about rachel

Rachel Petra Mercer grew up in Taos. Hearing often about the legacy of Rachel Brown, she always wanted to be a weaver. 

She first learned to weave in 2023 in a class with Brooke Hemenway at Taos Wools, and followed with another class by Julie Cloutman. "I immediately fell in love with the craft," she says. Rachel was invited to become a production weaver for Taos Wools, where she wove several runners. She purchased a mid-sized counterbalance loom for her home and has done several pieces since.

Rachel is a visual artist who works mostly with watercolor and ink. She loves the textures of the wool and how "a woven piece is like a 3D illustration." She also loves the process of weaving — "everything about it, from setting up the loom to the actual weaving, to tying off and having a finished piece."

"Being part of this cohort would be a dream for me because I have been seeking ways to expand my skill, practice, and gain access to materials, looms, and support to continue learning," says Rachel. "I would love to be part of a community of other weavers and contribute my energy to keeping this amazing tradition alive."