bead Embroidery with Karen Buell, June 15 - 18; Creative Silk Jacket: “Green” Surface Design Techniques with Kayla Kennington, June 15 - 20. These photos show an example from each of the classes.
