About Us
Rachel Casper
David Casper
We specialize in quality shawls and scarves, wraps and throws from a variety of sources worldwide. We particularly showcase the unique work of our local Nevada City weavers in the Foothill Fibers Guild, Dee Jones, Beryl Moody, Igor Raven and Jacqueline Hervey.
Rachel says, "Shawlsunlimited.com has been the natural outcome of our search for shawls for our meditation supply business, Amida - Means for Meditation. This search plus a love of fine fabrics and design led us to create Shawls Unlimited to make this beauty available to a wider audience. Years ago in Europe, while visiting the Findhorn Community, I was so impressed by an American visitor who traveled with only a small hand carry bag, in which she had stowed a simple outfit together with numerous shawls and scarves to accessorize. She could dress for any occasion... such freedom I felt, which I wanted to emulate."
We hope you enjoy our selection of fine shawls, which we change seasonally. Also see what others have to say about us.....
Having inherited her mother's loom, future weaver Beryl Moody was puzzled for a while about how to warp and thread her new acquisition. With a little help from her companion, Igor Raven, however, they finally figured it out. Their mutual interest in weaving led them to attend classes at SF City College and they have been happily spinning and weaving together ever since. Beryl eventually graduated to a computer dobby AVL loom. Both Igor and Beryl enjoy the computer design process and often spend as long designing as actually weaving a piece. With a large collection of yarns at their disposal they still often hand dye and spin their own yarns for a special project, finding fresh inspiration for new pieces.
Dee Jones
An avid spinner, knitter, dyer, sewer and quilter, Dee still finds time for "a lot" of weaving. Her light filled studio in a quiet neighborhood of Nevada City, CA is replete with a wall of yarns in various fibers, colors and textures. Dee prefers natural fibers herself but also experiments continually. Her cherry wood loom was lovingly made by Gary Swett in Washington State from lumber obtained in the Midwest. Dee says, "It is a joy to sit at that loom. Looking out the window at the nearby dogwood trees and evergreens on the ridge in the Sierra Foothills. The process is age-old, one thread at a time and each piece is absolutely unique, in fact probably impossible to repeat. What a lovely way to spend one's life."
Jackie says, "Weaving is a combination of creativity and craft. Sometimes the impetus for a project will be practical - to make a throw or shawl. Often the project is inspired by the fibers. For instance, I ask myself what effect can be created by combining a soft alpaca yarn with the subtle shimmer of silk. Weaving can also be an exercise in combining colors in a harmonious or contrasting fashion. It can also be an experiment in creating a textured surface. For me weaving is the challenge of making an idea become a finished item. I weave because I enjoy sitting at my loom and watching an idea slowly materialize. Will the result be what I hoped for? My loom is situated in front a window looking out on the Sierra Nevada forest. It is both a tranquil and inspirational space. I enjoy the freedom of being able to start with an idea and attempt to transform that idea into reality by selecting the proper fibers, colors, and weaving techniques."
Also, please take a look at our Design Inspiration Gallery - pictures of some of the finest unique handwovens which we have sold over the years.
