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Welcome
to Fireside
Discover why we focus so much on your comfort and creative environment. Just as cloth has a hand to it, so must the loom. As time goes by, your Fireside will enhance the steady growth of your skill and your enjoyment of weaving. Who
we are
The summer of 2007 brought new faces to Fireside Fiberarts as Gary and Rachel Swett retired and passed the loommaking torch to Larry, Michelle, Ben, and Kevin Lesniak. Today's extended "family business" now includes all four of us - talented craftspeople and supporting business across the nation, and an ever-expanding network of aloomni who add dimension and creative spark to the weaving community. After a relatively uneventful cross-country move in August, Larry, Michelle, Ben, and Kevin are busily at work re-starting the production of looms and accessories in our shop in the countryside north of Pittsburgh. Fireside Fiberarts continues to be a small custom woodworking business that creates heirloom quality looms customized to the needs of each individual weaver. Each loom is built in our shop with careful attention to every detail that contributes to the beauty of the loom and its precise movement necessary to help weavers enjoy their weaving time while they create beautiful works of art. Our goal is to continue the 35 year tradition of Fireside craftsmanship, innovation, and service by providing you with unsurpassed service. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your needs and how we can assist you in turning your weaving dreams into reality. Meet the new owners – Hello from the Lesniaks Where
we are
We welcome you to visit our home and business in Butler, PA (about an hour north of Pittsburgh). Please give us a little notice of your visit and we’ll be happy to show you how we bring a Fireside loom to life. |
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History of
Fireside
Fireside Fiberarts was begun by Gary and Rachel Swett in 1972. Their three children were raised to the rhythm of sanders, drills and planers, growing up alongside the grains of cherry, oak and walnut. Our beginnings in
Marin County and Spain
The Swett’s first child, Andrea, was born in Marin County, Ca. Rachel quit her job and stayed home to be a full time mother. This gave her the opportunity to explore her interest in weaving, through classes, friends and a lot of trial and error. When Andrea was two the family moved to Granada, Spain. Rachel wanted to continue weaving and didn't have a loom, so Gary offered to build her one. Luckily he was able to find a local weaver/loom builder, Sr. Nicolas Perez, who helped guide him through the project. Using rough wood, hand tools and scavenged hardware, Gary learned about the critical components, essential relationships and balancing needed to make a loom work correctly.
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home | looms | used looms | accessories | services |
In
1985, Port Townsend became home. Fireside Looms changed to Fireside Fiberarts
and evolved from its manufacturing origins to a fiber arts center serving the
Olympic Peninsula. For five years the shop was a center for supplies,
classes, and gallery showings in Port Townsend. Loom production increased
steadily, but promoting the craft and employing 6-8 people, became more than
a full time job--it began running their lives. They decided to scale down and
simplify.
Fireside Fiberarts celebrated
its 25th anniversary in 1997. Interestingly enough, they once again became a
mom and pop business. Their home is back in the woods in neighboring Port
Ludlow where resident deer, whales and seals are a common sight. Loom
production continued in Port Townsend until the Summer of 1997.
In
May 1997 the family started building a new work place. The "Swett
shop" was designed by eldest son Matthew, an architect, and built by the
whole family -- including Gary's father Don and youngest son Brandon.
Complete with natural light pouring through skylights and a view of the pond,
the shop inspired the act of creation. March 7, 1998 marked the grand opening
for the Swett shop, plus a return to the dream of integrating lives and work
with love of the land.