Jack of all trades – master of none. Whoever authored that saying has never met Nancy Wesson!Wesson’s talents include knitting, crocheting, quilting, sewing, beading, chair canning, refinishing furniture and jewelry design, to name just a few of her many crafty talents. While Weston enjoys all of the above, her current business is primarily hand-beaded angels and name jewelry. She also makes custom magnetic 36-inch chains that can be used as a necklace, bracelet or even a waist belt. The chains, versatile and beautiful, have been known as remedies for several medical ailments.Wesson is married to John Graves, a bus driver for School District 49, and she is the mother of three adult sons, seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.Wesson was born in La Junta, Colo., and raised in Las Animas. She and her sister learned their crafty ways from both parents. Her father, who passed away in 1992 at the age of 87, was raised on a sheep ranch where he learned to tat using the sheep wool. For those of you who have never heard of “tatting,” it involves a shuttle with a fish eye and double-stitch patterns and picots. And what are picots? Tatting is a very old, and to many, lost art form. Wesson’s father also learned knitting and crocheting and contributed to many hand-made tablecloths, blankets, and quilts. He worked for the Santa Fe Railroad – because of her father’s career, Wesson is a lifelong collector of the Santa Fe Railroad memorabilia.Wesson’s mother was also a gifted craftswoman. She excelled at knitting and crocheting and was a 4-H mother for more than 25 years. Wesson’s mother still enjoys adding edging on hand towels and other items – an accomplishment for a woman who just celebrated her 100th birthday! She has told Wesson many times that a particular item would be her last. As a result, Wesson has collected many “lasts” from her mother. Her parents also gave her a life-long love of music. Her father not only played the violin but he also made them. Wesson is an accomplished clarinetist. After graduating from high school, she received a scholarship for music from a Bible college in Kansas. Six months into college, her father had a heart attack and Wesson had to leave college to help her mother. She found a job at the local Veterans Hospital and eventually transferred to Fort Carson, where she met and married her first husband.Always an entrepreneur at heart, a divorced Wesson purchased a company called “Pearl Creations.” Customers would fish out their own oysters, and Wesson would create for them pins, earrings, etc., on the spot. She had kiosks during the holiday season at five Sears’ stores and sold her creations at Ft. Carson, several malls, and local fairs.After a successful 12 years, Wesson decided she had enough of the travel and closed her business. She moved to Chama, N.M., where she worked for a company that made chenille sweaters. Wesson’s mother became ill, and she moved back to Colorado Springs to aide her recovery. She started her own business selling handmade chenille vests and sweaters at craft fairs. However, once the local malls began selling chenille clothing, Wesson couldn’t compete with their prices. Once again, Wesson put her numerous crafty skills to work and went back to her love of jewelry design.Wesson had been taking beading lessons from her nieces and decided it would be a great addition to her jewelry line. She currently specializes in beaded names, mother, military and message bracelets. Made from sterling silver and Austrian Swarovsky crystals, each is customized for the buyer. For the holidays, she has designed an exquisite beaded angel pin, which can be worn any time. She is also selling watches, necklaces, earrings and hairclips as well as chenille sweaters and vests. Although she is not taking orders for them right now; she has several available for sale. Each is truly unique in color and design.Wesson is currently selling her jewelry at craft fairs, beauty shops and directly out of her home. To view her collection, call Nancy Wesson at (719) 495-9067, or e-mail her at No1nana4@juno.com.
