Debra Ziegelmann’s latest God’s eye is impressive—three feet wide and alive with color and texture you’ll want to reach out and touch. “It’s a beautiful handicraft, the God’s eye,” says Debra. “The design originated in Mexico and Latin America and is just two sticks in the shape of a cross with a textile—usually yarn—wound around the cross. The design creates an eye in the middle—the God’s eye.”

“I don’t know if it’s the texture or the colors or just the experience folks have when seeing the eye, but most people want to run their hands over these pieces and have a tactile experience,” Debra says. “And I love that interaction—art should touch people and in this way they can touch back.”

Debra started fabric work young. “My mom taught my sister and I to sew, nearly 60 years ago. She died young, but our next door neighbor was a seamstress and anytime my sister or I would run into a problem with a pattern, she was always willing to help us out.” Those early experiences of sewing in community have stuck with Debra. “Now my sister and I work on projects that get sent all over the world, whether simple dresses or fabric hygiene products where disposable products aren’t readily available.”

In her booth in Starbuck, Debra will have a variety of God’s eyes, small enough to fit in the palm of your hand or large enough to hang on the wall. “I’m also bringing plants, mostly succulents and ivy vines, in fun pots and teapots to add even a bit more texture to your home or office.” She’ll also have several vintage quilts and potholders. “Every project has leftovers,” she laughs, “so the potholders are made from scraps, filled with felt, and I finish the edges like a quilt.”

Stop by her booth on August 1 & 2 in the Starbuck City Park. The Starbuck Vintage & Artisan Market will be open Friday, August 1st from 4-8 PM and Saturday, August 2nd from 9 AM-4 PM with the Lake Minnewaska Classic Car Show on Saturday from 10 AM-2 PM.