''The Gathering'

The Ferry to the Island has a Icelandic name 'Eyrarbakki'

'The Gathering'

Melissa and I attended the Gathering at Sievers School of Fiber Arts on Washington Island this last weekend. We were to going to take a Workshop in Sturgeon Bay WI with Anne Fields from New Zealand on Collapse Weave. Anne has a health issue right now and cancelled all of her Workshops in the U.S. Because of this cancellation Mellisa and I decided we would still go to Door County WI and attend 'the Gathering' which is a biannual event at Sievers School of Fiber Arts.

Jackson Harbor at dawn Right next to our Inn.

This was Melissa's first trip to Door County and to Sievers. We needed to be on the Island Friday morning for the great yarn sale at Sievers wonderful Shop. Yarns were 30 - 50% off and selected other items were also on sale. Friday afternoon I took a workshop with Donna Kallner 'Natural Dyeing and Eco Printing'. What a great workshop. It was  a lot for a four hour workshop - but we had nice results.

Melissa spent the afternoon getting to know the Island and the local people - always a joy!

 

Samples of Donna Kallner dye on silk and wool.

Diane Fitzgerald and her beloved beads.

Friday evening we attended a presentation by Diane Fitzgerald 'A Walk Down Memory Lane of Beads'. Her love and life of beading. Some beautiful beading.

Saturday morning was the Sievers Garage Sale and they were lined up and shopping at 9:30 am,
 I have to say Melissa and I found some nice bargains !!!
I bought a pot holder loom for $1.50 for our November presentation. I found a Tapestry loom for $5 and Hand Carders for $15. Not to mention a whole box of Linen yarn for $1 a cone... small cones but I think it was a great deal.
Melissa almost came home with a 8 harness Baby Wolf.

Karen Buell - Stitchery

They also had a display of students work as well as some vendors. Including some of the teachers work which was for sale.

 Some of Sievers' teachers demoed their work for next years classes. Note the name of  the Stitchery teacher! We asked if she was related to Mrs Buell 

She is from southern Wisconsin and did not think her husband had relatives in the U.P.

Melissa learning the basics of Temari

Japanese Temari with Judith Yamamoto

Living Willow Topiaries with Jo Campbell-Amsler,

Basketry – Drew Tibbetts, Elsa Reinhart and Helene Meyer

 These activities were followed by the announcement of the winning Viewers Choice award the silent auction and door prize winners. The top two winners of the Viewers Choice were a hand knit knee length cable sweater and a huge hooked rug. Watch the Sievers web page for pictures of the winning items.
Then Mary Sue Fenner the very first instructor at Sievers 34 years ago presented a fashion show of garments made by students who brought things to enter.

leaving Detroit Harbor - heading home

Last of all was a wonderful Buffet Dinner to celebrate the Gathering. This was followed by and optional Dan Hansen and Cindra Hokkanen Musical Program which is always a favorite of students and Island people alike.

Mural in Baileys Harbor painted by a famous Artist

On our way home we stopped to view an in progress mural in Baileys Harbor. The Maplegrove Gallery - of Gloria Hardiman -check this out on the web Whoa!!!! some beautiful garments and Wenz Martinez tapestry rug gallery in Jacksonport.