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Author: Patti Franklin

Karen Luebbers, Skilled Spinner & Weaver

Karen Luebbers

Karen Luebbers loves making things.  She makes many beautiful quilts, has woven rugs, table runners and dish towels. She enjoys embroidery and Japanese Sashiko. In the 1970’s she began to spin wool for her projects. 

For this year’s raffle, Karen spun yarn with a blend of wool from Corriedale sheep and mohair. Resident Wilma Van Arragon used this yarn to make the exquisite wrap pictured below. 

It will be raffled at the Saturday, September 21, 9 am – 3:00 pm Holmstad Bazaar. The winner will be chosen at 2:30 and need not be present to win.  

During the Bazaar, Karen will be spinning wool by the raffle table. She would be happy to talk to you about her spinning wheel and the process of spinning yarn. 

Karen, Luebbers, spin, 

Wilma Van Arragon Knits Luxury Apparel

Wilma Van Arragon

Wilma Van Arragon has been living at The Holmstad for 12 years but began to participate in the Bazaar a year before moving here.

“I am honored to share my shawls, sweaters and other knitted and crocheted items with my friends, neighbors, and community members,” said Wilma. “It’s been a joy to meet others who also love fine yarns and textiles, along with a passion for knitting and crocheting. And, knowing that this contributes to MY community is the icing on the cake.”

Wilma both designed and knitted this 2024 raffle prize from wool spun by resident, Karen Luebbers. Karen spun a blend of wool from Corriedale sheep and mohair to develop the yarns Wilma used to make this exquisite wrap. 

 The winner will also receive a hand-crafted tote bag and a bottle of soap to care for the wrap.

   Enter to win this lovely wrap on September 21 from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm. The winners will be drawn at 2:30. 

knit, raffle

Fall & Holiday Wreaths By Ellen Askren

Ellen Askren 

Ellen has been making wreaths for 20 years. Most of her work is for sale in a local Geneva IL gift shop. When Ellen moved into Covenant Living at the Holmstad, she realized her skills could benefit the Holmstad Bazaar. She has made two seasonal wreaths that will be for sale at the Bazaar on Saturday, September 21, from 9 am – 3 pm.

autumn, fall, Christmas, decor, gift, Holiday, wreath

Ellen’s Fall Wreath Will be Offered on September 21

 

Ellen’s Colorful Holiday Wreath for Sale on September 21

 

Dave Anderson’s Woodworking

Dave Anderson

Dave and his wife, Merrie, moved to The Holmstad in 2014. As a long-time woodworker, he made the community’s wood shop his home away from home. For several years, Dave has led the group in projects for the Bazaar and to make or repair anything that The Holmstad needed from the woodworkers.  

 

 

One of Dave’s popular woodworking projects for sale again at the September 21 Holmstad Bazaar are his Bandsaw Boxes. Dave makes several shapes crafted from various hardwoods with one or more drawers ideal to hold tiny treasures.

Two of Dave’s Hospitality Items

Also see Dave’s birdhouses at the Bazaar Wood Shop! 

 

 

 

Box, Christmas, Gift, handmade, wood

Wilbur Zirk’s Wooden Children’s Toys & Vases

Wilbur At Work

Wilbur Zirk started making children’s toys when the nieces and nephews began to arrive. However, he’s been a woodworker since he was a teenager. Wilbur and his wife, Esther, arrived at The Holmstad in 2020. He soon became involved in the wood shop where he enjoys making wooden toys and games.

Child,  Christmas, gift, handmade, toddler, toy, wood

This year, Wilbur has made an irresistible Canada Goose for children to pull. As it moves along, it’s neck bobbles. 

 

Wilbur also branched out and made bud vases of several shapes and sizes. Each holds a glass tube for the flower and water. Look for Wilber’s creations at the September 21 Bazaar.

 

 

 

Linnea Root Creates Ever-Popular Cardamom Coffee Bread

Linnea’s Swedish Heritage Makes Cardamom Coffee Bread a Natural Choice

 Linnea learned how to bake Cardamom Coffee Bread from her grandparents – all from Sweden. Growing up in the Swedish Covenant Church, this bread was always served. She started making this recipe herself 25 years ago. 

Linnea makes 30 loaves of Cardamom Coffee Bread each year to sell at the Bazaar. But you’d better be early in line on September 21, because the Bake Shop is one of those spots that people rush to get their favorites. The Bazaar is from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. However, the Bake Shop is generally sold out by noon. 

 

 

Cardamom, bread, bakery

 

Joe Whatley’s Handcrafted Cutting Boards

Joe Whatley at Work

Joe Whatley has enjoyed woodworking for many years. Moving to Covenant Living at the Holmstad in 2019 added camaraderie to the fun of this hobby. Among the items Joe has made is an end-grain cutting board made of walnut, cherry, and maple.

It gives Joe a great deal of satisfaction when one of his creations comes together well — and this cutting board certainly did. 

box, gift, handcrafted, wood, Christmas

Joe’s Handmade Cutting Board from Walnut, Cherry, and Maple Would Make a Great Gift! 

This 14″ X 10″ board is treated with food grade mineral oil. Although Joe created it as a cutting board, it’s beauty would also serve as a charcuterie board or other hospitality piece. 

 

 

 

 

Hand-Turned Bowls and Walking Sticks by Richard (Mac) MacFeely

For The Love of Walking & Wood Turning

Walking sticks — or the longer version hiking sticks – have been around as long as people have walked. They are often made from branches and roots or any wood of the forest. Popular woods are walnut, maple, oak and hickory. The tops can be cast metal or carved wood. Mac will custom fit each stick to the buyer. Mac shares, “Turning, carving and assembling the sticks has kept me challenged. I love helping others find their stride.”

Mac has taught woodturning to other Holmstad woodworkers. He makes exquisite bowls from various woods. Look for his bowls on September 21. 

C

Three of Mac’s walking sticks that will be offered at the September 21 Bazaar

Mac’s handcrafted walking sticks make great Christmas gifts and will be available at The Holmstad Bazaar on September 21 from 9 am-3 pm. Stop by Mac’s table in the Bazaar’s Wood Shop to find out more about his handcrafted sticks.

This is more detail of one of the sticks above. Mac made this out of a pool cue and topped it with an eight-ball. 

Christmas, gift, gifts, handcrafted, handmade, hiking, walking, wood

Jack Franklin’s Turned Wood Keepsakes

Jack Franklin

Jack Franklin has been working wood since he was a teen.  He learned to turn wood from woodworker “Mac” MacFeely after moving to The Holmstad. One of Jack’s specialties is designing wooden ornaments. He is also partial to cherry and has turned many lovely bowls and other serving pieces in addition to the tall cherry candle stand below. 

Look for These Turned-Wood Ornaments in the Woodshop

Jack hollows each wooden sphere before adding a hand-turned finial and inserting a battery-operated tea light. The light is on a timer with six hours on and 18 hours off. The battery is replaceable for many years of enjoyment.

45.5″ Solid Cherry Candle Stand

This 45.5″ tall solid cherry candle stand is just right by a fireplace or in an entry way. The cup at the top holds either artificial flowers (shown) or a battery-operated candle of up to 3″ in diameter. There is only one for sale in the Wood Shop.

ornament, ornaments, Christmas

Shop for Beautiful Gifts Made by Our Resident Woodworkers!

Our Holmstad Wood Shop has expertly crafted wooden toys, holiday décor, and various home and garden items. Click on the Artisans section to learn more about the featured woodworkers and needlecrafters who are selling what they’ve made this year for the Bazaar on September 21. 

 

wood, Christmas, toy, gift, holiday, entertain, child.