Contributed by Charice Chambers
Matsu Senior Services Gift Shop is packed with a plethora of creative crafts and artistic design work. It surrounds the shopper with excitement, diversity, intensity and in some cases, humor. As interesting as its contents are, the consignees who give birth to them are even more arresting and interesting than their creations. One such designer is Sharon Blades. Blades is a basket maker, and honed her skills while living on the Oregon coast. There she collected all manner of treasures on her frequent beach strolls particularly following southwestern storms. The booty was too great to pass up and as her collection grew; she knew that she needed to do something with the stuff. So began her basket-making career. The inspiration for Blades’ methodology was developed in 4th grade where her teacher instructed all students in the art of knitting. The teacher’s goal was to improve student eye-hand coordination. How surprised she might have been had she realized the results of that training for one little girl!
In 1986 Blades moved to Alaska taking up residence in Clam Gultch. There, she once again roamed the beaches, gathering driftwood, shells, seaweed and feathers. Seldovia, Homer and Clam Gultch as well as other Alaskan beaches rendered up glass floats, beads, horns and antlers. These new finds added a depth and interest to her basketry that had been lacking before. All her baskets are made from all-natural fibers.
New seaside treasures also suggested new types of projects including her popular wind chimes to which she adds wine corks and trade beads. The chimes are available in both large and small sizes and numerous colors.
According to Blades each winter she settles down by her warm wood stove and discovers how her summer gatherings will blend to create each unique piece and perhaps some new products as well. While she works, she thinks of long sunny days and quietly anticipates the return of summer and it’s treasures.
Blades has spent much of her life as a seamstress. She took one sewing class, discovered 4H, and was off on a great stitching adventure. It included buying and operating a fabric store with her mother, crafting her own clothing, and ultimately becoming a professional seamstress and designer. Currently she makes hostess aprons from a self-created pattern that include a number of pockets-even one for life’s greatest necessity, the cell phone. Her stitch witchery has also led to writing tablets, which include hand-stamped paper, and a pen all wrapped up in a padded fabric holder. Placemats, shopping bags and bag holders are also a part of her repertory. She has even created children’s fur trimmed parkas and kuspuks that are both fun and affordable. Blades judiciously searches for fabrics that are not only strikingly attractive, but express the themes and character of Alaska, making her products perfect destination gifts.
Blades is surrounded by many other equally talented artists and crafters at the gift shop. Located at 1132 South Chugach Street in the Palmer Senior Center (across from and adjacent to Palmer Junior Middle School), the shop is open from 11 am to 3 pm Tuesday through Thursday.
