ARTISAN MEMBER Susan Muldoon

Sue Muldoon divides her time between 3-dimensional and 2-dimensional work. She bounces back and forth between photography, web design and graphic design to seatweaving (chair caning, wicker repair, rush, splint, etc.) and basket weaving. Basketry started as an add-on to seat weaving because there was material begging to be used in more than one format.

Sue’s career has always been creative, from wallpaper hanging and interior painting to a lengthy career in the floral industry as designer, merchandiser and national sales representative. Wood carving, furniture refinishing and upcycling furniture in novel ways using unique materials like leather belts, ties and alpaca wool sets her apart from traditional seatweaving methods.

Color is rampant and unapologetic. Basketry has expanded to wearable art.

Where some might see a chair, Sue sees a statement. She spends the majority of her time now repairing seats and teaching seatweaving and basketry. Her photography and design work enable her to get the word out about what she does, and her skills in social media are in demand from farmers markets, growers, artists and authors.

A frequent instructor at various sheep, wool and fiber festivals, woodworking schools, art retreats and farmers markets, she enjoys sharing seatweaving and basketmaking to new crafters and artisans. 2020 created the opportunity to move to online instruction via Zoom classes.

This has expanded her reach across the country. There are still some small personal or private classes by appointment. We’ll see what happens in the near future, but for now she has become very flexible in her outreach to students.