Leslie K. Saari
Lacemaker
Photo credit: Grand Rapids Press 1987
Leslie's lacemaking education began in 1974, when she began Bobbin Lace studies under the tutorage of Mary McPeek of Ann Arbor. Over the following years, Leslie has participated both as student and as instructor at many lace workshops and conventions.
In 1987, her design was one of 4 pieces chosen to represent Lacemaking as part of the Folk Art Series of American Postal Stamps. In addition to the postal service issue of stamps; photographs of these stamps were published in many venues including: The Smithsonian Magazine, Country Home, Time and Newsweek, CrafTrends, Crafts Magazine, and Piecework.
Certificates received:
Beginning Bobbin Lacemaking from the Great Lakes Lace Group - 1994
Withof Duchesse issued from Sr. Judith (of the Withof Convent in the Netherlands) in 1998.
Leslie has lace pieces in the following permanent museum collections:
"Wexford Wildflowers" ~ 1991 Michigan Historical Museum; Lansing, Michigan
"A Lace Medallion" ~ 1976 Wexford County Museum; Ypsilanti, Michigan
"A Compliment to the Lace Stamp" ~ 1987 The Smithsonian; Washington, DC
"Elusive Butterfly" ~ 1990 Deming Luna Nimbres Museum; Deming, New Mexico
Leslie is a member of :
Great Lakes Lace Group, Inc. (1974);
International Old Lacers, Inc.
C.A.L.M. Capital Area Lacemakers of Michigan
Leslie and her husband, John, reside in Cadillac, Michigan. They have two daughters. Katrina resides in Lansing, Michigan and Kristen is currently a student in Binghamton, New York. Leslie continues to work part time at the local Bridal Salon in the alterations department. In addition to spending time with family and friends; she enjoys designing and experimenting with mixing lace techniques, often working on commissioned pieces. A local Cadillac art gallery houses many of her 'for sale' laceworks.