A few graduate students caught the weaving bug after we met this past March during my art residency at IslandWood a fantastic environmental learning center on Bainbridge Island, Washington. These capable, enthusiastic young people brightened my Fridays this spring. Olivia and Liam helped my husband and I claim back part of an overgrown Red Osier Dogwood patch growing along a small stream on the property where we grow our food.
Being practical sorts, they jumped right into making their own backpacks. Maybe I should have tried talking them into making something a little less demanding! along with the swamp dogwood we used some fresh ornamental birch, English ivy, Western red cedar bark, and split cedar limbs.
But I forgot to. And I’m glad? They inspired me to get back into the branch work required.
I did my best to stay ahead of them. That wasn’t easy, but it was great fun!
Thank you Olivia and Liam, for your hard work and commitment to learning! You will have a huge positive impact where ever you go!
I send out warm wishes to every one of you IslandWood Graduates, and thank you for helping me learn better how to share a love of natural science and art with young people. Thank you and all the best!
Here is Olivia’s blog, with all kinds of projects she’s been up to.
http://weavingspring.wordpress.com/
So my grandson, Asha, finally gets a larger backpack!
