Ronald & Sue Salomon
Ronald Saloman
Weaving is a second career for me. I started with degrees in history and criminal justice, working in the criminal justice system and teaching. During this period, I studied weaving and basketry at the Parsons School of Design and the American Museum of Natural History. In 1983, I decided to turn my hobby into a career and began making baskets and weaving full time. I continued this until 1996, when work-related injuries forced me to rethink how I was spending my time and to give up production basketry. I got another history degree and began working in museum administration and writing and speaking on 19th-century American cultural history. Yet, I could not leave basket making and weaving entirely, so I continued to work in that area part-time.
My main interests are in color and texture. (I am also a gardener.) In my rugs and scarves, I like to experiment with color combinations and fiber textures to make pieces that are unique, exciting, and, for scarves, comfortable to wear. In basketry, I am currently using the coiling and twining techniques, which allow me to play with color, pattern, and texture.
Sue Saloman, I have been knitting since the age of ten, joining my mother and grandmother as dedicated knitters. I knitted from patterns for a while and then began making up my designs. Eventually, I began making adult sweaters to sell at craft shows. I soon realized I had a price problem (too high) and began thinking of other things I could make instead. I began with baby sweaters, hats, and mittens and found I really enjoyed the ability to use so many different colors. My customers advised me that cotton was the best fiber for babies, and it just happens to take color beautifully. Some of the hats and all mittens are in wool because of the extra warmth they provide. I also make felted hats. This second career in knitting came after many years in corporate finance.
In the late 80’s we decided to move to Vermont from Long Island and enter the craft world full time. We did craft shows in New England and New York for many years before we decided to return to my home state of Virginia. Things have worked out very well!
