Once again the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve is hosting a silent auction at this years 25th Annual Meeting! We are featuring a variety of unique handcrafted pieces made by local artisans. All pieces are custom made and materials were harvested and or collected from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. If you cannot join us for the annual meeting on Saturday October 17th, you are still able to bid on these items by calling in or emailing us! Bidding will go beyond the 17th, ending on October 30th at noon. If you are the highest bidder we will inform you the afternoon of the 30th and arrange for the pick up of your auction item. All proceeds go towards keeping our programs afloat, so we greatly appreciate your generosity. Call in or email sarah@yellowdogwatershed.org / (906)373-6740 for bidding and or questions.

Enjoy the craftsmanship of these one of a kind items and happy bidding!

 

1. Hand Forged Knife with Case. Handmade by Gordon Gearhart of Marquette, MI. Hand forged steel blade made from an old sled runner, with a maple handle. Maple wood case with leather belt strap, handmade by John Jungwirth from Ishpeming, MI.

Starting Bid $175.00

 

 

2. Custom Birch Bark Picture Frames. Handcrafted by John Anderson of Marquette, MI. Frame dimensions are 15.5″ x 18.5″. Matted photo opening is 8″x 10″. Birch bark was harvested locally here in the UP. There are 2 frames up for auction. The first includes a picture of a sharp shinned hawk – photo taken by John Anderson near the Big Garlic River in Marquette County in the spring of 2014. The second includes a picture of a ruffed grouse – photo taken by Lisa Anderson within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, in the spring of 2015.

Starting Bid $100.00 each

 

 

3.  Spalted Yellow Birch Table. Handcrafted by John Anderson of Marquette, MI. Dimensions for table top are 16″ x 24″. The height is 21″. Table top was acquired from YDWP property at the Gateway to the McCormick. The top sits on diamond willow legs salvaged from the Seney Swamp in the central UP. It features a beautiful and unique copper inlay, that of which was collected from the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Starting Bid $300.00

 

 

4. Spruce Log Coat Hanger. Handcrafted by John Anderson of Marquette, MI. Dimensions are 48″ long by approximately 7″ in width. This spruce log was harvested from deadfall in Marquette County. The unique and varied engraved markings on the wood are caused by spruce budworm. The six pegs are driftwood collected along the shores of Lake Superior.

Starting Bid $185.00

 

 

5. A Collection of 4 Books by Carl R. Sams II & Jean Stoick. From the creators of Stranger in the Woods, Carl Sams and Jean Stoick, have generously donated a selection of their work to our cause. They are professional wildlife photographers and authors of numerous books featuring their photography, targeted for children and adults alike. Aside from their downstate Michigan residence, Carl and Jean have a home and property right here within the Yellow Dog Watershed, taking every opportunity to photograph landscapes and wildlife throughout the seasons. You will receive autographed copies of Stranger in the Woods along with a plush snowman, Children in the Woods, A Magical Winter and I Am Africa.

Starting Bid $65.00

 

6. 2 Landscape Photographs by Carl R. Sams II. Another generous donation by Carl Sams, these photos capture the beauty and serenity of the woods surrounding Carl’s home along the County Road 510. The first is a picture in the fall of the season off the County Road 510 nearing the ‘Weeping Rocks’. Dimensions are 39.5″ wide by 27.5″ tall. The second is a picture, also in the fall of the year, along the Big Pup Creek, showcasing its intimate falls. Dimensions are 38.5″ wide by 25.5″ tall.  Both pictures were printed by Carl on foam board and personally signed.

Starting Bid $100.00/each