Warped and Tangled

I’ve been a weaver for almost 30 years (Yikes!). My sister wanted to take a weaving weekend class at the Batik and Weaving Supplier in Arlington. I don’t think she ever touched a loom again and I haven’t been able to stay away from one. I own too many to count but stick with my basic three – a 16 harness AVL (seen in the photo) which is hooked up to a computer for designing patterns, an 8 harness Macomber bought at a yard sale for $200 (score!) and a 4 harness Schacht baby wolf also bought second hand. I love them all and nothing makes me happier than when they are all threaded and ready to weave.

I have an awesome husband (Paul) who told me to me quit my boring job at a bank to go back to school at Framingham State College where I got a B.S. in Clothing and Textile Design. Two of my favorite teachers are still with the program – Arlene Handschuch and Rebecca Taylor so if you know anyone interested in pursuing this, check it out. I met great people there.

Two kids later (Kristine and Eric) and production weaving at home for Sara Kaufmann Textiles, I knew I found utopia and a patient husband who put up with my looms and cones of yarn everywhere. When Sara took off for California to start a family of her own and I timidly ventured out to become part of a group of artists at the Brush Art Gallery and Studios in Lowell, Massachusetts. It’s located in the Lowell National Historic Park Visitor’s Center.  I have been there for 13 years now with the most awesome group of people and I don’t think they would call me timid. They are my second family. It is a great place to be part of. We are a co-op of 13 artists with our own studios. Our studios are open to the public whether I am there or not. They are also working studios so you can come in and see what I’m currently weaving. My AVL loom is there. We each take a turn being “on duty” to keep the gallery doors open and make sales for the artists. Please stop by and say hello and visit the studio shops.  Open Tues – Sat. 11am-4pm and Sun. noon-4pm.

I also have another studio at Western Avenue Studios in Lowell that I share with my sister, Lynne Chantler who spins, dyes and knits.  In this studio, I dye my yarns to weave with.  It’s open to the public on the first Saturdays of every month.