We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Maryanne Moodie. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Maryanne below.

Hi Maryanne , thanks for joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Yes! I was a teacher for 10 years and feeling burn out. After feeling like teaching was such a girt, I didn’t have any more in the tank. I decided that getting pregnant was an easy out (little was I to know!). In Australia, teachers got about 4 months maternity leave and I took it at half pay and so spread it across 8 months.

I took up weaving as a way to pass the time. When I was at the loom, time stood still and flowed away at the same time. It was like nothing I had experienced.

I used my maternity leave to share my experiences on social media. I found that I connected with a community. I built a following through my openers and connections. Being a new mum, I was desperate for human interactions. I found them on instagram.

I gave away all of my early pieces to friends and family. I didn’t sell any work for the first year. I really honed my craft and tried to make them the best I could possibly offer. I sent my work to others I followed on instagram and they shared them with their followers.

Once my maternity leave ran out, I offered my woven wall hangings by commission. This meant that I was never left with “stock”.

Some of my followers wanted to learn too. and so I offered in person workshops. I fell back in love with teaching. It felt like a gift.

From there, I designed and produced my own loom and tools as well as yarn packs. I could send these to people who didn’t live close by. I loved that I could reach out to people all over the world.

I was approached by Abrams publishing to write a weaving book and I created online courses.

Each part of the business developed organically as I became aware of the needs of my community.

The diversity of my business was integral to my success throughout covid and the lockdowns.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I have been a weaver and teacher for over a decade.

I was feeling overwhelmed and burned out after leaving teaching. I was at home with a new baby and craving connection and creativity and relaxation. I started weaving. It felt like a gift. As I begin sharing my new found hobby on instagram, I found that others were feeling the same.

I now make woven artworks for private and corporate clients. My largest artwork to date has been 12foot x 10 foot. HUGE!
I teach in person workshops as well as online courses.I design and produce weaving kits and custom yarn packs. I have written 2 books on weaving. I love my job!

I love weaving so much and it has given me the gift of flow, creative outlet and community connection. I love teaching and spreading the joy.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When Covid hit, I was living in Melbourne, Australia. We ended up being the most loved down city in the world. With so many income streams in my business I found that my business was very resilient. In the beginning, many people were looking for something to calm their nerves, connect with their hands and fill their time. They finally had the time to indulge in a hobby. I found that during this time, lots of people signed up for my online courses and bought my weaving kits. Over the next few months people would return to buy packs of yarn and fibres. People bight my books too.

As the pandemic continued, people were more confined and making their homes more liveable. They weren’t spending money on going out and so I had many people commission artworks during the second half of the pandemic.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

As a teacher we were taught to ‘steal shamelessly’. We visited other teachers’ classrooms and used their ideas in our classrooms. IT was seen as ‘best practise’ to find the most effective and efficient modes to get your result.

As an artist I learned the hard way that ‘stealing shamelessly’ was shameful and hurtful. Artists work hard on their voice and stealing or borrowing or being heavily influenced by another artists works can be traumatic for the artists. It can violate them and their artistic journey.

I never went to art school and so as a self taught artist, I have had to make many mistakes along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.maryannemoodie.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannemoodie/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryannemoodie
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/maryannemoodie

Image Credits
Maryanne Moodie