2014
Made in the
Methow
Home & health: For body, soul and habitat
Arts & crafts: Creativity in every form you can imagine
FREE
Food & drink: Everything you need to eat well
A supplement to the Methow Valley News Sponsored by Methow Made, a program of TwispWorks
Made in the Methow
1
w w w. j o h n s t o n a rc h i t e c t s . c o m
Experience the Methow Methow Made connects you to farmers, food and beverage artisans, craftspeople and artists who lovingly make or grow their products right here in the Methow Valley. Experience local products and flavors while helping to build a thriving local economy.
MethowMade.com A program of TwispWorks
2
Made in the Methow
Made in the
Methow Don Nelson, publisher/editor Darla Hussey, design Robin Doggett, advertising Sheila Ward, advertising Dana Sphar, ad design/production Marilyn Bardin, office manager Contributors Joanna Bastian Ashley Lodato Mike Maltais Ann McCreary Don Nelson Marcy Stamper Laurelle Walsh A publication of the Methow Valley News P.O. Box 97, 101 N. Glover St., Twisp, WA 98856 (509) 997-7011 • fax (509) 997-3277 www.methowvalleynews.com On the cover: Thomas McGregor works on a batch of bread at Okanogan Bakery in Twisp. Photo by Don Nelson
Made for each other The Methow Valley is a place of discovery, for all ages and interests. It’s also a place of remarkable creativity and artistic inspiration. The scenery and experiences are memorable. The creativity and inspiration are portable, in vast variety. We produce things here — things to eat, drink, wear, use, hang on a wall, soothe body and soul. They are hand-crafted, home-grown, distinctly personal and often one-of-a-kind. And, conveniently for visitors, they are available at many stores, outdoor markets, studios and production facilities throughout the valley. If you are not buying something directly from the person who made it or grew it — as is often the case — you are buying it from a local vendor who believes in promoting the best the valley has to offer. Many of our local producers are affiliated with Methow Made, a marketing and branding program developed by TwispWorks — a small business development campus that is home to many local producers— to promote all things made in the Methow. For the past couple of years, the Methow Valley News has worked in partnership with TwispWorks/ Methow Made to help spread the word about all the things you can take home to remind you of the valley. We’d like to write about all of our local creative types every year, but we only have so much room. So please peruse the advertisements and the advertiser directory on pages 27 – 31 for information about what’s available and how to find it. You won’t be disappointed. Don Nelson
CONTENTS ‘Made’ to last . . . . . . . . 4 Methow products are finding a broader audience
Getting the word out . . . . 5
Methow Made is making a difference for many local products
Take it outside . . . . . . . . 8 Methow Valley craftspeople produce an array of outdoor gear
Bottled, bagged, brewed . 11 The valley offers a range of imbibables
Breaking bread . . . . . . 12 Four valley bakeries produce a variety of fresh loaves daily
Salve-ation nation . . . . 16
Balms, lotions, potions and creams use lots of local ingredients
Wear it home . . . . . . . . 20 Creative hands are fashioning original clothing and textiles
Sturdy frames . . . . . . . 23 Made in the Methow Directory . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Made in the Methow
3
‘Made’ to last Methow products are finding a broader audience thanks to successful marketing
By Don Nelson
The Methow Made marketing effort launched by TwispWorks last year has greatly expanded the reach of all kinds of locally produced consumer goods — but not quite in every way hoped for. Products made by valley businesses are more visible and available within the Methow and in nearby communities, thanks in part to the branding and marketing strategies developed for the Methow Made program. However, a planned expansion into the Puget Sound market ran into logistical challenges, according to TwispWorks Executive Director Amy Stork. The core idea behind Methow Made is to convince visitors to not only take something of the Methow with them when they leave, but to also come back for more or buy their favorite products online. TwispWorks, the nonprofit small business campus that operates at the former U.S. Forest Service complex, used a $41,000 federal grant to create a collaborative marketing campaign
in 2013, which included development of a logo, advertising in Seattle-area publications as well as local media, marketing training for local producers, placement of product displays in local and regional stores, and website/social media marketing. Requirements for participation are that at least 75 percent of a product’s wholesale value must originate or occur in the Methow Valley; products must be available for purchase; they must be adequately labeled; and the producer must have an online presence to facilitate sales. Displays a hit The Methow Made display racks placed in retail outlets around the valley have been successful, Stork said, so much so that a half-dozen stores have asked to be included. New display racks are being designed and built for those who have requested them, Stork said. “It exceeded our expectations,” Stork said of the retail marketing effort. “We’ve been getting good results.”
METHOW MADE!
Local farms to our table.
Dine at Sun Mountain Lodge
Call today for reservations! Methow Made display racks can be found throughout the valley. Photo by Don Nelson
4
Made in the Methow
509-996-4707
604 Patterson Lake RD Winthrop WA 98862 | sunmountainlodge.com
Money left from the federal grant will be used to build new or larger displays for stores including Pardners Mini Market in Winthrop, the Winthrop Store (formerly Winthrop Motors), Aspen Grove in Winthrop and Hank’s Harvest Foods in Twisp. Methow Made has also built up an impressive social media presence, Stork said, with more than 1,000 Facebook followers. What has not worked as well, Stork said, was a planned foray into retail outlets in the Seattle area. “We reached out to them and the response was positive — with a twist,” she said. The twist is that larger retailers, especially grocery stores, want to work through a central supplier or wholesale distributor, as opposed to a bunch of smaller vendors. Methow Made wasn’t designed to act as a middleman in the distribution system, Stork said. Individual producers are expected to do their own distribution, with marketing assistance from Methow Made. “It revealed the limits of the
program,” Stork said. “Methow Made wasn’t designed to ‘touch’ any products.” The west side market might be more approachable if Methow Valley businesses formed some kind of distribution cooperative, Stork said. But that might be difficult given the variety of products (some perishable, others not) and that most local producers are so small they don’t have the resources to take part in a larger organization. Lots of interest The most important validation that has come from the first year of Methow Made, Stork said, is “that local is hot … the interest is there.” Stork said that, in retrospect, it might have been more effective to have a full year of planning before launching Methow Made, as opposed to the six months that was available under terms of the federal grant. “This community is so rich in ideas and input,” she said. Because of the nature of the federal
grant, the marketing campaign’s initial focus was on local agricultural products. This year, Methow Made has expanded its efforts beyond agriculture to include the arts and crafts community, and the response has been impressive. Methow Made now has more than 40 registered participants (who must meet guidelines to qualify as locally produced), about double the number
of last year’s participants. Most of the increase was from the arts and crafts community, Stork said. Next year, Stork said, the federal money will be all gone and Methow Made will need to find other funding sources. Some support from the program will come from participants. Membership in Methow Made was free in 2013; this year members paid a basic fee of $75.
Getting the word out Methow Made is making a difference for many local products By Joanna Bastian
With nearly a year of experience in the Methow Made program, local producers have had a chance to see how it might work for them. We
asked some Methow Made participants to reflect on the marketing effort’s impact. Molly Maxted — Molly’s Soaps For me, Methow Made is a wonderful opportunity to share advertising costs. Also, I’m not a person who uses social media, so I’m able to tag on to the program’s efforts with this. They do a wonderful job with their photography and blog postings.
Fine Handcrafted Silver Jewelry by Jenni Tissell
Naturally Grown Fruit & Produce Stop by our fruit stand in Okanogan, open 7 days a week from 7:30 am - 6 pm Serving breakfast & lunch daily on the deck and Smokehouse BBQ dinners Fri. & Sat. nights 5-9 pm
(509) 422-2444
23090 Hwy. 20, Okanogan www.smallwoodfarms.net
Fruit & produce available at the Methow Valley Farmer’s Market every Saturday and at our Winthrop fruit stand On the right 1.8 mi. before downtown Okanogan
Naturally grown • Eco friendly • Sustainable
997-7664
trickpony2013@gmail.com Open Mon, Thurs & Fri 11-5, Sat 10:30-5 • Closed Tues & Wed Located next to NCNB, across from Twisp Chevron, Hwy 20, Twisp
SUNNY PINE FARM Organic Goat Dairy featuring chevre, feta & yogurt Handcrafted in Twisp, WA (509) 997-4812
www.sunnypinefarm.com Made in the Methow
5
Meg Donohue — Blue Star Coffee Roasters Mainly, we see the Methow Made program as a heartfelt and nicely executed attempt by TwispWorks to respond to a long-standing desire of the farming community here in the Methow to help create a way to brand and promote their products, both locally and regionally. The evolution of Methow Made will be interesting to watch, as it reaches out to arts and craft artisans throughout the valley in an effort to include them in the program. We joined Methow Made to show our support both for TwispWorks, and for the Methow Valley as a whole. Don McIvor — McIvor Woodworks I applied to the program because I foresee benefits to being part of a regional marketing/branding effort. The Methow name has cachet and lends appeal to products, and distinguishes our locally produced items from competitors. I am looking forward to being part of this effort and to see what fruits it may bear. Betsy CassellThomas — Intertwined Designs As an artisan and being new to the valley, Methow Made has helped me be aware of my fellow artisans and develop local connections. As the artisan program develops and is promoted, my hope is that it will bring more business and attention to my clothing line, both from locals and tourists. The value of the program is in its ability to make consumers
aware of the great things that are being produced in the Methow, and the importance of supporting the local economy. Joanne Marracci — Marracci Design The value of the program is in getting help marketing my brand. I’d rather spend time in my studio making jewelry. The more I can get my name out there — and not just in the valley — the more my brand can grow and develop. Phil Millam — Dog Paw Knives Methow Made has been most helpful with suggestions and offers of coaching me on a website. Ann Simmons — Texas Creek Products Methow Made has helped me as a sauce producer by having end-captype displays that feature very different Made in the Methow products that probably wouldn’t normally be associated. Normally, hot sauce, wine and biscuit mix are in their respective grocery store sections. Having the Methow Made display allows us to promote all our different products with a common link. There are a lot of consumers who like to support local businesses and the displays make it easy for them to find a number of very different locally produced products that probably would not have otherwise been displayed together. I’ve seen increased sales of items from the Methow Made displays compared to regular off-the-shelf sales of bottled sauces. More seem to move off of the Methow Made display.
Dave Sabold — Gardner Gardens Five stores with the nice new Methow Made displays have featured our beeswax skin cream: Hank’s Harvest Foods, Mazama Store, Glover Street Market, Aspen Grove, Evergreen Store and the Winthrop Store (formerly Winthrop Motors). Three out of our 12 retail locations came about as a result of the Methow Made project: Aspen Grove, Winthrop Store and Hank’s. That’s a 25 percent increase in retail locations. Sales have increased in the last few months, mostly because Hank’s has helped our sales quite a bit. Lucinda Tear — Lucinda’s Botanical Salves & Potions I feel that the main value of
Methow Made for me has been to legitimize my products in the eyes of retailers in the valley and to give me a platform for presenting myself to retailers. Promoting myself is not one of my strengths and being part of Methow Made helped me have a little more courage to step forward and introduce myself to retailers. I’m still in the process of getting up courage and stepping forward, too! I also appreciated the help setting up a Facebook page for my business. Missy Leduc — Mazama Store We have benefited from the program from the advertising aspect and also providing an Internet presence for our bread. It’s been a great experience for us.
HandCRaFted PizzaS made with the freshest local ingredients including Bluebird Grain Farms flour, Hank’s meats, Sunny Pine Farm Chèvre and local, seasonal produce. ReGional BeeRS and MiCRoS on taP and loSt RiveR WineRy WineS. Open Every Day - Happy Hour 3-5 pm
(509) 996-3996 • 720 Hwy 20 S., Winthrop 6
Made in the Methow
Winth ro p M ark e t EvEry Sunday 10aM-2pM
Memorial day Weekend through Labor day Weekend
ge nta S! i V e S PLU eCtibL L CoL
Local produce, art, crafts & more. In the shady Winthrop Town park Sponsored by the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce
Find it at the farmers markets Farmers markets offer local produce, art and handicraft items at several locations in and around the Methow Valley. Here’s how to find them: Methow Valley Farmers Market Saturday, 9 a.m. – noon Methow Valley Community Center, Highway 20, Twisp April – October Winthrop Market Sunday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Mack Lloyd Park, Highway 20, Winthrop Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend Brewster Farmers Market Friday 2 – 5 pm June – October Fifth North and Third streets Okanogan Valley Farmers Market Saturday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. American Legion Park, Second and Harley streets, Okanogan May 1 – Oct. 30 Okanogan Valley Farmers Market Tuesday, 3 – 7 p.m. Civic League Park, Central and Ash streets, Omak June 1 – Oct. 26 Photos by Don Nelson and L aurelle Walsh
Run Wild with Ancient Grain Summer Salads
Farro Caprese Salad Einka & Lentil Curried Salad Split Farro Tabbouleh Pilaf Chopped Salad
Promote well being, alleviate stress, physical pain, anxiety and fatigue. Help your mind, body and spirit work together.
for recipes & info
bluebirdgrainfarms.com
509-996-3566
lucinda@lucindatear.com www.reflexologyandsalves.com Made in the Methow
7
Take it outside Methow Valley craftspeople produce an array of outdoor gear By Mike Maltais
As each season passes it seems that more and more creative folks in the Methow Valley come up with products that result from a favorite hobby, a innovative idea, a need to fill
Boots handcrafted by R.L. Boyce. Photo courtesy R.L. Boyce Boots Facebook page
Twisted Knitters
Locally handspun yarns, pure Romney wool yarns from the Methow Valley, hand-dyed in beautiful colors Located at TwispWorks Open Wed 2-5, Thurs 3:30-6 & Fri-Sat 11-2
mvtwistedknitters.com 8
Made in the Methow
some idle hours, or a desire to pursue a postponed dream. From dog leashes to door knockers, the list of items grows larger and larger. Following is just a sample of what some of our neighbors are producing for those who enjoy the outdoors. R.L. Boyce Boots (509) 996-3803 R.L. “Bob” Boyce turned his personal preference for custom-made cowboy boots into a business venture after serving a demanding apprenticeship with a master bootmaker in Texas. Boyce said he made up about 15 pairs of boots by following instructions in a “how to” manual he ordered before he decided to learn the craft from a three-week course taught by an experienced craftsman. A finished pair of Boyce handmade boots requires about 50 hours of work, and the local artisan offers a variety of heels, toes, and tops to accommodate client requests. He also makes headstalls, reins, martingales, and other horse-related items. Learn more by calling Boyce at 996-3803 or visiting him on Facebook. Lindsey Leather (509) 997-2240 “I’ve dabbled in leather all my life,” said Ted Lindsey of his love affair with the material. What began as small projects made from lace leather has evolved into a business that turns out chaps, chinks, saddlebags, holsters and other custom-made gear.
Chloe Temple works on one of her distinctive flies. Photo by Mike Maltais
Lindsey retired from the collision repair business in 2007 and was looking for something to fill the idle winter months when he decided to devote more time to his leather skills. With help from local mentors
Steve and Jess Darwood and Duey Hadfield, he purchased a light-duty leather sewing machine that would handle thicknesses up to 3/8-inch. Then Lindsey invested in “a big cowboy machine” that allows him to
Artisan Breads, Pastries, Sandwiches & Hand-tossed brick oven Pizzas made FRESH
EVERY DAY using the finest local ingredients.
Featuring Blue Star Coffee, Beer on Tap, and local wines
www.sweetriverbakery.com (509) 923-2151 203 Pateros Mall
The Raku is a Nunatak product that combines the warmth of a sleeping bag with the functionality of a long parka. Photo courtesy Nunatak website
produce heavy saddlebags, holsters, lined belts, and related items. “I’ve been working at this level for about four years,” Lindsey said. Most noted for his chaps, Lindsey said he is taking orders now for work this winter.
Nunatak www.nunatakusa.com Tom Halpin took his experience as a backcountry trekker and combined it with unconventional designs for lighter, warmer gear to found Nunatak, a company that manufactures ultralight sleeping bags and lightweight down jackets for the serious hiker, skier or climber. The company that began in a West Seattle basement in 1999 and is now a full-time operation near Twisp has produced, among other innovations, the Raku, a down sleeping bag with sleeves and hood that won Backpacker magazine’s Editor’s Choice award in 2002. Nunatak’s lightweight quality down vests and jackets range in weight from 5.5-ounce vests to 26-ounce jackets. Elvig Knives (509) 997-1898 Jim Elvig’s trademark custommade Damascus steel hunting, skinning, chef and utility knives display
Your home-grown Recycling Center -
Methow Recycles is Methow Made! 12 Airport Road, Twisp www.methowrecycles.org • 997-0520 Tuesday & Thursday: 10am to 4pm Saturday: 9am to 4pm
a distinctive mosaic finish from the muriatic acid bath that follows over 200 repetitions of heating and folding required to produce quality blades. Each is as individual as a fingerprint and each a work of art from a process born in antiquity. Elvig learned the art of forging as
a member of the Northwest Blacksmith Association. He fashions knife handles from desert ironwood, so hard that it requires a metal cutting blade to work it. Elvig’s knives and wet-formed leather sheaths are available at The Outdoorsman in Winthrop.
Elvig Knives are available at The Outdoorsman in Winthrop. Photo by Mike Maltais
Cu
stom
Thomson’s meats Some of our specialties:
15 plus varieties of handcrafted pork & chicken sausage Grain & grass finished beef All natural pork & lamb • Hams, bacon, jerky Smoked meats & seafood USDA Certified • All Natural no antibiotics
Open Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am (509) 997-9353
¼ mile from Downtown Twisp 922 TwiSp CarlTOn rOaD
Made in the Methow
9
Wolf Creek Rods (509) 996-3755 “I like to make rods that are going to be used,” said Ollie Flor of his bamboo creations at Wolf Creek Rods in Winthrop. Flor’s fishing rods harken back to the days before graphite/boron and fiberglass, when the most prized item in the angler’s arsenal was his bamboo rod. Flor got into rod-making when, as a young family man with limited resources, he was encouraged to make his own replacement for a broken tip on his own bamboo rod. That experience led to a rod restoration business and, after professional tutelage, a
full-blown rod-making enterprise. Since each Wolf Creek rod requires about 100 hours to make, they don’t exactly roll off the assembly line. All told, Flor makes fewer than a dozen a year so if you want one, better give him a holler. Chloe Temple’s Fishing Flies The Ninja, the Bronze Flash and the Orange Crush are three trout fly varieties designed and tied for local fishermen by Chloe Temple, a 13-year-old eighth-grader at Liberty Bell Junior High School. Temple began experimenting with the art of fashioning imitation trout lures a couple years back when her dad, Jason, gave her a fly tying kit.
Temple has found an outlet for her creations at The Outdoorsman, a retail sporting goods shop in downtown Winthrop. Lance Rider, owner of the Outdoorsman, has lately been placing special orders for fly varieties in demand locally but otherwise hard to come by. One popular variety is the Ice Cream Cone Midge chironomid pupa imitation, a red wet fly sporting double white beads that imitates a type of worm found hatching in local lakes. Temple is currently working on the Cone Head Leech, another bright red wet fly that Rider wants to stock for his fishing clientele.
Where the art is Local arts and crafts are on exhibit — and for sale — at several locations in the Methow Valley. A few are listed below. Local products can also be found at retail outlets including the Mazama Store, the Carlton General Store, the Winthrop Store, Hank’s Harvest Foods in Twisp, Evergreen IGA in Winthrop, the Sun Mountain Lodge gift shop, Local 98856 in Twisp and Glover Street Market in Twisp.
Photo by Don Nelson
Confluence Gallery & Art Center Local and regional artists 104 Glover St., Twisp (509) 997-2787 www.confluencegallery.com
Inspiring people to care for the land forever. 10
Made in the Methow
TwispWorks Several artists’ studios on the campus 502 S. Glover St., Twisp (509) 997-3300 www.twispworks.org Door No. 3 Print and book arts studio 201 Highway 20 (Methow Valley Community Center), room 3, Twisp doorno3twisp@gmail.com (Also see the farmers market listings on page 7) photo by Jason Paulsen
So future generations can enjoy all that is “Made in the Methow”
Winthrop Gallery Local artists cooperative 237 Riverside Ave., Winthrop (509) 996-3925 www.winthropgallery.com
Methow Conservancy
www.methowconservancy.org 509-996-2870
Bottled, bagged, brewed Also, roasted, fermented, aged or squeezed – the valley offers a range of imbibables The Methow Valley is home to a variety of liquid refreshments that can purchased — and in some cases, consumed — where they are produced, and are also available at many local retail outlets. All of them are made right here and each has their devotees. We recommend that you sample the whole lot of them and decide on your own favorites. Methow Valley Ciderhouse 13 B Walter Rd., Winthrop (509) 341-4354 Old Schoolhouse Brewery 155 Riverside Ave., Winthrop (509) 996-3183 Mazama Juice/Sinclair Orchards P.O. Box 906, Twisp, WA 98856 (509) 997-0202
Two excellent coffee roasters operate in the Methow Valley. Photo by Don Nelson
Methow Valley Brewing/Twisp River Pub 201 N. Methow Valley Hwy., Twisp (509) 997-6822 Lariat Coffee Roasters 6 Horizon Flats Road, No. 4, Winthrop (509) 996-3371 Blue Star Coffee Roasters 3 Twisp Airport Road, Twisp (509) 997-2583 Lost River Winery 26 Highway 20, Winthrop (509) 996-2888
Lost River Winery has a tasting room in Winthrop. Photo by Don Nelson
mazama store
A little bit of everything good... Featuring a variety of local foods and handmade goods exclusive to the Methow Valley
themazamastore.com
Open Daily 7am - 6pm g 996-2855g 50 Lost River Road
SuStainably Farmed meatS Seattle Area Delivery Farm Store - Fri, Sat, Sun 9am to 6pm
www.crown-s-ranch.com 509-341-4144 Farm tours Sat at 9am (free) Made in the Methow
11
Breaking bread Four valley bakeries produce a variety of fresh loaves daily
Fresh loaves rest on racks at Rocking Horse Bakery. Photo by Steve Mitchell 12
Made in the Methow
By Ann McCreary
For such a small community, the Methow Valley is generously endowed with gifted bakers who provide an ample supply of that most fundamentally satisfying food — good bread. The valley boasts four bakeries, all of them sharing a passion for producing nutritious and delicious breads with an emphasis on freshness, local and sustainable ingredients, and quality over quantity. Okanogan Bakery “This is slow food,” said Thomas McGregor of Okanogan Bakery. McGregor and his partner, Joelle Hartke, make bread and pastries for wholesale and catering in a small kitchen at Local 98856 in Twisp. McGregor, the chief bread baker, takes a traditional French-inspired approach to making bread — using much more water than commercial breads to produce a very hydrated dough, fermenting the dough over a long period of time, using levain (natural leavening with wild yeast), and mixing the dough by hand. Though more labor intensive than using a mixing machine, the hand mixing adds a subtle quality that belies the simplicity of the ingredients, McGregor said. “I expect I’m one of the few people who makes bread this way,” said McGregor, sprinkling freshly chopped rosemary into 25 pounds of flour, water, salt and olive oil and mixing the sticky mixture with his hands. “People like hand-made food. I believe our process and methodology improves the flavor of the bread and hand mixing only compliments that,” McGregor said. The technique results in a “crusty and open crumb structure. It’s moist — you can tell how hydrated it is.” The hand-mixing approach, McGregor acknowledged, evolved after his mixing machine died a couple of
“Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods.” –James Beard years ago, while he and Hartke had their bakery in Okanogan and “we still had to make bread.” When they moved to their new facility in Twisp last June, the space wouldn’t accommodate the mixing machine, so McGregor decided to mix the 200-300 pounds of dough he bakes each week by hand. Okanogan Bakery products are sold wholesale and for catered events. McGregor and Hartke also sell their goods at the Twisp and Chelan farmers markets, and at the Winthrop Store (formerly Winthrop Motors). Cinnamon Twisp Bakery Cinnamon Twisp Bakery, the oldest of the valley’s four bakeries, also uses natural leavening in its sourdough breads, and employs slow fermentation for its artisan loaves, said owner Katie Bristol. The slow fermentation approach, which requires three days from mixing to baking, produces “more interesting and complex flavors,” said Bristol. For its whole wheat breads, Cinnamon Twisp Bakery uses organic flour from Bluebird Grain Farms near Winthrop. “We use local, quality ingredients whenever possible to create a beautiful product,” Bristol said. When Cinnamon Twisp Bakery opened 20 years ago, bread sales were a large part of its business. Since the bakery expanded seven years ago to create a larger dining area, the emphasis on bread has shifted to pastries and lunch items, Bristol said.
Bread is still an essential part of the bakery’s offerings and loaves are available for sale at the bakery. Each day two or three fresh breads are offered, including artisan breads and loaves for sandwiches served at the bakery. Rocking Horse Bakery Rocking Horse Bakery in Winthrop produces artisan breads as well as breads created to pair with sandwiches served daily at the bakery. “When we bought the bakery in 2010, we refined our overall bread menu,” said Teresa Mitchell, who owns and operates the bakery with her husband, Steve Mitchell. “The great way to feature the breads we make is to have a sandwich of the day to match with our breads,” she said. Bread is labor-intensive and time-consuming to make and not as profitable as other foods sold at the bakery, Mitchell said. However, it remains an essential part of Rocking Horse Bakery’s products, she said.
“We bake bread because we’re a bakery and because we want to make delicious sandwiches and want our own bread for our sandwiches,” she said. “Baking bread legitimizes a bakery.” Each day, the bakery produces a sourdough baguette
and a multigrain sandwich loaf featuring Bluebird Grain Farms organic flour and a sourdough starter, now 16 years old, that the Mitchells purchased from the bakery’s former owners.
The starter is used as a portion of the leavening in most of the breads made at Rocking Horse, and is such a precious commodity that the Mitchells divided it in order to have two buckets, and then named Rustic breads are popular at the Mazama Store. Photo by Don Nelson
Molly’s Soap We’re all about the beer!
Award winning hand crafted ales
Handmade soaps using the finest natural ingredients Available in stores throughout the Methow Valley and online.
www.mollyssoap.com
Hooligan Stout 2013/2014 US Beer Tasting Champion Uncle Big’s Brown 2014 Gold Medal Winner North American Brewer’s Association Competition Imperial Stout 2014 Gold Medal Winner North American Brewer’s Association Competition Renegade IPA 2014 Gold Medal Winner Washington Beer Awards Ruud Awakening 2014 Bronze Medal Winner Washington Beer Awards
savor the spirit of the AMERICAN WEST in every cup
order now LARIAT
www.oldschoolhousebrewery.com
C O F F E E
R O A S T E R S
6 Horizon Flats Rd Winthrop, WA PHONE: 509.996.3371
WWW.LARIATCOFFEE.COM
Made in the Methow
13
them — Darnell and Danita. Starters must be “fed” regularly with flour and water to ensure the wild yeast and bacteria are in an optimal state of activity and ready to leaven baked goods. “When we went on vacation [last year] we took Darnell on a road trip with us because you have to feed it,” Mitchell said. The bucket sat in the backseat with the Mitchell’s two children. A barista from the bakery babysat Danita. Rocking Horse Bakery sells its breads at the bakery and at the Evergreen IGA in Winthrop. Rocking Horse bread is also the table bread served at Arrowleaf Bistro in Winthrop. Mazama Store At the valley’s northern end, fresh bread is available daily at the Mazama Store. Two styles are baked fresh every day at the store, including the popular sea salt baguette and rustic country style breads, said co-owner Missy LeDuc. “The rustic breads … don’t use
anything but wild yeast, a more natural process. It takes us three days to make a loaf and it gains a lot of flavor,” LeDuc said. The bakery offers an array of breads such as rosemary/olive, walnut/craisin, oatmeal/buttermilk and a stout bread made with beer. “We also do a basic country loaf. A fluffy, light airy beautiful bread
that we make our sandwiches on,” LeDuc said. “We want to make sandwiches out of our own bread because we like our bread. Being where we are in the valley, it’s nice to rely on ourselves.” Bread baked at the Mazama Store is “primarily for our store patrons, but people enjoy having our baguettes down valley,” LeDuc said.
Braided breads are among the offerings at Rocking Horse Bakery. Photo by Steve Mitchell
Art That Kicks Butt
Ginger Reddington Commissions upon request 509.997.2721 cell 509.995.2471 www.gingerreddington.com Always on exhibit in the Twisp River Pub, Methow Valley Inn & Twisp River Suites
THE SLAG WORKS Custom Iron Work
Serving the Methow since 1975
Locally Made in the Methow Valley Naturally Terrific Salsa, Sauces & Dips 14
Made in the Methow
To meet that demand, The Mazama Store distributes baguettes at Glover Street Market in Twisp and Crown S Ranch between Winthrop and Twisp. Mazama residents who want to be sure they have baguettes or other breads on weekends or during the holidays know that it’s wise to call the store and order loaves ahead of time, LeDuc said.
Barry B. Stromberger
996-9894
www.theslagworks.com
Thomas McGregor mixes dough by hand at Okanogan Bakery. Photo by Ann McCreary
HANDCRAFTED COFFEE FOR COFFEE LOVERS
Always Good! 104 Glover Street, Twisp ✻ 509 997-2787 Gallery hours ✻ W-F 10am - 5pm, Sat 9am - 3pm
BLUESTARCOFFEEROASTERS.COM Made in the Methow
15
Salve-ation nation Methow Valley makers of balms, lotions, potions and creams use lots of local ingredients By Ashley Lodato
Gardner Gardens Beeswax Skincream is made in small batches. Photo by Ashley Lodato
100% Wool Blankets from the wool of our sheep
Available at the
Mazama Store
or call Skip & Betsy Smith 996-3159 methowvalleywoolens.com 16
Made in the Methow
•L e a s
Handblown glass
by Laura Aspenwall re
Woolens
Custom dog gear for llars •Moli o Stix s •C & he your dog’s active •Leashes lifestyle •Collars
Mo
Methow Valley
When we moved from Maine to the Methow Valley, I gloated to my friends stuck back in humid New England that I could line-dry a load of laundry in less than an hour. But I soon realized that what was drying even faster than my babies’ diapers was my own epidermis. And after a couple of seasons, it felt like my dermis was following suit. I was, in what felt like a time-lapse photography video, quickly turning into a piece of human leather. Fortunately, everyone else around me was drying up, too, and a treatment had already been found—several treatments, in fact. We Methow Valley residents may be prone to desiccation, but let no one say that we lack ample locally produced creams, soaps, salves and ointments to combat the relentlessly dehydrating power of the shrub-steppe environment. Of the handful of Methow Valley
producers of skin care products, most started making creams and balms to meet their own needs. “My skin began to crinkle and crack,” said former Portland, Oregon, resident Sindi Scheinberg. “My go-to products were of little or no help. After futile, endless attempts to find a solution it became obvious—I was going to have to find a way to fix the problem myself.” Many rounds of research and experimentation later, the Sustainable Worth founder landed on her Body Honey and subsequently a whole range of what she refers to as “healthy, organic, yummy skin survival products.” Molly Maxted of Molly’s Soaps had a similar experience. “I was hoping for a soap that would be milder and less drying than commercial soaps,” she said. Maxted quickly gave up hoping and simply created the type of soap she sought. Lucinda Tear of Lucinda’s Botanicals echoes the sentiment. “When I first moved here,” she said, “I discovered how drying the Methow air is
Showing at the
Winthrop Gallery
•Long Lines Available at: © t Confluence Gallery t Lone Pine Fruit & Espresso t TwispWorks South Warehouse Studio (by appointment)
Carolee Addis 509.429.9820
509-996-3316 www.ouzelglass.com
Molly’s Soap, wrapped or unwrapped, is available at several retail outlets in the valley. Photo by Don Nelson
to my aging skin, so I just started experimenting and trying out all kinds of different plants that I had read about and seeing how I liked them in
a salve. I’ve always liked making [my own things], and this was a fun and inexpensive way to keep myself supplied with moisturizer.”
From personal to professional What began for some as a personal skin hydration scheme soon turned into a business venture, however, as
the producers began to understand the widespread appeal of simple, natural skin care products, particularly ones with just a few ingredients. “It’s almost impossible to find anything like that in the store,” said Nicole Ringgold, who produces arnica, bee balm and cottonwood salves. “If you do it’s incredibly expensive.” Simple, natural and effective is the mantra of the local producers. “My products are gentle and organic products without unnecessary irritating chemicals, phthalates, parabens, or fragrance,” Scheinberg said. Said Maxted, “My soap base is made from simple ingredients: olive, palm and coconut oils. I use herbs that are grown here, and some varieties have extra oils added for moisturizing. Most bars are lightly scented, but two of my best-selling soaps are unscented.” Dave Sabold’s Gardner Gardens Beeswax Skincream includes only beeswax, almond and coconut oils, vitamin E and propolis. The accessibility of many plants with medicinal uses appeals to most
Made in the Methow Valley
Pastries & Breads
Breakfast & Lunch Sandwiches & Bagels Iced Organic Espresso, Smoothies & Shakes organic flours & grains
Sit in or Take out!
Open Everyday 6am - 3pm
Downtown Twisp 116 N. Glover Street 509.997.5030 Free Internet Access www.cinnamontwisp.com
Certified Organic Heirloom Fruit
Ask about renting our fire pits
Available locally at Glover Street Market & Crown S Ranch Farm Store and in the Seattle area at U District Farmers Market & Ballard Farmers Market (Sept - Feb)
Available in multiple sizes with a variety of accessories. (509) 997-4766 • (888) 295-4765
w w w. h o t s p o t f i r e p i t s . c o m
see our website for more info!
boothcanyonorchard.com or like us on Grown in the Methow Valley, Carlton, WA Made in the Methow
17
Methow Valley producers, too. The ingredients list on Robin Baire’s Horse of a Different Color Comfrey Salve reads like a walk in the forest: comfrey, calendula, mullein, white oak, marshmallow, black walnut, nettles, skullcap, lobella, echinacea, goldenseal and lavender. All of the producers use at least some ingredients that are grown on
their property or harvested from the nearby North Cascades, and most feel that this local sourcing makes their products exceptional, both because of the ingredients’ specific characteristics and because local sourcing reduces reliance on fossil fuels. “I feel that the plants and local beeswax I use carry the energy of the Methow in them,” said Tear. “Some
Gardner Gardens Beeswax Skincream has just a few ingredients. Photo by Ashley Lodato
of the plants I use are very common plants that are found in many parts of the world, so though they are not particularly ‘Methow’ in their distribution, they are ‘Methow’ in their energy and in their nutritive value since they grow in Methow soil. Other plants, like ponderosa pine, arnica, cottonwood or wild rose, have a distinctly Methow association and even smell. “For me, making my products using plants that grow in the Methow allows people who use them to connect with the invigorating and healing energy of the Methow,” Tear added. Ringgold said, “We know what went into the soil to grow the plants. For the most part, we know what plants our bees pollinated.” Custom blends Many producers supply customers who have skin allergies or other conditions who find that products with minimal, all-natural ingredients nourish their skin best. Tear and Baire both describe developing custom blends for customers to treat
specific skin issues. Tear acknowledges that “it is so satisfying when someone says, ‘Wow, I used that spray on my neck and the rash was gone the next day!’” but reminds us that “our health comes from the inside out as well as the outside in. “Although some skin conditions can be treated by salves or vinegars or tinctures,” she said, “some are the result of a larger underlying condition in the body that must also be addressed. “Our skin is considered our largest organ and it is always in the process of both protecting us from outside forces and eliminating waste products from the inside,” Tear continued. “While it is certainly very satisfying to me when one of my products ‘works like a charm’ and clears up a problem someone has had, it is also just as interesting when it doesn’t.” But custom orders don’t always drive production; sometimes a windfall of a certain ingredient steers a producer toward invention. Sabold, for example, began producing his
Visit us on the
an so
ft
S
w
Confluence Gallery Studio Tour
ra c n Wood
September 20-21, 2014 20 Pleasant View Dr, Winthrop, WA
Cabinetry & Custom Furniture
Lucinda’s Botanical Salves and Potions
Rick Swanson 509.996.2297
509-996-3566
rick@swansonwoodcraft.com www.swansonwoodcraft.com
Winthrop, WA 98862 www.reflexologyandsalves.com For a list of available products
Naturally dyed yarns, sustainably raised meat.
Emily Post Pottery M c F arland c reek l aMb r anch emilyapost@gmail.com • 509-341-4710 18
Made in the Methow
www.thelambranch.com • 509-923-1916
Beeswax Skincream in 1987 when he needed a use for the beeswax from his beekeeping operation. Now, Sabold produces between 1,500 and 2,000 3.5-ounce tubs of the skin cream each year, which is used by Methow Valley residents and customers all over the country both as a skin moisturizer/restorer and as a massage cream. Beeswax itself features as central in most local producers’ salves and creams, and with a robust beekeeping community in the Methow, good quality beeswax is readily available. Sometimes a proliferation of a particular wild plant will guide recipe development, although producers are careful to limit their harvests to sustainable levels. “I have respect for the plants I harvest and I never collect more than I need,” said Baire. Tear added, “I feel so lucky when I find a big generous patch of something and it feels OK to harvest some of it.” Although the majority of local skin care products are used for their intended purpose, occasionally a
surprising use is discovered. Boeing, for example, buys about nine dozen bars of Molly’s Soap each year for use by metal lathe operators. Apparently the soap doesn’t gum up the metal discs the way other industrial lubricants do. “I was pleased to hear that some things are still made by human hands at Boeing,” said Maxted. Ultimately, however, it seems to be the love of helping others that motivates these producers. Said Scheinberg, “There is something really cool and special about making something for others that provides relief and then ends in happiness.” This resonates with Tear, too: “I really love having something to offer a friend that actually helps.” And Baire, who enjoys studying the art of healing, appreciates the concept of plant-based medicine that is available to anyone. “I love this valley and what it has to offer,” she said. And for those of us with dry skin, the salvation that comes in the tubs, tubes, jars, bars and bottles from these skin care producers’ kitchens offer us a lot to love.
Horse of a Different Color’s Comfrey Salve is full of natural ingredients. Photo by Don Nelson
Made in the Methow
19
Wear it home Creative hands are fashioning original clothing and textiles throughout the valley
By Laurelle Walsh
A growing number of artisans, designers and entrepreneurs are creating clothing and textiles with unique Methow Valley flair. Ranging from gossamer silk scarves to funky felt cloches to twirly cashmere skirts, all reflect the distinctive styles of their creators, with that special Methow look and feel. Intertwined Designs Betsy Cassell-Thomas and Pitkin Thomas moved from Bellingham to the Methow Valley last November and brought with them their thriving
Kelle Ronnfeldt at work in her creative space. Photo by L aurelle Walsh 20
Made in the Methow
“Earth friendly handmade clothing” company: Intertwined Designs. Founded in Bellingham in 2001, Intertwined Designs grew out of Cassell-Thomas’s passion for sewing and interest in creating quality apparel in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner. While the business has grown since its origins on a single rack at the Bellingham Farmers Market, CassellThomas still makes every article of clothing by hand, and is joined these days by her husband, Pitkin Thomas, who does the shipping, graphic design, marketing newsletter and social media promotion — now from their home base in Mazama. Intertwined Designs creates activewear for men, women and kids made from natural fiber blends of hemp, organic cotton, soy and tencel. Most of Cassell-Thomas’s designs — around 80 percent, she estimates — are original. The rest are inspired by patterns she has purchased, and then “altered to make them my own,” she said. Her tops, pants, skirts, yoga wear and “soy luscious” women’s intimates are accented with special touches like variegated topstitching, “lettuce” edging, appliqué, lace and inset panels in complementary colors. Cassell-Thomas personally sells her clothing at the Bellingham Farmers Market, the University District Street Fair in Seattle, the Oregon Country Fair, the Boise Art Show and Anacortes Arts Festival. Now that the business is up and running in the Methow, Cassell-Thomas plans to have a booth at the Methow Valley Farmers Market in Twisp next year. Intertwined Designs clothing is sold locally at Nectar Skin Bar in Winthrop, Confluence Gallery and Art Center in Twisp, and Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies in Mazama. During the upcoming Methow Valley Studio Tour on Sept. 20-21, CassellThomas will sell her garments from Paula Christen’s studio in Winthrop.
Intertwined Designs has an online store at www.intertwineddesigns.com, and on Etsy at www.etsy.com/shop/ intertwineddesigns. This summer, Pitkin Thomas is busy turning a garage on their Mazama property into a new Intertwined Designs studio. Cassell-Thomas has moved her sewing machines into the larger work space, and looks forward to eventually employing a seamstress and opening a small retail outlet in the remodeled space, she said. Once construction is done, the couple plans to add screen-printed T-shirts to Intertwined Designs’ product line, printing Pitkin Thomas’s original graphic designs onto American-made, sustainably sourced shirts. The success of Intertwined Designs proves that clothing doesn’t have to come from sweatshops in Asia, an issue of increasing concern for many consumers. In fact, after the deadly collapse of a garment factory in Bangladesh last year, Cassell-Thomas says she noticed an immediate uptick in business. “It opened people’s eyes about where their clothes come from,” she said. “People were already aware of buying sustainably farmed food, but maybe we have to start thinking about what we wear too.” Neve Wear Kelle Ronnfeldt is another local designer and seamstress who has given a lot of thought to creating sustainable clothing. Her cottage industry, Neve Wear, features repurposed and “up-cycled” garments made from sweaters she purchases at second-hand stores. “I’ve always been a thrift store shopper,” Ronnfeldt said. “I’m always looking for beautiful fabrics.” These days her focus is on used cashmere, merino, lambswool and silk sweaters. From the body of a sweater she fashions a skirt; leg warmers or fingerless gloves come
We Grow What We Sell.
Sara Ashford’s Culler Studio is a place to shop and learn. Photo by L aurelle Walsh
from a sweater’s sleeves; and scarves and appliqué shapes are cut from leftover scraps. “It’s breathing new life into something somebody has given up,” Ronnfeldt said. Ronnfeldt’s first project was a cashmere patchwork throw blanket, which became a wedding present for her sister. When her sister had twins six years ago, she made little skirts for the girls. Today, her one-of-a-kind skirts with appliqué flowers, leaves and polka dots have become Neve Wear’s trademark; some incorporate the sweater’s underarm gussets to make kick pleats, or feature a button placket from the original sweater. “Each is like a little art project for me,” she said.
Neve Wear can be found year round at the Mazama Store, at Sun Mountain Lodge during the holidays, and at Confluence Gallery and Art Center in Twisp. Ronnfeldt has a booth at the Methow Valley Farmers Market after Labor Day, and sells her garments at the
D.o.g. dudz uses hand-dyed hemp webbing. P hoto Walsh
Perennials for Sun & Shade Ornamental Trees & Shrubs Evergreens & Vines All Valley Raised Fri - Sun 10 am - 5 pm (509) 341-4819 • Winthrop
Featuring Gebbers
Local Beef. Buy local at a great price! Huge selection of local and regional wines.
by
L aurelle
997-7711
Hwy 20, Twisp
Open Mon - Sat, 7am - 9pm & Sunday, 8am - 8pm Made in the Methow
21
McFarland Creek Lamb Ranch yarn is available at Twisted Knitters. Photo by L aurelle Walsh
Twisp and Winthrop holiday bazaars starting in November. Two Seattle outlets — Eight Limbs Yoga Centers and Samadhi Yoga Center — carry Neve Wear year-round. Online orders may be placed at www.mokshastudio.net/neve-wear. Textiles at TwispWorks Among the entrepreneurs, artisans and artists on the TwispWorks campus, a handful of textile artists are making one-of-a-kind wearables— one designing gear specifically for our canine companions.
Sharing a building with the Valley Teen Center, La Fabrica fiber art studio and boutique features the work of designer Jae Cremin. Cremin experiments with several fiber art techniques including felting, botanical dyes, Shibori, and felt painting to make “one-of-a-kind, unduplicatable pieces,” she said. Cremin studied in Belgium and Germany, where she learned Nuno felting and hat making. Her felted merino-wool-and-silk cloches and fingerless gloves for sale at La Fabrica are displayed among her
hand-dyed silk scarves, camisoles and pillowcases. Across the campus at Culler Studio in the South Warehouse, botanical alchemist Sara Ashford uses ancient techniques to coax natural dyes from flowers, leaves, roots, pigments and minerals. These she applies to linen, gauzy cottons, hemp, silk and wool blends to make one-of-a-kind fabrics. A dye garden next to the studio provides some of the botanical dye ingredients, which are grown on site or gathered from the wild. Ashford
Grown in the Okanogan Sunshine ~ Available Throughout the Methow Full-bodied, organic-fed greens with colorful texture, loft and seasonal depth of flavor. It’s a celebration of diversity in every bite! Ask your caterer about our quality seasonal produce and salads. Providing premium, healthy produce to our community since 2001. Mid-season CSA with options, available now.
8th Street Greens Farm & CSA (509) 422-1620 • eighthstreetgreens@yahoo.com Visit us on Facebook: 8thStreetGreensFarm&CSA 22
Made in the Methow
also teaches classes throughout the year in Japanese Shibori techniques, Victorian flower pounding, eco printing, and Japanese wood block printing. Ashford’s scarves, shawls and wraps, and hand-painted Icelandic wool yarn are for sale at Culler Studio, Sun Mountain Lodge, Nectar Skin Bar, Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies and Confluence Gallery and Art Center. Next door, Twisted Knitters — a yarn and knitting shop — carries the Methow-made yarns of two spinners named Katie: Katie Haven and Katie Swanson. Swanson buys sheep and alpaca fleeces and hand spins the wool into three-ply yarn. Some of Swanson’s yarns are the natural color of the fleece, while others she dyes at her home studio. Swanson also designs patterns for knitters. Kits to make her Mosaic Mojo hats and a knitted shawl called the Fats Domino wrap are also for sale at Twisted Knitters. Katie Havens raises Romney sheep at her McFarland Creek Lamb Ranch, dyes their fleeces using locally sourced botanical dyes, and sends them out to a custom spinning company to be spun into yarn. Each skein is labeled with the name of the sheep that provided the wool. Some of the white, black, grey and brown fleeces are left undyed for natural color yarn. McFarland Creek Lamb Ranch yarns are sold at Twisted Knitters, the Mazama Store, Conf luence Gallery and Art Center, Cashmere Cottage Yarns in
Looking for information about the Methow? The Methow Valley News has got you covered! Our print and online versions will keep you in the know. Visit or subscribe today: methowvalleynews.com (509) 997-7011
Cashmere and the Twisp Holiday Bazaar. Find more information at www.thelambranch.com. Finally, d.o.g. dudz, a manufacturer of “high-quality dog apparel.” Entrepreneur and dog trainer Carolee Addis has designed a line of naturally dyed, 100-percent hemp webbing dog collars and training leashes. Some of d.o.g. dudz’s featured items include limited-slip collars, “great for dogs with a tendency to pull out of their collars;” hands-free training leashes that the handler wears
around her waist; and “no tangle” dual-lead leashes for people who walk two dogs together, Addis said. Due to popular demand, this summer Addis is adding a line of narrower collars and leashes for small dogs, she said. D.o.g. dudz products may be purchased at Addis’s workshop in the South Warehouse, Confluence Gallery and Art Center, Lone Pine Fruit and Espresso in Orondo, at the Twisp and Winthrop holiday bazaars and the holiday show at Local 98856.
Antiques and collectibles
Locally made furniture by Chewuch Homestead Enterprises! A variety of recycled, repurposed & locally crafted items.
501 Hwy 20 Winthrop, WA
996-8297
Jae Cremin creates one-of-a-kind silk scarves at La Fabrica. Photo by L aurelle Walsh Made in the Methow
23
Sturdy frames Curtlo Cycles makes custombuilt bike frames to match its riders By Marcy Stamper
Seven feet, 4 inches tall, and 340 pounds: that was the starting point for the largest bike frame Doug Curtiss ever designed and built. Although the human specs were unusual, matching a bike frame to a customer is typical. Curtiss designs and fabricates custom bicycle frames, many to fit people who are especially tall or short or who can’t find a bike that doesn’t leave them with aches and pains. In fact, that’s how he got into building his own bikes. About four decades ago, Curtiss and some friends had inadvertently been gathering data about how to improve on standard bike frames. Curtiss (who is tall and lean) and a friend traveled to Seattle after high school and, to get home, bought a pair of bikes and spontaneously decided to ride back to Ohio. “I’d never done anything like that before,” said
Precision measurements are vital to making the perfect frame. Photo by Marcy Stamper 24
Made in the Methow
Curtiss. “I wasn’t physical, but I was into doing things.” Back in Ohio for college, he and another friend—so big and strong that he was constantly breaking bike frames and parts—decided there must be a way to create frames that would be really comfortable and also sturdy, light and nimble. Because he had worked for a small aircraft manufacturer in high school, Curtiss had some experience with welding, so he and his friend researched angles and techniques for joining tubes of different diameters and started building bike frames in the basement. The bikes they made worked right away. “That was the amazing thing— to figure out how to build it. Not just to fabricate it, but—dimensionally— to have it handle well,” said Curtiss. “That was probably what got me hooked—I wasn’t going to walk into a store and find a bike that fit me correctly. It sort of became a hobby.” They started making bikes for friends, using steel tubes with thinner walls and a larger diameter, which resulted in frames that were strong and lightweight and that handled well. They also joined the pieces by brazing, instead of using lugs, which allowed them to alter the angles of the basic bike-frame triangle to suit each rider’s own geometry. Thousands of bikes What Curtiss does today at Curtlo Cycles outside Winthrop hasn’t really changed that much from those early years, although he has now crafted thousands of bikes, both for friends and for customers as far away as South Korea and New Zealand. Still, it took years before Curtiss decided to launch his own customframe
Doug Curtiss has hand-crafted thousands of bikes, one at a time. Photo by Marcy Stamper
business. For a while, he managed a bike shop in Sun Valley, Idaho, and continued to make frames on the side. And he and his friend—the one who broke every bike until they started making their own—took long, transcontinental bike tours every summer. One year they rode to Alaska on special bikes they built, with wide, knobby tires for the gravel roads. When Curtiss got back, mountain biking was starting to take off, and he used his bike to explore trails around Sun Valley. Customers at the bike shop were excited by the expanded
possibilities for riding, so Curtiss began building mountain bikes and selling them through the store. He also continued to make other types of bicycles and sold them independently. Making bike frames reverted to a hobby after Curtiss moved to Southern California and got a job fabricating parts for the B-1 bomber. “It was a lot like building bikes for the government,” he said. The job provided experience working with exotic materials such as titanium and aluminum but, after five years, he was laid off—and found himself somewhat disillusioned by the work. Southern California was becoming the center of the burgeoning
mountain-biking scene, drawing races, trade shows, and lots of media attention, so Curtiss decided to make a go of it as a frame builder. He started Curtlo Cycles in 1988. Making bikes for a world-championship women’s racing team gave him valuable exposure. At first, he sold his frames through bike shops, but he soon decided to sell custom frames directly to consumers. Still likes steel Changes in technology have enabled Curtiss to serve clients around the world from his shop outside Winthrop, where he and his family moved in 1998. While ideally he would meet a customer to take measurements and evaluate the person’s position in the saddle, Curtiss can gather the necessary information by asking the right questions and studying photos of the customer on a bike—the relationship of the cranks and pedals to the seat, or the reach to the handlebars. “What I’m looking for is a way to map their riding position,” he said.
Tools include clamps to hold steel tubing in place. Photo by Marcy Stamper
Sweet Tree Designs
Thome George Visit the new website: sweettreedesigns.com
509.846.3841
Handcrafted in Twisp with the finest ingredients. Specializing in Beers Brewed Seasonally with Local Ingredients:
Cherry Hefeweizen Blue Star Coffee Stout Honey Wheat Blueberry Cream Ale Pumpkin Spice Hard Apple Cider Hard Pear Cider Harvest Ale (made with Locally grown Hops)
Methow Valley Brewing twisp riVer puB www.methowbrewing.com
Made in the Methow
25
Curtlo Cycles (the business name combines his name and the name of the friend with the tendency to break bikes) produces everything from frames to complete bicycles. He builds bikes for all kinds of activities—full-suspension mountain bikes, touring and racing bikes, tandems. He also makes frames with couplers (designed by another company) that allow a bicycle to be dismantled to fit into regular-sized luggage. Although he’s worked with hightech materials, Curtiss remains a
devotee of steel, for its affordability, ease of repair, and strength. “If all you had was aluminum, titanium and carbon-fiber, and somebody invented steel, it would revolutionize the industry,” said Curtiss. “When you put someone on a bike—especially someone tall or who never had something that fit, and all of a sudden the world opens up for them and they can’t believe how much easier and faster it is to ride—that’s the coolest thing,” said Curtiss. Curtlo Cycles is at www.curtlo.com.
The parts of Curtlo frames are joined by brazing. Photos by Marcy Stamper
Local. Very local. PATienT CARe And SAfeTy iS OuR #1 COnCeRn
Since 1903, the independent and locally owned Methow Valley News has focused solely on two things: 1) Reporting the news and events of the Methow Valley. 2) Providing an effective and reliable source of advertising for local and regional businesses.
More than 100 years serving the Methow Valley.
24 hour trauma care and emergency services
509.689.2517
ThreeRiversHospital.net
507 Hospital Way, Brewster, WA 98812 26
Made in the Methow
509-997-7011 • www.methowvalleynews.com
Made in the Methow Business Directory Architects Johnston Architects We design custom homes that reflect the unique beauty of the Methow Valley, respect the environment and feel like home.
(206) 523-6150 johnstonarchitects.com rayjohnston@johnstonarchitects.com See Display ad on page 2
Artists & Artisans Confluence Gallery & Art Center
W-F 10am - 5pm, Sat 9am - 3pm (509) 997-ARTS www.confluencegallery.com 104 Glover St, Twisp, WA 98856 See Display ad on page 15
A non-profit gallery featuring art exhibits of local and regional artists, handmade artisan goods in our gift shop, and instructional art classes throughout the year.
Door No. 3 Print & Book Art Studio
www.doorno3.com doorno3twisp@gmail.com PO Box 817 201 Hwy 20 S., Room 3 Twisp, WA 98856
Hand-printed items available for sale at Glover Street Market & Mazama Store.
Photo by Steve Mitchell
Ginger Reddington
Ouzel Glassworks
Working out of her home studio in Twisp, Ginger’s paintings have a depth, movement and jewel-like quality to the color (509) 997-2721 or (509) 995-2471 that make them www.gingerreddington.com truly unique. On display at the info@gingerreddington.com Twisp River Pub. See Display ad on page 14
See Display ad on page 16
Handwoven by Katie Swanson
Peligro
(509) 996-2297 www.twispofate.com ktcs49@gmail.com 20 Pleasant View Dr, Winthrop WA 98862
My handwoven wearables and items for the home can be found at Winthrop Gallery, Confluence Gallery and my home studio.
Hand-blown glass by Laura Aspenwall. Located on the Methow Valley Community Trail. Open studio Saturdays noon to 4:00 during the ski season.
(509) 996-3316 www.ouzelglass.com 227 Wolf Creek Road, Winthrop, WA 98862
www. peligrostudio.com peligrostudio@gmail.com 109 N. Glover Street Twisp, WA 98856 See Display ad on page 4
Metal studio and gallery featuring contemporary wedding rings and jewelry built by artist Hana Hull using rejuvenated or ethically collected gem stones.
Mountain Kind Photography Images of the Methow Valley and beyond
Emily Post Pottery Handcrafted ceramic wares inspired by nature for yourself and for your home.
Methow Valley note cards, postcards and wall calendars. Images for your website or printed materials. Custom printing and framing. Freelance photography.
Mary Kiesau 996-8242 www.mountainkindphotography.com kiesau@gmail.com
(509) 341-4710 emilyapost@gmail.com See Display ad on page 18
Photo by Don Nelson Made in the Methow
27
Made in the Methow Business Directory Artists & Artisans, cont.
The Slag Works LLC Custom iron work featuring functionally decorative and architectural applications.
Swanson Woodcraft 40+ years experience in custom furniture and cabinetry for new construction or interior remodels. Licensed & bonded – local references available.
Rick Swanson (509) 996-2297 rick@swansonwoodcraft.com PO Box 1196, 20 Pleasant View Dr., Winthrop. WA 98862
(509) 846-3841 www.sweettreedesigns.com rustic_arts@hotmail.com Winthrop, WA 98862 See Display ad on page 25
(509) 996-9894 www.theslagworks.com barry@theslagworks.com Winthrop, WA 98862
Bodywork Thome’s obsession with natural elements extends beyond the purely functional to the sculptural in the form of hanging collages and “stabiles”, as well as architectural elements such as French doors, built-ins, and friezes.
Blue Star Coffee Roasters Wholesale providers of world class, hand-crafted coffee. Visit our roasting plant & coffee bar in Twisp. Open Monday - Saturday, 7:30am - 4:30pm.
3 Twisp Airport Road Twisp, WA 98856 (509) 997-2583 www.bluestarcoffeeroasters.com
See Display ad on page 14
See Display ad on page 18
Sweet Tree Designs
Coffee Roasters
Lucinda Tear Reflexology Awaken your senses and integrate your body.
(509) 996-3566 www.reflexologyandsalves.com lucinda@lucindatear.com Winthrop, WA 98862 See Display ad on page 7
See Display ad on page 15
Lariat Coffee Roasters Stop by our shop for locally roasted coffee, brewing equipment and more. Also available for sale throughout the Methow or visit our online store.
(509)996-3371 www.lariatcoffee.com info@lariatcoffee.com 6 Horizon Flats Rd, Winthrop, WA 98862
See Display ad on page 13
Nicole Ringgold Jewelry Designs
Brewers & Cider Makers A local silversmith incorporating natural river rocks.
(509) 997-0379 www.nicoleringgold.com www.liveinart.org Twisp, WA
Old Schoolhouse Brewery We’re all about the beer! Live music every weekend Open daily at noon for lunch & dinner
509-996-3183 www.oldschoolhousebrewery.com info@oldschoolhousebrewery.com 155 Riverside Ave. Winthrop, WA 98862 See Display ad on page 13
Methow Valley Brewing/ Twisp River Pub Small batch, hand-
(888) 220-3360 www.twispriverpub.com info@twispriverpub.com 201 N. Methow Valley Hwy Twisp, WA 98856
crafted beers made in Twisp at the Twisp River Pub. Kegs, growlers and bottles available at Twisp River Pub or by the bottle throughout the Methow Valley & beyond.
See Display ad on page 25
Photo by Don Nelson 28
Made in the Methow
Eateries Cinnamon Twisp Bakery Handcrafted breads, bagels & pastries baked daily with local, organic ingredients. Breakfast, lunch, cookies, bars & (509) 997-5030 dessert items galore! www.cinnamontwisp.com Espresso, smoothies 116 North Glover Street & shakes. Delightful Twisp, WA 98856 service in town. See Display ad on page 17
East 20 Pizza
Serving delicious, handcrafted pizza, calzone & more using local ingredients and produce. Happy hour from 3-5 pm with $2.50 pints and $3.50 breadsticks.
(509) 996-3996 www.east20pizza.com east20pizza@yahoo.com 720 Hwy 20/PO Box 417, Winthrop, WA 98662 See Display ad on page 6
Made in the Methow Business Directory Eateries, cont. Rocking Horse Bakery
Delectable breads, pastries, espresso, soups and sandwiches (509) 996-4241 featuring local www.rockinghorsebakery.com ingredients baker@rockinghorsebakery.com handcrafted in Winthrop’s favorite 265 Riverside Ave. gathering spot.
Fruit & Produce Growers 8th Street Greens
Downtown Winthrop, 98862
509-422-1620 8thstreetgreens.facebook.com eighthstreetgreens@yahoo.com 742 8th Ave. South Okanogan, WA 98840
See Display ad on page 10
See Display ad on page 22
Sun Mountain Lodge
1-800-572-0493 www.sunmountainlodge.com sunmtn@sunmountainlodge.com 604 Patterson Lake Rd. Winthrop, WA 98862 See Display ad on page 4
Sweet River Bakery
(509) 923-2151 www.sweetriverbakery.com contact@sweetriverbakery.com 203 Pateros Mall / PO Box 207 Pateros, WA 98846 See Display ad on page 8
Sun Mountain Lodge features 112 guest rooms, two restaurants, private lake, two pools, spa services, gear rentals, shopping and 60 kilometers of trails. Call 800.572.0493 for reservations. www. sunmountainlodge. com
Handmade artisan breads, pastries, sandwiches and brick oven fired pizza. Live music Thurs. - Sat., May - September
Join our CSA midseason or contact us for special orders.
Booth Canyon Orchard
boothcanyonorchard.com stina@boothcanyonorchard.com 391 Twisp-Carlton Rd. Carlton, WA 98814 See Display ad on page 17
Smallwood Farms
(509) 422-2444 www.smallwoodfarms.net 23090 Hwy. 20 Okanogan, WA 98840
Certified organic apples and pears available locally at Glover Street Market & Crown S Ranch. In the Seattle area Sept - Feb at the U District and Ballard Farmers Markets.
We strive to grow the highest quality fruit and produce with the best and sweetest flavor you can find. Fruit stand open mid-June to late-October.
Local Goods Bluebird Grain Farms
(509) 996-3526 www.bluebirdgrainfarms.com PO Box 1082 Winthrop, WA 98862 See Display ad on page 7
Crown S Ranch
Your source for the finest 100% organic grains, fresh-milled flour and whole-grain blends, including mixes for greattasting and nutritious cereals, pancakes, pilafs and more.
Sustainably farmed meats. Seattle area delivery. Farm store Fri., Sat., Sun. 9am to 6pm Farm Tours Sat. 9am (free)
(509) 341-4144 www.crown-s-ranch.com crownsranch@gmail.com 7 Twin Lakes Road, Winthrop, WA 98862 See Display ad on page 11
d.o.g. dudz
See Display ad on page 5
Winthrop Market Local produce, art, crafts and vintage collectibles. In the shady Winthrop Town Park. Every Sunday www.winthropmarket.com 10am - 2pm, Memorial winthropmarket@gmail.com Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. 51 N. Hwy 20,
LOGO
Winthrop, WA 98862 See Display ad on page 6
509-429-9820 dogdudzllc@gmail.com Confluence Gallery, Carlton Store, TwispWorks South Warehouse Studio
Performance gear for your dog’s active lifestyle.
See Display ad on page 16
eqpd Merging great design with local manufacturing in a variety of bags, totes, packs and protective gear for use in active, everyday lives.
(603) 996-1104 eqpdgear@gmail.com TwispWorks 502 Glover Street, Twisp WA 98856 Photo by L aurelle Walsh
See Display ad on page 19 Made in the Methow
29
Made in the Methow Business Directory Local Goods, cont.
Lucinda’s Botanical Salves and Potions Hand-made salves of native and garden-grown plants, olive oil, and local beeswax. The smell and energy of the Methow.
Glover Street Market Your source for locally made products of the Methow Valley.
Open Mon - Sat 9 am - 6 pm (509) 997-1320 www.gloverstreetmarket.com 124 N. Glover Street, Downtown Twisp See Display ad on page 32
(509) 996-3566 Winthrop, WA 98862 www.reflexologyandsalves.com/herbalsalves.html
997-7711 www.hanksharvestfoods.com info@hanksharvestfoods.com 412 Hwy 20, Twisp WA 98856 See Display ad on page 21
La Fabrica Artist Jae Cremin creates natural fiber felted and dyed accessories to wear and for the home. Workshops also available.
341-4149 jaecremin@gmail.com TwispWorks 502 Glover Street, Twisp, WA 98856
Mazama Store
Methow Masala
(509) 996-2855 www.themazamastore.com 50 Lost River Rd Mazama, WA 98833
265 Riverside Ave Downtown Winthrop Next to Rocking Horse Bakery
See Display ad on page 11
See Display ad on page 19
McFarland Creek Lamb Ranch
Methow Valley Woolens
(509) 923-1916 www.thelambranch.com
McFarland Creek Lamb Ranch is a small sheep farm near the town of Methow. Our products include yarn (hand dyed/natural), roving, fleece and meat.
(509) 996-3159 sheep@methownet.com 19100 Hwy. 20 Winthrop, WA 98862
Natural grass-fed lamb & wool blankets from the wool of our sheep. We raise our animals humanely and deliver a natural, wholesome product while sustaining and improving the land.
See Display ad on page 18
See Display ad on page 16
Texas Creek Products
Molly’s Soap
Fresh salsa and specialty sauces made with locally grown chiles and other unique ingredients. Available at local stores and online.
1-800-231-2607 or (509) 997-5420 www.texascreekproducts.com PO Box 116 / 33 Old Carlton Rd Carlton, WA 98814
Handmade in the Methow Valley. Available online or at Glover St. Market, Mazama Store, Winthrop Evergreen IGA, Sun Mt. Lodge, Robins Egg Bleu and The Winthrop Store.
(509) 996-2620 www.mollyssoap.com molly@mollyssoap.com
See Display ad on page 14
See Display ad on page 13
Trick Pony
Robins Egg Bleu
(509) 997-7664 Located next to NCNB, across from Twisp Chevron Hwy. 20, Twisp Made in the Methow
Locally handcrafted culinary creations, including gourmet foods and functional art that celebrate the beauty, ingenuity and adventurous spirit of the Methow Valley.
A little bit of everything good...
See Display ad on page 14
30
(509) 996-3645 methowcyclesport.com rideyourbike@methowcyclesport.com See Display ad on page 2
Hotspot Fire Pits Made in the Methow Valley by craftspeople and skilled metalworkers who are dedicated to quality and longevity. Multiple (509)997-4766 sizes and a variety (888)295-4765 of accessories www.hotspotfirepits.com available. See Display ad on page 17
A full service bicycle and Nordic ski shop serving the Methow Valley since 2005.
See Display ad on page 18
Hank’s Harvest Foods Family owned and operated since 1975. Open Mon - Sat, 7am - 9pm & Sunday, 8am - 8pm
Methow Cycle & Sport
See Display ad on page 5
Fine Handcrafted Silver Jewelry by Jenni Tissell.
Antiques, collectibles, vintage home and garden. Repurposed, recycled and locally crafted décor and furniture. Whimsical and needful things. Patina and rust!!
(509) 996-8297 501 HWY 20 Winthrop, WA 98862 See Display ad on page 23
Made in the Methow Business Directory TwispWorks
Local Goods, cont. Wild Hearts Nursery Open Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10-5, AprilOctober. We grow and offer for sale a variety of trees, shrubs, perennials, vines and evergreens all raised right here in the Methow Valley.
(509) 341-4819 809 T/W Eastside Road PO Box 788 Winthrop, WA 98862 www.wildheartsnursery.com
See Display ad on page 21
Sunny Pine Farm Organic goat dairy featuring chevre, feta & yogurt.
(509) 997-4812 www.sunnypinefarm.com sunnypinedairy@gmail.com 932A Twisp River Road, Twisp, WA 98856
Local Organizations Methow Conservancy The Methow Conservancy is a non-profit organization (509) 996-2870 dedicated to inspiring people www.methowconservancy.org to care for and info@methowconservancy.org conserve the 315 Riverside Avenue/PO Box 71 land of the Winthrop, WA 98862 Methow Valley. See Display ad on page 10
USDA certified meat shop selling all varieties of MEATS natural meats. (509) 997-9353 Specializing www.thomsonscustommeats.com in handcrafted thomsonscustommeats@gmail.com sausage and 922 Twisp Carlton Rd. smoked meats.
Thomson’s
Twisp, WA 98856 See Display ad on page 9
Twisted Knitters LOGO mvtwistedknitters.com Located at TwispWorks 502 S. Glover St, Twisp, WA 98856
Offering locally handspun yarns, needles, notions, pure Romney wool yarns from the Methow Valley, hand-dyed in beautiful colors
See Display ad on page 2
Performances & Events Methow Arts Alliance Providing a diverse and compelling array of arts performances, events & public art. Connecting audiences with local artists' work through regional education and promotion of the arts.
Methow Recycles
See Display ad on page 5
Thomson’s Custom Meats STOM CU
(509) 997-3300 Email: info@twispworks.org www.twispworks.org 502 S. Glover Street / PO Box 517 Twisp, WA, 98856
(509) 997-0520 www.methowrecycles.org 12 Airport Road, Twisp
Inspiring and facilitating resource conservation through recycling, waste prevention and materials reuse in the Methow Valley. Open Tues. & Thurs. 10am-4pm, Sat. 9am-4pm
See Display ad on page 9
Three Rivers Hospital 24 Hour Emergency Services and Trauma Care; Baby Friendly Labor & (509)689-2517 Delivery; General, www.ThreeRiversHospital.net Same Day & Orthopedic Surgery 507 Hospital Way
Brewster, WA 98812
See Display ad on page 32
Winthrop Rythm & Blues Fest July 18, 19 & 20 - 2014 National and regional entertainment for all ages. On site camping, vendors, portable showers, and a beer garden.
Winthrop Music Assoc. P.O. Box 1092 Twisp, WA 98856 www.winthropbluesfestival.com See Display ad on page 3
KTRT 97.5 FM
Twisp Washington
(509) 997-2020 P.O. Box 686 Twisp, WA 98856 www.twispinfo.com info@twispinfo.com
(509) 997-4004 www.methowarts.org PO Box 723/109 2nd Ave. Twisp, WA 98856
Radio
See Display ad on page 26
See Display ad on page 8
A center for arts & culture, local agriculture, innovation, education & economic vitality in the Methow Valley.
In the heart of the Methow Valley, Twisp is a unique year-round vacation destination.
The Methow Valley’s own independent radio station featuring an eclectic mix of music and programming.
(509) 996-8200 PO Box 3008, Winthrop, WA 98862-3008 See Display ad on page 23 Made in the Methow
31
124 N Glover Street in downtown Twisp 509.997.1320
32
Made in the Methow