I have practiced many different arts over the years. I did lots of sewing when young, then made and sold beadwork, weaving, and soaps/body products at various times through my younger adult years. I left all those behind for various reasons – beading was too hard on my eyes and neck, I was tired of moving houses with a loom, and realized that hot oil and lye were not good to work with when I had a toddler in the house! Even when not doing my own art, I was supporting other artists by organizing the Annual Women’s Art Festival in Minneapolis since the late 90’s.

During Covid shutdown, I was very aware of needing to add more color back into my life and discovered the art of sewing rope bowls. This combines many of the elements of my earlier practices - playing with color, texture, fabric, and the unpredictability of the creative process in satisfying ways. I have since added the “jellyroll” rugs and bags as the process is similar and the colors and patterns are very satisfying to work with!

To make my bowls, I hand-dye cotton rope in a kind of tie-dye process that produces multi-colored, variegated rope. The sewing process produces one-of-a-kind bowls in a variety of sizes, shapes and color patterns. I enjoy the process in which I have limited degrees of control over all these elements,
watching each endeavor create a unique bowl; even 2 bowls from the same hank of rope will be
very different because of the variability of the dying process. I then added the fabric-wrapped bowls which uses beautifully patterned fabrics that, again, sew up into unique, colorful products, and more recently the jellyroll rugs, bags, and placemats.

I enjoy that my products are both “Decorative and Functional.” One can display them for their
inherent visual interest and beauty, or use them functionally in many ways. They are also sturdy, unbreakable, washable, and versatile.

Each of my products is one-of-a-kind. If you don’t see the size/color combination that works for you, reach out and we can work together to custom design what you are looking for.

Some suggestions for use (there are many more possibilities):
Small bowls – place on table near front door to safely keep keys in, place on dresser to hold
coins or jewelry, on desk to control small clutter, use as a yarn bowl while knitting, use on
kitchen table to serve individual servings of chips or crackers, turn upside down on table to
prop book or phone when reading.
Medium or larger bowls – keep on coffee table to corral remotes, line with napkin and use as
bread bowl or fruit bowl, store your yarn stash, store children’s collections such as Beanie
Babies or Legos, use as decorative plant holder, keep on bathroom sink to store products and
keep surfaces tidy.
Rugs can be used on the floor, on the walls or thrown over the back of a couch or chair as an accent.

- Naomi Siegal