Meet the Makers:
Caitlin Rose Ward, Lonewolf Collective, Crested Butte - Having
worked in modeling, Caitlin Rose knows too well the irreversible
effects that industry can have on the environment and society as a
whole. Armed with a camera in one hand and a torch in the other, she set
out to make minimal jewelry pieces that are as delightful as they are
sustainable. Lonewolf Collective stands for slow fashion, and Rose is
completely transparent about where she sources her materials, straight
down to the recycled cotton t-shirts she uses as business cards.
Cordelia Smith, Formulary 55, Pueblo - After
spending countless afternoons crafting at camps and weekends watching
her aunt weave bohemian style rugs, Cordelia Smith grew up with a
profound love of homemade products. In 1993, she began making soaps from
scratch and sold them at local farmer’s markets—a business that she
grew from a side hustle to a full time gig. Committed to her roots,
Smith processes all orders by hand by employing a community of makers in
Pueblo.
David Kaminer, Raleigh Street Bakery, Denver - Using
only organic ingredients and his culinary background, David Kaminer
whips up fresh, artisan bread made-to-order every week. Operating under
Colorado’s Cottage Food Law, his loaf selection ranges from the
well-known French baguette to a savory sunflower rye, all of which are
baked in his home hearth. The bakery also offers workshops where Kaminer
teaches the tricks of the bread-baking trade.
Hayden Kessel, Hayden Knife, Carbondale - After
taking up a knife apprenticeship with a west coast bladesmith, Hayden
Kessel set out into the mountains of Colorado to forge his own brand of
custom blades back in 2015. Ever since then, he’s influenced each and
every knife by hand with the strokes of a hammer. The blades are made
from high-carbon steel and he sources his wood from nearby forests and
fruit orchards. The result is a modern-yet-rugged heirloom blade that is
as fit for the kitchen as it is for the backcountry.
Jodie Bliss, Bliss Studio & Gallery, Monument -
A Colorado native, Jodie Bliss is a modern-day metalsmith that holds
both a B.F.A. and M.F.A. in Fine Art Sculpture. She works with materials
varying from steel and brass to glass and ceramics. An expert in
forging metal, she regularly holds workshops in her craft—teaching
others how to construct metal sculptures.
Salihah Moore, Boulder County -
Salihah Moore is a designer of beaded jewelry, wall hangings and
wearable art pieces. The delicate balance between exuberance and
minimalism often on her mind, Salihah uses glass seed beads, needle and
thread to hand weave styles with a modern sensibility. Her jewelry can
be found in Cedar & Hyde Mercantile in Boulder.
Home-Grown Products:
Moots Bicycles, Steamboat Springs - Moots
Cycles has been handcrafting bicycle frames in Colorado since 1981.
Made by riders for riders, this company is known for building
high-quality titanium road, mountain, cross and specialty bike frames
right in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Awarded with the Gold
Certificate for Corporate Stewardship by the City of Steamboat Springs,
Moots takes recycling and alternative energy seriously, with 10-14
percent of their energy being produced by solar panels and recycling 100
percent of the part-offs and material waste.
Truman Boot Co., Boulder - Operating
out of a small factory in Boulder, Truman Boots pays homage to an
industry that has been seemingly laid to rest. These boots are designed,
patterned, graded and produced by skilled boot makers right here in the
four-cornered state. Built to withstand the Colorado lifestyle, these
contemporary boots are made with goodyear construction or stitchdown
methods, outfitted with leather laces and will stand the test of time
with lasting quality and style.
Vintage Overland, Grand Junction -
Vintage Overland designs and builds collector-quality handmade camping
trailers in Grand Junction. Their caravans are not mass produced but
carefully hand crafted and every detail has been given individual
attention. Their adventure caravans create a one-of-a-kind camping
experience, and they have been recognized as an industry leader in
design.
Weston Backcountry, Minturn - Weston boards have gained somewhat of a cult following in the years since its inception. An editor’s choice pick for Backcountry Magazine,
the brand is best known for their “Backwoods” splitboard—a snowboard
that can be converted into skis for big mountain riding out in the
lesser-traveled areas of the Rockies and beyond. Big on avalanche
education, the brand partners up with several nonprofits to spread the
word on safety in the backcountry.
Winter Session, Denver - Using
traditional craft techniques and fusing them with the technologies of
the 21st century, Winter Session develops high quality, canvas and
leather carry goods for all. Hand-stitched and manufactured right in
their storefront workshop, the brand has evolved from a small side
project to one of the most aesthetically pleasing, sustainably made
goods on the makers scene today, opting for natural vegetable tanning
methods and high-quality canvas cotton.
Make-Your-Own Experiences:
American Academy of Bookbinding, Telluride - Aiming
to pass the knowledge of bookbinding from one generation to the next,
this academy offers book enthusiasts a chance to master this age-old
skill. The academy offers weeklong courses in leather binding, book
restoration, repair and preservation practices taught by highly regarded
master binders. Enthusiasts can drop in for a class or leave with a
diploma.
The Art of Cheese, Longmont - The
rich flavor and texture of cheese can sometimes be difficult to forget
and hard to find. So, why not learn how to make it at home? Featured in
over a dozen media outlets, The Art of Cheese provides students with the
opportunity to create an outstanding variety of cheeses to enjoy,
whether at home alone or with family and friends.
Breckenridge Arts District: Ceramic Studio, Breckenridge - Nestled
along Breck’s main street, this ceramic studio offers clay
hand-building workshops taught by Melissa Michel, a local artist. The
class explores methods to work with and manipulate clay, and
demonstrates techniques that create functional and decorative pieces.
Choke Cherry Tree, Pagosa Springs - For
the chocolate enthusiast, Choke Cherry Tree offers confectionery
classes where attendees can learn the tricks of the trade. The
chocolatier-in-making learns how chocolate is best prepared, handled and
presented. Meant for all levels of expertise, the class is built around
individual taste preferences with fresh ingredients collected
specifically for the course.
Cedar Ridge Ranch, Carbondale - Nestled
in the Roaring Fork Valley, Cedar Ridge Ranch is a 100-acre estate that
offers workshops in alpaca fiber soap felting. Used as a natural
exfoliant long before loofahs and shower poufs, the workshop walks you
through the history, traditions and techniques of soap felting. Big on
sustainability, and what the ranch calls ‘farm-to-fashion,’ the workshop
details ways you can use these silky fibers, leaving nothing to
waste--all while you get to interact with the roaming alpacas
themselves.
Dogs & Stars Letterpress, Lafayette - Founded
in the fall of 2012, Dogs & Stars is a small batch letterpress
print shop based in Old Town Lafayette. Its owner, Brian Wood,
transformed his spare-bedroom hobby into a full-fledged business where
he showcases his love for antique wood types and minimalist style
through custom projects and his very own greeting card line. Wood also
hosts private workshops where he teaches the ins and outs of letterpress
printing.
Gatherhouse Glass Blowing, Frisco - Owned
and operated by master glassblower, John Hudnut, this course is a
perfect introduction to the ancient craft of glass blowing. During the
course, attendees will work alongside skilled craftsmen to transform
their 2,000-degree molten glass into functional, modern art. Courses are
suitable for beginners and welcome apprentices, as Hudnut welcomes all
to enjoy the processes of creating fused silica.
Rooted Apothecary, Gunnison - Before
written history, our ancestors were using the power of plants to aid in
self-care and healing. Rooted Apothecary explores our lineage and makes
homemade organic and wildcrafted herbal body care products. Celebrating
the ancient history of aromatic distillation, the body care brand
invites guests to a two-day intensive discovering the plant species
throughout the Rockies to study, harvest and distill.
Shalawalla Gallery, La Veta -
Artists Beth and Jonathan Evans offer batik classes at their studio at
Shalawalla Gallery in LaVeta. Originated in Indonesia, the batik textile
method uses wax-resistant dye to intricately color tapestries. Whether
one is a batik beginner or wants to add to their existing skills,
Shalawalla Gallery offers classes to fit one’s individual needs. Class
participants will learn basic dyeing and wax application, detailed
tjanting work and layered batik dye painting techniques.
Small Acre Farm, Fort Collins - Reinvention
and sustainability may be the two words that best describe Small Acre
Farm. Visitors can learn the art and skill of fiber weaving. This unique
learning opportunity will bring students close to the renewable,
compostable, naturally absorbent, insulating, naturally mold and mildew
resistant, water repellant, fire retardant fiber, and they will also get
to know the names and faces of their fiber providers.
Makers Events & Festivals:
Dairy Block, ‘Maker’s Breaks’, every other Wednesday, Denver - Located
in the heart of Lower Downtown, Dairy Block’s micro-district celebrates
the maker and its vibrant community of inspired retailers, chefs,
creators and cocktail crafters. This walkable neighborhood is home to
more than 700 pieces created by Colorado artists all within a historic
block that once housed the Windsor Dairy. The block offers ongoing
‘Maker’s Breaks’ where the makers turn craft over into the hands of
others in complimentary art stations. Held every other Wednesday from
11-2 p.m., the fun projects vary from week to week so that no two
Wednesdays are ever the same.
Fine Arts Center (FAC) 100th Anniversary, events throughout 2019, Colorado Springs -
Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, FAC is one of the only
multidiscipline arts institutions in the nation. Based on the mission of
the Broadmoor Art Academy, established in 1919, the Fine Arts Center is
gearing up for its centennial anniversary with a year’s worth of
spectacular arts programming that celebrates and honors its rich
history. Programming will include art exhibitions celebrating
instructors, students and influencers of the Broadmoor Art Academy,
pop-up one-act plays, en plein air and printmaking workshops and more.
2019 Colorado Spirits Trail Festival, May 17, 2019, Denver -
Celebrate the second year of the Colorado Spirits Trail expanded to 61
Colorado craft distilleries including 16 new distilleries throughout the
state. The Colorado Spirits Trail Festival will unite these
distilleries in one place for one night with samples, cocktails, live
DJs and good cheer. In true frontier fashion, distilleries will be
throwing down in a fury of cocktail duels.
Whittle the Wood Rendezvous, June 12-15, 2019, Craig - Trying
to come up with a solution for afflicted trees in the area, event
holders decided to put them to good use by creating a festival that
honored both the arts and the environment. Each year this event draws
thousands to celebrate the one-of-a-kind artwork made by wood carvers
from near and far. A true family festivity, the event features food and
craft vendors, in addition to the carving competition.
MARBLE/marble Symposium, July 2019, Marble - MARBLE/marble
is a place where people of all ages and abilities carve marble in a
non-competitive, culturally diverse atmosphere of learning and sharing.
Three sessions are offered July 2-9, July 15-22 and July 29-August 5.
Symposium grounds are located just outside the quaint town of Marble.
It’s a pristine mountain setting on the beautiful Crystal River inspire
artists. Attendees can also wander through the blocks of marble
scattered throughout the area, remnants of the National Historic Marble
Mill site.
Colorado Mountain Winefest, September 19-22, 2019, Palisade - With
over 55 Colorado wineries in attendance, the Colorado Mountain Winefest
is the state’s largest and oldest wine festival. The event offers
everything from a grape stomp to live chef demonstrations with plenty of
food and wine pairings. The event has been featured on USA Today’s 10Best website and has sold out consistently since 2015.
