Behind the Magic
If SolPondera could speak, I imagine She would whisper: Of sunlit forests and the patient hands that shaped her. She would tell you that beauty is born from stillness, from listening to the land and honoring its gifts. Her voice would hum with heritage, reminding us that art is not made—it is remembered.
What She taught me: SolPondera taught me that craft is a dialogue, not a transaction. Each coil was a question, each stitch an answer passed down through generations. She showed me that knowledge is not consumed—it is entrusted, shared like a secret between hearts.
The reaction: They pause. They lean closer. Their fingers hover, afraid to disturb the quiet dignity of her weave. And then they smile—the kind of smile reserved for things that feel alive, things that carry stories.
The Story: From a Métis Elder
I sat at the table in a circle, pine needles in hand, guided by the wisdom of a Métis Elder whose voice carried both history and grace.
This was not just a workshop; it was a passage into heritage.
The Elder spoke of the land, of traditions that endured despite time’s insistence on forgetting. Each word felt like a thread, binding me to something larger than myself.
The craft itself was humbling. Ponderosa pine needles, long and supple, became my medium. Their earthy scent lingered as I coiled them into shape, stitching with sinew-like patience. It was slow work—deliberate, meditative. And in that slowness, I understood: this was not about making a basket. It was about honoring a lineage, about listening to the whispers of those who came before.
Knowledge here was not transactional; it was relational. The Elder did not “teach” in the way books do. Instead, she offered stories, gestures, and gentle corrections—a transfer of wisdom that felt sacred. I realized that learning in this way is an act of trust, a bridge between worlds.
When my basket was finally complete, it was small, imperfect, and utterly beautiful. I named her SolPondera because she holds more than pine needles—she holds sunlight, memory, and the quiet joy of creation.
Thank you for the workshop
Metis Elder, Linda van Wieringen
It’s a curated experience—a place where wild beauty truly meets refined artistry.
feral
It's these moments that make us who we are
What This Means for L’atelier Sauvage
It’s these kinds of workshops—these moments of learning, listening, and honoring—that shape what L’atelier Sauvage is. We are not just makers; we are gatherers of stories, seekers of heritage, and believers that beauty begins with connection. Every piece we create carries this philosophy: that art is not made—it is remembered.