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

A Week at the John C. Campbell Folk School; a Place of Art and Beauty

I've had much of this post written since last October.  Then I kept thinking of more photos to add.

Now that I'm about to return to the Folk School, I decided to put the pedal to the metal and

publish this post.  Please scroll all the way down to see all of the photos.

Lucky me!  I finally got to attend a workshop at the school I've been dreaming of for years!  Wanting to learn a new skill, I enrolled in "Moccasin Making", held Oct. 14 - 20, 2018.  I was duly impressed by everyone at the school.  Not only do you meet new people, you get to see, and hear about, the
projects of students in other classes.  In addition, you're treated to lively music and dance
performances.

The two women teaching my workshop, Peggy Patrick, and Kay Patterson, were wonderful teachers. Spirited and highly competent, they provided a great atmosphere for imparting their knowledge of leather and shoe making.

I loved the Folk School!  I promptly signed up for another weeklong workshop (in late June, 2019).  I hope to teach at the Folk School in the future!

You'd be hard pressed to find a more beautiful setting than that found at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, N.C.

Some scenes from the John C. Campbell Folk School:
Looking east from the dining hall.

Taking in the trees.

Classroom where my workshop took place.

Starting my second pair of moccasins.

Photo (below) by Kay Patterson.

Modeling my first pair of moccasins.

Next two photos by Kay Patterson.

Everyone in the class did a great job!  Our work

was displayed to all on the final day of class.
Most of the workshops were represented in the
the student exhibit.  The fiddle students played
at the final gathering.