Judi Tompkins of QLD recently submitted her hooked creation “Caught”
for exhibition, until 25th August, 2013, at the Red Rock Gallery in Victoria,
Judi’s piece is now up on their website! If you’d like to see it “hung”, and learn more about their upcoming exhibitions and view previous exhibitions go to: http://www.redrockarts.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9&Itemid=13
Since the last newsletter was published mid-June, several rug hooking events have take place around Australia. This is just a quick round-up by Jo Franco, Editor.
In QLD Judi Tompkins facilitated a workshop for a group of members to discuss and learn how to go from design to the completion of the project; design their own rug, choose fabrics, colours and finish techniques. This was an all-day event held over a shared lunch and I’m told was very successful and enjoyed by all. To read more click on http://www.rugcraftingaustralia.com.au/
Judi also hosted a rug hooking visitor from Canberra – Maggie Whyte. I would like to have been a fly on the wall as these two creative rug hookers talked about projects they’ve recently finished and are planning to do.
Bec Andersen held a workshop on Saturday 13th July. Go to Bec’s website http://www.becandersen.com/ and contact her for details about her regular rug days and details for future workshops.
NSW: Rugmaking will be a little difficult for Miriam Miller of the Narrawilly Proggers for a couple of months – while hiking with her son up Mt. Bushwalker to the head of the Miller Falls named for Miriam and her husband, she slipped and broke her wrist. Miriam tells me this spectacular view (image taken on a mobile phone) is enough to encourage anyone to keep walking.
For information
about the Narrawilly Proggers and Miriam’s rug hooking studio click http://www.shoal.net.au/~narrawilly/
VIC: The Victorian Rugmakers July meeting was at Chris Noorbergen’s home in Lock. The group is overcoming their travel distance by rotating their monthly meetings at members’ homes. It seems as though rughooking and good food goes hand in hand as you will read on their blog…… http://victorianrugmakers.blogspot.com.au/
SA: Strath Matters rug group took a break from rug making in June and hired a Murray River houseboat – besides the scenery, they too enjoyed good food and wine and knitted ponchos. Here they model their weekend’s work.
On the INTERNATIONAL SCENE – South Australian rug maker Yvonne Dalton is featured in the current issue of Fiber Art Now. A full-page picture of some of Yvonne’s eco dyed fabric graces the lead in to the article. Yvonne is shown here wrapping eucalyptus trees to create the interesting results on recycled cotton, wool and silk fabric and garments.
More of Yvonne’s work can be seen in the last issue for 2012 of The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers newsletter and in an article by India Flint at http://handeyemagazine.com/content/wrapping-trees
WA: Following the interest generated in this craft at the May Craft & Quilt Fair, several workshops have been held in the Perth metropolitan area and also in the South West of the state. The most recent was a workshop with a difference – children’s school holiday workshop held last week. Sixteen girls and boys aged 7 – 12 busily created prodded baskets using pretty fabrics and WA football colours. The creations were completed in the morning session and all went home very pleased with their new found skill. Some of the baskets were put to a different use.
The current issue of the Guild’s newsletter is now available in the Member Area. Log-in and read Miriam Miller’s article “Inspiration for Making Rugs”.
and …… just so you don’t miss any items of interest before the next issue of the Newsletter comes out in September; scroll down to the “Subscribe” box (half-way down the screen on the right-hand side) add your email address and click [Subscribe]. Then anytime there is a blog update you will be notified by email.
REMEMBER – to get information out to other Guild members through this website – email text to me at rugcraftersaustralia@yahoo.com.au – Cheers Jo
I have recently posted four documents within the Members’ Area (part of the drop-down menu) that attempt to provide some “rules of thumb” or guidelines if you are not sure about how to setup a workshop or establish a new group; or maybe you “don’t know what to say” when asked to provide someone feedback about their work or when the inevitable happens and you’re asked to “talk to my group”.
Do let us know if you find this information useful; perhaps you would like to write the next “rule of thumb”? Let us know!
So, go to the Members’ Area and check the drop-down menu for something to sit back with a cuppa to read!
Judi
Just a reminder to all Guild members to forward images of their current projects and a short description of the work to be included in the Gallery. Please send attached .jpeg images (large or medium web size) to judi.tompkins@bigpond.com
Below is a rug created by Trish Schulz from WA “Funky Leaves and Flowers” hooked with hard-wearing 12ply rug wool.
The Rugmakers Guild stand at the recent Perth Craft and Quilt Fair created much interest.
Many people stopped by to watch the demonstrations and ask not only about the techniques but also, where they could find rugmaking groups and classes.
If you would like to form a rugmaking group in your neighbourhood, email rugcraftersaustralia@yahoo.com.au for some helpful suggestions that might get your group up and hooking!
Tues 21st May, 2013
The Guild stand is all set up
ready for visitors.
Come and say G’day
NEWS FLASH!
There is now a rug hooking group in Victoria, Australia.
In her blog http://victorianrugmakers.blogspot.com.au/ Robyne invites others to come and join their group and share their love of making hooked rugs.
Guild Members can read more about their first meeting in the Member Area.
On the 4th & 5th May (2013) rugmaking was again represented at the Mandurah Stretch Arts Festival in Western Australia.
Read more about the weekend and the workshop to be given in Mandurah on Monday 27th May, on the expanded Blog in the Member Area. You must be a Guild member and register to “log-in” to access the expanded Blog in the Member Area
The Exhibition brief called for a sculptural piece – how could one enter a 2-D rug? …………. add a basketry element!
I’ve been involved for a couple of years with a group that came together to hook rugs for community projects. The members are from diverse backgrounds and different age groups – it’s been interesting to see the camaraderie develop as they come together and learn more about rughooking – it’s truly a revival of an old craft.
The structural elements of this piece represent the arms and hands of rug hookers past and present holding antique and modern tools. The rag rug on the right was made in the depression era from recycled well-worn clothing. The new, brightly coloured rug was hooked using “up-cycled” fabrics (silk sari off-cuts) and hand-dyed woolen and novelty yarn.The design inspired by an aerial view of coastal North West Australia and the shape of the arms and hands by Boab trees growing in the North West.
This question “is rughooking and art or craft” is often discussed on online rughooking website. I’d like to thank Guild members – Judi Tompkins, Sue Gilmartin and.Susan Feller who encouraged me to enter this juried exhibition. It was fun figuring out how to create this project and satisfying to see it take shape. Jo
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