Artists excited about expansion of fiber arts shop; store to fill space left by Miranda

Customers aren't the only ones shopping at Ginko Studio. The artists who design the fiber arts that hang on the walls are looking for something too.

"Watch what you wear when you come in here," Sharon Denslow said. "We'll snatch anything."

The artists who design the scarves, quilts and beadwork that embroider the walls of the Ginko Studio are constantly looking for inspiration. Liz Burgess, the studio's founder, found it in Gingko leaves.

"The Gingko is a living fossil," Burgess said.

"Not unlike ourselves," Denslow interrupted.

"It's something different, but it lives on," Burgess said. Burgess pressed painted Gingko leaves to light green silk to create a visual symbol of the studio.

The studio was created last year. Although it is currently housed in the rear section of Miranda Books, the studio will soon expand to fill the space vacated by the used bookstore.

"I had been working at home, and I wanted a studio space where I wouldn't be so isolated," Burgess said. Burgess entered into a partnership with Denslow, Kathleen VanMeter and Diane Albery.

"It'll be real exciting," Burgess said. "You'll be able to see where we work and how we work. But it's sad we're not a bookstore."

The expanded studio will feature workspace, display and teaching areas.

"More and more people want to buy from us directly. Being a consumer has gotten pretty complicated," Burgess said. "People want to see and know who makes these things. People are more conscious of that now."

VanMeter said she believed people harbor a yearning to become part of the natural world that may be satisfied by appreciating and wearing fiber arts.

Although the four women have very different styles, their backgrounds are remarkably similar. Denslow, VanMeter and Burgess worked in social work before devoting themselves to their artistic careers.

"I took a vacation and started playing around with silk and colors," Burgess said. "I never went back."

"We need that release," VanMeter said. "We need this. We all have our own reasons."

"I'm a burnout from social work," Denslow said. Denslow served as director of the first shelter for battered women in Lorain County. Denslow was introduced to her art by her mother, who did beadwork when she was a child.

"I did some garment working later," Denslow said. "In other words, a sweatshop. I didn't get back to this again until my family was raised."

Denslow beads without a loom, and stiches quilts with incredible precision.

"She does everything the hard way," Burgess said. "She does everything the right way."

VanMeter quilts using a hammer and nails.

"It's beautiful," Denslow said.

The Ginko Studio hopes to open its expanded space in November.

"We're here to play," Burgesss said. "Can you tell we're excited?"

Gingko growth: Fiber arts studio will soon expand. (photo by John Matney)