Today is the first day of spring and with the sun shining, icicles dripping and snow melting, it actually feels like it! Quite the contrast in northern Wisconsin a few short days ago, starting midnight on March 14 through late afternoon on March 16 when Blizzard Elsa paid us a visit, setting records dating back to March of 1888. Door County snow totals were in the 30″ to 33″ range, including the Island. Wind gusts measured more than 50 miles per hour. Ferries did not run on Sunday and Monday, or on Tuesday morning. Power remained on for most people, but travel was impossible. Certain small sections of roads that had been hard-packed and drifted over took several hours to […]
Winter’s little moments
Winter weather on Washington Island has had its ups and downs, but snow and cold have predominated. Since the first snowstorm on November 30, the few brief days with temperatures over freezing haven’t been able to make much of a dent in the snow or ice cover. It does, however, make for good ice fishing conditions as captured in this early morning photo taken on Detroit Harbor a few days ago. One big part of keeping warm these winter days is hearing from so many of our Sievers friends regarding our 2026 classes! Over 275 registrations came in during the week starting February 1. Thank you so much! Seeing your names come through brings back memories and for new students […]
September elements
The colors we’re seeing lately: gold, copper and silver, have been both outdoors and in the studio, especially during Kay Rashka’s recent Metalwork Jewelry Boot Camp. Starting out in class, designs are etched primarily on copper, brass, nickel silver and sterling silver as components for wearable art jewelry. Students can try their hand at gold foil fusing, setting cabochons into pieces, drilling river stones, hammering decorative “folds” in metal and using the “classical element” fire in soldering. There is constant action in the studio with all the metalsmiths busy hammering, etching, shaping, drilling and filing…it’s a one-of-a-kind here at Sievers. As for the other “classical elements” (earth, water and air), September never disappoints. Although the full color of the fall […]
Summer scenes
Alongside all that’s been happening inside the Sievers studios, Washington Island continues to work its summertime magic. Lakes, fields, harbors, flora and fauna all reflect the warm, sunny, hazy days. There’s always a quiet moment or place on the island, even in the busiest of summer days and nights.
Before they’re gone
These special June flowers don’t last long, and there’s no time like the present to share their beauty. Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day;And give us not to think so far away… keep us hereAll simply in the springing of the year. Robert Frost
New season news
A new season is quickly approaching with classes starting on May 28 and today was the official opening day for the Sievers Shop. This week, the Washington Island Art Association’s Spring Workshop is underway in the Walter Studio. It feels so good to be surrounded by creativity and creative people! As a little preview to summer, it’s time to share Sievers and other news. First, we’d like to introduce you to a new member of the Sievers Crew, Kerstin Ellefson. We’ve known Kerstin for a long time! She took Sievers classes in quilting with Jill Jorgenson and later Ellen Graf, and then weaving with Judith Yamamoto, starting the winter of 1996 when classes were still held where the shop is now. After […]
New and newsy
A new season is quickly approaching with classes starting on May 28 while the Sievers Shop opens on May 20. A few studio rentals, including the upcoming Washington Island Art Association’s Spring Workshop, will lead us into our full summer schedule. Until then, the spring landscape brings forth something new each day. In and outside the Sophie Studio, two new pieces have been added to our Permanent Collection, a handwoven rug by Rag Rug Weaving instructor, Deb Sharpee and a Bent Willow Chair from instructor John Rezachek. They’re beautiful additions to the work already in the Sophie Studio, not to mention all that’s on display in the Walter Studio and in the old Jackson Harbor School portion of the Sievers […]
Holiday greetings in verse
Sometimes, the carefully chosen words and rhythms of others say it best. Before the ice is in the pools—Before the skaters go,Or any check at nightfallIs tarnished by the snow— Before the fields have finished,Before the Christmas tree,Wonder upon wonderWill arrive to me … Emily Dickinson Our warmest wishes to you and yours as well as happiness, good health, love and peace this holiday season and into the new year. With gratitude for your friendship, Ann, Butch, Cindra, Carolyn, Barb, Kathleen, Patricia, Ellie and Shawn
