Fall and Winter Favorites

November 13, 2020

We have added two items this year that will bring you warmth for this fall and winter.

The lambswool scarf is woven in a number of traditional Scottish tartans. The scarf is 10 inches wide by 70 inches in length with a three inch fringe at each end. It is made of 100% Merino lambswool.

lambswool scarves

Lambswool Scarves

 

The scarf is made in Yorkshire, by the Highland Tweeds Mill that was established in 1837. At its height in the 19th Century Yorkshire was the world’s leading manufacturer of woolen textiles, helped by the secret ingredient of soft Pennine water. The invention of synthetic yarn in the 20th Century led to a decline in the woolen industry and only the mills supplying the highest quality woolen cloth have survived.

The Highland Tweeds Mill is one of Great Britain’s last remaining vertical woolen mills. Each floor contains a separate part of the manufacturing process, allowing quality control of every stage of production, from raw wool to finished product. This includes dyeing, blending, carding, spinning, warping, weaving and finishing.

The next item is our Dash Fingerless Mittens. These Fingerless Mittens, like our Fingerless Gloves, are designed to keep your fingers available for working while keeping the rest of your hands toasty warm. 40% possum fur, 50% Merino wool and 10% nylon. One size fits most.

Dash Fingerless Mittens

 

 

Frost River Additions

April 19, 2019

The quality of Frost River’s waxed canvas bags can’t be argued. They are made in the United States, in Duluth, Minnesota. Their products are made with the highest quality materials, many which are also made in the US. They benefit from over 250 years of experience in the North Woods and Boundary Waters. Built by hand and built to last, Frost River guarantees their luggage for life.

We are pleased to offer two new items by Frost River.

 

Arrowhead Roll Top

 

Named after the famous Arrowhead Region of northeast Minnesota, the Arrowhead Rolltop is an incredibly versatile pack, adjusting in size from as small as 18 inches in height to about 27 inches. The bridle leather straps with brass hardware secure the pack whether filled with gear or rolled up to the most compact size. Built with tough, 18 oz. waxed canvas, the pack has a double bottom for durability and two grommeted air vents on the side. Read more here.

 

Lake Huron Tote

 

The Lake Huron Tote by Frost River is your essential, day-to-day companion. The 18 ounce waxed canvas and the two-inch cotton web handles allow for lugging heavy loads. The double-waxed canvas bottom adds another layer of durability. There are two exterior side pockets. The size of this tote is 13″ high by 13.5″ long and 5.75″ wide. Read more here.

 

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Frost River

 

 

 

Cedar Carvings by Dora Edwards

October 11, 2018

Coastal Salish art is a tradition that goes back at least 5000 years. Carvings can be made from bone, wood or stone. The artist creates the image by carving away the unnecessary material, leaving the image in relief. These images are often in profile, but unlike modern, Western art, they can show a varying perspective.

Our cedar carvings are hand carved by Dora Edwards. They are painted and adorned with an abalone eye. Dora is the daughter of Connie Edwards and Larry James. She was born on Penelakut Island, one of British Columbia’s Gulf Islands, in 1985. She learned the art of carving from her parents, both well-known Coastal Salish carvers, at the age of 14. Each piece is unique, signed on the back and with a wire attached for easy hanging. Carvings may face either to the right or to the left. Hand crafted in Canada.

 

Whale Carving by Dora Edwards, Cedar with Abalone eye. Hand carved and painted in Canada.

 

Hummingbird Carving by Dora Edwards, Cedar with Abalone. Hand carved and painted in Canada.

 

Owl Carving by Dora Edwards, Cedar with Abalone. Hand carved and painted in Canada.

 

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Cedar carvings

 

 

 

There’s Still Plenty of Time for Hiking

August 24, 2018

With the dog days of summer nearly over, a day hike isn’t looking as formidable as it was just a week ago. Spending a day in the sun can actually be enjoyable. rather then a throat-parching, sweat-drenched experience. With pleasant weather ahead (sorry Texas) go ahead and spend the day outdoors. We have a few items that you may find useful for your venture outdoors.

 

 

Possum Trekking Socks

 

The possum trekking socks are designed for hiking. The sole is cushioned with a terry knit. Possum fiber and merino wool make for a very comfortable fit. Just enough nylon to keep the shape.

Urban Field Bag

 

Our urban field bag works great outdoors, too. The waxed cotton is extremely tough and can withstand anything you throw at it. It’s just large enough to carry the essentials.

 

Coober Pedy: Oregon State Parks Badge

 

With a 3-1/4 inch brim, turned down in the Aussie style, the Coober Pedy will give plenty of sun and rain protection. They are worn by the Oregon State Park Service. What better endorsement is that? By the way, the folks at South Beach State Park are the best.

 

 

Introducing Frost River

August 3, 2018

Frost River handcrafts canoe packs and luggage in Duluth, Minnesota. Their products are made without compromise, using the highest quality materials and benefiting from over 250 years of experience in the North Woods and Boundary Waters.

The Martinex Original Wax fabric used is the best waxed cotton canvas available, durable and water resistant. The Martin family has been involved in the dyeing and finishing of textiles in the United States since 1838. The leather used in the straps and reinforcements comes from SB Foot tannery in Red Wing, Minnesota. In business since 1872, this same tannery supplies the leather used today in Red Wing Boots. The solid brass hardware ensures the fittings won’t fail.

Built by hand, built to last, Frost River guarantees their luggage for life. We are pleased to offer a selection of Frost River luggage, made in the USA

Urban Field Bag

Curtis Flight Bag

Simple Brief Case

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT:

Frost River

 

 

 

Arkeria Rose Armstrong, Willie Creek Painter

July 20, 2018

Our Willie Creek jewelry is based on a painting by Arkeria Rose Armstrong. Arkeria is an artist from Gamilaraay, (an area in New South Wales and Southern Queensland.) She was born in Ceduna, South Australia in 1988.

Art has always been a part of Arkeria’s life. Her middle name comes from her late grandmother Rose Fernando. Rose was a Gamilaraay Elder and one of the last sand painters in northern New South Wales and her special nickname for Arkeria was “Lilly-Rose”. She had a significant influence on Arkeria, both in her daily life and now years later in her art.

Arkeria credits her grandmother and her mother for encouraging her to develop a strong connection to culture and a strong personal identity. From the age of 7 to 18 years Arkeria travelled and lived in outback Australia with her family due to her father’s job as a gold prospector. “Having the time to learn in quiet spaces in some of Australia’s most picturesque country was a blessing”, Arkeria says of the experience.

Painting with acrylic allows Arkeria to use a range of colours which represents her country, the stories and the knowledge. Her grandfather, Don Briggs, a Yorta Yorta Elder is another person who strongly influences her. Don is also an artist and he has taken on a mentoring role with her as well as supporting her to have confidence to paint “her way”.

Arkeria currently resides in Bendigo, Victoria.

Willie Creek Necklace

Willie Creek Bracelet

Willie Creek Earrings

 

Source: Aboriginal Art Australia

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Occulture Jewelry

 

 

 

 

 

New Jewelry from Occulture

February 9, 2018

Star Dreaming Bracelet

 

We are very pleased to be selling jewelry from Occulture.

Created by designer Lisa Engeman, Occulture is a collaboration with Australian indigenous artisans transferring ancient stories and knowledge into contemporary statement jewelry that celebrates and strengthens the songline of culture, knowledge, artists and community. The photoanodized aluminum jewelry with sterling silver fittings is handcrafted in Australia using cutting edge technology.

Occulture is deeply honored to represent the artists they work with, the Warlukurlangu people of the Yuendumu region of the central Australian desert, Gamilaraay woman, Arkeria Rose Armstrong, and a lineage of well-known and respected artists from Utopia and Yuelumu country, including Raymond Walters Japanangka.

The jewelry designs reproduce highlights from artists’ paintings. Made by hand, each piece possesses unique, intrinsic beauty with variations in shape, size, and metal finish. The jewelry translates ancient artwork into a contemporary context by utilizing cutting-edge technology to create Occulture’s sculptural designs.

Occulture is a preferred supplier for the Museum Shops Australia and New Zealand and a member of the Indigenous Art Code which promotes and regulates the fair and ethical trade in works of art by Indigenous artists. All artwork featured in their jewelry is licensed and royalties are paid directly to the individual artist. Occulture also proudly holds an Australian Made license.

Each piece of Occulture jewelry is gift boxed, with a card describing the artist and the artwork.

LEARN MORE ABOUT:

Occulture Jewelry

 

 

New Driza-Bone Items Available!

September 1, 2017

We have several new items this fall from Driza-Bone, Australia’s preeminent maker of outerwear. Driza-Bone began in the 1890s when British sailor Emilius Le Roy designed an indestructible wet-weather jacket made from recycled ship sails that were treated with oil.

Today the range covers outerwear and apparel for all conditions, inside and out, constructed for durability, comfort and protection. They are durable and work in the harshest of elements.

 

Bowen Weekender Bag:

The rugged and stylish Bowen Weekender Bag is perfect for a weekend getaway. You can pack everything you need and throw it in the back of your jeep and head out of town. It is made of dry-waxed cotton. Dry wax is a cotton fabric which is only very lightly waxed. The backing has a water-resistant coating. It is not as water resistant as the Desert Wax and traditional oilskin.

Driza-Bone Bowen Weekender Bag

 

Newtown Knit Sweater:

The Driza-Bone Newtown Knit Sweater is identical to the Driza-Bone Nelson Sweater, except it has a 3 inch collar and a 1/4 length zip closure. It is very comfortable and functional for active wear. The 100% merino wool yarn is highly twisted for added strength and reduced pilling. The sweater is knitted in a moss stitch, adding texture and flexibility to the garment. There are elbow patches for reinforcement.

Newton Knit Sweater by Driza-bone. Merino wool, made in Australia.

 

Barkly Field Coat:

The Barkly Field Coat is made of Driza-Bone’s Desert Wax. While still a waxed cotton, it has a drier feel but has all the qualities of the traditional oilcloth: it’s waterproof, wind resistant and extremely warm in cool and cold weather.

Barkly Field Coat by Driza-Bone

 

 

The Ruf Duck Apron

March 18, 2016

If you need an apron for any outdoor work, Ruf Duck’s will suit all your needs. It’s unique design places the straps on your shoulders rather than on the back of your neck. This way you can avoid “neck fatigue.”

There are no pockets to catch water or chemicals. Cleans and dries easily.

ruffduckapron

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Ruf Duck

New Jewelry from Silver Seasons

October 1, 2015

We are pleased to offer jewelry from the Silver Seasons collection, designed by Michael Michaud. Each piece is hand crafted in New York.

Michael Michaud resides in Fairfield, Connecticut. Michael’s love of nature and his exceptional knowledge of jewelry making inspired him to launch the Silver Seasons Collection in 1992. Years of experience has given him the ability to capture the finest details of nature and to craft them with metal. He has perfected the technique of creating models from natural botanical elements and, after the models are made, manipulating these “copies of nature” into his jewelry. Using primarily bronze and natural stones, the Silver Seasons jewelry we offer is renowned for its craftsmanship and beauty.

Below are just three of our many gorgeous pieces:

 

Cranberry Necklace, Bronze

Cranberry Cluster Necklace

 

Sea Horse Key Ring

Sea Horse Key Ring

 

Weeping Willow Earrings, Bronze

Weeping Willow Earrings

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT:

Michael Michaud Jewelery