Although we witnessed a darkening of the sky (some of it due to general cloud cover and a small rain shower) during the total eclipse on August 21, it turned out that these crescent shadows were our most visible evidence of the event at Sievers. With one of the definitions for eclipse or eclipsing being “to surpass; outshine”, we felt that for us, the classes held that week joined our other 37 classes in their own “fiber eclipse”.
Watching the baskets in Jeanette Biederman’s Independent Study Splint-Woven Basketry class come together is always inspiring. Sunrise to sundown, busy hands were weaving colorful patterns. Luckily, there’s no need to hide your eyes from this kind of eclipse!
Not to be outshone, students in Daniel Essig’s two classes, Tools of the Trade for Bookmaking and Back-to-Back Wooden Books, created handmade bone folders, feather quills and handles for awls and brushes from Washington Island twigs and branches. Continuing on in the book class, wood covers were drilled, shaped and polished for a single two-volume book with window insets. Beautifully stitched end bands finish the pieces. These would definitely be the stars on any bookshelf.
Just another shining example, we think, of the creative endeavors in orbit at Sievers.
It looks like a wonderful week! I love your newsletters, Carolyn!
Thanks, Karen, it was a great week. We missed you this year! Thanks for staying in touch through the newsletter. Take care and hello to Bob, too! Carolyn