LEWISTON — More than 110 artists will sell an array of jewelry, ceramics, paintings, photography and other hand-crafted goods this weekend at Art Under the Elms. Here’s a sneak peek at six who are planning to attend.
Psychedelic Sisters Creations Hand-spun yarn and knits
Three small family farms in Weiser, Idaho, are behind Psychedelic Sisters Creations. Using American fleece from their farm or another, Jennifer Green, Dianne Wright and Kirsten Ridlehoover create limited-edition yarn by hand and one-of-a-kind, hand-knit clothing. The fleece is hand processed, dyed, blended and spun. Their yarns cost $18-$50 a skein, depending on its size and complexity. Among their hand-knitted items are hats, scarves, boot cuffs, shawls, shrugs and sweaters ranging in price from $18 to $300. The women will demonstrate their craft during the festival in their booth. Green also offers spinning instruction packages.
MadWood Turnery Wood
For Portland, Ore., artist Niels Madsen, inspiration lies in “what is hiding under the bark of every tree.”
Each piece of wood is a portrait of swirls, rings and ripples created by the fluctuations of sun, wind, water and soil. Madsen’s functional wooden bowls, platters, handles and containers shine the spotlight on nature’s work.
“My goal is to find the design that displays that beauty to its most brilliant advantage,” Madsen said.
Madsen uses wood from six of the world’s seven continents — from a maple that grew in his neighborhood to a gimlet burl from the gold fields of Australia. The cost of his pieces range from $25 to more than $2,500.
The Hive Gallery Art
Creating mixed-media art that is surreal, whimsical, modern and fantastical, Emily Edmunds of Salt Lake City is the force behind the Hive Gallery. Prints start at $25.
Gaia Goods Soaps and salves
Brandi Mayes calls herself a “chronic DIY enthusiast.” When the Post Falls woman’s first child was born her focus turned to creating natural, safe products for her family.
Drawing on her knowledge of herbalism, she began making products like soap, sun screen, lotion, bug repellent, healing salves and deodorant. Seeing a need for these products in her community she started Gaia Goods.
“Many of the products in my line are inspired by both a desire for a truly natural version and by a desire to provide the lowest environmental footprint possible of that product,” said Mayes, who uses only organic, sustainably harvested oils. Mayes infuses the oils with medicinal herbs that she grows or gathers locally. She does not use any synthetic dyes or fragrances and her packaging is recyclable, compostable or exchangeable for a credit so she can reuse it. Her products range in price from $5 to $20.
Snake River Nets Wood
A lifelong fisherman, a friend gave Mike Avery a gift in 2002 that turned into an artistic obsession. The gift was a net and while it was nice, Avery imagined improvements to make it
better. Those ideas spawned Snake River Nets, Avery’s business hand-making wooden nets and fly boxes.
“There is not just one ideal net that does everything,” said Avery of Idaho Falls. “If there was I would be on the river more.”
Avery makes six different sizes of nets using strong and durable regional and exotic woods like cherry, purple heart and African mahogany. The shape and length of the handle and hoop are customized for the activity, whether it be wading, fishing from a pontoon or fishing for steelhead. Nets are fitted with PVC or rubber bags that are easier for the fisherman and safer on the fish, Avery said. Four sizes have measure devices inside the bag or on the handle. Prices range from $95 for wading nets to $220 for steelhead nets.
“A lot of people think they’re too pretty to use in the water but they’re definitely made to be fished with,” Avery said of the nets, which come with a lifetime warranty. His wooden fly boxes feature laser-etched maps of area rivers inlaid with turquoise. For Art Under the Elms Avery will bring boxes featuring Kelly Creek and the Clearwater. The boxes are designed to fit in the pocket of a vest and cost $50.
Fluff for the Particular Jewelry
Inspired by the botanicals of nature and the independent fashion of Northwest women, Solymar Palm of Boise makes one-of-a-kind jewelry. Working with copper, brass and aluminum forms, she cuts, shapes, textures, patinas and waxes each piece by hand. Items start at $18.
If You go
What: 31st annual Art Under the Elms When: April 24-26 - Noon to 7 p.m. Friday - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday Where: Lewis-Clark State College campus Cost: $3 for all three days Of Note: Other festival activities include the Dogwood Tea Fairy Tent, an international-style food court, a Family Fun Fair and live music by regional bands and musicians on two stages. The Dogwood Show & Shine takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in LCSC’s Fourth Street parking lot. Car registration is $15 and admission is free.
