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Marian Vavra Wheat Art
 | Put straw in my hands and I am a happy person! Marian SyWassink Vavra gathers and artistically works with wheat. During the beginning of June every year, Marian cuts the first harvest from the bountiful Kansas wheat fields, doing so a week to ten days before the wheat is ready for the farmers to combine. She uses a hand-held sickle to cut heirloom Turkey Red and Larned wheat varieties along with the newest production varieties from her garden and area farms. Sundried, cleaned and sorted, the golden wheat is ready to use. From this wheat she creates traditional and contemporary straw art, specializing in sacred religious symbols. Marian creates harvest symbols, love tokens, house blessings, ornaments, jewelry, crosses, and much more. She is available for commissioned artwork, group presentations and hands-on projects. And, she works with families to design memorial art from the last wheat harvests of their loved ones. In 2016, Marian published her book Celebrating the Cross: The Sanctuary Crosses of Marian SyWassink Vavra. Woven into this colorful, photograph-filled book are the stories and inspiration for the design of nine masterpiece crosses. It is also a comprehensive how-to, technique filled book with instructions and illustrations so others can recreate her art and make their own. For more information, visit https://www.fromthelandofkansas.com/member/marian-vavra-wheat-art |
Celebrating the Cross by Marian Vavra
Celebrating the Cross
The Sanctuary Crosses of Marian SyWassink Vavra
In 2016, Marian published her book Celebrating the Cross: The Sanctuary Crosses of Marian SyWassink Vavra. Woven into this colorful, photograph-filled book are the stories behind and inspirations for the design of nine masterpiece straw crosses, as well as the prayer written on the back of each. In addition to providing detailed instructions for crosses or companion projects, experienced wheat artist Marian SyWassink Vavra explains the specific techniques needed to complete the artwork. The book is also a comprehensive how-to, technique filled book with instructions and illustrations so others can recreate her art and make their own.
Book size is 8.5" x 11" (21.59 x 27.94 cm) and is 134 pages .
The Sanctuary Crosses of Marian SyWassink Vavra
In 2016, Marian published her book Celebrating the Cross: The Sanctuary Crosses of Marian SyWassink Vavra. Woven into this colorful, photograph-filled book are the stories behind and inspirations for the design of nine masterpiece straw crosses, as well as the prayer written on the back of each. In addition to providing detailed instructions for crosses or companion projects, experienced wheat artist Marian SyWassink Vavra explains the specific techniques needed to complete the artwork. The book is also a comprehensive how-to, technique filled book with instructions and illustrations so others can recreate her art and make their own.
Book size is 8.5" x 11" (21.59 x 27.94 cm) and is 134 pages .
$50.00
Marian Vavra Wheat Art: Harvest Favors, Hearts and Knots
If the art piece is already made, it will be mailed out in two to three days. If the piece needs to be handmade, Marian will need one to three weeks. Marian will be in communication with the customer through email, text, or phone during this time.
Material - Each piece is made from hand-cut Kansas Hard Red Winter Wheat
Kansas Favor: Harvest decorations come in many forms as a favor or token. This Kansas Favor is one of the simplest and uses four to six straws tied at the base of the wheat heads. As the plaiting builds it creates a long, pliable length of round or zigzag textured straws. When finished the ends are tied back onto itself, forming a lovely looped shape. A red and black checked ribbon decorates the favor or Marian will work with the customer for ribbon variations.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 3¼” w x 7½”h cardstock for packaging.
Country Favor: Harvest decorations come in many forms as a favor or token. This harvest token is called the Country Favor and is made with four to six straws tied at the base of the wheat heads. The straw is plaited using one of several techniques. Before tying the plait back to the heads, it is given a full circle twist which creates a smaller loop within the larger one. A green and white checked ribbon decorates the favor or Marian will work with the customer for ribbon variations.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 3 ¾” w x 7½”h cardstock for packaging.
Kansas Heart Favor: Perhaps the favorite harvest designs is the Kansas Heart Favor. Four or six straws are tied at the base of the wheat heads and are plaited using one of several different techniques. A red and black checked ribbon decorates the favor or Marian will work with the customer for ribbon variations.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 3½” w x 7½”h cardstock for packaging.
SEE BELOW FOR MORE DESCRIPTIONS
Material - Each piece is made from hand-cut Kansas Hard Red Winter Wheat
Kansas Favor: Harvest decorations come in many forms as a favor or token. This Kansas Favor is one of the simplest and uses four to six straws tied at the base of the wheat heads. As the plaiting builds it creates a long, pliable length of round or zigzag textured straws. When finished the ends are tied back onto itself, forming a lovely looped shape. A red and black checked ribbon decorates the favor or Marian will work with the customer for ribbon variations.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 3¼” w x 7½”h cardstock for packaging.
Country Favor: Harvest decorations come in many forms as a favor or token. This harvest token is called the Country Favor and is made with four to six straws tied at the base of the wheat heads. The straw is plaited using one of several techniques. Before tying the plait back to the heads, it is given a full circle twist which creates a smaller loop within the larger one. A green and white checked ribbon decorates the favor or Marian will work with the customer for ribbon variations.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 3 ¾” w x 7½”h cardstock for packaging.
Kansas Heart Favor: Perhaps the favorite harvest designs is the Kansas Heart Favor. Four or six straws are tied at the base of the wheat heads and are plaited using one of several different techniques. A red and black checked ribbon decorates the favor or Marian will work with the customer for ribbon variations.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 3½” w x 7½”h cardstock for packaging.
SEE BELOW FOR MORE DESCRIPTIONS
$16.50
Marian Vavra Wheat Art: Symbolic Ornaments
If the art piece is already made, it will be mailed out in two to three days. If the piece needs to be handmade, Marian will need one to three weeks. Marian will be in communication with the customer through email, text, or phone during this time.
Material - Each piece is made from hand-cut Kansas Hard Red Winter Wheat
Treble Clef: Music symbols are meaningful for many people. Here six stems of Kansas wheat are woven together to create a lovely, round textured plait. Carefully twisted into the shape of the Treble Clef, this art piece makes a special gift for music lovers. A red and black checked ribbon decorates this treble clef or Marian will work with the customer for ribbon variations.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 4.5” w x 9”h cardstock for packaging.
Flower Ornament: A ring of plaited wheat straw makes this a lovely ornament as it showcases the wheat heads in an artistic way. Six straws are wrapped around a straw-covered-wire to create this unique design called an arrow-plait. When the plaiting is finished Marian takes her thumb and forefinger and bends it into the shape of a circle or oval. A silk or paper flower is added to the wheat heads along with a bit of ribbon. Here the ornament uses a pink paper rose and a jute bow or Marian will work with the customer for embellishment variations.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 3½” w x 5”- 6”h cardstock for packaging.
Horseshoe and Tassel: Kansas has a strong culture of horse breeding, raising them for pleasure and for ranching. This ornament pays honor to them by using straw with an authentic horsehair tassel and a horseshoe nail. The horseshoe shape uses six straws wrapped around a straw-covered-wire to create this unique design called an arrow-plait. When the plaiting is finished Marian takes her thumb and forefinger and bends it into the horseshoe shape. The tassel and nail are then tied on to complete the art piece.
Material - Hand-cut Kansas Hard Red Winter Wheat, authentic horseshoe nails and horsehair.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 3½” w x 5”- 6”h cardstock for packaging.
From Field to Table Sunflower Ornament: This wheat weaving design was created by Marian to decorate the dinner plates for a Kansas harvest celebration in 2018. She and Daughter Christy made eighty five of them! Each one uses seven straws to create the arrow-plait. The sunflower is made from yellow and orange dyed straw that is flattened and applied with glue to a lightweight paper. When dried, a paper punch cuts the flower shapes. A green checked ribbon finishes the ornament.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 5”- 6” w x 8”- 9”h cardstock for packaging.
Candy Cane or Sheppard’s Crook: Biblically known as the Sheppard’s Crook this traditional Christmas ornament will look festive on the Christmas tree or used as a package tie for the presents under the tree. A red and black checked ribbon decorates the ornament. Marian will work with the customer for ribbon variations.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 5” w x 8 ½” h cardstock for packaging.
Material - Each piece is made from hand-cut Kansas Hard Red Winter Wheat
Treble Clef: Music symbols are meaningful for many people. Here six stems of Kansas wheat are woven together to create a lovely, round textured plait. Carefully twisted into the shape of the Treble Clef, this art piece makes a special gift for music lovers. A red and black checked ribbon decorates this treble clef or Marian will work with the customer for ribbon variations.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 4.5” w x 9”h cardstock for packaging.
Flower Ornament: A ring of plaited wheat straw makes this a lovely ornament as it showcases the wheat heads in an artistic way. Six straws are wrapped around a straw-covered-wire to create this unique design called an arrow-plait. When the plaiting is finished Marian takes her thumb and forefinger and bends it into the shape of a circle or oval. A silk or paper flower is added to the wheat heads along with a bit of ribbon. Here the ornament uses a pink paper rose and a jute bow or Marian will work with the customer for embellishment variations.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 3½” w x 5”- 6”h cardstock for packaging.
Horseshoe and Tassel: Kansas has a strong culture of horse breeding, raising them for pleasure and for ranching. This ornament pays honor to them by using straw with an authentic horsehair tassel and a horseshoe nail. The horseshoe shape uses six straws wrapped around a straw-covered-wire to create this unique design called an arrow-plait. When the plaiting is finished Marian takes her thumb and forefinger and bends it into the horseshoe shape. The tassel and nail are then tied on to complete the art piece.
Material - Hand-cut Kansas Hard Red Winter Wheat, authentic horseshoe nails and horsehair.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 3½” w x 5”- 6”h cardstock for packaging.
From Field to Table Sunflower Ornament: This wheat weaving design was created by Marian to decorate the dinner plates for a Kansas harvest celebration in 2018. She and Daughter Christy made eighty five of them! Each one uses seven straws to create the arrow-plait. The sunflower is made from yellow and orange dyed straw that is flattened and applied with glue to a lightweight paper. When dried, a paper punch cuts the flower shapes. A green checked ribbon finishes the ornament.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 5”- 6” w x 8”- 9”h cardstock for packaging.
Candy Cane or Sheppard’s Crook: Biblically known as the Sheppard’s Crook this traditional Christmas ornament will look festive on the Christmas tree or used as a package tie for the presents under the tree. A red and black checked ribbon decorates the ornament. Marian will work with the customer for ribbon variations.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 5” w x 8 ½” h cardstock for packaging.
$21.00
Marian Vavra Wheat Art: Angels and Maidens
If the art piece is already made, it will be mailed out in two to three days. If the piece needs to be handmade, Marian will need one to three weeks. Marian will be in communication with the customer through email, text, or phone during this time.
Garden Maiden: This sweet maiden adds a decorative accent to a garden themed table or wall display. Using twenty five straws with heads, Marian first creates the skirt by tying at the waist and continues on up forming the arms, neck, head, and lastly the hair. A crown of straw is added behind the maiden. She is embellished with a two-needle flower using straw thread and a green ribbon.
Material - Hand-cut Kansas Hard Red Winter Wheat
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 5½”- 6” w x 7”- 8”h cardstock for packaging.
Kansas Angel: This art piece is a lovely way to share Kansas wheat with people who love angels. This angel was selected as MSN.com/PopSugar April 2015 America’s 50 Best Souvenirs by State ~Kansas. “Kansas is one of the country’s largest wheat-producing states, and wheat weavings, like an angel by Marian Vavra, demonstrate the region’s special heritage.” A red ribbon with a dyed straw rose decorates her waist or Marian will work with the customer for ribbon variations.
Material – Hand-cut Kansas Hard Red Winter Wheat
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 9½” w x 8½”h cardstock for packaging.
Garden Maiden: This sweet maiden adds a decorative accent to a garden themed table or wall display. Using twenty five straws with heads, Marian first creates the skirt by tying at the waist and continues on up forming the arms, neck, head, and lastly the hair. A crown of straw is added behind the maiden. She is embellished with a two-needle flower using straw thread and a green ribbon.
Material - Hand-cut Kansas Hard Red Winter Wheat
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 5½”- 6” w x 7”- 8”h cardstock for packaging.
Kansas Angel: This art piece is a lovely way to share Kansas wheat with people who love angels. This angel was selected as MSN.com/PopSugar April 2015 America’s 50 Best Souvenirs by State ~Kansas. “Kansas is one of the country’s largest wheat-producing states, and wheat weavings, like an angel by Marian Vavra, demonstrate the region’s special heritage.” A red ribbon with a dyed straw rose decorates her waist or Marian will work with the customer for ribbon variations.
Material – Hand-cut Kansas Hard Red Winter Wheat
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 9½” w x 8½”h cardstock for packaging.
$38.00
Marian Vavra Wheat Art: Jewelry
If the art piece is already made, it will be mailed out in two to three days. If the piece needs to be handmade, Marian will need one to three weeks. Marian will be in communication with the customer through email, text, or phone during this time.
Plaited Bracelet: Straw bracelets are fun to wear and can be made with a variety of plaits. This bracelet is beautifully made using the tallest straw from the field ~ six exceptionally long straws without the wheat heads. The six-straw fill-the-gap plait is the method of moving these straws into their positions with every turn. When plaited, the two ends of the plait are carefully tied together and finished with cotton pearl thread.
Material - Hand-cut Kansas Hard Red Winter Wheat
Size - The inside diameter is approximately 2⅝” with a little give when slipping the bracelet on. The outside diameter varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 3½” w x 5”- 6”h cardstock for packaging.
Plaited Earrings: Straw earrings are fun to wear as they are lightweight, full of movement and a way to showcase wheat with various beads. The plaits use three to six straws per earring. The earrings in the photo show ceramic white beads with green and lavender flowers. The earrings are finished with fishhooks and clutches. Marian will work with the customer on other beads and jewelry finding options.
Material - Hand-cut Kansas Hard Red Winter Wheat, glass, wooden, metal beads
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 2¾” w x 3¾”h cardstock for packaging.
Plaited Bracelet: Straw bracelets are fun to wear and can be made with a variety of plaits. This bracelet is beautifully made using the tallest straw from the field ~ six exceptionally long straws without the wheat heads. The six-straw fill-the-gap plait is the method of moving these straws into their positions with every turn. When plaited, the two ends of the plait are carefully tied together and finished with cotton pearl thread.
Material - Hand-cut Kansas Hard Red Winter Wheat
Size - The inside diameter is approximately 2⅝” with a little give when slipping the bracelet on. The outside diameter varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 3½” w x 5”- 6”h cardstock for packaging.
Plaited Earrings: Straw earrings are fun to wear as they are lightweight, full of movement and a way to showcase wheat with various beads. The plaits use three to six straws per earring. The earrings in the photo show ceramic white beads with green and lavender flowers. The earrings are finished with fishhooks and clutches. Marian will work with the customer on other beads and jewelry finding options.
Material - Hand-cut Kansas Hard Red Winter Wheat, glass, wooden, metal beads
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 2¾” w x 3¾”h cardstock for packaging.
$23.00
Marian Vavra Wheat Art: Crosses
If the art piece is already made, it will be mailed out in two to three days. If the piece needs to be handmade, Marian will need one to three weeks. Marian will be in communication with the customer through email, text, or phone during this time.
Material - Each piece is made from hand-cut Kansas Hard Red Winter Wheat
Tied Kansas Straw Cross: There is simplicity in the lines of this cross. Using just twelve straws this cross becomes a beautiful Christian symbol.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 5”- 5½” w x 7”- 10”h cardstock for packaging.
Cross with Red Heart: Wheat straws are tied into a Latin style cross. The center is embellished with the wheat heads and a red straw heart. Kansas straw is a fiber so it accepts the fabric dye used to color it. Here a scarlet red dye is used to create the heart as a symbol of Christ’s love.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 5½” w x 8”- 10”h cardstock for packaging.
The Cross on the Hill © 2000 Marian Vavra: From time to time Marian creates wheat art with a special purpose in mind. This is one of them and here is her story. The Cross on the Hill was designed in the fall of 2000 as the special workshop project for the Women's Retreat of Grace Presbyterian Church in Wichita, Kansas. She was asked to teach forty women to make a symbolic reminder of their retreat experience. The retreat theme was based on finding Sabbath moments. The experience of making the cross provided a Sabbath moment for the women. The imagery of this cross is relevant to her surroundings. There is a real cross that sits on top of a hill in the middle of the Kansas Flint Hills. If you drive on the Kansas Turnpike, also known as I-35, north of Wichita, you come around the bend after leaving the Matfield Green rest stop heading toward Emporia. Looking up at mile marker 101 on top of the limestone hill you will see this old, wooden hewn cross. It sits in the middle of pastureland where it is a silent yet resilient statement of the Risen Lord. The Cross on the Hill was designed in the likeness of this cross, with the simple, tied straw cross arms anchored into the hill of wheat heads.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on an 8½” w x 10”- 11”h cardstock for packaging.
SEE BELOW FOR MORE DESCRIPTIONS
Material - Each piece is made from hand-cut Kansas Hard Red Winter Wheat
Tied Kansas Straw Cross: There is simplicity in the lines of this cross. Using just twelve straws this cross becomes a beautiful Christian symbol.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 5”- 5½” w x 7”- 10”h cardstock for packaging.
Cross with Red Heart: Wheat straws are tied into a Latin style cross. The center is embellished with the wheat heads and a red straw heart. Kansas straw is a fiber so it accepts the fabric dye used to color it. Here a scarlet red dye is used to create the heart as a symbol of Christ’s love.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on a 5½” w x 8”- 10”h cardstock for packaging.
The Cross on the Hill © 2000 Marian Vavra: From time to time Marian creates wheat art with a special purpose in mind. This is one of them and here is her story. The Cross on the Hill was designed in the fall of 2000 as the special workshop project for the Women's Retreat of Grace Presbyterian Church in Wichita, Kansas. She was asked to teach forty women to make a symbolic reminder of their retreat experience. The retreat theme was based on finding Sabbath moments. The experience of making the cross provided a Sabbath moment for the women. The imagery of this cross is relevant to her surroundings. There is a real cross that sits on top of a hill in the middle of the Kansas Flint Hills. If you drive on the Kansas Turnpike, also known as I-35, north of Wichita, you come around the bend after leaving the Matfield Green rest stop heading toward Emporia. Looking up at mile marker 101 on top of the limestone hill you will see this old, wooden hewn cross. It sits in the middle of pastureland where it is a silent yet resilient statement of the Risen Lord. The Cross on the Hill was designed in the likeness of this cross, with the simple, tied straw cross arms anchored into the hill of wheat heads.
Size - The size varies due to the natural properties of wheat. The piece is sewn into place on an 8½” w x 10”- 11”h cardstock for packaging.
SEE BELOW FOR MORE DESCRIPTIONS
$16.50