Art – October 25, 2013
Part I of the Best of the Northwest, sponsored by Northwest Art
Alliance was held this last weekend. It
had so many wonderful pieces of art and we enjoyed seeing all of them. There were some repeats, but many new vendors
were present as well. The Best of the
Northwest has been split into two parts this year to give more artists
exposure. The second show will be held
November 8, 9, and 10 in Building 30 at Magnuson Park in Seattle. It is one, if not the only premier fine art
and craft show. I would highly recommend
you take the time to see it. The
admission is $6.00 and it is worth every penny.
Check out their web address for further details. 
STUDIO Martha Colins
I’ve limited my review this year to one primary business
that literally blew me away! This small
woman owned business is “Studio Martha Collins” from Sequim, Washington. Martha has been a skilled cabinet maker for
over 40 years who has turned her highly honed skills to the making of intricate
jewelry and decorative objects. In one
of her bracelets there are over 700 pieces of wood. I’ve never seen anything like it. Each one is truly a piece of art. Who wouldn’t want one of these beautiful
bracelets on your wrist? Her small
decorative bowls are beautiful and draw you in for a second and third
look. The candle sticks and salt and
pepper sets are also intricate and would look great on any table, for everyday
use or for decoration. You can see see her store at : 
Martha’s background also makes her items unique. Martha was in graduate school when she saw
the guys in the woodworking class having fun with wood. She decided to enroll in a class and was
hooked after that. In those days women
were not allowed to become cabinet makers, that is until “Title 9” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_IX_of_the_Civil_Rights_Act_of_1964”. Martha was lucky to have been on the forefront
of that movement. She graduated from the
State Technical College of Michigan Trade School as a cabinet maker’s appetence
and was an early beneficiate of the Title 9 program working alongside her
fellow male apprentices.
Currently she teaches woodworking at the Port Townsend
School of woodworking and holds private classes in her studio. Her first Chevron Brilliant Bracelet with 700
pieces was made in 1977 and she has been making and selling them every
since. To find out more about Martha and her Studio see her website at http://www.studiomarthacollins.com
Martha, my hat is off to you for
your strength to forge ahead in what was once strictly a man’s world and in awe
of your talents as a woodworking craftsperson creating beautiful and unique
jewelry and art.
