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Warp & Weft Blog

Weaving A Life Inspired By Mom

Weaving A Life Inspired By Mom

When Nantucket Looms' master weaver Becky Jusko Peraner was growing up in Connecticut, she could never have known the impact her family home would have on her life. Surrounded by everything from woven baskets to old English ironware, Becky's parents, who are avid antique collectors, instilled in her a love of collecting and an appreciation of the arts. Becky’s mother Jean, had the greatest influence on her love of  textiles. "My mom was an interior designer", Becky explains, "and I was raised with fabric samples everywhere. I think her influence subconsciously made me love textiles that much more". 

Becky's mom has always been extremely supportive of her art career. Having attended art school herself, Jean always supported Becky's love of painting and although Becky originally attended Rhode Island School of Design for painting, she went on to major in textile design. "I found myself drawn to textiles as an art form", says Becky. It was a decision that shaped the outcome of her life, becoming an apprentice to Andy Oates at Nantucket Looms. Twenty-four years later, Becky is now the head, master weaver and partner in the business. 

These days, Becky's mom continues to be an influence on her work - particularly her handwoven sea life tapestries. When Jean visits from Connecticut, she and Becky enjoy walking on the beach with her daughters, collecting scallop shells and sea glass. "We always go at low tide to the Jetties or Pocomo Point or our secret little spot in Madaket Harbor where we collect shells and see the sunset. The idea for the woven tapestries naturally came together from these walks on the beach. As my love of weaving grew, I began incorporating the things we collected into my work", explains Becky. 

One could say that the common thread (pun intended) throughout Becky’s life has been in the quality of time she has spent with her mother and now her own girls, Julia and Suzanne. Summer days at Nobadeer followed by their walks along the beach in the evenings keep the three generations close. But it is perhaps the trips back home to the historic farmhouse in Connecticut that remind Becky of where her love of collecting and creating originated from. "I love sending people off with a little collection that incorporates special things of their own into a piece - like their grandfather's watch parts or people's own collection of shells".

In this day and age when new, fast and shiny are in fashion, it is important that there are those like Jean Jusko who can teach the next generation, like Becky, Julia and Suz, that craftsmanship, character and patina are all equally important qualities to be appreciated. 


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