I thought I could count on that Owl! I decided not to make a Halloween costume this year. Instead, I've somehow managed to create an entire Halloween drama in my weaving studio. You may remember that Hector, my resident owl and self-appointed studio assistant, recently demanded a raise after some suspicious creatures appeared in the studio. Well, Halloween in rural Oregon can be a little spooky after dark. There was a dark forest path, my handwoven hooded shawl, and something

Hector, the Owl, is indignant and scared of the studio visitors today. Halloween is a favorite holiday of mine for all of the fun, slightly scary stuff. Making my own costume began in fourth grade. I sewed patches onto a long skirt for a witch costume. My inexpereinced stitches were long and crooked. Which probably made the costume more convincing. After all, who expects a witch to have perfect seams? My sewing skills have improved considerably since the fourth grade, but my

Getting sculptural

Hector the Owl has a few words

It took longer to tell the story than to weave the cloth!

There is something about a beautiful piece of handwoven cloth that makes it difficult to discard even the smallest remnant.

The first breath of salt air felt like someone opening a door inside me. Coming home to the Oregon Coast as fall begins has a way of doing that. Only a few days ago, I was driving 10 hours a day or unpacking the van for the art fair when it was 96 degrees. Hotels. Van malfunctions. Crowds. Empty hangers.

Here are three short videos giving you an inside view of my trip across the country heading to the St. Louis Art Fair. Last year I won an award, so was invited back this year. It is an honor and privilege to be a part of this show. Enjoy the videos. Sincerely, your road warrior artist Karen

The last jacket came off the table with the quiet relief that only makers know. I smiled, knowing that this was a special piece. One final stitch, one last check of the seams, one more look under good light. Then the studio shifted from making to packing.

The last jacket came off the table with the quiet relief that only makers know. I smiled, knowing that this was a special piece. One final stitch, one last check of the seams, one more look under good light. Then the studio shifted from making to packing. The van waits at first light. Boxes are stacked by the door. Garment bags are ready. Tools, lights, tags, racks, repair kit, booth weights, receipt books, and the odd thing nobody remembers until the last minute are all bei

The first jacket I made did not hang straight. One sleeve had more confidence than the other. The collar wanted to live its own life. I remember standing in front of the mirror, looking at all those hours of work, and thinking, “Well, at least it has personality.” That jacket taught me more than a perfect one could have. It taught me to look longer before cutting. It taught me that fabric has opinions. It taught me that seam ripping is not failure, just part of the conversati

The Nestucca Valley Artisans invite you and a guest to an evening inspired by art, music, and the Oregon Coast. Enjoy local wine and hor d'oeuvres, meet the artists and enjoy live music by Martin Hemens and Ben Erb. Join us for a preview evening held at the Kiawanda Community Center, 34600 Cape Kiwanda Dr, Pacific City, OR 97135 August 14, 2026 6-8 PM Please RSVP to nestuccaartisans@gmail.com We look forward to seeing you there! A local art show is more than a room filled wi

Karen Gelbard, The Oregon Weaver, shares the excitement of being published in the first issue of Tearsheet PDX magazine.

Karen Gelbard, The Oregon Weaver, shares the excitement of being published in the first issue of Tearsheet PDX magazine.

The Sea is a short reflection on coastal inspiration, handwoven textiles, and the way the Oregon Coast becomes part of Karen Gelbard’s work.

Explore new work from The Oregon Weaver and see how handwoven textiles become one-of-a-kind garments.

A Trash Bag garment design from the workshop with Karen Gelbard, The Oregon Weaver.

A Trash Bag garment design from the workshop with Karen Gelbard, The Oregon Weaver.

Garments created during the workshop taught by Karen Gelbard, The Oregon Weaver to the Tacoma Weaver's via Zoom.