It’s not a matter of “whittling away” a few hours at Sievers, instead it’s about bringing to life a songbird from a block of basswood that has been shaped with just a hint of the bird waiting to fly out into your hands. In the first afternoon, the tail feathers, head and beak were formed. Another day and the features of a Goldfinch are all in place and body smoothed by careful sanding. As always, the talents of the instructors and students make for a great sharing opportunity. Flying in for the studio visit, Jerry Landwehr’s own Goldfinch became the centerpiece of the carving table. This week of sunshine is giving us more views of the trees as they continue to change. There are […]
Summer & Winter & Fall
Inside the studio recently, the focus was on Summer & Winter (weaving), but outside, it’s all about a different season. First things first…weaving. Summer & Winter has reversible areas of pattern and background on both sides with the “summer” side predominately showing the lighter colors and the “winter” side, the darker ones. Lynn Schuster’s handwoven samples, some using fine 10/2 cotton, some using Brown Sheep’s Lamb’s Pride Worsted, gave a real variety of choices for students in planning their own projects. The last morning of class, strong winds knocked power out to the studios. Finishing up, looms were moved a little closer to the windows and cellphones were taped to the task lights to use the flashlight feature so that the […]
Fall views from the roadsides
It is still uncharacteristically green here on Washington Island and it sounds like this is true in many places across Wisconsin. We keep looking for trees in full fall foliage, but so far, there are only branches here and there that have begun to show color. So, we’re finding fall views from the ground up, starting with wildflowers and wildlife from the roadsides. We’ll share again as more golds, oranges and reds appear. We can’t wait!
A day in June
“And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days;” Here’s our June day on Washington Island. “Whether we look, or whether we listen, We hear life murmur, or see it glisten;” James Russell Lowell A few choice words and a few choice photos are all that’s needed on a day like today!
First Day of Spring
It took a walk in the woods to come up with some lush greens to mark the first day of spring and although all that appeared were mosses, they were at least mostly clear of snow. Ice still remains in the harbors, but has lost ground along the Lake Michigan shore, giving way to several pair of geese. It may be possible that strong north winds affected the growing pattern of these two clumps of cedar trees, making one of the trunks on the right almost ribbon-like. Moving from the out-of-doors to inside the office at Sievers, we continue to receive new yarns, books and handmade items for the shop. Soon it will be time to freshen up all the buildings […]
Island Winter
As the thermometer is reading 42° at this afternoon and the bright sun is creating a cascade from the eaves, it seemed time to send along a few winter photos of the Island, before much of the snow is gone (temporarily, we’re sure). From the east side of Washington Island to the west side and from the harbors to the ferry passage through “the Door”, the ice will last longer than the snow but it may shift depending on wind direction. It’s not all barren landscape! Shore birds and ducks find resting places and fisherman create their own village out on Detroit Harbor. From the cold light of a February moon to the promise of warm sun for a good maple sap run, we embrace each season!
Beach Scenes
There’s no place like the beach…even in December. Before the snow falls and changes the scenery, covering the patterns found in the rocks along the Lake Michigan side of Washington Island, it was time to see what could be discovered, up close and afar. A speck in the distance from the photo below revealed the fish tug Seediver heading south. These geese and swans could be on their way south, too. We’ll be here, “up north”, enjoying the winter beach scenes!
Serenity now…Island style
Today is a good day to remember the quiet scenes from this fall captured these last two weeks on Washington Island. And sunsets… before, during and after. Take time for your own quiet moments, today and everyday, wherever you are!
