Meet our Team - Annie MacHale

We are starting our Introduction Series of our team members!

Today it is Annie MacHale.

She is located on the central coast of California, (near Santa Cruz).

The name of your store:

I have two Etsy shops, ASpinnerWeaver and iWeaveShashes

How long ago have you started weaving?

I started weaving in 1976, at the age of 17

What got you started weaving?  

I saw someone weaving on an inkle loom at a craft fair and became entranced with the little portable loom and the very practical items it was able to produce. I then went to the library and got a book, which had a plan for building a loom…

Any particular technique(s) that you enjoy the most?

Although I have tried my hand at tapestry and own a rigid heddle loom, it is inkle weaving that has my heart. 

What part the process makes you the most passionate?

I love playing with color and pattern! Sometimes the color arrangement surprises me once I get weaving; it may not be what I expected. I enjoy seeing pickup patterns form at my fingertips. With inkle weaving, I can finish a project in a day and be on to the next experiment.

What is your source of inspiration?

Everything! Other textiles, tree bark, butterflies, lots of natural things suggest color combinations and patterns to me. And sometimes, especially in my scarves, I’m just playing with combining the yarns I have on hand and consider them a sort of yarn collage. In them, I often mix yarns randomly, creating pebbly patterns.

 Where do you sell?

I really enjoy selling online through my Etsy shops. Many of my customers find me through Google or other search engines, not only from browsing Etsy. I also do a handful of shows a year. Some of the events I sell at are historic re-enactments of the Fur Trade Era. For these I have to dress in period costume and set up shop in a canvas tent. This has been a good niche market for me. (And that’s how I met my husband)

(that is my husband in period costume)

(my son and I)

In the light of upcoming Valentine day, what’s your idea of “romantic”?

Anytime I get time alone with my husband to spend it at our leisure - that is romantic. Going for a walk, watching a movie, holding hands, having tea, reading to each other.

Outside of your weaving business, do you work (or attend school)?

I am employed full time as a retail buyer and manager for 5 small shops in state parks across        Santa Cruz county.

What weaving activities or guilds to you participate in?

  

I'm a member of the Santa Cruz Handweavers Guild and am active on Weavolution. I regularly attend the Conference of Northern California Handweavers and last year attended Convergence for the first time. I have taught classes both locally, and in New Mexico.

Do you have a website, blog, Facebook page, or other online endeavors?

I write a weaving blog at www.ASpinnerWeaver.com,

my photo album is at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aspinnerweaver

and I am on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ASpinnerWeaver

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Thank you, Annie!

For those interested to learn more about our members, check us on
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1597557@N20/