Paper & Book Camp 2.0, Shake Rag Alley, April 2026

This multi-day workshop was held April 24th - 26th at beautiful Shake Rag Alley in Mineral Point, WI.  I take many classes there.  I'm also a volunteer at Shake Rag.  Karen Robison, our instructor (and a friend) is a wonderful teacher.  She is very knowledgeable and down-to-earth! 

Most workshop supplies were provided.  Students were invited to bring additional items from home if desired.  I brought lace, in addition to paper. Lots of lace!

We learned many interesting techniques!  Among them tea dyeing, cyanotype, layering, masking, and more!  Some students choose to bind their papers into books.  Karen showed several binding techniques. Other students are using their dyed/manipulated paper/fiber creations for collage projects.  

 

 

All text and images ©️Suzanne Myers Otto

Knitting Retreat, Sievers School of Fiber Arts

October 2025 was a great time to visit Washington Island, WI.  I was there to attend my first-ever knitting retreat.  An intermediate knitter at best, I was game to attend a retreat with fellow knitters!  It was a great experience all around.

The "Open Studio Knitting Retreat" took place from Oct. 7th - Oct. 12th.  I journeyed to Washington Island, WI one day ahead of time.  I stayed at the Inn at Frog Hollow, a charming B & B I'd stayed at before. The entire experience was wonderful.  Fellow knitters at the retreat were very welcoming.  Many have been attending this retreat for years.  The retreat typically fills quickly once registration opens.  There was an instructor-lead knitting class running concurrently in the other studio. Those knitters were friendly as well. The staff at Sievers is top notch. Don't hesitate to go there if the chance arises!

I took the Washington Island ferry on October 6th, arriving a day ahead of the retreat.  The day was initially blustery.  The weather improved upon arrival on the island.  I drove around on the island.  I visited Schoolhouse Beach.  Eventually I stopped in at the Sievers School of Fiber Arts gift shop.  It's simply the best gift shop around, especially for those who are into fiber, basketry, and other handmade goods. 

Photos are pure eye candy!  Some show scenes from Sievers, the world’s cutest dog spotted outside a gift shop, the Inn at Frog Hollow, signage at the knitting retreat, and, riding on the ferry to and from Washington Island.  Oh, and there’s a “class” photo too!  I'm in the row that's standing. I'm wearing an orange print shirt.  Last photo shows the two shawls I worked on while at the retreat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All text and images ©️Suzanne Myers Otto

Woodlanders Retreat at Shake Rag Alley, July, 2025

 I attended the Woodlanders Retreat in Mineral Point again this year.  Shake Rag Alley brings the best instructors/workshops to this event every year!. I signed up for "Handsewn Leather Boho Bag", taught by Jim Kern. We were able to pick from various hides to use for our bags.  I was drawn to the combo of light and dark.  Students chose from one of three basic bag patterns.  Of course, you could "make it your own" if your vision was different than the samples presented.  That's what I did!  While not required, I had brought a few supplies along with me.  I ended up using my (fake) sinew AND the painted coconut shell button I had with me. The button was a Joann Fabrics find. Lots of hole-punching and hand stitching was involved, along with the generous use of glue.  Jim, and his wife, were very helpful with some of the tasks that required physical strength!  The bag I made in class is shown in the photos below.

 

 

All text and images ©️Suzanne Myers Otto

Woodlanders Retreat at Shake Rag Alley, July, 2024

I love taking workshops at Shake Rag Alley in Mineral Point, WI.  Woodlanders Retreat is an annual event at Shake Rag. It’s held in mid-July.  This year I signed up for “Silk Scarf Dyeing and Painting”, taught by Nancy Welch of Madison.  The class was held July 13, 2024.  Nancy has taught the class a number of years and it typically sells out.  Some classmates were repeat students.

We used “Spectra Bleeding Art Tissue” to add color to our silk scarf blanks. Nancy taught us her method and we all left the class with colorful scarves!

All text and images ©️Suzanne Myers Otto