All Bios > Emily Malone
Weavers
Emily Malone
I am part of the family group, the Spider Rock Girls, a three-generation group of weavers. We are based in the Chinle area of Arizona, not far from Spider Rock in Canyon de Chelly, on the Navajo Nation. I started weaving when I was 9 years old, and have now been doing it for over 40 years. I was taught by my mother, and she taught her own daughters how to weave.
Although our home on the Navajo Nation is one of the most beautiful places in the world, it isn’t an easy place to live. My work at the loom does not reveal the months of preparation, investment into my sheep, the hours shearing them, and days and weeks washing, carding and spinning the wool.
Nor does it reveal the time and patience required to dye the wool into the different colors I’ll use.
Weaving has meant a lot to our family and has helped us pay for food, clothing, and education. My hallmark signature on my rugs is a feather. Although weaving is my livelihood, it means more to me than just an income. I have been doing this for so many years, I’m connected to my weaving.
I am part of the family group, the Spider Rock Girls, a three-generation group of weavers. We are based in the Chinle area of Arizona, not far from Spider Rock in Canyon de Chelly, on the Navajo Nation. I started weaving when I was 9 years old, and have now been doing it for over 40 years. I was taught by my mother, and she taught her own daughters how to weave.
Although our home on the Navajo Nation is one of the most beautiful places in the world, it isn’t an easy place to live. My work at the loom does not reveal the months of preparation, investment into my sheep, the hours shearing them, and days and weeks washing, carding and spinning the wool.
Nor does it reveal the time and patience required to dye the wool into the different colors I’ll use.
Weaving has meant a lot to our family and has helped us pay for food, clothing, and education. My hallmark signature on my rugs is a feather. Although weaving is my livelihood, it means more to me than just an income. I have been doing this for so many years, I’m connected to my weaving.