APRIL ARTIST OF THE MONTH

Dorothy Stone Inouye is Artisans' Co-op only basket maker. She learned basketry under the watchful eye of her Indian grandmother and has built on this knowledge to produce baskets that,
while paying homage to her ancestry, reflect her esthetic and design sense.

On display this month are three of her baskets. Each is different size and shape, however, they each share certain design signatures. They are all double-walled baskets. The inside has a different look and many times a different color from the outside. They are all original designs with embellishments that fit their shape and size, and the color comes from Dorothy dyeing the materials with natural dyes that she forages for and makes herself.

Also on display are smudge sticks made from sage that Dorthy has grown. Traditional smudge sticks were lit and used in purifying ceremonies. However, they can placed in areas and used as air fresheners and they have a reputation as a bug repellent. They also have a delightful scent.

April Artist of the Month

Edie Nelson has some of her newest creations on display this month. One piece is a vest knitted in a bulky yarn and featuring a new stitch pattern which creates alternating blocks and bands of pattern and is embellished with antique buttons which compliment the knit pattern.

Also on display will be a child's sweater using 'Mirage', a multicolored yarn that we carry in the co-op and, also, another sweater featuring a new pattern called 'Descending Squares' which Edie has recently developed and will also feature no seams.

She is in the process of writing the pattern for the 'Descending Squares' sweater which will soon join other patterns which she has written and are offered for sale in the Co-op.

Edie is a prolific knitter who is inspired by the yarn and thinking about how best to highlight that yarn's potential with the interesting stitch combinations and she is always ready to advance the love of creative knitting by helping others do the same.