“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have” — Maya Angelou

Shelly Weber conjures this quote from memory when asked to expand upon the natural “flow state” she has discovered within her new market business, PNW GIRL.

Since the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market opened for the 2021 season, guests have been abuzz with praise for the fascinating macrame creations of this market newcomer.

Market guests have begun to discover captivating wall hangings, hand-woven plant holders and other wall art — all crafted with natural and found treasures that bring a unique presence to this nature lover’s pieces. It should come as no surprise that PNW GIRL’s work is distinctly Northwestern in style.

Weber says she sources inspiration from that which freely occurs.

“I’m all about nature: feathers, tree moss, rocks, driftwood, shells. But then I love finding things like rusted barrel hoops! It’s these cool, textural things that I find most motivating.”

Weber says she’s always felt an immense calling towards natural spaces.

“I’ve always loved the mountains,” she says. “I spent every summer up with my kids up at a cabin, running the river on tubes, and hiking.”

A dedicated provider and nurturer, Weber has always prioritized family. With three sons and now two grand-daughters, family has always been of the greatest importance to the now artist.

“I’ve worked all my life, at least part-time,” Weber says. “I was always hustling and working to get my kids through college.”

Upon relocating to Sequim, Weber began to experience a shift towards prioritizing her own passions.

“When we moved here, it was just my husband and me. It felt like I began to find myself again,” she says.

“I don’t even know where it came from, to be honest with you. Maybe this was always in me, but it never had a chance to sprout because I was never really able to give it the time.”

Weber sourced inspiration for her creations in her new surroundings. “Everywhere I went, I was just in awe,” she says. “Seriously, Washington’s beautiful. You know, I just can’t help but be inspired. I just look at it all and I think, ‘Wow, I love this.”

Weber soon began crafting small things to incorporate elements of the natural world into her home life.

“I was just making stuff because I loved it. It didn’t start as a job.”

Before long, Weber’s creations began to catch the eye of her friends and family.

“That’s how it started for me, everyone seemed to be loving what I was making and wanting their own piece. It just began to evolve from there,” Weber says. “I went to visit my son for a month in LA and I had brought a bunch of macrame to work on. My daughter-in-law posted a bunch of my work online and I sold every single thing.

“I came back and I thought to myself, ‘I’m going to apply for the market.’”

Weber identifies a flow in the market environment as well: “At the market, everything is either handmade or from the earth. I think people like to know where things come from. They like to feel like they’re a part of the community. They like to support small businesses. It’s a great feeling to support the locals and all of the cool things they have to offer.

“There are so many stories. People like to hear each vendor’s story, they like to share theirs too. I think it’s a warm feeling that comes across both ways.

I feel like the love I put into my pieces is felt.”

Emma Jane “EJ” Garcia is the Market Manager for the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market.