About Acton Creative

About Me

Meet Chris

Hi, I’m Chris!

Hi, I’m Chris! I live in NW Indiana, about 5 miles from Lake Michigan and an hour from Chicago. Luckily, I took a weaving class while I was working a corporate job in the Chicago suburbs and it was love at first sight. With hardly a backward glance, I quit my job with the intention of weaving all day long. That was in 2008.

After an impressive list of part-time jobs, and lots of experience selling my work at fairs and markets all over the country, I’ve finally found my niche as a weaving instructor who specializes in beginners – my favorite kind of weaver.

As it turns out, I love any conversation that begins with “This is a loom”. I get a thrill out of breaking down the weaving concepts, equipment, and materials into bite-sized pieces and watching a beginner’s face light up when they finally put it all together. My mission in this world is to guide someone from simply being the owner of a loom, to becoming a confident, creative weaver.

10 Random Nuggets About Me

Tea, never coffee (although I absolutely LOVE the smell of it!).
My favorite books are those with a little mush and a happy ending. Or, cookbooks (lots and lots of cookbooks).
I get embarrassingly excited about attending the local library’s book sale twice a year (did you see the cookbook comment?).
I’m the friend that STRONGLY suggests we get dessert. Always.
Green is my favorite color. And light pink? Nope. No, thank you.
I have aspirations to be a farmer (which translates to “amateur gardener”). While I’m not always great at it, thus far it has provided me with lots of good stories and some adorable tomatoes.
I am completely clueless about current television – unless a show is on the Food Network, or HGTV.
Yoga makes my heart happy. Namaste.
It’s not exactly accurate to say that I’m single-handedly keeping the US Post Office in business, but I’m doing my part. Real mail is my love language.
At the core, I’m a big ‘ole introvert. But, I absolutely love people and find them endlessly fascinating. This simply means that after each Live at the Loom, I have to go take a nap.

List of Appearances

Measure Twice Cut Once with Susan Smith (1/5/22)

Relationship Matters with Dr. Jan (8/4/22)

Creating from the Heart: The Artistry of Living with Suzy Vance (10/6/22)

Lakeshore Public Media: Eye on the Arts

Canvas Rebel with Jessica Ramirez

Textiles & Tea with HGA

Textiles & Tea (Host) with HGA

Partnerships

I love working closely with small businesses to support each other and help us grow together. Here are my favorites.

Where to Find My Work

While retail isn’t my focus, I still create a few things. And when I do, they are sent to one of these amazing locations.

Have Questions? Let’s Get In Touch!

If you have any questions for me, don’t hesitate to reach out and I’ll be happy to help!

Contact Me

10 Random Nuggets About Me

I make a mean banana bread. No nuts.
I have used the same keychain since I was in middle school. I think Dad gave it to me after a trip.
I LOVE real mail! You can never have enough stationery, as far as I’m concerned.
My friend, Stephanie, and I have been besties since she was born – which was 13 days after me.
My family is famous in Japan. My great, great, great (not sure how many) uncle, Lafcadio Hearn, was an acclaimed writer there. He has a museum and everything!
Coffee is one of my favorite smells in the whole world! But, I can’t drink it. Hopefully, one day I’ll kill enough taste buds to enjoy it.
When I was little, I was on a summer swim team. One year, I received the Most Improved Swimmer award. To this day, it’s one of the few plaques I’ve kept.
I’m a regular blood donor. So far, over 11 gallons!
I was born on an Air Force base in the 70’s. The bill for my birth was under $10.
I’ve lived in South Carolina at 2 different times in my life. So, I know what a “meat & 3” is, and when someone says they are going to “carry you” to the store, it’s not literal.