We are thrilled to team with the Wyoming Business Council to feature a Wyoming First business every week on our blog! Wyoming First is a program that promotes Wyoming member businesses. Visit their website (click here) to learn more about this service — and if you are a Wyoming business who’s not a member, be sure to inquire about membership! There are many benefits!
This week we are featuring North Wind Fiber Arts of Lusk, WY
Lynne Boas, North Wind Fiber Arts PO Box 206 Lusk, Wy 82225 307-340-0286 northwindfiberarts@yahoo.com
Lynne Boas started as an art major in college and then became interested in microbiology. Her goal was to make a living creating art; however, the bills needed to be paid so she pursued a degree in bacteriology from the University of Idaho. She has worked in research and development for about 16 years. Lynne left the fast pace corporate world and moved to Wyoming to pursue a more relaxed lifestyle to explore and create fiber art.
Lynne started painting silk scarves after a friend sent her a beautiful scarf as a birthday gift. It was not hand painted but stamped. She started thinking about silk scarves and what could be done with them. As luck would have it, scarves again became a popular clothing accessory. Lynne learned about the art of silk painting and started dabbling. She then took a silk painting class from an accomplished silk painter in the area and is still learning new techniques. There are so many things she would like to try, and she really enjoys the colors and the feel of the silk.
Lynne finds silk to be a fascinating fiber. Not only are silk scarves a beautiful enhancement to an outfit; they are warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The shimmering appearance of silk is due to its triangular prism-like structure of the fiber which refracts incoming light at different angles producing different colors on silk that is not dyed. During the Roman Empire, silk was sold for its weight in gold.
Her inspiration comes from the colors she sees in the environment, which includes everything from rocks to what people mix together and wear. She does like splashes of bright colors to brighten things up, especially in the winter. Sunsets and rises, and the color variations in bodies of water, greens to dark blue, etc., are other great inspirations.
She is expanding her product line to include wool products, which she has been working with for over 20 years. Working with the multiple mediums is why the company is called “fiber arts.” Lynne also spins, dyes, weaves and knits different wools and other fibers when time allows.
At present, she does not have a catalog and her website is under construction. She is also working on selling her scarves on Etsy. For now, contact Lynne via email or phone. Lynne’s scarves start at about $10.
You will be able to experience this beautiful wearable art form at this year’s Cowboy Christmas event in Douglas, November 23, 2013.
