As a child in Lady Cove on Random Island, Jean Adey watched her mother weaving, and soon tried her hand at it. “After I married, she gave me her loom,” Adey says. “I learned to weave by trial and error.”

Once she had mastered her craft, Adey began to work for NONIA, the Newfoundland Outport Nursing and Industrial Association. In 1972, she participated in “In Praise of Hands,” a summer-long program of craft demonstration at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto. Soon after, she attended the very first Christmas Craft Fair in St. John's (she's attended more than 30 since).

Encouraged by other weavers (Colleen Lynch, Donna Clouston, Gill Campbell of Woof Design), Adey began the process of buying looms from older weavers on Random Island as they retired. She taught several local women to weave, provided materials, and the cottage industry of Random Island Weavers was born. A long-time resident of Weybridge, Adey set up her studio and retail outlet there in 1988.

Random Island Weavers is known for its placemats, runners, napkins, and coasters, and its wool and mohair scarves and blankets. Each piece is individually woven and hand-finished. “I love trying new colour combinations and patterns,” Adey says.

Jean Adey's place in the history of craft in the province is high and secure. Now she's beginning to wind down her career, but still works a few hours every day at her loom. Her ethic remains the same: “Make a product you're proud of, strive for good quality, and proudly show your ‘Made in Newfoundland' Label.”

Image shown: Blankets, wool and mohair