Blog

Removing clutter and ridding households of plastic contraptions is a movement which is gaining a lot of momentum today. We hear our patrons describe the ways they are cleaning up their lives by bringing back simple, natural, and pure elements into their homes. Out with the bad, so we can relax and breathe.

There is a gold rush ghost town not far from our shop named Molson, tucked snuggly against the Canada border in the northern most region of the Okanogan Highlands. Founded in 1900, the old townsite is still in pretty good shape, with well preserved buildings, mining & farm equipment, and some of the original boardwalks. The whole scene can really make your mind wander. What it must have been like homesteading this harsh place back in the day?

Winter was long again this year, but I have to say it was full of surprise, and numerous challenges. In the north woods, winter is pretty much a year 'round concern. Around here, they say there are two seasons: winter, and getting ready for winter.

Alot of times we say these two words: Functional. Art. We say it because we hope it summarizes our brooms, without getting too hoity-toity. But what does this catchy sounding phrase really mean? And can some utilitarian object such as a broom be so entitled?

The holidays are our busiest time in the shop. We fill orders from dawn to dusk, pouring candles, weaving brooms, folding boxes. Outside, snow piles up and time flies by. We have filled the wood stove countless times. Chopped the kindling. Shoveled the walks. We wake up New Year's Day wondering what happened.

There is a patch of wild rhododendrons that grows in the San Juan Islands. They grow along the edge of a small lake -- where there's plenty of moisture -- protected from winter frost by a dense canopy of Douglas Fir and shore pine. The birds love it there in the spring. Trout rise on the water. Lily pads hover around the margins of the marsh. And then the wild rhododendron blossoms pop open. It is a piece of heaven.