Meet Weaver Maureen Distler

Maureen and I first bonded over our commitment to helping rescue dogs. Although she has left Charleston and moved to NC, thankfully we can easily keep in touch through social media and occasional get togethers when she comes back to town. When Maureen started weaving I was so excited for her and have been following her amazing progress. Naturally, when I decided to start featuring those who have embraced their creativity, Maureen is the first person that came to mind!

Maureen Distler with one of her many rescue dogs, Snoopy.

Maureen grew up in Cumberland RI, as the only girl with 3 brothers she was always a tomboy. She went into nursing after graduating from high school and obtained an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) degree. For the first few years of her nursing career Maureen worked in RI and then worked as a travel nurse. She says that was one of the best choices she ever made allowing her to experience new places before finally settling in Charleston, SC where she began working for Medical University of South Carolina and then the VA Hospital while obtaining her BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing). In 2020, Maureen bought a second home in the mountains of North Carolina where she eventually moved when she retired in 2022.

Here’s an interview that I did with Maureen where she shares about her journey to discovering her passion for weaving.

How did you end up in Marion, NC?

When I started thinking of retirement, I knew I wanted someplace with 4 seasons and little bit of snow. We used to vacation near just south of Asheville and liked the area. Asheville real-estate was pretty high, so I ended down the mountain in Marion. Fell in love with my house 2 years before I was ready to move, so had two houses for a few years. That led to some real stress I will say. Once my son, Mike, graduated from high school, I sold the Charleston house and we moved to NC permanently.

Have you always felt that you were creative?

I have always been creative, sewing as young teen, macrame, wreath making etc. But I pretty much put all that on hold as a single mom working full time.

How did you incorporate creativity into your life prior to retiring?

Can’t say I did much as far as creativity prior to retiring as I was very invested in dog rescue. Between meet and greets and fostering that kept me pretty busy while working and raising my son, Mike.   

Have you always been interested in weaving/textiles?

Not really, then I bought my first woven scarf at The Charleston Farmer Market, maybe 30 yrs. ago. I paid $100 which was quite a bit for me back then. I still have that scarf, it is as beautiful as ever and I always had that thought, “someday, I’m going to weave.”

How long did it take you to make your first piece?

Weaving is faster than sewing or knitting, probably took about 10 hours for my 1st scarf. I’m sure it was not the best technically but someone liked it enough to bid on and purchase via my Lucky Dog Weaves auctions which I hold on Facebook. The proceeds from my auctions goes to a local dog rescue.

What did you learn about yourself as you learned to weave?

I actually do have some patience!! Also learned that when you make a mistake, it is considered part of the charm of handmade and not to dwell on it.

Why do you donate your profits to animal rescue?

I started in dog rescue about 25 yrs. ago and volunteered a lot with Lowcounty Lab Rescue, Golden Retriever rescue and others, then I started helping out rural shelters in SC. Some friends and I started a spay and neuter program in a rural SC county and raised thousands to help folks spay and neuter their pets. That’s when I started online Facebook auctions for raising money. Friends would donate amazing items and monies raised would help rescues/shelters/spay neuter programs. It was a really great time with some wonderful people. Doing auctions now with my weaving to help out my local rescue seemed a pretty obvious next step. I’ve made about 75 scarves, and have started creating table runners, towels and even a baby blanket. The auctions are fun. I’m fortunate that I’ve had some folks donate yarn and since retirement I’m at a place where I can afford the materials and equipment for my new venture. Some day when I have enough stock, I may open a virtual handcraft store and sell for profit, but for now I’m good donating the proceeds to the dog rescue. Just last t week I purchased a used floor loom and I’m excited to learn that.  I’m still fostering dogs, one goal in retirement was to go back and count how many I’ve fostered, I’m sure in the 100s and that brings me lots of pleasure knowing I’m helping dogs find their forever homes.    

What advice would you give to others who think they may be too old or too busy to start a new creative journey?

You’re never too old. I would encourage folks to search out classes in their area involving crafts that they might enjoy. That’s the best way, before investing money. There’s also a ton of used equipment out there instead of buying new. I took some lessons at my local yarn shop and have never looked back!  I recently took a class on making rope bowls and loved it. Will be making those for auctions in the near future. I also took a class on how to make barn quilts. I’m loving retirement as it allows me time for all sorts of creative outlets. I started swimming at my local YMCA to make up for all the sitting when weaving.  I may travel in the future but I have 4 dogs now, all over 13 yrs. which makes it hard to leave town. I’m content right now to be a homebody.

To see Maureen’s creations, you can follow her page, Lucky Dog Weaves on Facebook where she holds an auction every 4-6 months.