Two local artists have been recognized for their creations by the Saskatchewan Craft Council, and received "Juried Marketing Member" status. Morley Maier and Shelley Westberg create bird houses out of recycled materials.
Westberg says that Maier and herself originally began making willow baskets and chairs fifteen years ago. They started getting into recycling old material into bird houses ten years ago. The materials are things which she says others might see as being worthless.
"You start with a pile of junk, as they say, and you do some cutting, and some sanding and putting together and voila, you have a beautiful character home for the birds to live in," Westberg explains.
The basic components of the houses are all recycled material, and Westberg says that a large part of the process is finding people who have interesting material that they would otherwise just throw out.
"I have had my husband take some of my board treasures and put them on the burning pile," Westberg jokes.
The process of taking discarded material and making it into something else stems from a long interest in rustic materials.
"I've always had this vision when you drive by old yards, or you see something when it's run down. I would love to be able to look at that when it was in its prime and see the beauty when it was functional. That's what keeps me in awe of the whole creation of it, you take something that nobody else sees anything in, and you're able to create something that's very pretty and very functional," Westberg says.
The bird houses are built to spec to create fine homes for local birds, Westberg notes, though she admits some are used decoratively indoors.
The process of becoming recognized by the Saskatchewan Craft Council began with Maier, Westberg says, as he was already a Juried Marketing Member for his willow baskets. The pair brought fifteen examples to be judged by jury members in Saskatoon, where they are judged on aspects such as aesthetic appeal and workmanship quality. Being a juried member allows Maier and Westberg to present at four craft markets in the province.
Westberg admits that she finds it difficult to sell the houses, since she puts so much effort into their creation, but the status will allow them more opportunities to sell and get the houses out there.
Those interested in the houses can call Westberg at 744-8116 or Maier at 782-7287, and Westberg says that they will also be at the annual Sunflower Arts and Crafts show later this year.
