Fiber Art Almanac artist stories
In-depth stories and pictures from the Almanac.
Fiber Art Almanac: The Quilt Maker’s Story
Introduction: Fiber Art Almanac: Essays from the American Midwest The Quilt Maker’s Story It’s time to get back to writing and picture taking and sharing what I love best about textiles and fiber art in the American Midwest. I’ve heard so many stories from you; how...
Sheryl Thies, knitting and crochet pattern designer
Sheryl Thies is an accomplished pattern writer. With seven books to her credit, she understands the work schedule behind yarn type and color selection. For all of us who would like to sally forth into the pattern writing realm, it requires a great deal of commitment. ...
Elizabeth Watkins’ lovely lace shawls and wraps
If you know Elizabeth, you know she can knit in the dark. Her knitting is always with her; at movies or even meetings at work. Her shawls are well worn, well loved and have been repaired numerous times because the knitting is so fine. Here's a little bit about...
14 for 2014: some of my favorite images
Instead of a 'year in review', I thought I'd show you some of my favorite images.There's no particular order, commentary, artist selection process or any other rational methodology of picking and choosing. I just like them, I hope you do, too. Thank you for your...
Susan Simonton’s fine lace knitting
When I first saw Susan Simonton knitting these stockings, I visualized them worn on a wedding day. Their color, fiber and loveliness bespoke of netting and lace. Susan always has a very complicated project on her needles—a project that showcases the fiber...
Jeneen Martin makes crochet vessels
Jeneen, whose schedule allows her to have creative time in the morning, likes to say that she starts her day with craft and ends her day with craft. Three years ago, Jeneen took a break from making fabric baskets with a sewing machine and began to crochet vessles with...
Emerging knitting designer Kjersti Campbell
The most important question is, “would I wear this?” St. Paul native Kjersti Campbell, an emerging knitting pattern designer with an eye for complex compositions, worked her way through high school at the local bead store where she was especially intrigued by bead...
Susan Antell’s color theory: experimenting with dye
Color and fiber work is a process of exploration and discovery for Susan Antell. She has spent a good deal of time studying the dye process for both cotton and wool fabrics. When I met Susan almost three years ago, she had recently finished a booklet containing...
Northern Light: Pictorial weaving with Marie Westerman
by Jenny Wilder with Marie Westerman I’ll say this at the outset; Marie lives in a sacred place. When I travel to Minnesota’s North Shore and the road comes down the sweeping curve leading into Grand Marais and the big ancient shoulders of the Sawtooth Mountains...
Julie Pietras’ needle felted wooly critters
They have so much personality that when I opened the box, they looked like they were ready to jump out! An illustrator by training and a corporate graphic designer by day, Julie Pietras enjoys making many types of fiber art. From these charming needle felted critters...
Kristin Hoelscher-Schacker: Fearless Creative Energy
The process of self discovery is a little like packing a suitcase for a long trip. So many variables to consider that what you ‘think you might need’ is in reality no more than a mere guess. The assumptions and first thoughts are only the beginning. And I’ve read (and...
Chillon Leach: her calling as an Artist and Art Servant for her Church
"Peace be with you (And also with you)." Since ancient times, the symbol of the dove has been associated with peace, goodwill and harmony of spirit. It is a common belief among religions and philosophies to associate the accord of spirit and enlightenment with...
Living the dream down on the farm!
George Sundstrom says he’s living the American Dream and believe it, he is. George and Jeanette’s family run Sun Valley Fiber business has the hallmark of an American success story. Nestled in the rolling hills of southern Wisconsin, their farm includes the usual...
Helena Wentzlaff’s quilting tradition
Helena Wentzlaff’s quilts are to quilting what Mt. Rushmore, apple pie and country living represent in American folklore. Heritage, home and roots. There’s no question one of her quilts could be shown around the world and people would identify it as one of the more...
It’s a Carolfaye Original!
Carolfaye Meadows has a way with words—she’s gifted in her interesting dialogue and style of delivery. I’ve always enjoyed our conversations because she’s funny and sincere and to the point. Her felted art handbags reflect those same fresh qualities. Carolfaye does...