Meet the Artist: Part Four

Karen Schwandt's artwork has been found in many island and off island homes through her beautiful woodwork, painting and sewing. Here she sits on one of her offerings for next weekend's event, a bench she built by cutting down her grown son's bedframe. She then chose paint and coordinating fabrics, and sewed cushions to complete the piece. Among the U&A group, Karen is known as the detail painter for her intricate and delicate painting that adds beautiful touches to her finished pieces.

Meet the Artist: Part Three

Kirsten Purinton's quilts have been greeting guests at Uniques and Antiques each year. Kirsten honed her skills at Sievers School of Fiber Arts and her island home features many of her own beautiful heirloom quilts. Her talents extend from the quilting studio to the kitchen and beyond. This year Kirsten's offerings to Uniques & Antiques come in another form: her delicious gift bags of spiced nuts and pretzels. Kirsten's mouthwatering snacks are dressed up in gift bags and make delightful gifts for anyone. We have a sneaking suspicion, however, that many of them never make it quite that far...last year they were snatched up in the first half of the first day of the sale, and hungry shoppers tore open their bags on the spot! Whether a gift for yourself or to share with someone you love, don't miss Kirsten's delicious snack bags...they never last long!

Meet the Artist: Part Two

Sally Schmidt is a Sievers-taught fiber artist. Sally took her first Sievers class 11 years ago, after becoming curious about basket-making materials she found in the attic. This year, as in other years, Sally offers some large and small re-purposed furniture pieces, baskets, polymer clay jewelry--all based in techniques she learned at Sievers and has since adapted in her own style. Sally is currently working on designing a piece that incorporates all her loves: basketweaving, painting, polymer clay, and image transfers.

New to the show this year, Sally brings several unique island images to life in hand-stitched wall hangings inspired by Donna Kallner's Local Color class. For these pieces, Sally transferred her own island photographs, altered them with paints or dyes, embellished with beads and bits, and finished the pieces with hand-stitching. Sally also will feature a collection of hand-dyed scarves, table runners, and other fabrics. She hopes her Uniques & Antiques followers will "make gift lists and check them twice." "It's my hope that people have as much fun choosing and giving my gifts as I have creating them," says Sally.

Meet the Artist: Part One

In the weeks leading up to Uniques & Antiques, we feature some of our contributing artists. Here, Helen Roberts shares two of her pieces for this year's event with her grandaughter, Maggie. Helen loves pieces that tell a story or relate a memory, such as this step stool with yardstick detailing. The yardstick was originally from a farm implement dealer in DeForest, Wisconsin, where Helen grew up. Helen recalls that on a few lucky occassions, her dad would take her along on his "trips to town" when she would be allowed to "help." Helen hopes Maggie will recall similar happy memories of working alongside her Grandmother.

A Cherry of a Chair

Many of the enthusiasts who return year after year love to tell us stories of the delight their purchases bring them over the years. The creators of the items love to tell the stories, too. "I found the chair on the curb on trash pick-up day, popped it in the trunk of my car, and the fabric transformed it. I hope it greets someone daily with these cheery cherries!" Here also are several other chair creations from years past, which have now happily found a home. Write and tell us the stories of how your Uniques & Antiques are bringing you joy!

Save the Date

Mark your calendars! This year's event will take place from 10:00-3:00 on Friday, August 6th and from 10:00-12:00 on Saturday, August 7th, 2010. As always, the extravaganza is held at idyllic 1040 Main Road, Washington Island. This year, you too can be among the many who plan their Washington Island vacations around it! Above is one of the many stunning items featured at the 2010 event. Reversible fabric makes these cushions versatile & beautiful.

In the Beginning

Uniques & Antiques: In the Beginning

One summer afternoon, four friends sat sipping good wine, a perfect island breeze gently rustling the leaves above. "Wherever did you get that adorable table?" asked one. "Oh, that? I found it! I gave it a coat of paint and it's good as new!" "It's as cute as the dickens," replied the third. "Well now, if you like that," commented the fourth friend, "you should see the dresser I found at the dump yesterday!" "Oh," exclaimed the first, "I have some fabric that would match that perfectly--it used to be my drapes!" And so a partnership was born. Four friends, each with a knack for creative handiwork and an eye for good junk, set out to create a sale experience like no other:
Uniques & Antiques: furniture with past lives, reincarnated for your delight!