We recently connected with Chris Acton and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Chris thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission really came into clarity in 2 parts. Here’s the setting for Part 1. I had been in the corporate world for years, doing a job that sounded creative, but wasn’t. And in an attempt to counteract my ongoing restlessness, I took a weaving class. Now, a weaving class may sound like a big stretch. But, I grew up with teachers and had taken lots of random classes (many of them in the arts) over the years.

So off I went to a beginning weaving class at TLD Design Center in Westmont, IL. The teacher, Tammy Deck, started us off with a woven scarf. And somewhere into week 3 or 4 of the class, I thought, “I could do this all day long!” I was hooked with every toss of the shuttle. Fast forward 3 years when I left my corporate gig to move in with family in Indiana, focusing on weaving (nearly) all day long.

Part 2 occurred many years and many art fairs later. My understanding back then was that as an artist you created things and sold things – end of sentence. That was the path you traveled. So, I created handbags and homegoods and sold them (not exactly successfully) all over the country. Yet, I was not loving life. I wasn’t making money and I wasn’t having fun. That’s a bad mix, especially when you are supposedly “living the dream”.

The turning point came in the fall of 2017. Because of a connection in Tennessee, I was invited to participate in a holiday show that typically showcased only local artists. I ended up paying much more for a booth than anticipated and the 3-day show required us to be there a day early to set up. With my drive from Indiana, I was gone for nearly a week. And by the time the show was over, I had sold $175.

The booth fee had been more than double that, plus all the other expenses. So now, I was faced with an 8+ hour drive home to agonize over every element of the entire experience. Somewhere in Kentucky, I came to the conclusion that I was going to find another way – one that didn’t involve another art fair or holiday show, ever. It was clear to me that the road everyone else was taking was not a good fit for me. Time to forge a new path.

I began trying on teaching for size. As I mentioned, teaching runs in my blood. While I’ve always known it could be a good fit, I didn’t really anticipate how passionately I would love it. Since I started teaching weaving, I’ve learned that beginning weavers are my people. I’ve become a better teacher and weaver, simply by sharing in their enthusiasm and curiosity. Plus, I’m having SO much more fun.

At the end of the day, my mission is to introduce weaving to as many people as I can. I know for a fact that weaving changed my life and it can absolutely change yours, too.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi! I’m Chris. I’m a weaver and weaving instructor who works on a 4-shaft, 36″ floor loom, just like in Ye Olden Days. My passion is teaching beginning weavers through educational videos, and classes. I absolutely love the challenge of breaking down this seemingly complicated art form into bite-sized pieces and I feel it’s my purpose in life to make weaving feel more approachable.

When it comes to my weaving style, color and texture are my favorite elements to play with. And typically, my fabric ends up as some variety of handbag or a type of homegood. My ongoing goal is to weave really interesting fabric – even if it isn’t traditional. Chunky blended yarns, intentional “mistakes”, and rich flowing colors are part of my signature style.

And then, there is my collection of recycled materials – old neckties, silk scarves, clothing, etc. Weaving is a perfect vehicle for transforming beloved items from Grandpa or Aunt Laura into new pillows or a messenger bag. For me, I love the challenge of mixing these recycled bits into handwoven fabric and highlighting their unique personalities.

What I’m most proud of is carving my own path. Weaving is one of the oldest crafts in the world. To be a part of that history is such an honor. And while I love having the foundation of all those who came before me, I feel its important that I bravely present my version of handweaving, and enthusiastically teach those coming after me.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

I’ve always been of the opinion that a small, but active roster of clients/followers is better than a large, unengaged one. So, I take care of my people.

I get questions from my A Handwoven Experience educational weaving series and always make it a priority to answer each one. With each answer, I try to provide additional resources and encouragement so they feel my desire to help them succeed.

I love sending real mail. When I was doing markets and art fairs, I would send a Thank You card for any purchases. That still applies when I do custom projects. (A handwritten note may seem old-fashioned, but I am a weaver. So you shouldn’t be too surprised.)

Each and every Wednesday, my email list gets a “love note” from me to tell them about the most recent episode, a class opportunity, or simply a chance to say I’m thinking about them. And I’ve learned to write to my subscribers just like I would write to my best friend. They will feel the authenticy.

And lastly, I simply try to pay attention. On Thursday mornings, I host a live video that has drawn a wildly loyal crowd. While interacting with them, I ask follow-up questions about something they did last week, or say “hi” to their 3-year old daughter who always tunes in, or inquire about a project I know they are working on. Those connections are completely invaluable as a business owner, and as a person. They help me understand who I’m serving and make me that much more excited to offer them exactly what they need.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is going through the creative process. I don’t ask for input on my weaving projects – before, during, or after. I much prefer to create what I want to create, and if it speaks to someone, that’s a lovely bonus.

For me, it’s all about starting with a spark of an idea and then letting my instinct guide me through the rest of the process. I crave the thrill of simply making something. Whether it’s good, bad, or other doesn’t matter nearly as much as going through the steps, exploring all the options along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.actoncreative.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actoncreative/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ActonCreative/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGpQApO-WU3ZrgAMIrM-esg
• Other: On Patreon, Acton Creative Insiders – https://www.patreon.com/actoncreative

Image Credits
The image of the pillow, the towel, and the wallet were taken by Katherine Murray Photography.