Our current artists: Pat Bechtold (recycled bags), Sandy Bot-Miller, Helen Manion, Julia Marie, Mary Reigstad (crochet), Kate Ritger (lamb wool rugs & skulls)
Pat Bechtold: Recycled Bags
Pat explains her creative journey by saying, “I live near St Joseph. I’ve been sewing for over 50 years, the last 25 years as a full-time business. I love making reusable shopping bags & hope to help reduce the use of plastic bags. I always keep a couple of these in my car- they come in so handy! When I’m not sewing, I like to travel, and I enjoy taking care of my 4 grandchildren.”
Sandy Bot-Miller: Weavings, Paintings, and Fiber Creations
Sandy’s woven art pieces are characterized by their round shape, vivid color, and dynamic imagery, coming together to create striking and unique pieces. Her paintings follow the same vein; each piece is imaginative and inspired.
“I love to create with fibers and oil pastels to make colorful textural pieces of art that please the senses and soothe the spirit. Whether stitching, weaving, felting, or layering with pastels, I integrate a playful, meditative approach during my process that I hope my viewers experience also. In addition to art making, I enjoy writing poetry, flower gardening and hanging out with my family and friends, especially my five young grandchildren.”
In addition, Sandy also makes greeting cards portraying her weavings and paintings.
Stay up to date!
Instagram: @sandybotmiller
Julia Marie: Wearable Art
Julia Marie creates beautiful bleach-dyed shirts and sweatshirts inspired by the landscape and natural elements of Central Minnesota. She’s inspired by nature’s sights, sounds, and scents, making each of her pieces unique, just like her references in their natural forms. She also creates murals and paintings, which can be found on her website. Notably, several of her pieces have been featured in exhibitions and art shows around Minnesota.
“When I’m not covered in paint or tinkering with cyanotype prints, you’ll find me wandering through forests, soaking up inspiration, or experimenting with new techniques. Through my art, I hope to inspire others to live a colorful, peaceful life, just like nature intended. Let’s create something beautiful together.”
Stay up to date!
Website: www.juliamarieart.com
Instagram: @juliamarie.artist
Facebook: juliamarie_gallary
Mary Reigstad: Sincere Knits
Supplying us with smiles on the daily, Mary Reigstad’s crocheted amigurumi plushies are an outlet for her to follow her ongoing passion of creating with yarn. She makes a wide variety of critters, from Emotional Support Pickles and Emotional Support Chickens to keychains and mason jar koozies. And for Mary, her Knits are truly Sincere. She buys the supplies herself and then donates all the proceeds to Go Fund Me pages, church mission trips, or wherever a need arises. In her words, she says, “The Bible says to help others and that has been a joy for me to do!”
Stay up to date!
Instagram: @mlreigstad
Facebook: Sincere Knits
Kate Ritger: Prime Avenue Farm – Lamb Wool Rugs
Kate and her husband Mark run Prime Avenue Farm, which they describe as “a local food business that grows fruit, vegetables and flowers and raises Icelandic sheep). They started their farm with the desire to foster connections in their community through having fun and eating well. Kate has a strong background in CSAs and market gardens, selling home-grown produce to her community for years. Since starting Prime Avenue, they’ve scaled back on selling veggies and now specialize in growing cherries, garlic, and their flock of sheep. Prime Avenue has a growing flock of Icelandic sheep that supply them with not just high-quality meat, but wool to make beautiful, hand-crafted rugs. You can visit their website to view Kate’s rugs and recommended care instructions, or to order lamb meat, skulls, and hides.
Stay up to date!
Website: www.primeavenuefarm.com
Instagram: @primeavenuefarm
Facebook: Prime Avenue Farm
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