The season of fall is well upon us and as always, it reflects the changes that occur in nature and in all things. However, something that hasn’t changed at Sievers during the fall for many years has been a class in making a bent willow chair with Ken and Michelle Workowski. Fall happens to be the best time to bend the heavy-duty Sandbar willow used for the arms and back of the chair due to its ability to flex in the extreme without splitting when nailed . Ken Workowski first came to Sievers as an assistant to Rich Prange for the Bent Willow Chair class held in October of 2004. With Rich’s retirement from teaching the class the following year, […]
Willow Chair Weekend
As always, the bundles of willow, harvested and prepared by Ken and Michelle Workowski, awaited each student in the weekend Bent Willow Chair class. It’s only a matter of time before the studio is filled with the sound of power drills and within a couple hours the bases of the chairs are put together. The chairs really take shape when the willow bending begins, creating the seat, back and arms. Although the chairs follow the same format, each has it’s own distinct character. This class had two students with the “fastest finish”, completing their chairs by dinnertime on Saturday. It’s been a tradition to order in a few pizzas that night and eat some, work some […]
