Meet the members of Team Lovely
Melissa Salzman, Shop Owner/Chief Yarn Slinger
I’m a Baltimore native with a background in Studio Art. My husband, David Showalter, also an artist, and I share our Mt. Vernon apartment with 12 fish all named, "Jimmy". When I have free time I like to be outside running around.
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I'm a good knitter, a dubious crocheter, an intermediate drop spinner, and a beginner weaver. I took up knitting for the second time about 21 years ago (the first was as a very small child) when a friend suggest we knit instead of snacking while watching TV. Now, I'm just into everything; I want to know how to do ALL of the things!
I feel very lucky to have a job that feels doesn't feel like work. I enjoy the company of my creative cohorts, Lynda and Jayne as well as the community of makers who frequent my shop. My advice to you is to take a class and learn a new skill to up your game and add more tools to your belt. We have some wonderful instructors here who can help guide you on your creative journey.
Jayne Trentanove, Knitter/Problem-Solver
The only non-Baltimorean in the bunch…I am a native New Yorker (born in Brooklyn, raised on Long Island) who now resides in Original Northwood. I learned to knit literally at my Grandmother’s knees when I was about 8 years old. I still have items she knit for my Mother in the 1940s (so take care of your knits for future generations to enjoy). Knitting was my first fiber craft. I later ventured into needlepoint, rug hooking, counted cross stitch and sewing, but came back to knitting full-time about 20 years ago.
I discovered Lovelyarns shortly after I moved to Baltimore from the DC-area about 13 years ago. From the start, the shop has had a warm, welcoming vibe and it became my LYS. About 6 years ago, I started working here part-time. I hesitate to use the term ‘work’ as being in the shop is a joy and not work. This is such a happy place. Fiber people are generally happy, pleasant people and even if they have a problem with their WIPs, they are generally still in a good mood. My favorite part of the ‘job’ is helping anyone who runs into a problem with their WIP or is feeling a bit frustrated. I cannot say just how much I love turning that frustration into an HA-HA moment of understanding. Also, I’m a knitting nerd. I love learning obscure tidbits about knitting. For example, where did the terms Raglan and Cardigan come from? Hint: It has to do with British aristocracy and two wars. Yup, real nerd.
Lynda Del Genis, Yarn Enabler/Project Instigator
I’m thrilled to be on Team Lovely! I’ve been knitting since age 4 and crocheting since age 8 so I’ve been training for this my whole life. I come from a long line of fiber artists and crafters and am proud to carry on the family tradition of making beautiful things. In addition to my mad yarn skillz, I also embroider, cross stitch, tat, weave a little (if friendship bracelets count as weaving) and make a mean sock monkey.
People often ask me which is better/easier/more fun: knit or crochet. I say reject the false binary! They are horses of two different colors and each scratches its own creative itch. Knitting is typically more structured and soothing, while crochet is generally more spontaneous and imaginative, but not always! There are no rules, except maybe don’t throw cashmere into the washing machine.
Come and play! I know tons of tips and tricks (both useful and maybe not so much) and there’s always new stuff to learn. Ask me anything…if I don’t know the answer, we’ll figure it out together. I can’t wait to see what you make!
Noelani Jones, Weaver Beaver/Natural Dyer
Born and raised on the island of O’ahu. My name, Noelani, means “heavenly mist,” in Hawai’ian. I am a
community-building Fiber Artist passionate about strengthening communities and individuals with art
and an appreciation for the natural world. I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2017
with my BFA in Craft and Material Studies and a concentration in Fibers. Known as the “Weaver Beaver,”
a play on words addressing the history of weaving in the Western world being considered “women’s
work.” There is merit to following in the footsteps of those who came before us and keeping the craft
alive and remembered.
As a community-building artist, I believe anyone can be a weaver and anything can be a thread.
Currently, I live in the eastern foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Maryland on my family’s land
raising pygora goats. I am the Weaving and Natural Dyeing Teacher at Lovelyarns in Baltimore,
Maryland. I met Melissa when I first moved to Maryland in March of 2021 through my network of
Baltimore weavers and we bonded over our mutual enjoyment of all the creative communities of
makers who frequent her shop. One of my favorite things to do as an artist is share weaving with you! I
love teaching at Lovelyarns, because I’m given the freedom to be creative with the classes and everyone
at the shop is always so friendly. Lovelyarns has a wonderful variety of fun workshops throughout the
year.
Sarah Mikkelsen, Knitting, Crochet, Macramé & Spinning Instructor
I have been a fiber arts addict for over 20 years. When not enabling others by teaching knitting, crochet, spinning, or macramé classes, I enjoy making sweaters, lace, doing Kung-Fu, cooking, and watching anime!
Marcia Smith, Knitting Instructor
I've been knitting since I was 8 years old and I still knit everyday. I have completed well over a thousand projects, including sweaters, baby blankets, afghans, hats, gloves, scarves, socks, lace, shawls, 3-D stuffed animals, pretty much anything you can think of knitting except bathing suits! I love going to the MD Sheep and Wool Festival each May, and I have won many ribbons for my knitted entries at the MD State Fair. My background is in math and physics and I enjoy the challenge of complex knitting patterns because it's like solving a problem. I love to teach and would be so happy to help you succeed in my class.
Clare Nicholls, Weaving & Tatting Instructor
I'm a weaver, lace maker, and spinner. Also a Baltimore native, I enjoy living down the street from Lovelyarns! Teaching weaving on floor looms is one of my passions, and I love helping students find their creative voices on the loom. When I'm not obsessively immersed in a fiber project, I'm reading about astrology, taking nature walks, or taking a nap with my cat.