We’re thrilled to introduce to you the newest addition to the Tierra Wools team, our intern Annalysse Salazar! Her upbeat attitude has made her a delightful addition to our staff and her eager enthusiasm to learn as much as she can about the art of weaving is truly infectious. We recently sat down with Annalysse to find out a little bit more about this hardworking young lady and how she came to Tierra Wools.
How did you become an intern at Tierra Wools?
I started working at Tierra Wools in early September last year as a shopkeeper. Before that I was working for my dad in his restaurants, so this type of work was totally different for me. When Molly told me about the opportunity to become an intern, I was so excited! I started in January, learning to weave from Molly and Cynthia. I’m glad I have both of them as mentors because I love their work. My first project was a runner – they helped me keep my edges straight! Working at Tierra Wools is really my first introduction to craft – it’s a total shift for me, the first time I’ve ever done anything like this. And now I’m learning tapestry weaving!
How did you get interested in weaving?
I wasn’t actually all that interested in weaving before I started working at Tierra Wools as a shopkeeper, but the more I saw the more I became intrigued with the process and with the craft. I saw the work of people like Fred Black, Cynthia, Molly and all the weavers and I was so impressed with every new rug they created. They were so beautiful and so creative! I was initially really nervous to try weaving – it seemed really complicated – but then I got the hang of it and it turns out it’s really fun!
What do you enjoy most about interning at Tierra Wools?
I really enjoy the whole weaving process. Weaving encourages me to work outside the box I put myself in to be more creative. I like all the opportunities I have with this internship – learning basic weaving and more advanced types of weaving. I’m going to learn to spin as well! We have weaving class together on Wednesdays and I always learn so much.
What’s the most exciting thing you’ve learned since you started?
I really love learning how to pick colors for weavings. Molly has helped me with this a lot – she has such a good eye for color! She always tells me to use 2/3 dark colors and 1/3 light colors when planning my weavings and I’ve been using this technique in my weavings; I notice now how rugs that really catch your eyes do this. I’m also excited to finish the current weaving I’m working on because I’m going to start a rug with angles next!
I really like my current weaving project because it’s a fun mix of all different tones and shades of red with a little gray and black. The ends are tapestry weaving and the center is ombre. This project is setting me up to learn about making angles in weavings – my favorite thing that I’ve done so far. That’s my favorite thing about weaving – there’s always more to learn.
I think all the people who come each year to take classes at Tierra Wools would agree with you!
There’s something for everyone at Tierra Wools, even if you’re not a weaver. I love telling our visitors the story of how Molly and Antonio started the business and about the community the business has created, the story of the wool and she sheep and what goes into the process of making the yarns or a weaving. That’s my favorite part about working at the shop – we get to meet people who are just getting interested in weaving, who are beginning weavers, who have been doing it for years. It’s so nice to be in a place where all these people can come together and share what they love together.
I tell my mom and dad all the time that I’m so grateful to be working at Tierra Wools. I feel connected to my community, to my grandparents. My great-grandmother crocheted her whole life – she loved to crochet. And my grandpa – he’s not here anymore but he loved working with animals and he taught me to see the beauty in this kind of work. I feel so lucky to be here and to be part of this experience!