Sievers School of Fiber Arts

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“Our” Grocery Store

March 8, 2022 By Carolyn Foss

Last year we visited Walter Schutz’s Milwaukee neighborhood of the early 1900’s with descriptions from his book It Was Fun Being Young, focusing on his memories of holidays and school days. Once again, we’ll follow Walter as a young boy, this time to the grocery store. He writes, “Our grocery store, Ellenbecker’s, was the largest place of business at the corner of Holton and North. It sold only groceries. You could not buy meat or shoestrings or toothpaste or any articles of this kind – it was groceries only. Back then, there were any number of small shops and stores that served neighborhoods. At Ellenbecker’s, a long, hardwood counter extended down the left hand side of the store. In front […]

Filed Under: Sievers School, Washington Island Tagged With: Mann's Store, Walter Schutz

Make it!

December 2, 2021 By Carolyn Foss

Whether it refers to baking, creating or otherwise, it’s the season to “make it”. That’s what we’re doing. Make it a Julekuler! This Scandinavian heart knitted bauble was made using a free pattern, but was adapted by using sport weight yarn and size 2 double pointed needles. Make it delicious! This cookie recipe was discovered in last winter’s Door County Living magazine. It’s especially suitable as a non-fussy holiday treat and yes, the dark chocolate chips are highly recommended! Apricot Ginger Oatmeal Cookies Preheat the oven to 350°. 1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. ground ginger 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. baking powder Mix these ingredients into a bowl and set aside. 1 c. butter […]

Filed Under: Sievers School Tagged With: Shetland Wool Adventure Journal, The Frank Shawl, Walter Schutz

Tool times

September 19, 2021 By Carolyn Foss

It’s not often we have two classes in session that predominately use hammers, pliers, saws, knives, drills, gouges, torches, burners and more, but it happened when both Kay Rashka’s Metalwork Jewelry Boot Camp and Woodcarving with Jerry Landwehr were here earlier in September. Where a set of carving tools can fit in a nice case or box, the many hundreds of pounds of metalwork tools, equipment and supplies need the space Kay’s entire pickup truck offers. However, this post is not just about the tools, it’s about what you can do with the tools! To create metalwork art jewelry, there’s cutting, filing, stamping, etching, piercing and soldering. Along with all the “-ing’s” you do with the various tools, there’s an […]

Filed Under: Sievers School Tagged With: Delta Manufacturing Co., Deltagram, Jerry Landwehr, Kay Rashka, Metalwork Jewelry, Walter Schutz, Woodcarving

A good blend

August 20, 2021 By Carolyn Foss

From the very beginning, Walter Schutz felt Washington Island was the ideal place for learning and specifically as a place for Sievers School of Fiber Arts. He wrote in 1979, “What could be more ideal than creating in pleasant surroundings such as these?” Also, “…a positive cultural advance – the Island is ideally suited for this. I am convinced (Sievers) would not be as successful in other places…” and, from 1984, “I hope, too, that it will help you regard the Island with more reverence, help maintain its rustic, unspoiled atmosphere and above all keep it, as much as possible, the sort of place it is. It truly is ‘north of the tension line’ (and) opens the door to the […]

Filed Under: Sievers School Tagged With: Deb Jones, Open Quilt Studio, Walter Schutz, Washington Island

Two at a time-part one

August 6, 2021 By Carolyn Foss

These summer weeks are going by so quickly! In a few days, we’ll have reached the half-way point in our classes for the 2021 season. To continue to catch up with the past several classes, there will be three consecutive “Two at a time” posts to bring you up to date. We start the week of July 19 – 26 and two classes taught by Mary Sue Fenner, “One-Of-A-Kind Jacket” and “Sew a Patchy Vest”. Learning from Mary Sue and using her mix of contemporary and classic methods brings the fabrics, patterns and students together in a special way. Her array of garments is inspiring, fun, eclectic and amazing. Students brought fabulous fabrics for the 5-day jacket class and worked […]

Filed Under: Sievers School Tagged With: Mary Sue Fenner, Walter Schutz

The how and why at Riverside High

March 3, 2021 By Carolyn Foss

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 […]

Filed Under: Sievers School Tagged With: Milwaukee, Riverside High School, Walter Schutz

The ABC’s and the 1,2,3’s

February 25, 2021 By Carolyn Foss

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 […]

Filed Under: Sievers School Tagged With: Milwaukee schools, Walter Schutz

Thoughts, memories, anecdotes and information…

December 22, 2020 By Carolyn Foss

…is how Walter Schutz introduced his collection of childhood rememberances. We heard from a number of you that you’d like to read more his stories from Christmas in the early 1900’s (and more). This, then is a continuation of our Sievers Facebook posts since the last Sievers News was sent out. We’ll do one more focused on New Year’s festivities closer to that time. Walter continues, “A magic set was another favored gift. My brother had taken me to see several matinees at the Bijou where Thurston the Magician was playing. They were amazing and almost frightening experiences and never forgotten. It was only natural that I should try some of the most simple that were shown in a leaflet […]

Filed Under: Sievers School Tagged With: christmas, Walter Schutz

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