Cheryl Wisell, Montgomery, VT Fiber Artist
My husband and I moved to Montgomery in 2001 from the Champlain Islands. We wanted a more rural space, and to raise animals. We started with two sheep and now enjoy a flock that grows to ~20 in the spring and back to ~12 in the winter. I learned to spin, knit, and felt with all the lovely wool we acquired. Our flock consists of Cormo Crosses (crossed with Rambouillet, Border Leicester, or most recently Polypay). We ensure our flock has a calm, healthy, and good life while they are with us.
I enjoy spinning on my Ashford Traveler spinning wheel, although I still occasionally pick up a drop spindle. Dyeing is also very enjoyable, and I use Acid dyes as well as Natural Dyeing, generally using Alum as a mordant. The different techniques keep things interesting – immersion dyeing, hand painting etc. Felting, both wet and needle, also are in my skillset. My knitting typically ends up being small projects – baby items, or hats, mittens, socks, and vests.
I joined Mountain Fiber Folk Co-operative many years ago and enjoyed that immensely. While COVD-19 sadly forced us to close our brick-and-mortar shop, I am grateful for other avenues that have opened to be able to share my craft.
Toby Fulwiler turns bowls and fashions kitchen implements from local hardwoods, including sugar maple, black cherry, butternut, apple, and ash, many found on his 90-acre farm in Fairfield. He specializes in classic and natural-edge bowls turned for everyday use and aesthetic appeal. Bowls are turned green from freshly harvested wood in a variety of shapes and sizes for salads, fruit, condiments, or display. Each bowl is hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind, signed, and sealed with a food-safe beeswax finish. Kitchen implements include cheese knives, butter spreaders, and toaster tongs also crafted exclusively from Vermont hardwoods.
Custom bowls can be ordered from Fairfield Farm Bowls, Toby’s studio in Fairfield, by calling 827-3779, or e-mailing toby@fairfieldfarmbowls.com.
About Veronica A de Saint Phalle: I am a native Vermonter and grew up in Montgomery Vermont in the 60’s and 70’s… My home is now in Johnson VT. I am a wife, mother and grandmother to 4 amazing grandchildren. And yes we have eight paws running around! And they make us smile everyday with their antics.
I have been Tatting since the early 1990’s. Jewelry since 2001 and Painting since 2017- Yes! an acrylic painter – constantly seeing the wonders of Mother nature. I may unload my head with an abstract painting! Or create a landscape based on a variety of views …and since I have not had any formal training I guess that makes me autodidact. Enjoying the finer details – I want the creation to create a dialog and maybe make Mother Nature jealous!! Actually I am jealous of her!! How does she create so many original pieces with a blink of an eye and no brush strokes – as the wind is your brush… I truly enjoy the challenges and struggles that come with painting and the color theory is never ending. Therefore having painted many canvases using a variety of mediums and my love of tatting has also been incorporated on my smaller canvases it is about time I step out of my studio to finally share with you one of the loves of my life – heArtful cards and heArtful canvases
– from my heArt to yours – 
Hello, my name is Becky Goodroe, I thought that I should tell you all a little about myself. I learned how to crochet at the age of 9 by just watching my Mother do it. The first crocheted blanket I ever made was done with scraps of yarn that my Mother didn’t use, and it came out all different colors with different kinds of yarn. When I was 12, we were going to move to Vermont from Massachusetts, and I crocheted my Uncle a twin size blanket in three hours on the way here. I learned how to sew when I was 11. I started making clothes for my Barbie dolls. I took sewing in school for four years and I really enjoyed it. I enjoy making and creating because I think it’s amazing to me to see what you have made with a piece of fabric. For a while, I had not been sewing, but last year for my birthday, I asked for a sewing machine, and I got back into it, just in time to start making masks! Since then, I’ve been sewing hats, leggings, quilts, bags, and hair towels. My oldest daughter wanted a quilt a while back, I had always wanted to do one, and it came out pretty good. I’m ready for this new and exciting journey!
Please check back soon for more information about our local crafters and to learn about the Vermont-made products you can find, right here when you visit the Crafty L’il Gift Shop. Explore these examples of the gifts and other items our crafters produce.
