2 products:The teaThe gourdNon-timber forest products (NTFPs) is a clunky name for an amazing array of resources and products procured from in and around the woods. So often knowledge about NTFPs is regional, cultural, or limited to small groups of resource users. For this reason, two goals of Made in the Shade are to1) Increase awareness of non-timber forest products and resources, and2) Develop and exchange non-timber information, experiences, and traditions.Shady Grove is a weekly post that…See More

An iconic Minnesota animal and an important source of meat for many families, the moose is a resource that is much more. I had the good fortune to speak with several Fond du Lac band members about moose over the past few weeks.Artist and FDL museum curator Jeff Savage’s work on wiingashk (sweetgrass) baskets led him to fabricate traditional moose bone needles used in their crafting, then to the creation of bone arrowheads, and ultimately to intricate carvings using bone as a medium.Elder Wayne…See More

Another Art Fair find was Barb Dreyer, whose ceramics and pottery depend on forest resources for the timeless and natural appeal. Barb uses forest products such as pine cones, needles, leaves, branches, and berries to imprint her pottery before firing the clay. The result is a distinctly northwoods product!Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) is a clunky name for an amazing array of resources and products procured from in…See More

A few weeks back I visited the Park Point Art Fair in Duluth and came upon an interesting booth. I Love a Parade is a nonprofit organization in Minneapolis that works with homeless women. The women use donated materials to produce pieces of art, often highly introspective. I was intrigued by the fact that much of the womens' art incorporated natural components such as wood, bark, and natural fibers. The use of natural products in the…See More

Julie Miedtke shared this photo of a giant epicormic ash burl (pictured with Dave Parent). Her hope is to develop an educational and fun experience around the study and extraction of this burl: an experience that will take us from the tree to the finished product(s), whatever and wherever they may be. Stay tuned for more posts on the ash burl and its journey.Burls are abnormal growths…See More

Waatebagaa Giizis is the leaves changing color moon. Waatebagaa actually means brightly colored leaves…perhaps the association with the color change came later? This moon is also known as Mandaamini Giizis (corn moon) and Moozo Giizis (moose moon). Waatebagaa Giizis begins its cycle as a new moon on September 18.This link will take you to the most recent edition of Fond du Lac's monthly newspaper, in which the Thirteen…See More

Charlie Nahgahnub of the Fond du Lac band demonstrated his technique and shared his philosophy on the creation of cedar wild rice knockers and wild rice harvesting at the 13 Moons Workshop at the Fond du Lac Ojibwe School. Participants were treated to a step-by-step, hands-on overview of the full process of making knockers: splitting the log, roughing in the shape, hand planing, and sanding. The finished product is an amazingly light and durable set of wild rice knockers that should last a…See More

Julie Miedtke shared these images of pincherries (Prunus pensylvanica) ripe on the branch in August!She also shared this Jelly starter:Collect 3 1/2 pounds of berries and don't worry about the stems or a few green berries.Add 3 cups of water and simmer for 15 minutesPour juice into cheese clothFollow your favorite directions for making jelly...Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) is a clunky name for an amazing array of resources and products procured from in and around the woods. So often…See More