Janet K. Bonnell www.pineywoodsbasketart.com of Sault Ste. Marie Michigan has been creating pine needle basket art since 2002.  These pieces are crafted from southern longleaf pine needles and ponderosa pine needles.  The southern longleaf needles are found along the eastern seaboard from southern Virginia to Florida and along the Gulf Coast to the eastern boundaries of Texas, and the ponderosa needles are found throughout the western U.S.  Janet's needles are hand picked by herself and her husband Pat.  Everything used in the creation of an art piece is hand crafted, from the black walnut slices that Pat saws and dries to the wood burnings that Janet creates.

 

Janet has been affiliated with the Sault Area Arts Council, the Tawas Bay Fine Arts Show, the Wild West Basket Guild of Cottonwood Arizona, and many other fine art guilds and galleries.  She was awarded "Best of Craft" in both 2005 and 2006 at the Sault Area Fine Arts Festival.

 

         

 

 

Tim Grund of Bark River, Michigan

 

Gus Hult of Republic MI is a retired social worker, school bus driver and piano tuner. He has been handcrafting the bowed psaltery since 1998.  "While on vacation in Berea, KY (April '98), Maria and I saw a bowed psaltery in a musical instrument shop. When I picked it up to try it, I was able to play a simple melody almost immediately. I decided then and there to make one....".   Gus uses walnut or black ash for the bows, and strung with either synthetic or real horse hair.  "I enjoy creating this simple but captivating instrument. Now see how you too can enjoy playing it. Pick one up, holding the psaltery in your left forearm and the bow in your right hand. Or place it on a stand using one or two bows. You'll be surprised at the sweet sounds you can produce."   See and play the bowed psaltery for yourself at the UP Made Artist Market! Or contact Gus at 906-376-2478 quietstrings@cognisurf.com for more information.

 

 

Jim-N-E's Woodcrafts Etc.
Jim and Elaine have been artisans for many years, beginning with art classes in high school and continuing in the arts in one form or another ever since. Along with scrollwork, they also paint and do woodcrafts and enjoy spending the long winter months in their workshop creating new designs and handmade wood items. Many of their scrollsaw items are of their own design. They purchased their first scroll saw in 1984 and are now on their 5th saw as of 2007!  Email them at jimnes@jamadots.com for more information.

 

 

 

Wayne Martin of L'Anse MI uses tupelo, which is a premium wood for artistic woodcarvers. He then carefully paints each bird and uses cast metal legs, glass eyes, and Lake Superior driftwood to finish them. Like so many of our artists, Wayne appreciates nature and wildlife, and his creations reflect that appreciation.  Wayne served as a police officer in downstate Portage MI for 33 years, retiring in 2000 and moving to the U.P. We invite you to visit our Gallery and view Wayne's birds, or contact him at martin@up.net for more information!

 

    

 

Don Perrow 
Don’s Woodturning Creations
Don was born and raised in Baraga, MI and has lived in Upper Michigan all his life.  He worked at Pettibone MI Corp. for 42 years, retiring in 2003.  He started wood working in the late 80’s and then decided to try turning.  He bought his first lathe about 12 years ago and started turning burls.  Since then he has bought a bigger lathe so he can turn bigger bowls and vases. He prefers turning burls, but will turn just about anything. It’s a long process in making bowls or vases as they must be rough turned to about 1” thick, then an end grain sealer must be applied.  Don then lets them sit for about 3 to 4 months to dry, then finishes turning them to desired thickness, sands until very smooth, then applies a walnut oil and wax and buff until they are shiny.

Don is a member of the American Association of Woodturners and also belong to the Superior Woodturners Club of Marquette.

 

        

 

Sandy has dabbled in one craft or another since she was twelve, but her main interest has always been in baskets. In 1984 she took a class in basketry and the rest, as they say, is history. Sandy enjoys working with colors - everything from black to natural and all the colors in-between. She does all her own dying and staining and is sure her neighbors wonder what is going on when they see the different colored reed hanging on the clothesline. Sandy creates her baskets for everyday use, not just for decoration purposes.

 

Steve Uren is the artist and owner of Northwoods Rustic Creations in Calumet MI.  He produces one-of-a-kind art pieces from wood and frequently participates in art shows and has his work displayed in galleries all over the US.  He builds furniture and art pieces, but also specializes in cutting boards.  Below is a sampling of Steve's art; for more information visit his website at http://www.northwoodsrustic.com.