Avalanche Looms is a beautiful store and workshop, deep in rural southwest Wisconsin. This is a lovely area of Wisconsin, and very near to the place I call home. Susan Johsnon is an exquisite weaver/fiber artist, and the owner of this magical shop. My family has known the Johnson-Arnold family for many years, and they have always been a creative inspiration to me. I had many art classes with Susan's daughter,
Sofia, when I was in high school. We played pick-up sticks a lot, and I think I remember her making a painting once of David Duchovny dreaming of a salad. Sofia was also responsible for creating and distributing "PRO SEX" buttons at our school. I wore that button until my sophomore year of college, when it fell off my backpack by an Einstein Brothers Bagel shop.
Avalanche Looms was the first place to carry any of my creations. I took up hand-sewing during high school (circa 2000) and started making handbags out of recycled materials under the label, "OLD BAG." I made funny labels with a grumpy old lady wearing a silly hat, and my slogan was "
Don't be an OLD BAG, Just Carry One." Susan carried my handbags in the shop until I moved to Minneapolis. I think I sold two.
I had the pleasure of visiting with
Susan,
Sofia and Daniel during my holiday visit to Wisconsin over the past few days. This family is truly an inspiration to me, and I have dreams of one day retreating to the wilderness to create work amidst trees and streams in a beautiful valley, just as they have done for so long.

Avalanche Looms Shop

Avalanche Looms Shop and Front Counter

Susan's Workshop

OLD BAG Handbag from around 2000 (Child's Bathing Suit and Tulle)