Crawford Bay is in the Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia, Canada. It is approximately 1 hour north of Creston and a 1/2 hour drive, plus a 35 minute free ferry ride across Kootenay Lake when coming from Nelson. We are a 7 1/2 hour drive from Calgary, 4 hours from Spokane, Washington, and 10 hours from Vancouver.
Barefoot Handweaving is in the middle of the Crawford Bay Artisans Walk along a short path to the Forge and Furnace Gallery next door, where you will find Breathless Glass, FireWorks Copper Enamel and Kootenay Forge. Across the road is North Woven Brooms, the Purple Door (Wizards) The Treehouse Artisan Bakery, Dog Patch Pottery and La Gala Jewelry.
This area is famous for having few people and much wilderness. Our studio is tucked back into the forest; only the front is open to the highway. We see all sorts of wildlife from the studio, including deer (sometimes too many) great blue herons, bald eagles, bears and weasels. In winter, there can be a lot of snow and we can cross-country ski from right outside our front door. We often find ourselves being observed by deer who leave nose prints on the windows and the front door.
Visiting is the best way to absorb the whole experience. Watch and ask questions as we warp the looms, choose colours, weave the cloth and sew the pieces together. If you are lucky, you may catch us taking the weaving off the loom before deciding how it will be transformed into items from our line of handwoven goods.