A West Marin fiber artist cooperative

Black Mountain Artisans (BMA) is a West Marin fiber artist cooperative. Its mission is to provide show and sales space for high quality local and Bay Area fiber artists. BMA represents approximately 6 West Marin Artists. Most BMA artists source from local shepherds and farmers.  

BMA is the local equivalent of "Fair Trade" by providing local fiber artists the opportunity to sell their work with the highest possible gain for themselves, keeping monies within the community.

Work includes hand spun and hand dyed local wool and yarns, hand knit and hand loomed sweaters, cardigans, hats, scarves, shawls, hand woven garments, baby clothes and hats, as well as jewelry. All work is hand made and one-of-a-kind. All of the artists live and work in Bolinas.

Marlie de Swart owns and operates the cooperative that was started as Black Mountain Weavers 27 years ago by 5 Inverness weavers. For 30 some years BMA had a store front presence in Point Reyes Station. Now the group does yearly artist’s open studios and pop-up events.

BMA is proud to have some 5 hand spinners in the group. Most wool is hand spun and hand dyed (with natural or "green" dyes) fiber, from locally raised sheep, alpaca, llama and angora rabbits. BMA even has hand spun yarn from dog and cat hair blends. Each spinner creates her own style of yarn—from wild novelty yarns to conservative but beautiful 2-ply sport weight yarn. The offerings are always changing.

In addition to hand spun yarn, BMA offers mill spun yarn from local shepherds, such as Windrush Farm, Lost Coast Yarns, 10-acre Tomales Bay Yarns and Feline Fibers.

Email: BMA@sonic.net

Instagram: @marliedeswart and @blackmountweavers

Active Members

Patricia Briceño

Patricia is a native of Yucatan, Mexico, and has been working with fibers since she was able to thread a needle. In 2004 she met Polly Stirling, who is known for her contemporary approach to the medium of handmade felt. This technique provides a way to create lightweight felt appropriate for the mild winters in California. Patricia is attracted to the myriad of possibilities that Nuno felt offers: the transparency, the ability to drape, the exciting textures, the possibility of layering materials and the different ways to approach garment construction. 

Charmaine Kieger

Charmaine's love of fiber began in the Textile Department at San Francisco State University, with an interest in weavings from different cultures, specifically Peruvian, Guatemalan and Indonesian Ikat weavings. Weaving lead to an interest in knitting, spinning, and natural dyeing. Currently her specialty is woven blankets, shawls, throws and neck-scarves. Her passion is hand spun, hand knit, natural dyed patterned hats.