At Home With Her Looms Local Artist Specializes in "Wearable" Art

Above: Beryl Warnes standing by her sign. Below: Warnes weaving an article of clothing. Photos by Jim Evans

By Jim Evans

In a nondescript little cottage on the northeast corner of Highways 78 and 79 in Santa Ysabel, Beryl Warnes sits quietly at her loom - a solitary figure surrounded by her "fiber art" of shawls, jackets, capes, ponchos, dresses, and blankets in a rainbow of different colors. "If it can be woven, I can weave it," says Warnes confidently.

Warnes grew up in a remote area of Canada where she claims to have become a self-described "fiberholic" at the age of 8 starting with knitting and other yarncraft. "I was attracted to anything made of natural fibers," she says, "and once I took up weaving in 1974, I just couldn't stop."

Weaving was just a leisure pursuit until 1989 when Warnes opened her business - Weaving Works Fiber Art Gallery - and began selling her handwoven goods commercially. She now weaves more than 200 saddle blankets a year for the local equine community and specializes mostly in "wearable" art including custom work.

Her two sons both learned to weave as they were growing up but didn't have the same affinity for weaving as their mother. However, her daughter-in-law has now learned the craft and is carrying on the tradition by producing her own clothing line at the gallery. "Weaving isn't for everyone," admits Warnes. "It has a long learning curve - at least a year - before you can really create something of quality."

Warnes has taught handweaving to many people over the years and still conducts occasional workshops. From time to time she has considered "growing" her business and taking on employees to help, "but it is really more than I want to get involved with," she says, "and would take away from my quality of life. I love what I am doing, and I earn enough to support myself - what else could I possibly want? I am truly at home with my looms." Indeed!

The Weaving Works Fiber Art Gallery is open Thursday - Sunday from 11 a.m. -

4 p.m. Visitors can see live demonstrations during business hours as Warnes patiently weaves her creations. For further information, call Beryl E.M. Warnes at (760) 765-1986.