Business, Community, Latest News

Dream Weaver

AHI features handwoven scarves in its gift shop

ARTHURDALE —  If you are looking for a handmade gift for someone special, Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. has you covered. The gift shop  has woven scarves for sale. The scarves are made on site,   most on looms from the 1920s.

“We are excited to be bringing weaving back to Arthurdale Heritage,” said Darlene Bolyard, director of Arthurdale Heritage Inc.  “Just like in the 1930s-40s, our weaving program is being used as a source of income for local artisans.  Many craft shows have been canceled and shops closed, which has dramatically impacted the income of artisans.”   

One of the  weavers, Linda Flemmer, said she has been weaving for more than two years, and has been a fiber artist all of her life.

 “I spin and had a lot of yarn and was wondering what to do with it,” she said. “At that time, Jill Gilcrest was teaching weaving at AHI, and I took the classes.  I also took classes from Wendy Clark.”

Flemmer said she enjoys the hobby.

“It’s interesting and creative. It’s an outlook to concentrate on when your life is hectic,” she said. “It’s a way to give back to AHI and help support their programs.”

Flemmer said she dyes her own material that she makes into  the scarves.

She said Wendy Clark, Rita Mulkeen and Carrie Hartsell  are also weaving  items to be sold in the AHI Gift Shop.

“Weaving brings a lot of art skills together. I would like to see weaving taken into the schools,” she said. “Weaving incorporates both color and math.”

She said when she was a child, her mother gave her and her brothers thread when they went on family trips.

“My brothers and I would sit in back and macrame,” she said. “All it took was thread and a few comic books, and we were good.”

Bolyard said items woven by the Arthurdale weavers  can be purchased in the craft shop and via the website.  A portion of the proceeds goes back into the weaving program. 

“Going forward, we hope to have classes specifically for children and grand families,” she said. “Weaving is something that families can do together as a part of home schooling or as a way to bond family members of all ages together.”   

AHI is looking for skilled weavers to teach classes.  If you would like to be a part of this  program, contact AHI at ahi@arthurdaleheritage.org  or call 304 864 3959.

TWEET @DominionPostWV