Over the past couple months, beside building Sievers Benchwork in the other Sievers shop, Butch and Barb have been demonstrating their craftsmanship by making three blanket chests. One is made from the cherry tree that was at the edge of the deck on the back of the Sievers dormitory/barn. Another is from a Washington Island oak tree and the third, from pine. The cherry and oak chests measure 38 1/2″ long x 19 1/2″ wide x 15 1/2″ high. The pine chest has the same dimensions, except for the height, which is 16 1/2″. Each chest has a clear satin varnish on the exterior, while the interiors are unvarnished. One of their other projects was to build these three-tiered display […]
There’s always something new
Each year we’re delighted to have new items for the shop, both handcrafted artwork by our students and teachers and the wide variety of yarns, books and fiber art materials for makers. The Sievers Shop will officially open on Thursday, May 20 with hours of 10am – 4pm daily through October 31. At this time of year, we like to share information about any new businesses being established and changes to others. The W.I. Souvenir Hut (WISH) and Heart of a Gypsy shops are located side by side on Main Road in the former Island Café and Bread Company. In January, the Café permanently closed, partly due to Covid-19 and staffing considerations. The building was sold and now two shops […]
Counting the days
We’re counting the days (there are only 30) until our 43rd season begins with the Open Quilt Studio from June 2-7! The Open Studios (quilting and knitting) were some of the few opportunities last year that allowed for in-person attendance at Sievers. Working independently at separated tables, students sewed or knitted and learned from each other. We feel much better about what the Sievers experience can and will be this summer and fall, but at the same time recognize that we’re all taking part in a gradual process of readjustment. In less than 30 days, the Sievers Shop will be open daily! Over 80 artists will have their work in the shop and of course we have most of the […]
Keeping up with keps
After a few warm days, we’re back to a typical Washington Island spring, which means temperatures in the 40’s, a northerly breeze and the need to keep our hats and gloves close by. Recently, those who sponsor the annual Shetland Wool Week announced they are unable, again this year, to conduct an in-person event. Today they released their free Shetland Wool Week 2021 hat pattern. Last year’s Katie’s Kep was so well received, they asked the same designer, Wilma Malcolmson, to design the 2021 pattern. It is called Da Crofter’s Kep, honoring the people who work the land and care for livestock in Shetland. We are offering these kits using Jamieson & Smith’s 2-ply jumper weight yarn for Da Crofter’s […]
Visits and views
If you’d like a virtual visit to Washington Island and Hotel Washington with Wisconsin Public TV’s Wisconsin Foodie, we understand the episode filmed last summer will be broadcast (at least in our area) on Thursday, April 1 at 7:30 pm. If it is not scheduled on your local public television station, you should be able to view it via YouTube after it has aired. On April 15 (tentatively) is a second episode from the island, this time featuring the Island Café and Bread Company. Although the Island Café and Bread Company is no longer in business, we’re sure the feature will be as memorable as the meals, pizzas and pastries once offered there. We usually send an update on Washington […]
What’s happening at Sievers
Years ago, we submitted regular articles to the Washington Island Observer newspaper using this same headline. Topics ranged from Sievers enrollment, current hours, featured classes, the introduction of our new Facebook page (from a January 21, 2010 article), Sievers anniversary events as well as the notice of a new feature to our website, an online newsletter, which would be added in March 2008. Here we are, sending another blog post thirteen years later. How could the time go by so quickly? One newsworthy item that occurred on March 12 was a major upgrade to our Sievers Benchwork website by replacing the 2002 version with a entirely new look thanks to 3W Media Co. It is much more streamlined and user-friendly, […]
The how and why at Riverside High
Walter Schutz, founder of Sievers, continues his rememberances by saying, “…high school opened the door to what I was seeking: a place where the how and why could be explored and where the teachers urged us on and on.” “Students in our district were sent to East Side High at Cass and Knapp Streets. Milwaukee found itself in a bind for high school facilities. East Side had been condemned and we expected to attend the brand new Riverside High; however, it was not finished by February of 1915, so we were sent to North Division High on 12th and Center. It was already crowded with not enough rooms, seats, teachers or lockers. When fall arrived, Riverside opened to students. It […]
The ABC’s and the 1,2,3’s
Continuing with our school theme, we’re sharing Walter Schutz’s school memories from his book, “It Was Fun Being Young.” “The children in our neighborhood attended the 6th District School #3, located at Harmon Street (now Brown Street) and Island Avenue (now Palmer Street). Later the name was changed to the Island Avenue School.” “As well as I can determine, this must have been my 5th grade class (1911 or 1912). I am standing at the back of the room wearing a big flowing red tie. The man we all feared for his mean thinking and cruel actions, Mr. Ulrich, the principal, is next to me. The boy at the front row desk with folded hands is Elmer Krieger, who was […]
