WEAVER

To become a weaver you should be extra patient because weaving can take a tremendous amount of time. Most weavers have rooms set up in their homes for weaving. Looms can be large, so it is a good idea to have a space that can accommodate them.

Weaver Jessica Speer advises people interested in weaving to take a class or two and to get in touch with the local weaver's guild, if there is one nearby. “Looms and the associated equipment are very expensive,” says Speer, so she strongly suggests taking a class to make sure weaving is for you. “Anyone can learn, but not everyone enjoys it. If you aren't enjoying the process, you won't want to put the time and effort into it.”

“I took two six-week classes at the local community college's outreach program,” says Speer. “I was teamed up with an old friend who had been weaving for years and I learned as much from her as I did from the teacher.” Eventually, Speer bought her own loom and began to weave at home.