My four year old granddaughter, Calla, is gearing up on this morning to help gather fresh Red Osier Dogwood branches to bring to her brother's class for a project we'll make. Calla and her dad, Spence, team up while thinning out branches and trunks of the Swamp Dogwood from this overgrown riparian area along a stream on property we … [Read more...]
Old Kitchen – New Counters
We've lived in this nearly a century-old house for thirty-three years and finally have had a chance to upgrade our kitchen. We didn't want to change the character of it, but wanted to improve its function. Built in 1918, with very little counter space available, it sported the original 4" deep cast iron sink , perfect for splashing water all over … [Read more...]
The Faering is Launched
In 2009-2010 our eldest son, Spencer West, had the privilege of working with a team of excellent wood carvers who were gathered at Duane and Betty Pasco's to carve the Raven Canoe. This canoe was being created for a Canoe family to be paddled on the Canoe Journey to Neah Bay. The first of these canoe journeys, in recent times, was held in 1989 at … [Read more...]
My Studio is a Place of Joy
Yes, it can also be a place of creative chaos when I bump into materials hanging off the walls and knock down piles of bark drying in the corners as I reach for a tool. But mostly, it is a place I feel so much love and creative energy. I think the love comes from the fact that my wonderful husband and sons, along with many dear friends, built this … [Read more...]
Gathering Cedar Bark
Here's my crew! Asha and Calla are in charge. The owners of this property have decided they need to remove these two Western Red Cedar trees. Passiko and Dean waited to get them cut down, until the sap was up, so that we could gather the inner bark. We've all made our personal apologies to these beautiful cedars for what we are about to … [Read more...]
