The Story of Weasel Works
Gary (nicknamed “The Weasel”) has always had a love of wood since high school.
He has always wanted a wood lathe, and in Christmas of 2012 his incredible wife Barb, (known as “The Dragon”) surprised him with his first lathe!
When he retired from the U of A (after 34 years), Bertha (yes, his lathe does have a name) was looking for a new home.
Once the lathe was installed in his work-shop (a feat that took six men to pull off!) there was no stopping the Weasel.
Barb encouraged him to fully pursue his passions full-time. He began with vases, coasters, bowls, and even wizarding wands!
Barb, an avid crocheter, asked one day if he could make a yarn bowl. Before you knew it, he had found his niche in the wonderful fibre community!
He now focuses on providing yarn bowls and crochet hooks.
Seam rippers are newly available, and yarn bowl bags made by the very talented Crafty Bass are showcased as well.
Weasel Works travels around to a number of fibre shows throughout Alberta, and also ventures to BC and Saskatoon
where Gary will band together with other artists and shop owners to collaborate on new projects.
The Weasel is always on the hunt for new ideas to try!
Dedication to The Dragon
This venture would never have been possible without the unwavering dedication, inspiration, love, and support
of Gary’s wife Barb, lovingly referred to as The Dragon, who we lost in the summer of 2023.
She was a crafter and fibre artist who loved to crochet. Arthritis caused her to be unable to practice the craft she so enjoyed.
She was the motivation leading to Gary creating his famous yarn bowls & the wood-handled crochet hooks that saved her hands,
which allowed her to go on to spend wonderful hours teaching her daughter Kyra how to crochet
and passing along the love of the craft, thus turning Weasel Works into a true family endeavor.
We unfortunately lost her to cancer in the spring of 2023.
She will continue to inspire Weasel Works and is guiding him and Kyra in every new creation.
Meet The Weasel!
Weasel Works is run by Gary Sedgwick,
who goes by the nickname Weasel.
He is the Weasel, and he does the work!
After 34 years in the research and education field, he retired to pursue
his passion for turning wood (preferably re-purposed wood) into
functional works of art.
Gary is a self-taught carver and wood-turner, as well as an active member of the Northern Alberta Wood Carvers Association and the Edmonton Wood Turners Guild.
Meet the Staff of Weasel Works
Kyra -The Sales Gal
Kyra is Gary’s lovely daughter and you can usually find her
alongside him at the Weasel Works booth.
She truly believes in all the products that her dad makes,
and uses her bowls and hooks with pride and delight!
If not at the booth that means she’s watching over the
other loyal Weasel Works employees.
Persephone - The Product Tester
Perse is the product tester.
She always wants to try out the latest Weasel Works hooks.
She might look like a sweetie,
but routinely there are attempts to steal her mom Kyra’s yarn!
Duchess is the Shop Foreman.
She starts the day by checking that the Weasel is in the workshop
like he should be, and then blows the whistle
at the end of the day when it’s time for dinner.
Ever heard of a cat in charge of a weasel before?
Duchess -The Shop Foreman
The Previous Staff Of Weasel Works
While these employees have moved on to greener pastures, they will always be in our fondest memories, and were key to helping build Weasel Works.
Wally crossed over the rainbow bridge in 2017.
He always made sure Gary left the shop to
stretch his legs and get fresh air.
Daily walks at the dog park were a must.
Piper crossed over the rainbow bridge in 2021.
She always reminded Gary when it was snack time,
to make sure he kept up his energy.
Piper was a true foodie - spicy foods were her favourite!