ISSN 2207-001X 26th May 2017
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In Strathalbyn South Australia – this weekend (27th/28th May) is your last chance to visit Judith Stephens Open Studio.
This Exhibition of hooked rugs and items made using 10 different rug making techniques by members of the Strath Matters rug hooking group; a collection of old SEMCO rug patterns and “Have-a-go” proggy demonstrations; is part of the South Australia’s History Festival.
The theme this year is “Transport”, which lends itself to thoughts of “magic carpets” or the magic of rag rugs.
From Judith :
“The History Festival lasts for the month of May, and there are hundreds of activities throughout the state – some major and many small projects of all varieties. It’s a great idea, and people really get into the swing of attending heaps of activities, so it is worthwhile.
We’ve had about a dozen people each day we’ve been open – lots of chat about ‘I remember my grandfather ….. etc etc!’ One lady saw the old tools and exclaimed ‘is THAT what it’s used for!”
Open Studio – 13 Old Bull Creek Rd, Strathalbyn, SA 5255. For times and more details email Judith studioblue20@gmail.com
Speaking of “HISTORY”, check out the History of Australian Rugmakers on the Guild Website.
Many thanks to Corinne Ball, Curator, who retrieved the rugs from the archives of the South Australian Migration Museum, to photograph and for her permission to show the images on the Guild website.
The Migration Museum, at 82 Kintore Ave, Adelaide, South Australia 5001 is Open Daily from 10am-5pm Mon-Fri and 1pm-5pm Weekends – Admission is Free.
Looking ahead in South Australia – the Strath Matters will be demonstrating rug hooking at the Kym Jones Craft Fair – Adelaide Showgrounds on the 14th/15th July – for details email Judith Stephens studioblue20@gmail.com and on 18th & 19th August the group will be at the Strathalbyn Antique Fair & Crafts .
ALSO HAPPENING THIS COMING WEEKEND …..
Tasmania – Joanne Wild of the Happy Hookers in Deloraine, 
will facilitate a traditional hooking workshop “Small Hook Rug Workshop” on Saturday, May 27, 10 am – 1pm at the British Hotel 80 Emu Bay Rd. Deloraine, TAS 7304 for information contact Joanne Wild (03) 6368 1373
For the next six weeks at the Bendigo Bank in Deloraine there will be an exhibition of hooked rugs by the Happy Hookers and Rowdy Ruggers .
The following description is shown at the exhibition –
“Deloraine & districts has a healthy latchhook rug making community who gather regularly in public places to work wool together and share.
Joanne Wild founded the “Happy Hookers in 2002 and many works have been completed at her gatherings. Initially people met in each other’s homes then the groups became larger so they met in bigger spaces e.g. ETC bakery’s meeting room.
Currently two groups meet regularly and this exhibit represents some current members finished pieces.
The “Rowdy Ruggers” meet at Deloraine House on Wednesdays from 1-3 pm and welcome children. Peter Burns from this group took more than 500 hours to complete his rug and he has almost completed a matching NEFERTITI !!!!
Happy Hookers” meet on Mondays from 10-12 noon in the back room at the British Hotel. They welcome other woollen textile artists and according to Joanne Wild are rowdy too!!!!”
VICTORIA – in July – Plan a full weekend in Wangaratta ……
8th – 16th July, the 14th Stitched Up Textile Festival & Community Textile Exhibition; “Stitching a Story” will be held at Gallery 2 at Wangaratta Art Gallery, 56 Ovens St Wangaratta
Australian Rugmakers Guild members, Bobby George, from Victoria and V.Pres & Secretary, Maggie Whyte, ACT will be presenting “The Story of Rughooking” and demonstrating the craft with the public invited to “have-a-go” at rug hooking.
Sun 9 July, 9am – 3 pm
The Stitched Up Festival celebrates all forms of textile art & craft in and around Wangaratta in North East Victoria. www.stitchedupfestival.com
Email: info@stitchedupfestival.com
Also in Wangaratta – on Saturday 8th – Opening Day for the Festival the Wangaratta Woollen Mills are having a one day SALE !
In Queensland –
Bec Andersen, Textile Artist, has a full calendar of events – you can see her workshops and rug hooking gatherings for 2017 here
A LONG WAY TO GO IN JUNE ……….
Alice Springs, Northern Territory – Beanie Festival 23rd – 26th June
Is this Rug hooking News? Yes! definitely, several of the beanies created by the Wanneroo Rugmakers where made using rug hooking techniques and are for sale at Beanie Central, with a couple (not shown) entered in the Competition.
This year I’m attending the Festival – really looking forward to it, I hear they have over 4,000 beanies catalogued! More news from Alice Springs.
Happy Hooking Jo Franco/Editor
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