Rachel Meyers Hefferan is a textile artist and small-scale shepherd focused on sustainability in their art practice and lifestyle.

Rachel received a bachelor’s degree in 2013 from the Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Design at the University of Michigan with magna cum laude honors and an emphasis of study in environmental science. Rachel lives on five acres in Fennville, Michigan and raises Pygora and Angora goats, Jacob sheep, and a few Icelandic and Shetland sheep as well as Chickens, Rabbits, Turkeys, Ducks, Dogs, and a Donkey named Puzzle. Rachel completed her master’s degree in 2020 at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she focused mainly on weaving, but paired with Natural Dyes.

Rachel’s artwork focuses on microbial networks, connectivity, pattern, and fermentation, and most often takes the form of large scale abstract weavings.  Her aim as a textile artist is to engage in holistic practice that brings natural and second-hand materials through the entirety of their life cycle without sacrificing aesthetics or color, and to invite others into this practice through conversation, workshops, community, and other events.

Questions for Bean?

  • Rachel and Nick both grew up in the suburbs of Grand Rapids, Michigan! I’ve always loved animals of all sorts, and as a child wanted to be either an artist or a veterinarian (go figure). I became interested in fiber-producing livestock around the same time that I started weaving - big surprise, I know!

    After several years of daydreaming, we ripped off the bandaid and started with two Pygora bottle babies (Turner & Hooch) in 2016!

  • You may notice many titles written in chemical language. These titles are constructed, false imitations of realities, made by adapting polypeptide shorthand to spell words. A title is at best, a small, second artwork for those who take the time to look.

    Why Polypeptide Chains?
    Because theres nothing better than watching an excited scientist in a gallery, decoding the letters in a title to read it.

  • Rachel Elizabeth Meyers Bean Hefferan. Thats me!

    In Summer of 1991, a tiny Rachel was born during the festival of the arts in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Soon after her parents lovingly deemed her “Rachel-Bean-the-Drama-Queen” - which in the decades followed was shortened to Bean, a nickname used by loved ones, colleagues, and even a few regulars at the bar Bean slings beer at part time.

  • Nope! Although I would love that and there are a few projects that are exceptions to this answer, but generally speaking - most works are made with yarns that Rachel has collected/accepted/amassed from her community of makers. Very rarely, yarn is purchased - usuallly from fellow small fiber producers. This is an intentional choice and allows me to put money back into my community.

    That being said - you can make something with the fiber from my animals!! If you would like to support Rachel (& her business partner / bestie Johanna Bystrom) check out our collaborative wool label, Fiber Fleet!

    Please tag us in your textile adventures!