Artists showcase unique wares at Salmon Days

Another Salmon Days has come and gone.

It was another weekend filled with community spirit, fish, food and artwork — and, a bit of rain.

Dozens of artists from all over the country migrated to Issaquah for the weekend to show off some of their wares.

Monica and Dale Archer came from Montana, to sell their artwork made from driftwood. The pieces revolved around the smooth pieces of wood that the Archers find along the Clark Fork River, near their home. They then add copper and clay to the pieces to create animal figurines.

"They're not repetitive," Monica said. "Each one is unique."

This was the Archers' first time at Salmon Days, and one they aren't likely to forget.

"There's a lot of people," Monica said. "Even with the weather."

Mary Zeiger said she has been coming to Salmon Days for eight years now, creating her unique candles — a task which, this year, was made more difficult by the cold, wet day.

Zeiger dips candles in hot wax, then takes a knife to the hot wax to twist it, which is difficult when it's windy and cold, she said.

The cold weather though didn't affect Lance Rigby though. Attending Salmon Days for his first time this year, Rigby won an "Artist in Action" award for his chainsaw carvings.

"I've been really impressed by the quality of art here," Rigby said.

He said he gets his inspiration for his work from wildlife art and photos. Other times, he will think of an animal he wants to carve then search the Internet for photos of the animal in question.

"It's my own design though," he said.

One of the most popular booths is the Hatterdashery, where Mike Leffler has handmade hats for many heads during Salmon Days past.

Leffler works at his booth, creating hats on his 1916 Singer Treadle sewing machine, which is foot-powered.

"It's definitely an antique," Leffler said.

He started using that particular machine because many times festivals like Salmon Days don't have power to the booths.

The bad weather didn't dampen Leffler's mood.

"It's hat-wearing weather," he said.

To see photos of artists, community members and more, check our photo galleries later this week at www.issaquah-reporter.com.

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