I visited Susan Johnson's blog, "Avalanche Looms" earlier this week (link is on the list on the right of the screen) and found a post "Rags, Rags, Rags & More Rags," where she writes about her love of old rag rugs and a new book just out, "Finnish-American Rag Rugs" by Yvonne R. Lockwood. I emailed Susan and ordered a copy from her which I found tucked in-between the mailboxes today when I arrived home.

Eagerly tearing into the package I found a large 11" x 9" book, about an inch thick, and 249 pages, full of the rag rugs weavers of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. If you're like me and like to read not only about an art or craft, but the PEOPLE who do it, I think we will really enjoy this book. In addition to color and b&w photos of rugs and weavers, it looks like an interesting history/record.

In my brief look at this book, I saw photos of various Finnish and American looms, weavers at the looms, finished rugs, and so much more. I had to laugh at photos of their "stashes!

After finishing up this blog entry, I'll be upstairs in flannel PJ's, with this book in my hands, eagerly reading. The timing for this book was perfect for me, arriving while weaving my first real rag rugs!




Today was a work at the gallery day for me and I took a spinning wheel and basket of Coopworth roving to work on, along with the book "Damask and Opphamta" and printed out notes (emails) from several drawloom weavers offering suggestions for adjusting my drawloom. They enabled me to list everything I need to check and adjust on the loom to get it working properly. A good, productive day!



It is Art Education Month in WI and Artistree Gallery invited K-5 students, both from the Land O'Lakes Elementary School and Home School students, to create artworks to be displayed for a couple weeks at the gallery. Gallery artists removed their works from the big wall, the kids works were framed and hung, and a reception was held this past Saturday.

Their works are bright, colorful, cheerful and wonderful to enjoy. I had several visitors at the gallery today coming in to see them. Congratulations, Art Students and Teachers!

The Blur Called December

It's late afternoon, snow is falling, New Year's Eve is a few hours away, and I sit here wondering how December went by so quickly. Yet when looking back at photos, I can see where it sent.

I worked a couple days at Artistree Gallery, which had been dressed Northwoods Style for the holidays. Lots of wonderful art including fiber arts. I sat, Christmas music on, knitting a scarf and watching a number of cars go up the street with a Christmas tree tied to the roof, a most pleasant, homey sight.

On December 5th, Emilie and Anna were over to learn about wet-felting wool. They wanted to make some felted items to give as Christmas gifts. I sent them home with bags dyed wool and my drum carder to continue felting at home.

I did a lot of sock-cranking in December, right up until a couple days before Christmas as quite a number of people ordered socks to give as Christmas gifts.

I still have four pairs of socks to crank, socks not needed by Christmas. Now, with the New Year, it's time to restock Artistree Gallery with socks and weaving, and begin cranking again for next summer's art shows.

Artistree Gallery Open House

This past Friday afternoon, Artistree Gallery had an Open House with several of the 30+ artists providing demonstrations of the arts. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, tents were set up to shield us from changing weather, and we had a very enjoyable afternoon visiting with people who stopped by. I was there with my sock machine, and took time out to take a few photos.

Mary Jackl, Whataview Farm & Fiber, Phelps, WI, is a rag rug weaver, spinner, and felter. This day she was demonstrating spinning, and spinning yarn with seed beads on.

Shirley Battin of Land O'Lakes, WI was demonstrating plein-air painting. Shirley is also the manager of Artistree Gallery.

Karen Lenhart, of Watersmeet, MI, is an award-winning watercolorist.

Shirley Surges, Conover, WI, is a wonderful watercolorist. This day, she was giving a demonstration of Chinese Brush Painting.

Sandy Hodgson, Land O'Lakes, WI, was working on a folk-art style quilt.

Artistree Gallery is located in the front room of Forget-Me-Not Floral, which was all decked out for Autumn. The following day, was "Art in the New Yard." Stay tuned!

Sock Season

I am gearing up for the fall and winter Wool Sock Season! I had a request to make three pairs of neutral and/or pastel socks, and they are shown in the three photos below.

"Lake Placid," wool socks.

"Morning Fog" wool socks.

"Sparkling Lake" wool socks.

On Sept. 25th, 1-4 PM, Artistree Gallery, in Land O'Lakes, WI, will have an Open House with several artists demonstrating what they do. I'll be there to demo sockmaking on the 1908 Gearhart Sock Machine.

On Sat., Sept. 26th, 9 AM to 4 PM, the Art Gypsies will have their annual "Art In a New Yard" art show/sale at Fir Tree Cottage in Land O'Lakes, WI.

On Oct. 2-4, 10 AM to 5 PM daily, the Fall Northwoods Art Tour takes place. Visitors are able to go on a self-guided tour of artists studios and galleries in a three county area.

Needless to say, I am really gearing up for making a lot of pairs of socks. More will be shown here at they are made, including "Up North," "Cranberry Harvest," "Copper Leaves," Colorama," "Christmas at the Cabin," and many, many more.

In between splitting and stacking winter wood (son Noah is doing the cutting), I'm trying to get back to my looms. There is a lot to be done both in and out of Shuttle Works Studio.

Artistree Gallery is Open

Congratulations to the participating artists in Artistree, a cooperative gallery in Land O'Lakes, WI. The gallery has been open for one week, and has had many visitors who comment on the wonderful space and the high quality of the art. Arts in the gallery include watercolor & oil paintings, fiber arts (weaving, handspun yarns, felted hats, needlefelting, handcrafted socks, wool applique, and rug hooking), jewelry, pottery, collage, photography, quilting, and wood furniture.

Considering that the decision to start this gallery was made in early May 2009 and opened on June 15, this has been amazing. Special thanks to Wendy Polalisz, Shirley Battin, Amy Higgason, Karen Lenhart, and Sandy Hall for their hard work in making this a reality, and thanks to the 19 participating artists! Also, thanks to Kathy Schuh, owner of Forget-Me-Knot Floral, for making this space available to us.

This wire rack from a Pier 1 store is a wonderful way to display business cards. On the side counter there is space for artists brochures and arts promotional information. Also on hand is a book with a page on each artist for anyone interested in knowing more about individual artists.

I had a very pleasant four hours today at Artistree, enjoyed conversations with a number of browsers and customers, and am looking forward to another satisfying cooperative gallery experience.

The Artistree Gallery is Coming Soon

Early in May, a number of artisans involved in LOLA (Land O' Lakes Artisans) met and felt there was enough interest and commitment to open "Artistree Gallery" in Land O'Lakes. There will be watercolor, acrylic, and possibly oil paintings, jewelry, pottery, art quilts, weaving, and photography.

On Monday this week we had access, and the large room was cleaned and painted. Yesterday, available art works could begin to be delivered, and in the afternoon we met to discuss various business matters.

I believe the space is around 24' x 16', has five large windows that have been UV treated, two counter/cupboards, two additional tables were purchased, and a jewelry case has been made available. It's a beautiful space with two warm pine walls and ceiling, two white walls, track lighting and ceiling fan.

Opening day is June 15th, open seven days a week, and open year-around. Since we are a cooperative-style gallery, the artists will be taking turns working. Yesterday, we could sign up for days to work. At this point there are 12 or so artists who are definitely committed to this, and I believe we are hoping for at least 20. Exciting things are happening in the Northwoods of WI.

Gallery Season

The Studio Gallery artists, left to right: Wendy Powalisz ~Back 40 Arts, Shirley Surges, Debra Ketchum-Jircik ~Circle of Life Studio, Amy Higgason ~ Pigeon Road Pottery, Carol Miller (front), Janice Zindel ~ Shuttle Works Studio (back), Kathleen Kimball ~ Salmagundi Arts, Toni Bergeon, and Nancy Shoop. Not pictured: Jane O'Brien and Louise Engelbrecht.

For several years now I have been a part of The Studio Gallery, located behind The Outdoorsman Restaurant in Boulder Junction. Soon, this group of eleven artists will be getting together for a day to clean, paint, and plant, then hang and display our work. The gallery is open Memorial Day weekend and running through the first week of October; this year Wednesday through Saturday, 9 AM to 4 PM. Art at the gallery includes watercolors, acrylics, collage, pottery, fiber arts, quilting, bookarts, and photography. We are looking forward to another year together.

Last fall, there was a movement to begin a new arts group, "Land O' Lakes Artisans" (LOLA), and meetings were held with many area artists/artisans attending. One of their goals was to have a gallery in which to exhibit and sell art work. This past Tuesday a group of working artists met, and after long discussion, knowing there were 20+ artists committed and supportive of this project, it was decided to open a gallery.

The new gallery will be located in a nice, bright, good-size room inside a building owned by Kathy Schuh of Forget-Me-Not Floral, downtown Land O' Lakes. On June 1st we will be there cleaning and painting, art work is to arrive June 3rd, and between June 3rd and June 14th, everything will be hung and displayed. On June 15th, Artistree Gallery will open.

The Artistree Gallery will be a venue for the work of artists and artisans within a 100 mile radius of Land O' Lakes, either full-time or seasonal residents; artwork will be juried in. The artists are also very interested in giving back to the community, including having demonstrations, classes, and other forms of sharing the arts.

So often, people sit back and wait for something to be a success before becoming involved. It is exciting to see so many artists willing to commit to this venture in these economic times. May the new Artistree Gallery be a success this summer and for many years to come.