Help Support My Creative Fiber Art Studio

Hi, I'm Amy, I've been creating with fibers since I was very young. I grew up with needlework, sewing, knitting, quilting and became interested in handspinning early. My mother and I fixed up a great wheel that was in my grandmother's house and I got wool from a local sheep farmer we knew and the journey began. Eventually I moved on to a treadle wheel and then had the opportunity to weave my yarn on an antique barn frame loom a weaver set up for a local museum exhibit. Eventually, I was given a couple looms and began to weave on my own during school breaks and summer holidays. After receiving my undergraduate degree, I looked for an apprenticeship or training program and interned and worked at Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield MA, where I realized my skills were well grounded and mostly needed practice.

1989 Handspinning demonstration

I was also interested in textiles and in culture and history. This led to pursuing a graduate degree in Textiles at the University of Rhode Island. I found a museum job working in the collections of the Allentown Art Museum, but missed hands-on creativity. To learn more about creative businesses, I worked for a potter and for a woodworker, until I realized I just had to jump in and start for myself, to get to where they were.

In 1998, I established my business as a combined weaving and fiber arts Studio and Gallery to share my creative journey and finished work with others. I began by going to artisan fairs, along the way joining with another weaver who wanted more of a studio shop. We eventually shared space, which I completely moved my business in when she took a break. Learning and growing, I found success in the model of a combined Studio & Gallery, where I could create and teach and visitors could see how weaving looms worked, and they could purchase my work, directly.

Studio & Gallery in Adamsville, RI

I relocated "into town" after a few years into more of a retail shop space, in Tiverton Four Corners, RI and then to an old Grange hall further down the street, where I was settled for about 10 years.

Studio & Gallery in Tiverton Four Corners, RI

I've made the Studio & Gallery my full-time business, not just a hobby, and I work every day on it in some way. I am committed to spending my time trying to make a positive impact on others through my artistic work and creative space, teaching the art and craft of weaving and fiber arts, and exploring creative ideas and inspiration.

Studio & Gallery in the Nonquit Grange at the Mill Pond Shops, Tiverton, RI

During the Covid Pandemic I had to pivot and move my location unexpectedly. Finding a suitable place to land, not knowing whether retail would return was a big issue. I moved into a renovated Mill building in New Bedford, MA with other artists, hoping for the best. I didn't realize how far out of the way it was and the group of artists were going through their own changes, most only opened their studios to the public once or twice a year, when I was used to a busy business retail district.

Studio & Gallery, New Bedford, MA

Rebuilding my customer base in the new location has been a challenge in so many ways, almost like starting over. Trying to get people to visit, take classes and shop, expanding my shop online, marketing and keeping up with my website take a lot of time beyond actually creating. I still haven't succeeded in getting other artists on board to work together to create a regular destination spot, either.

It's hard for me to ask for help as an independent artist and business for so many years, but I have to get creative so am trying this route. I applied for art grant funding from the state for 3 years and was not accepted. I'm not sure what the next several years will bring, either. Fortunately, I've been able to get some support from family, but I would like to connect with more folks who like my work and my studio and will perhaps join my team and help contribute to my success. My goal is to get the studio back on it's feet this year, and if needed, find another more suitable location for my style of business, when my lease done in January.

I am constantly developing and exploring new opportunities and online gallery exhibitions, to connect my work with new audiences. Meanwhile, bills keep coming and rent and utilities need to be paid to keep the doors open, insurance, applications fees and shipping to galleries, and general expenses.

Funds raised will help me maintain my studio and gallery space for making and teaching fiber arts, creating tapestries, hand knitting, coiled sewn baskets, bowls and vessels, woven clothing accessories and home decor textiles, and mixed media collage assemblages with natural found objects and upcycled recycled materials, as well as repairing and restoring heirloom textiles.

Your support would make a big difference to me, keep the creativity flowing and growing, even if only a $1 dollar, $2 or $10. Purchases in my shop are also appreciated, see link below. Every little bit adds up and helps! Thank you for taking time to consider helping out.

Please take a moment to visit my website, to learn more about me and my Studio & Gallery, and find me on social media. I also have an Etsy shop where you can see my work and find great gifts, for others or for yourself!

Website: Amy C Lund Handweaver Studio & Gallery

Shop: ACL Handweaver on Etsy

Social Media: ACLHandweaver on BlueSky