Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kari Breed. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kari, appreciate you joining us today. Alright, let’s take a stroll on memory lane, back to when you were an apprentice or intern. What’s a memorable story from that time that you can share with us?

I completed a three-year textiles apprenticeship learning under the talented fiber artist Ed Johnetta Miller. Ed Johnetta taught me to take risks and challenge myself in my weaving. After I had gotten comfortable with the basics, working mostly with cotton and rayon, I decided to try my hand with wool.

Instead of sampling a swatch like I probably should have, I jumped right in and wove a whole scarf. The result? An extremely stiff, itchy wool scarf with absolutely no drape. In hindsight, it’s entirely possible I used rug wool, it was that abrasive. That scarf scared me off weaving with wool for many years.

Eventually, I learned that wool comes in all kinds of variations, and, maybe even more importantly, I learned the power of sampling a project before diving in. That lesson stuck with me, and now it’s one of the first things I pass on to others.

Kari, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a Marblehead, MA-based artisan, who launched Woven by K in 2022, bringing over 20 years of weaving expertise to my handcrafted fashion accessories and home goods. Each piece is meticulously designed and woven by myself, using a variety of high-quality fibers on my collection of looms in my home studio. My timeless designs and superior craftsmanship ensure that every handwoven item becomes a cherished addition to your wardrobe or home.

I’ve always loved working with my hands. My fiber journey started with a lucrative elementary school business, Kari’s Bracelet Shop, where I made and sold friendship bracelets at recess. From there, I tested my patience learning to crochet from my grandmother, and eventually found my way into a textiles apprenticeship, where I studied under the incredibly talented fiber artist, Ed Johnetta Miller. That’s where I truly fell in love with weaving and all its endless, creative possibilities.

For over 15 years, I’ve been selling my work at artisan markets. I genuinely enjoy the face-to-face interaction, getting real-time feedback, seeing what people connect with, and sharing the stories behind each piece. In addition to markets, I also sell a selection of my wares through a handful of North Shore retailers and on Etsy.

This past year, I expanded into teaching weaving lessons, something I’m really excited about. Each lesson is tailored to the specific goals of the individual student, so no two sessions are ever the same. Sharing this craft with others and watching their progress is incredibly rewarding, and it’s added a whole new dimension to my practice.

I’m proud to be part of the long tradition of weaving and to help carry this art form into the next generation. I’ve faced plenty of challenges along the way including, but not limited to: experimenting with new patterns, learning the quirks of different fibers, and developing new products. Those challenges keep me curious and growing. There’s nothing better than finishing a piece, stepping back, and thinking: Wow…I made that?

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

I sell a selection of my handwoven goods on Etsy. One of the biggest advantages of the platform is the access to a vast marketplace, you can reach customers far beyond your own network. It’s always a thrill to get an order that’s shipping across the country. Etsy also handles things like reduced shipping rates and customer reviews, which help build trust with new buyers. Lastly, since website design is definitely not in my wheelhouse, I appreciate how user-friendly Etsy is for both sellers and shoppers.

That said, there are some challenges. The marketplace is saturated in certain categories – scarves, for example. Even though I have a beautiful selection of handwoven scarves, I often choose not to list them because they can easily get buried on page 100 of the search results. I’d rather not spend time or listing fees on items that will likely disappear into the algorithm.

The biggest issue I have with Etsy, though, is trying to compete with mass-produced goods from overseas, where materials and labor cost significantly less. It can be disheartening when I’m offering something truly handmade and thoughtfully crafted, but it doesn’t always stand out if a customer is shopping based solely on price.

Etsy definitely has a place in my business, but I see it as one avenue – not the only one – for sharing and selling my work.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Back in 2008, at the age of 22, I was so excited to put myself out there and sell my wares at my very first artisan show. I quickly learned that not all shows are created equal. This one happened to be in a church basement. The night before the show, I stayed up late finishing one last scarf, then packed up everything I thought I needed and crossed my fingers.

After six hours of sitting at my table with my mom there as support, I made a grand total of one sale: a single $25 scarf – the one I’d made the night before.

I could’ve easily thrown in the towel and decided artisan shows weren’t for me. But instead, I took it as a learning experience. I started seeking out events that aligned more with the kind of high-quality, handcrafted work I was making. It wasn’t an instant success story, but over time, I figured out which types of shows fit my work and which didn’t.

That first experience taught me two things: resilience is key, and so is doing your homework. Not every show I do now is wildly profitable, but I go in with more realistic expectations and tailor my product assortment to suit the crowd. It’s made all the difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wovenbyk.carrd.co/
• Instagram: @WovenbyK
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kari-breed-1092441b
• Other: https://shopwovenbyk.etsy.com