We had the good fortune of connecting with Sally Shore and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sally, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
After a career in graphic design and designer showcase volunteer management, I had the luxury of not having to earn a living. I had been weaving since college doing commissions for architects’ and designers’ clients, and I began weaving with ribbon in 1992. With all the materials I collected, I needed to have a space separate from our home to work in, so my first studio was established in 1997.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a Fine Art major at Kent State University in Ohio, I studied graphic design, drawing, painting, weaving, jewelry making, and printmaking along with the required academic courses. Immediately after graduation I worked in the graphics field until I started a family when I switched to weaving at home. Along the way to today I have designed packaging for cosmetics and graphics for plastic bags and freelanced logo designing and yellow pages ads. By far, the most satisfying endeavor came when I began weaving with ribbons in 1992. I began with evening bags, then wall hangings and a few garments. My fiber arts then expanded into fabric printing and dyeing, beadwork, felting, fiber collage and fairytale illustrations. Some of these paid well, some not so well and some, not at all. I accept commissions, which many of my artist and craftsmen friends refuse to do. But I find that commissions have led me down paths I might not have taken, and I sometimes have to figure out how to accomplish the tasks required.

I think it is important to collect techniques and find ways to incorporate and combine them in whatever medium you choose.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Museums for the art and parks and beaches for nature would be top of my list.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Throughout the years, I have found valuable mentorship and support as well as access to workshops and inspiration from the long Island Craft Guild in New York and the Artist-Craftsmen of New York.

Website: https://sallyshorefiberartist.artspan.com

Instagram: shore5132

Facebook: sally shore

Image Credits
all images by artist

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