March 2017, Janet Willems Fahey, Suzanne Thiesfeld & Barb Hone met at Dunn Brothers Coffee in downtown Chaska to brainstorm about the future of barn quilts of Carver County MN. What we knew: the original public art project had been inactive for years; there was a demand for more installations both from barn owners and from the community; we had interest in moving forward – making it happen.
It was quickly apparent that together we had the expertise and enthusiasm to grow the already amazing barn quilt trail – to expand the free, open-air art gallery. Having each contributed to the initial, non-profit barn quilt project, we knew the process. We knew the territory – both Janet & Suzanne were born in the County. We knew there were barn owners and businesses interested enough to pay for the art and the installation – individuals who would support the growth of the Carver County barn quilt trail.
We were already independent business women.
Suzanne is an artist: an accomplished oil, acrylic and watercolor painter. Surrounded by a family of quilters, she offers an excellent background of quilting design experience. Her company is Objects & Art, LLC. and she is also part owner of the prominent Shop 501 & Company in downtown Chaska. The shop offers antiques, vintage items, handmade articles and art for your home and garden.
For the original project, Barb wrote the newspaper articles that introduced the barn quilts and barn owners to the community. In collaboration with photographer, Jerry O’Dair, she created gifts and souvenirs displaying the barn quilt images – Barn Quilt Treasures, LLC. More recently, she compiled the stories and the photographs and published the book Barn Quilts of Carver County MN.
Janet was one of the original barn owners. She applied for a barn quilt to be installed on her family farm in Cologne. The bold Triple Tulip pattern was chosen to honor her Dutch heritage. She was part of the process: applying, choosing the pattern and helping paint it in a community setting. From the beginning, Janet heard folks stating their wish for tours and someone to share the stories – thus the budding offering – barn quilt tours. Using her impressive, professional business background, she started Barn Quilt Tours, LLC.
Collaboration. That day in March we agreed to jointly expand and promote the barn quilts of Carver County MN. Get to know us. Visit www.barnquiltsofccmn.com.