Our Team

Let us introduce you to our Weavers

Employee 1

Erin

Our original weaver and inspiration behind what we do.

Weaving Since 2016

Nicole

Nicole

Nicole started on the first day we opened our Lowell MI store . Weaving Since 2016

Employee 3

Grace

Weaver of rugs & handbags. Plus she is an expert dryer ball maker.

Weaving Since 2023

Hannah

Hannah

Rag Rugs and Handbags are Hannah's specialty.

Weaving since 2023

Employee 5

Jeanna

She makes mug rugs on our specially designed loom. It's the perfect height for her to wheel up to.

Weaving since 2024

Employee 6

Clara

Clara is super fast at weaving rugs. Now she makes handbags too!

Weaver Since 2024

Employee 8

Heidi

Towel weaver and loom warper. Heidi is our only off-site weaver.

Volunteer since 2018

Weaving Since 2022

Brenda

Brenda

Towel & Rug Weaver as well as Customer Service & Weaver Support.

Volunteer Since 2022

Weaving since 2024

Rylee

Rylee

Towel & Rug Weaving, Customer Service and Weaver Support.

Weaving Since December 2024

Employee 10

Maykayla

Towel Weaver and Customer Service.

Weaving Since December 2024

Employee 13

Judy

Towel Weaver. Judy has a very creative eye for towe stripe patterns. Weaver Since 2025

Employee 12

Debbie

Shipping Expert. Debbie ships most of our outgoing products to customers all over the country. She also has a good handle on our online inventory. In the rare instance of a slow day she weaves towels too!

Volunteer Since 2024

Shipping/Weaving Since 2025

Employee 11

Sabrina

Towel Weaving as well as Placemats/Runners. Sabrina has introduced us all to Nordic music.

Weaver since 2025

Employee 14

Tori

Rug Weaver and AW Cleaning.

Tori does a great job tracking down and clearing out all the dust bunnies we create.

Weaving & Cleaning Since 2025

Employee 15

Carol

Sews our handbags and rugs. She says the industrial sewing machine is like driving a Harley. I think she is right! Volunteer Since 2019

Weaving Since 2026

Employee 16

Heather

Towel Weaver. Heather is one of our newest towel weaversm but her friendly smile tells me she is enjoying the process.

Weaving Since March 2026

Eric

Eric Bartkus

He has many titles, "Founder of the original AW loom", Co-Owner, CFO, Loom Transport, Tool Maker, Loom Wrapper, Loom Repair Person, Emergency Staff Relief, Cheerleader and Constant encourager of all, Daddy, devoted husband & Best Friend.

Weaving & More Since January 2016

Beryl

Beryl Bartkus

Owner of Ability Weavers

Project Director

Slightly Crazy woman who began all of this to provide meaning and purpose for Erin & those who might otherwise not find meaningful employment.

Weaving & More Since January 2016

Now you need to meet our volunteers

Volunteer 1

Kate

Towel Sewing Since 2016

Volunteer 2

Cindy

Fabric Prep & Towel Finishing

Helen

Helen

Fabric Prep and Finishing

Sue

Sue

Side by Side Helper with Erin and official Tuesday "Loom Mover"

Liz

Liz

Sewing & Finishing

Janie

Janie

Towel Pressing & Finishing 

and Grace's Mom

Lori

Lori

Towel Pressing & Finishing

Tonia

Tonia

Towel Finishing

& Clara's Mom

Nikki

Nikki

Side By Side Helper with Jeanna