I am an Upper Peninsula native who was born and raised In L'Anse. I was inspired by my mother who was a very talented floral designer as well as a smart business woman. I like to work with several different textiles to make purses and bags. I am always looking to design something new. I have 9 year old twin boys and twin dogs and a wonderful, supportive husband who allows me to be creative. We live in Ishpeming where I own and operate my own beauty salon.

I am a native of the Central UP, being born and raised in Ishpeming. My husband and I now reside in Negaunee with the youngest three of our six children and our 2 dogs. I have been a Rural Mail Carrier with the US Postal Service for the last 18 years. With all the stresses of my day to day life, I needed to find something that was relaxing, yet would let me express a little creativity. I started making soy candles in the Spring of 2003 and have been adding to my line ever since. I now make candles, wickless candles, soap, lotion, lip balm, body sprays, decorative air fresheners and carpet freshener.

Mary Pelkola-Tarvainen --- Mary comes from a long line of artists, having an uncle, sister, niece, cousin, each accomplished in his or her own art form.  Her uncle Uno was an accomplished Sculptor, her sister an accomplished artist in oils and watercolors, and her niece a brilliant artist with many talents.  She too has always loved the arts and has taken several classes including photography, basic art, calligraphy, etc.  She spent her earlier years raising five children and working as an L.P.N. but found limited time to pursue her creative pursuits.

After her retirement from the working world she tried her hand at various arts and crafts – she wanted to try them all!  She ended up with a room full of various materials, tiles, wood pieces, paints, etc. etc. to the point where it became overwhelming.  Eventually, she found she truly loves creating jewelry using polymer clay and glass beads and now creates one of kind necklaces, earrings, bracelets and pins and she concentrates on creating various jewelry pieces, alternating her time between weaving rugs and making jewelry.

A couple of years ago she acquired her aunt’s carpet loom and finds equal joy in weaving colorful Finnish Rag Rugs.  Many members of her extended family were rug makers.  She had an aunt who was a Master Rug Weaver with Michigan State University and her younger sister interned under this aunt taught her (Mary) the art of making Rag Rugs.  It was thru much trial and error that she mastered the art of warping the loom but now is able to warp the loom in a single day.  She regards this alone as a major accomplishment.  She loves bright exciting colors and mixes these bright colors to make her rag rugs.  On cold winder evenings she enjoys relaxing while knitting and crocheting and has made afghans, hats, scarves and purses.

Patti Leinonen was born and raised in Trout Creek, Michigan.  Her enjoyment of sewing began in Home Economics class and working on 4-H projects.  Majoring in Home Economics and Art at N.M.U. led to teaching Home Economics.  Interest in needle arts evolved with crocheting, knitting, needlepoint, candle wicking, latch hook, quilting, cross stitch, then she began painting.  She especially enjoys painting on driftwood, as each piece is unique and the shape dictates what design is painted on each piece.  Patti with the help of her husband Denver opened and operated the Old Homestead Gift shop for 15 years.  It featured their handmade home decorator items.  Their summer residence was designated a “Michigan Historical Site” in 1999 and then became a Centennial Farm in 2006.  (The Leinonen Farm being in the same family for over 100 years.)  It is open for visitation during the summer months.  Patti lives in Almont, Michigan from October to June and in Covington June to October.  She works on her art both in Covington in the summer and in Almont in the winter.  She loves to read and garden to relax and helps out with the Covington Township Historical Museum.

Bob has been in the carpenter trade for his entire life.  He worked primarily in the construction field until he retired in 1999.  After his retirement he began making bird houses, bird feeders etc.  A friend of his talked him into making dog sleds used in dog racing, which he did for several years.  Soon, however dog sleds were being constructed from lightweight synthetic materials which mushers preferred because of the weight and durability.

His brother Clarence, also a skilled craftsman started making coffee tables with the top being made into quiltlike patterns, using various types of wood.  Bob also started making coffee and end tables using the quilt pattern effect.  Thus began his experience in intarsia.  He uses either precut glass to finish his tables or liquid glass which is poured and hardens like glass. 

Bob spends the long U.P. winter days cutting the hundreds of small wood pieces and designing the beautiful patterns for his tables.

Among his many creative endeavors he has made book cases, entertainment centers, Finnish ice fishing spools called kapyja, shuttles used in carpet weaving and more…

Tyler R. Tichelaar holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Northern Michigan University and a Ph.D. from Western Michigan University. His family’s long relationship with Upper Michigan and his avid interest in genealogy inspired Dr. Tichelaar to write his Marquette Trilogy: Iron Pioneers, The Queen City, and Superior Heritage. The novels are a family saga about the growth of Marquette, Michigan and its place in American history between 1849-1999. Tyler hopes his writing stimulates others to seek out and gain strength from their own family stories.