Since time immemorial Indigenous cultures all over the world have gathered, refined, and passed forward their Traditional Ecological Knowledge through practicing their traditional arts, including plant fiber technologies such as weaving. Passing forward earth sciences and cultural knowledge in such a way is part of the oral tradition. Unlike the modern industrial culture of today, the oral traditions come with the understanding and point of view of reciprocity, inclusion, and personal relationships.
Weaving with plant fibers is a living art form. Nothing I write or share in this website can substitute for a relationship with a Living Master at their craft. I implore you, if you are interested in learning anything well, please look, and find a Living Master near you. Or travel to them if you can. I think about the knowledge I've been given as a tree. My teachers and my own ancestors are the roots and sap, my origins. My family and community are strength of the trunk, which supports me in every way. My students, and their students, are the branches and the seeds. We are all part of a forest of living knowledge.
Lissa Hunter’s Take Two Online Workshop
Some reflections after taking Lissa Hunter’s Take Two Online workshop last year, titled: Connecting-A Philosophy of Making With Lissa Hunter.
Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026 – Weaving Nature
I’m honored to be offering an intensive 5 day workshop at Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network as a part of Craft 2026.
Weaving Nature – Seasonal Gifts of Plants for Basketmaking
It’s been a busy fall gathering many of the plants we’ll be using in this workshop. I’m grateful to Jennifer Hemmingsen at Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network for putting together this article. Please be sure to click on “Handwork: Weaving traditions, stewardship and place with Melinda West” to view this article and links to registration and […]
Local History – Interview With Barbara Ann Lawrence – Suquamish Tribal Cultural Teacher and Storyteller
I live on the traditional land of the Suquamish People. There is so much history and culture here and all the time I’m learning more, hearing more of the Lushootseed language spoken, watching the canoes being crafted and returning to the waters, witnessing the weavers teaching the next generation of weavers.
Here’s What’s Cooking – Porch Paper Making
To remain sane, what do you do? I’m cooking Sword Ferns this month to see if the green leaves can make a good paper.
Grateful for a Community That Supports Local Artists
Syd and I want to thank all of you who came out to visit us and support our work during the Art in the Woods Studio Tour.
Art in the Woods Studio Tour 2024
We hope to see you next weekend. Painter Sydni Sterling and I are in Sterling Studio which is Studio #2 in Indianola, just a block away from the Indianola Country Store.
Mathewson and West’s Woven Wearables Workshop at BARN
Mathewson and West collaborate to teach “Woven Wearables” at Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network.
Mathewson and West’s October Workshop At Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network
Spend three inspired days exploring local plant-fiber use and universal fiber techniques with two contemporary plant-fiber artists, Margaret Mathewson and Melinda West, at the Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network.
