Picking up where generations left off

‍ photography credit: Pamela J. Peters

Diné rug weaver works to build new business

Labby Shepard grew up watching her mom, grandma and great grandma weave beautiful rugs with intricate designs but when it was her turn to start weaving professionally, she found herself alone and without their help. Shepard had lost all three women and had only her memories to guide her.

It was 2020, the Navajo Nation was shut down due to the pandemic when Shepard started reteaching herself to weave. It has been about 13 years since she held a weaving tool and there was a lot to remember but it was the perfect time to try.

“Just the process of weaving was a challenge because it was during lockdown. I couldn’t go to relatives and ask for help,” she said, adding she turned to books, phone calls, and YouTube videos to fill some gaps.

But the resources were limited and there were some areas of rug weaving that Shepard felt only her mom could help her with.

“There was one part of setting up that I couldn’t figure out with the resources I had and I was struggling with just making a warping string that I actually dreamt my mom was showing me,” she said.

Her mom, Elizabeth Shepard, passed away about 15 years ago and Labby Shepard kept thinking about the last run they made together. The rug was a straight line design made with yarn that her grandma left behind when she passed and it took Shepard and her mom three months of tag teaming to finish the rug.

Shepard said her mom was strong willed and always got things done, so Shepard took the lessons her mom taught her and got through the obstacles of relearning how to weave and in the winter of 2023, she started her business, Diyogí by Labby, where she focuses on traditional rug weaving and cowl scarf making.

But it took Shepard awhile to get comfortable with her work. She struggled with her self-confidence and she felt like she didn’t really know what she was doing or if she was doing it right.

When it came to social media, she had to learn how to market her work. But over the years, Shepard has slowly become more comfortable with the process of being a small business owner and while she’s still building her self confidence, she encourages other small business owners to keep going, even when it’s uncomfortable.

photography credit: Pamela J. Peters

Shepard also works as a school counselor and help students through tough times. This work can be mentally stressful so Shepard has found hobbies over the years to help take her mind off things, which include sewing, reading and now weaving.

“Just the impact of weaving helps me stop thinking about everything that goes on in my life and the things I see and hear,” she said, adding it’s healthy to find quiet moments her day.

While Shepard is building a name for herself and with her rugs, she also weaves cowl scarves, an infinity scarf that is round and can be slipped over the head as opposed to being wrapped like a traditional scarf. She initially made one for herself and then started making them for family. Soon other people were asking if she was selling them and when she noticed the demand, she decided to start selling them along with her rugs.

Shepard makes about three cowl scarves a month and works on them during the summer time to have winter inventory. Although she can only make a limited amount because it helps her stand out among other weavers. She was never initiated into the weaving community so she is still building her name and while she competes against master weavers, she hopes her cowl scarves help people remember her name.

“I think it’s important to show other weavers the possibilities,” she said of the cowl scarf.

photography credit: Pamela J. Peterson

Because a cowl scarf is meant to be worn, the weaving technique has to be different than a rug, Shepard said. A rug is meant for display so it should be stiff but a cowl should be flexible and comfortable, something Shepard has achieved.

“With a cowl scarf, you’re wearing the art,” she said.

While Shepard has been weaving for a few years now, she still runs into obstacles and she still has to be a creative problem solver but through it all she works to be a good role model for her students, other small business owners, new weaver and especially her family.

“I want to show them that whatever you want to do, it’s achievable if you just put the time and the effort and just instill with them that things, whatever you want, is possible. We just got to work for it,” Shepard said.

Labby Shepard’s work can be found on Facebook and Instagram at diyogi by Labby.