BRODHEAD - Jillian Cori Lippert's first mosaic class allowed her to create stepping stones. Her first one - while very beautiful, she said - broke while she was in the class.
So she came back to create another, and continued to create not only stepping stones but other mosaic and fused glass art.
The Oregon artist perfected her craft, and began selling her pieces, examples of which were among many works displayed by area artists at the very first Wildflower Festival and Wildflower Art Festival in Brodhead - held during Brodhead Covered Bridge Days.
"I ran out of friends and family to give too, so I started selling," Lippert said.
Co-chairs of the festival - Michele Benesh and Joella Miller - began planning the event last year, in part to give artisans like Lippert a place to display their work.
The Wildflower Festival and Wildflower Art Festival were conceived to celebrate the many native plantings that have been developed around the community, Benesh said, while adding a touch of art.
"We are hoping to raise awareness of not only the native plants we have but
... to attract (people) to the festival and talented artists," Benesh said. "We tried to think as artist of what we like at art festivals."
Benesh and Miller created a list of possible artists and screened them carefully.
"We were trying to make it a quality art show and not a craft show," Benesh said.
The festival, as well as the Covered Bridge Days event, drew people from all over. Nancy Reinekel of Stoughton came with her grandson. This was their first time in Brodhead. Reinekel said that after hearing an advertisement for the event, the family decided to give it a try.
"This is the first time we've been here, and I'm very impressed," she said. "There is a nice variety of things."
Lisa Regenhold has participated in Covered Bridge Days for about a decade, selling Stampin' Up and Avon items.
"My five-year-old granddaughter is here for the first time," Regenhold said, adding that (Covered Bridge Days) is a neat way to get my name out there."
Regenhold also said that the event helps showcase Brodhead to those visiting from out of town.
The festival gets its name from the National Award Winning Clarence Covered Bridge replica, constructed in 1984 by members of the Brodhead Jaycees.
The original covered bridge was located just south of Brodhead on Wisconsin 11/81; it spanned across the Sugar River. The bridge survived until 1931 when a 30-ton trailer truck crashed through the floor.
The replica, 112-foot structure is located at the first railroad trestle north of Golf Course Road on the bike trail.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provided wood from old barns and other buildings being demolished elsewhere in the state; the Jaycees raised money for the rest of the material.
So she came back to create another, and continued to create not only stepping stones but other mosaic and fused glass art.
The Oregon artist perfected her craft, and began selling her pieces, examples of which were among many works displayed by area artists at the very first Wildflower Festival and Wildflower Art Festival in Brodhead - held during Brodhead Covered Bridge Days.
"I ran out of friends and family to give too, so I started selling," Lippert said.
Co-chairs of the festival - Michele Benesh and Joella Miller - began planning the event last year, in part to give artisans like Lippert a place to display their work.
The Wildflower Festival and Wildflower Art Festival were conceived to celebrate the many native plantings that have been developed around the community, Benesh said, while adding a touch of art.
"We are hoping to raise awareness of not only the native plants we have but
... to attract (people) to the festival and talented artists," Benesh said. "We tried to think as artist of what we like at art festivals."
Benesh and Miller created a list of possible artists and screened them carefully.
"We were trying to make it a quality art show and not a craft show," Benesh said.
The festival, as well as the Covered Bridge Days event, drew people from all over. Nancy Reinekel of Stoughton came with her grandson. This was their first time in Brodhead. Reinekel said that after hearing an advertisement for the event, the family decided to give it a try.
"This is the first time we've been here, and I'm very impressed," she said. "There is a nice variety of things."
Lisa Regenhold has participated in Covered Bridge Days for about a decade, selling Stampin' Up and Avon items.
"My five-year-old granddaughter is here for the first time," Regenhold said, adding that (Covered Bridge Days) is a neat way to get my name out there."
Regenhold also said that the event helps showcase Brodhead to those visiting from out of town.
The festival gets its name from the National Award Winning Clarence Covered Bridge replica, constructed in 1984 by members of the Brodhead Jaycees.
The original covered bridge was located just south of Brodhead on Wisconsin 11/81; it spanned across the Sugar River. The bridge survived until 1931 when a 30-ton trailer truck crashed through the floor.
The replica, 112-foot structure is located at the first railroad trestle north of Golf Course Road on the bike trail.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provided wood from old barns and other buildings being demolished elsewhere in the state; the Jaycees raised money for the rest of the material.