The Story Begins

Many years ago, perhaps 1992, I stumbled upon a new experience. I am not even sure exactly how it began. Somehow, I acquired two hand weaving looms. Each of them was able to produce cloth of about 45 inches wide. Scrounging up some acrylic yarn was not so difficult, and with the help of a book from the local public library, I began to experiment with the craft of hand weaving.
I was very soon entranced by the potential of this craft. With such simple tools and materials, a whole new world of possibilities were opened to my imagination. Locating printed materials as curriculum for my self motivated and administered education proved to be a challenge, but not an insurmountable one. Undaunted by my inexperience, I pressed on, using what little time I could steal from a busy life to learn and experiment. To my boundless imagination was added the reality of experience largely through the tough knocks of mistakes made and corrected.
After just a short time, I found myself overwhelmed by the capacity of such a simple mechanism as the hand-loom. With the very limited knowledge I had quickly obtained, I felt transported into a completely new world. Though I had become part of a small portion of people who could be called hand-weavers, I felt united through generations with people who knew hand-weaving as the only way they could obtain their own clothing and blankets.
My first major project was inspired by another library book — I produced two coverlets (bedspreads) made in the traditional structure called overshot weaving. It was an experience I will never forget. In just two weeks time, the magic of the hand loom had me in its spell. I was hooked to weaving in general and overshot specifically.
Not long after this project, the looms had to be retired and put aside in the face of more pressing needs.
Years went by.
Now, over the past six months, the passion for the hand woven fabric has been rekindled. I am pursuing at the present a hope to earn my living by producing products from hand looms. In a short time, I have acquired two Leclerc floor looms (60″ and 24″ width) and have been producing runs of various items using a variety of techniques. The desire to continue learning new things is driving my production, resulting in different items that I am now selling.
I am also finding that my interest is infectious. My three youngest sons are joining in the experimentation as I pass on to them the things I have learned and am learning as I go along. My wife is also helping with finishing work, and she wants to get her hands on one of the looms herself. Behold, a family cottage industry is being born.

Here I am, hard at work, hardly noticing that it is work. There will be more to come here as I experience new things and make new items.