local artisans

Local crafter's groovy, green pet collars

Lisa Wogan — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:43:36 -0700

While my dogs motivate me to get out of bed in the morning, Shannon Ritscher's animal companions (an eight-year-old dog named Sweet Pea and two cats, Mike and Wednesday) inspire altogether grander and greener pursuits.

Working from her home in the South Beacon Hill/Upper Georgetown neighborhood, Ritscher transforms discarded belts into cat and dog collars (some with matching armbands for human companions) tricked out with scrap bling, such as bottle caps, buttons, washers and leftover leather bits.

Tin man: Artist William Herberholz aims to evoke childhood memories

Kathy Schultz — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:57:02 -0700

During my daily walk with my French bulldog, I pass Jaywalk, a Madrona gift shop that showcases local artists. The tin art hanging there caught my eye. Each piece featured enchanting little scenes crafted from vintage tin toys and other found objects.

Couple unites industrial scraps with fashion in Chemical Wedding handbag line

Kathy Schultz — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 10:23:12 -0800

Jon and Tracy Haaland marry post industrial scraps and imaginative design to create one-of-a-kind handbags. The artistic local couple aims to create wearable art, and they've done it, just as the name Chemical Wedding suggests. Jon Haaland explains that the line Chemical Wedding is based on the alchemist theory of transmutation of form. "Like lead into gold, we use and rearrange manufacturer's castoffs and turn them into handbags."

Get crafty when choosing gifts this season

Jennifer Warnick — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 10:34:48 -0800

It's that time of year when skies turn grey, fingers turn crafty and thoughts turn toward holiday shopping. Seattle is home to scores of designers, artists and crafters, and this is never more evident than during the holidays, as craft shows large and small pop up all over town.

How to host your own craft sale

Jennifer Warnick — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 10:33:48 -0800

If you are thinking about hosting your own craft show, either alone or with a few other craftanistas, take a few tips from those who came before you:

Gang up

Bayview Corner's revival aims to keep things countrified

Tyrone Beason — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800

WHIDBEY ISLAND — The Fishmonger seafood market is one of the things I love about island hamlets like Bayview Corner, a pioneer-era business hub near Langley that recently got a facelift.

On a recent visit to this newly prettified crossroads where the market is a popular draw, I asked manager Mary French which fish was fresh that day. She shot back a look that practically purred, "It's all fresh, sweetheart." Of course, all I had to do was read the store's motto behind the refrigerated display case: "Only wild and Always fresh."

A picturesque street of holiday dreams in Poulsbo

Cecelia Goodnow — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

POULSBO -- If you're lucky enough to hit a clear day on your drive to Poulsbo, prepare to be dazzled as roadside trees give way to a stunning vista of Liberty Bay backed by snow-capped Olympics. It's like a little piece of Norway.

Early immigrants thought so, too, and turned this scenic settlement into an ethnic enclave where, for a while, the official language was Norwegian.

Langley shopping excursion is wrapped in charm

Susan Phinney — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800

LANGLEY -- This south Whidbey Island town is a wonderful reminder of small-town charm. From free and easy street parking to shop owners who personally welcome you, a day in Langley can be pure pleasure.

The town has been luring me for years. The turnoff -- not far from the Clinton ferry landing -- beckoned, but there was always something more urgent farther up the island. It's embarrassing to admit that my only previous trip to Langley was for a Christmas Eve service more than 20 years ago.

Poulsbo: No mistaking where you are -- Ja!

Terry Tazioli — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700

The outing: Do not say to a person who lives in Poulsbo the following:

"Well, Liberty Bay doesn't look like any fjord I've ever seen."

OK, sheer mountain slopes don't cascade into the water below, the narrow inlet doesn't necessarily pour into the Norwegian Sea. And, granted, it might be kind of hard to find an Azteca Mexican restaurant in Norway.

But why risk the instant frown you'll get when you point out these facts about modern Poulsbo?

Do say instead:

Taking a trip back to nature on the railroad in Snoqualmie

Terry Tazioli — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700

The outing : Make sure to drive the back way to Snoqualmie. Eschew the speedy 30 miles between Seattle and the Cascades foothill town via Interstate 90 and take the circuitous 30 that takes up real interest outside of Redmond on the Redmond-Fall City Road (Highway 202). At Fall City, the highway turns east after it crosses the Snoqualmie River and then winds up the hill and into town.

You will be much calmer and at one with the countryside you've just entered.