Salish Weaving
Native American Weaving and Woodworking
Native American Artists and Instructors
"Weaving in unity the threads of our community." - Misty Kalama-Archer
"Weaving in unity the threads of our community." - Misty Kalama-Archer
We specialize in Salish textile weaving and woodworking. Our wool blankets, hand bags, regalia, looms, whorls, and boxes have been on exhibit in museums and conferences throughout the Pacific Northwest. We provide hands-on instruction for all ages. Our workshops include loom weaving, hand weaving, wool spinning, dyeing wool with native plants, and spindle whorl construction. Contact us if you wish to commission our artwork or contract us for hands-on instruction.
Salish Textile Weaving Revival
"In my generation, growing up, [textile] weaving was almost lost. But in the last 10 years, we've seen a revival - it's just beautiful to see." - Misty Kalama-Archer
The Olympian (Aug 19, 2011 "Values and tradition woven together")
"I hope each of my apprentices will mentor at least 5 other students in our lifetime, so that the next generation will see the wool woven regalia thriving in our tribe... I consider it a major part of my lifes work now to pass on the ways of my ancestors. It teaches me a lot more then the cultural art of weaving, about how everything in life is interwoven together." - Misty Kalama-Archer
Puyallup Tribal News (Issue No. 108 "Weaving tradition into the future")
"In my generation, growing up, [textile] weaving was almost lost. But in the last 10 years, we've seen a revival - it's just beautiful to see." - Misty Kalama-Archer
The Olympian (Aug 19, 2011 "Values and tradition woven together")
"I hope each of my apprentices will mentor at least 5 other students in our lifetime, so that the next generation will see the wool woven regalia thriving in our tribe... I consider it a major part of my lifes work now to pass on the ways of my ancestors. It teaches me a lot more then the cultural art of weaving, about how everything in life is interwoven together." - Misty Kalama-Archer
Puyallup Tribal News (Issue No. 108 "Weaving tradition into the future")
Over the past decade we have been regaining our ancestral knowledge in the ancient artform of Salish textile weaving through the teachings of our beloved Elders, and through research.
"This is what our people would have worn. It needs to remain alive in todays society." - Misty Kalama-Archer
Puyallup Tribal News (Aug 19, 2010 "Puyallup Tribe hosts second annual weaving conference")
"Even down the fabrics, or the cedar wood itself, these items were once living, therefore they are still living and will continue to live 100 years from now." - Connie McCloud
Puyallup Tribal News (Aug 19, 2010 "Puyallup Tribe hosts second annual weaving conference")
Weaving Traditions
"Kalama-Archer... her dream of 'building strong and unified communities where people work together just as the old weaving societies did, and teaching traditional values of generosity, cooperation, and transformation.'" - Misty Kalama-Archer
The Olympian (Aug 19, 2009 "Values and tradition woven together")
"Misty Kalama-Archer mentioned that her teacher expressed to her that weaving is so ancient, it goes back to the very first Indian girl who learned weaving on a spirit quest. She brought blankets and baskets back to her tribe, spreading the skill and knowledge of weaving." - Clare Jensen
Puyallup Tribal News (Jul 09, 2009 "Tradition revived through weaving")
"Kalama-Archer... her dream of 'building strong and unified communities where people work together just as the old weaving societies did, and teaching traditional values of generosity, cooperation, and transformation.'" - Misty Kalama-Archer
The Olympian (Aug 19, 2009 "Values and tradition woven together")
"Misty Kalama-Archer mentioned that her teacher expressed to her that weaving is so ancient, it goes back to the very first Indian girl who learned weaving on a spirit quest. She brought blankets and baskets back to her tribe, spreading the skill and knowledge of weaving." - Clare Jensen
Puyallup Tribal News (Jul 09, 2009 "Tradition revived through weaving")
Following in the footsteps of our ancestors, we are remembering the traditional art forms of Salish textile weaving and woodworking, and retaining them for future generations to come. Weaving in unity is our mission. Through this process our lives become interwoven with wealth and beauty.
Weaving Textiles and Techniques
"...Traditions of Coast Salish weaving, such as using local animal hair, will be on display; Kalama will show a twined vest she is weaving from wolf hair." - Rosemary Ponnekanti
The Olympian (Aug 19, 2011 "Values and tradition woven together")
"...Traditions of Coast Salish weaving, such as using local animal hair, will be on display; Kalama will show a twined vest she is weaving from wolf hair." - Rosemary Ponnekanti
The Olympian (Aug 19, 2011 "Values and tradition woven together")
Many unique fibers are used in traditional Salish textile weaving such as: Mountain goat wool, wolf and canine hair, hemp, cedar bark, fireweed, cattail, and down. Fibers of the modern day commonly used in textile weaving include sheep wool and acrylic. To this day, Native plant dyes are used for dying fibers.
Salish textile weaving involves warping cross bars on a loom and weaving a weft across the warp. The techniques used in textile weaving are twill, twining, and plain. A loom consists two upright posts, two cross bars, and are traditionally made of cedar.