Mary Lou Hanley has been weaving for approximately 9 years. She was inspired to try the craft when, while on vacation, her husband saw Tierra Wools in New Mexico and said, Lets go...I think you'd really like that. The following year she took their week long class and has been weaving ever since.

Initially she wove rugs and other items in heavy wools and other yarns, mostly in plain weave, some with simple tapestry forms. Currently she is working with much finer thread weight yarns such as tencel/silk combinations and weaving scarves and table runners.

At the 2006 Monterey County Fair one of her scarves was awarded a First Place Blue Ribbon in the Weaving and Spinning Division; two others were awarded Second and Third Place ribbons in the Visual Arts Division.

Mary Lou also does calligraphy and Japanese brush painting.