Weaver Bonnie Boswell offers functional art at Fernley Farmers Market

When Bonnie Boswell, a native of Lovelock, retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 31 years, she had no idea she would soon take on a hobby that would become a passion and earn her accolades for her efforts.

Some four years ago Boswell saw an ad on Craigslist for a Leclerc 4 heddle floor loom. She purchased the loom, “knowing absolutely nothing about weaving,” Boswell said.

Upon retirement, Boswell moved to Fernley to be near her grandchildren. Here she set out to study the art and craft of weaving on her own, she explains, “with help from You Tube videos and lots of trial and error.”

“My newfound love of weaving on the floor loom made me branch out to learn weaving on a rigid heddle loom and also a twining loom. I make table runners, neck scarves and twined rugs and mats using those two looms,” Boswell said.

Made from upholstery fabric selvedge material that comes from the mill as scrap, Boswell recycles the material into washable table runners, neck scarves and twined rugs and mats. Textured or “fuzzy” rugs, as they are known in the marketplace, are woven on her floor loom. The items are functional and can be used as durable items for everyday living or high-end decor.

Boswell shows her weavings at the Fernley Farmers Market. She takes special orders, depending on availability of materials.

The Fernley Farmers Market, sponsored in part by the Fernley Convention and Tourism Authority Grant Funds, offers handcrafted items by Boswell and other local artists and vendors including certified organic fruits and vegetables, bakery goods and on site drinks and edibles. It’s open from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 13 in the Big R parking lot at 465 E. Main St., Fernley.

For more information about Boswell’s weavings, call 775-722-2083, or email garbonzo62@yahoo.com. Follow The Fernley Farmers Market on Facebook, email fernleyfarmersmarket@gmail.com or call Market Manager Lisa Young at 287-2811 for information or booth space.