Mary Berent

Weaving Workshop Instructor

Mary Berent

769 N. Grey Pebble Way
Eagle, Idaho 83616
208-939-8906
January 2007

Highlights of Qualifications
  • HGA Master Weavers Certificate, 16-Shaft Advancing Twill
  • an extensive and comprehensive knowledge of weaving, spinning & knitting techniques & trends
  • straightforward and reliable with a high regard for truth and honesty
  • experienced in writing, public speaking and teaching
  • compassionate and interested in people
  • talent for conceptualizing and developing the essential substance of a project
  • boundless energy 

Experience Summary

Technical Fiber Skills

  • extensive knowledge of weaving structure and achieving texture and pattern in fabric
  • thorough understanding of yarn construction, chemical finishes and dyes
  • solid working knowledge of hand and machine knitting, including ‘deviation’ from patterns
  • basic skills in crochet and kumihimo
  • excellent personal and professional relationships with national and international fiber authorities

Effective Communication Skills

  • conduct workshops throughout the United States on fabric design and weaving
  • wrote a column, Weaver’s Whimsy for Weaver's, a magazine with international circulation
  • an active sense of humor

Computer Skills

  • thorough working knowledge of both Macintosh and PC computers
  • very familiar with weaving design programs including Fiberworks and WeaveIt
  • own, operate and have researched computer aided/assisted looms

Highly Organized

  • ability to keep classes on schedule while allowing for individual expression
  • an aptitude for successfully working on multiple projects
  • ability to prioritize needs and time demands for peak efficiency

　

Work History

　

1980-present: Self employed Fiber Artist

1994-present: Self employed Urban Planner (PT) Cities of Eagle, Star & Middleton

2006-2007 President Boise Weavers Guild

1995-1997: President Boise Weavers Guild

1992-1994: Planning & Zoning Commissioner City of Eagle

1988-1989: Assistant to City Clerk (PT) City of Eagle

1982-1983: President Boise Weavers Guild

1980-1980: Space Planner/Drafter State of Idaho

1979-1979: Planning Technician Ada Planning Assn.

1977-1979: Planning Technician City of Pocatello

　

Education:

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fine Art, Monmouth College, 1974.

Associates Degree in Drafting, Idaho State University, 4.0 GPA 1976.

Graduate level studies, Fine Art, University of Tennessee, 4.0 GPA 1974-1976.

Graduate level studies, Fine Art, Boise State University, 4.0 GPA 1991-1992.

Certificate of Excellence-Handweaving Level I, Handweavers Guild of America 2004

Certificate of Excellence-Handweaving Level II, Handweavers Guild of America 2006

Educational Workshops Related to Weaving:

Nancy Hoskins-Stitchery on the Loom; Clotilde Barrett-Summer and Winter; Jenny Poore-Yarn Design; Sharon Alderman-Drafting for Weavers; Anita Mayer-Loom Shaped Clothing; Sharon Alderman-Fabric Design; Mary Elizabeth Laughlin-Combined Weaves; Priscilla Gibson Roberts-Spinning for Knitting; Priscilla Gibson-Roberts-Knitting in the Old Way; Susan Snover-Rags; Madelyn van der Hoogt-Coverlets; Shirley Medsker-Rugs; Karen Selk-Sumptuous Silk Clothing; Eileen Shannon-Weekend Wardrobe on One Warp; Linda Heinrich-Linen Workshop; Donna Sullivan, Color for Handweavers; Malin Selander-Swedish Swatches; Bobbie Irwin-Weaving With Space Dyed Yarns; Nell Znamerowski, Color and Design; Barbara Walker, Supplemental Warp; Doramay Keasby; Rainbows, Shadows and Illusions; Bonnie Inouye, Advance!

Professional Affiliations:

Member and past Idaho State Representative, Handweavers Guild of America; 28 year member and past president, Handweavers Guild of Boise Valley; Member, Complex Weavers.

 

Publications:

M. Berent, M. Dwyer, S. Lehman and L. Mercer, "Color Games", Spin-Off, Volume XI, #1, Spring 1987, pp. 21-24.

S. Lehman, M. Berent, L. Mercer and M. Dwyer, "Odds to Ends", Spin-Off, Volume XII, #I, Spring 1988, pp. 27-36.

Mary Berent, Sue Lehman, "Weaver's Whimsy", Weaver's, Vol. 1, No. 3, Issue 3, Fall '88, pp. 30-31.

Mary Berent, Sue Lehman, "Weaver's Whimsy, Playing with Patterns", Weaver's, Vol. 1, No. 4, Issue 4, Winter '89, pp. 48-49.

Mary Berent, Sue Lehman, "Weaver's Whimsy, Little Women", Weaver's, Vol. 2, No. 1, Issue 5, Spring '89, pp. 63-64, back cover and inside back cover.

Mary Berent, "Weaver's Whimsy, Feathered Friends", Weaver's, Vol. 2, No. 2, Issue 6, Summer '89, pp. 26-27.

Mary Berent, "Weaver's Whimsy, Christmas Cards", Weaver's, Vol. 2, No. 3, Issue 7, Fall '89, pp. 12-13.

Mary Berent, "Weaver's Whimsy, Pile Pets", Weaver's, Issue 8, 1st Quarter '90, pp. 58-59.

Mary Berent, "Weaver's Whimsy, Krokbragd", Weaver's, Is. 9, 2nd Quarter '90, pp. 58-59.

Mary Berent, "Dish Towel Animals", Design Collection 14, Summer 1990.

Mary Berent, "Weaver's Whimsy, Santa Cloth", Weaver's, Is. 10, 3rd Quarter '90, pp. 10-12.

Mary Berent, "Weaver's Whimsy, Purse Accessories", Weaver's, Issue II, 4th Quarter '90.

Mary Berent and Sue Lehman, "Accent on Animals', Handwoven, Sept/Oct '90, pp. 56-58.

Mary Berent, "Weaver's Whimsy, It's Raining Ribbons", Weaver's, Is. 12, 1st Quarter 1991.

Mary Berent, "Weaver's Whimsy, Go Fish!", Weaver's, Issue 14, 3rd Quarter, 1991.

Mary Berent, "Weaver's Whimsy, Double Weave", Weaver's, Issue 17, 2nd Quarter, 1992.

Mary Berent, "Weaver's Whimsy, Witches", Weaver's, Issue 18, 3rd Quarter 1992.

Mary Berent, "Weaver's Whimsy, Mini Coverlets", Weaver's, Issue 19, 4th Quarter, 1992.

Mary Berent, "Weaver's Whimsy, Rabbit Family", Weaver's, Issue 20, 1st Quarter 1993.

Mary Berent, "Network Revisited", Weaver's, Issue 20, 1st Quarter 1993.

Mary Berent, "Cotton Novelties", Handwoven, May/June 1993.

Mary Berent, "Blue Square Top", Handwoven, March/April 1994

Mary Berent, "Pastel Chenille Baby Blanket", Handwoven, March/April 1994

Contribution to The Best of Weavers, Huck Lace, published 2000

Contribution to The Best of Weavers, Fabrics That Go Bump, published 2002

Contribution to The Best of Weavers, Twills Thrills, 2004