Braided Rugs

Glen VanAntwerp (Tustin, Michigan)
When he is not working as a computer systems specialist, Glen VanAntwerp makes cedar fans, a skill he learned from his father, Stan VanAntwerp. According to Glen, "As a child, Pa taught me to make cedar fans. I rather think that Grandpa Van learned it from his dad too, who was a Michigan lumberjack." The technique is relatively easy. As Glen once said, all that is needed to make fans is "a block of cedar wood, a sharp-bladed knife, perhaps some water, a little skill, a lot of patience, and a desire to either pass the time or to make something beautiful."

Glen is well aware of the historical, ethnic, occupational, and family origins of his own carving skills. He passed on his knowledge of cedar fan making to his son Jeremy and daughter Sara when they were children. When Sara was married, each of the bridesmaids carried a carved fan in lieu of a floral bouquet. Now adults, Sara and Jeremy continue to make fans and plan to teach their own children.