About Us
We are Theresa Racht and Cynthia Aquila, two friends who live in New York City and share a love of cross-stitch. Both of us come from a long line of needleworkers and learned to stitch as young children. One of Theresa’s earliest stitching memories is of sitting under a quilt at her mother’s quilting bee, helping to push the needle up through the fabric in the center. And Cynthia’s grandmother was rarely without a piece of embroidery in her hands. We’ve been avid cross-stitchers for more than a decade and are now trying our hand at designing needlework. Our designs reflect our love of antique samplers and embroidery, as well as our enjoyment of Christmas and whimsical bees and other creatures. How did you come up with that quirky name?
We named ourselves Arachne's Silken Web because we met through the Internet (thus the reference to the Web). We also enjoy the variety of fibers used in cross-stitch, especially silk threads. We were particularly delighted to discover that a web -- as in a spider web -- also relates to needlework in the myth of Arachne and Minerva.
The myth of Arachne
Arachne was a mortal known for her weaving and embroidery skills. It was said that the nymphs would leave their groves and fountains to come and gaze upon her work. It was not only beautiful when it was done, but beautiful in the doing. So remarkable was her work, it was believed that Arachne was trained by Minerva, the goddess of wisdom who presided over the arts of spinning, weaving and embroidery -- a claim which Arachne vehemently denied. Learning of the maiden's hubrus, Minerva, disguised as an old woman, went to Arachne and advised her not to anger the gods. But Arachne was undaunted and challenged Minerva to a contest, which Minerva gladly accepted after revealing her true identity.
The two proceeded to weave magnificent tapestries. Arachne's work was so masterful and the images she wrought so lifelike that even the goddess was in awe. But Arachne chose to portray the weaknesses and failings of the gods in her work. Angered by this effrontery, Minerva destroyed the tapestry. She then touched Arachne's forehead filling the maiden with shame and guilt. Unable to bear the guilt, Arachne hanged herself. But Minerva had pity on her and brought her back to life as a spider. Thus, Arachne and her descendents would forever hang from threads and be great weavers.”