Tag: Kira Mead West Australia

Creative Accumulation

ISSN 2207-001X  12 January, 2023

SO MANY HOOKED RUGS!  Family members and close friends all have been gifted one or more of your special creations; you have many rugs rolled up and stored in cupboards because of lack of wall/floor space, &/or you are in the throes of downsizing, but… you want to keep hooking, so what to do?

Putting your work up for sale may not be a realistic option because in today’s economy it’s not easy to sell art work, as most people don’t recognize, or just can’t afford to pay what it’s worth – taking into consideration  the amount of time spent from design through to finishing and the cost of materials.

However, there is another option; have you considered bartering or swapping your work with an artist in another medium, i.e. potter or jewellery maker or quilter. Two of my rug hooking friends have done just that.

Brigitte Webb (Scotland) and Judi Tompkins (Queensland, Australia) have been good Facebook friends for several years and in recent years established an informal barter system. At one point Brigitte loaned a hooker a copy of one of her favourite rug hooking books, but didn’t get it back. Judi had two copies of that book (one autographed by the author) which she sent to Brigitte as a replacement copy. Brigitte in turn sent Judi one of her wonderful, hooked throw pillows. And so, the barter continued.
Recently, 3 more hard-to-find, out-of-print books found their way into Brigitte’s library and magically, a large, brightly coloured, hand-hooked rug found it’s way to Judi.
The rug Brigitte chose to send was one designed by Håkon Grøn Hensvold (Norway) called
“The Doll’s House” (based on the 3-Act play of the same name by Henrik Ibsen). Brigitte and Håkon, also good Facebook friends and exchange items through their own barter system. Håkon gave Brigitte the copyright permission to hook his “The Doll’s House” one time (he drew the design for her on the linen).
Judi, overwhelmed by being gifted this piece,  immediately attached a label to the back of the piece showing the copyright and story. Judi decided that the best way to display the piece while keeping it intact was to attach it to a stretched canvas that would serve to emphasize the work and the vivid colours, requiring yet another label. Both the Norwegian designer and Scottish rug hooker approved of the addition.
Brigitte Webb and Håkon Grøn Hensvold  were featured in a 2019 video production by the Global Textile Hub… rughooking around the world; produced by Kira Mead, narrated by Kira & Warren Mead (Lost the Plot Productions, Western Australia). You’ll see Brigitte’s work 3.30 min into the video and Håkon’s approximately 11 min in. Judi also narrated sections of the video, I (Jo Franco) did the research and networking in the lead up to the production.
This is just one way Australian rug hookers began using social media, global communications, and real-time chats to network with a very interesting world of makers.
In this Global Textile Hub video (Rug Hub 2019) you can see works by, and hear from, or about, the following rugmakers.
Sadly a few are no longer with us.
Shown below by country (alphabetically) are the rug hookers, textile artists and authors/editors interviewed in the video.  Where possible their status has been updated to include current websites and social media. For those not familiar with online videos, you can see in the tool bar at the lower/centre of the images where the person’s interview falls within the 23 minute long video.
AUSTRALIA: 

Gail Nichols, Braidwood, New South Wales; three years ago this month, Gail was battling bushfires on her home front at Mongarlowe in the Braidwood area. With Gail’s permission, some of the images shared at that time on her Facebook page were shown at the end of Out of the ashes , a report of the 2020 bushfires at Miriam Miller’s Narrawilly Rug Room.

Gail is a renowned ceramicist, and she made this comment when asked about her hooked creations… “When dealing with galleries I describe my works as ‘hooked tapestries’. I find this communicates what they are more accurately than if I call them ‘rugs’. I faced a similar semantic issue during my previous 30-year career in ceramics. As far as galleries were concerned I made ‘ceramic art’ because that is their language, but amongst other clay workers we we’re usually happy to call our works ‘pots”.  The full interview and images of Gail’s “hooked tapestries” can be seen here and more images of her contemporary hooked work on her Facebook page.

Miriam Miller, Milton, New South Wales, President of TIGHR during Australia’s term (2009-2012). Miriam’s Narrawilly Rug Room was also impacted by the January 2020 bushfires, she was forced to evacuate her home at Narrawilly twice before the 23rd January 2020. Remarkably Miriam published both the January and February newsletters that year (Issue 48 & 49) on the first day of each month.  You’ll find Miriam’s monthly newsletter Connecting Us  archived on this website.  Those who’ve met Miriam know how steadfast she can be – here is an excerpt from her reports of the fires… “Strange things help – Robert planted sunflowers as he always does around my house.  None of them came up this year because of the drought. So there was a bare dry piece of ground in the paddock in front of my garden bed with the roses, which was covered with thick wood chips. If this garden had gone so would my verandah and my house, so thank you drought”.  Through the end of 2022 both Miriam and Gail have been impacted by the horrendous floods that have left so many lives and property on the east coast in ruins! To contact Miriam please email: narrawillyfarm@shoal.net.au
Shelley Pinnell, Albany, Western Australia, describes her Tapimatic rug making machine which uses the traditional ghiordes or rya rug making technique on traditional rug canvas. More information on those techniques can be found here https://schachtspindle.com/ghiordes-knots-or-rya-damascus-edge-and-finishing/
CANADA:

Val Galvin, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada – “Renditions In Rags Hooked and Braided Rugs”.    Val says “ COVID has changed up my routine a BIT.  I open up the Studio by appointment now and I’ve started teaching hooking and braiding again, usually through the local museums. Lately I’ve been dyeing wool and hooking that. Of course, I still use wool fabric and recycled textiles.. especially when rug braiding!”  You can see Val’s work on her Renditions in Rags Facebook page

Meryl Cook, Nova Scotia, seen here holding a section from the Global Textile Hub’s “Textile Tessera”, displayed at Rug Hooking Week, Sauder Village in 2018.  Visit Meryl on her website, Engagement by Design and Instagram @merylcook. 
Jennifer Wiber, member of Northumberland Rug Hookers, based in Cobourg, Ontario, Canada. You can find them on social media Instagram  & Facebook

Lesley Larsen, Ontario, Ottawa past president Ottawa Olde Forge Rug Hooking. As librarian Jane Thacker, current president, created an interesting and helpful Resources page. Starting with the heading INSPIRATION; information on rug hooking history and galleries, including search tools, i.e. articles in Rug Hooking Magazine and its precursor, Rug Hooking News and Views.  Other headings in this section are PREPARING TO HOOK, HOOKING, FINISHING, PUNCH NEEDLE HOOKING, COPYRIGHT/SELLING YOUR WORK, CARING FOR HOOKED PIECES, INSPIRATIONAL ARTISTS and MISCELLANEOUS GEMS – where you will find Miriam Miller’s large wall hanging story.

Deborah Merriam and Linda Chapelsky, Alberta, Canada.
Deb is a member of the Edmonton Rug Hooking Guild    Facebook     Instagram
Deb’s Instagram page.
Pat Parsons & Marg Byrd belong to the Rug Hooking Guild Newfoundland Labrador. Pat a member of The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers was the TIGHR Newsletter Editor when the TIGHR Board was based in St. John’s Newfoundland. 2019-2021 TIGHR  Facebook

Michelle Sirois-Silver, Vancouver, BC – Contemporary Textile Art Canada – you’ll find amazing fiber works by Michelle on her website and social media pages   Instagram  and Facebook

Also, Michelle’s take on teaching “an honest truth” is a must read – her opening statement “I don’t believe that art-making and teaching are mutually exclusive. It’s simply a choice.”  Her thoughts on teaching include, generosity and sharing, her love of the craft form and learning something new.  Michelle and I were in the same “workshop for teachers” twenty years ago, she’d already been teaching, and I was just starting out.  We’ve meet up since in person in Vancouver on a few occasions, a visit to her studio 2015 being the last time, so her words on teaching in her studio resonate with me.  I’ve followed her progress from a rug hooker to a contemporary Fiber artist and am in awe of Michelle’s creativity and body of work, while after all this time, I’m still doing more talking than hooking, but since discovering the word  “networking” I feel happy that I’ve found my niche!

ENGLAND:

Sue Gilmartin, Cumbria, is involved as a volunteer with the Lunesdale Ruggers featured on the video and is one of the many creative volunteers at Space2Create a non-profit group, which aims to help people in their local community with physical and emotional difficulties by using creative activity to support a pathway to wellbeing. The group uses many creative techniques. Work by members can be seen on their Facebook page and Instagram  A recent project “Bookshelves of the mind” an anthology by the S2C writing group working together over the last 4 years. The Book Launch took place at an Exhibition on 11th Nov 2022

On a sad note, Diane Cox, Penzance, Cornwall, who you will hear speak on the video about her group, The Myrtles, and the book they published “Doing what we can”,  and Heather Ritchie have both passed away since the video was made, Diane in 2020 and Heather in 2022. They will be sorely missed not only by their families and friends but by rug hookers around the world, many who travelled to the 2018 TIGHR Triennial held in Heather’s hometown of Reeth in the Yorkshire Dales.
               VALE Diane and Heather
JAPAN:
Fumiyo Hachisuka, Tokyo, Japan. Fumiyo held her 31st Rug Hooking Exhibition in Musashino City, Tokyo Kichijoji, at Gallery Nagatani-1 from 13th to 18th October 2022.  You can see Fumiyo’s recent work on her website.
NORWAY:
Håkon Grøn Hensvold’s work has been featured in Rug Hooking Magazine, shown in Gallery exhibitions and can be seen on his website and both Facebook and Instagram.
SCOTLAND:

Brigitte Webb, Dingwall, Scotland has no online social media presence, but she belongs to many online groups.  In 2019 Brigitte had the great honour of being chosen as an international Rug Hooker of the year for the Hooked Rug Museum of North America. Brigitte travelled to Nova Scotia with a large suitcase full of her work which was on exhibit at the museum for a calendar year. The wonderful late Judy Carter visited the museum to see Brigitte’s rugs and at Brigitte’s request Judy was presented with the wall hanging of a Badger. Brigitte also donated to the Museum, a very large Egyptian floor rug she had hooked, designed by Christine Little, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Brigitte has had two earlier rug exhibitions in Dingwall where she lives; and has gifted most of her work over the years as she said “I did not wish to keep them rolled up and out of site and maybe last for years when I am no longer alive. One of my gifted pieces was for the now late darling Heather Ritchie. I made a cushion for her commemorating her dressing up as Queen at the castle during the TIGHR Gala dinner”.

UNITED STATES of AMERICA:
Janine Broscious, EVERYWHERE, USA. Janine and her husband reside in their fifth-wheel RV and travel the US. Her rug designs are obviously inspired by her travels and her interest in nature.  Janine shares the progress of her rug art on her blog and social media, Facebook and Instagram.
Susan L Feller, West Virginia, is an early adaptor of the digital world in fiber art, while maintaining traditional crafts which she uses to give a Voice to Causes and Communities through her art.   She is an avid researcher and author and through journaling, on her website ArtWools shares the progress of her fiber art projects such as her “Year Study” and 100 Days sketching.  Her work has been juried into and received awards in multi media exhibitions nationally.   You can also find images of her work on Instagram and Facebook.

Tracy Jamar, A Contemporary fiber artist and author.  Tracy’s Fiber works; Sculptural, Mixed Fiber Techniques,  Hookings, Odds and Ends, Black T Boros and Bone, Feather, Shell etc. can be seen in the Gallery on her website  along with her books  Coils, Folds, Twists and Turns: Contemporary Techniques in Fiber and American Sewn Rugs: Their History with Exceptional Examples by Jan Whitlock with Tracy Jamar. Also on her social media  Instagram and Facebook

Marcia Young, Massachusetts. At the time of the video interview Marcia was the Editor/Publisher of Fiber Art Now magazine. After selling FAN, Marcia is now a fiber artist and author of the recently released “Create Naturally; Go Outside and Rediscover Nature“ and is now looking for her next project. Connect with Marcia on Instagram   and Facebook

Images were also included in the video by Australian Rugmakers: From Western Australia, our dear friend Robin Inkpen, who passed away shortly after the video aired, Judith Stephens, South Australia, a cofounder of the Australian Rugmakers Group, Wanneroo Rugmakers (WA) and the Sunshine Coast Rugcrafters (QLD).

Prior to the Hook-in a Global Survey was sent out with the following questions…

            • Where do the groups meet?
            • How often do members of a group meet?
            • Are you a closed group, or are new members welcome?
            • How did you learn to hook?
            • Does your group give lessons or workshops?
            • Passing on traditional crafts
            • Taking rug work in a less conventional, more creative direction and displaying in a gallery

Answers from  Australia, Canada, England, Japan, Scotland, UAE & USA can be found at the end of the video.

Editors Note:  As I began this Blog with the sharing of work between Brigitte, Håkon and Judi I was reminded of the sense of “sharing” while gathering information in 2019 for the Global Textile Hub’s video. It’s been interesting and enjoyable reconnecting with those textile and fibre artists again to update their information. Thanks to Kira Mead and Judi Tompkins for their collaboration on this and other Global Textile Hub projects.

 

 

Unusual Times

ISSN 2207-100X  14th April 2020

This surely must have been THE most unusual Easter holiday period ever!

People confined to their homes but connecting with friends and family online in so many creative ways.

Easter church services given in empty churches but seen around the world!  TV images of parishioners in the USA, sitting in cars to attend services held at drive-in theatres.

Drive-by Easter egg drop-offs. The Easter Bunny designated as an essential worker in Western Australia and given permission to cross closed regional boundaries preventing travel to areas traditionally a big draw for holidaymakers on the Easter 4-day long weekend – normally a weekend of church services, visiting relatives, sporting activities and that last trip to the beach to soak up the Autumn sun.  Except this year in Perth, Saturday was the hottest day on record for this time of the year.

This year “backyard camping” was the big deal.  Friends who were looking forward to holidaying in their new travel trailer – moved it off the driveway onto the front lawn so their 10-year-old twins didn’t miss out on a camping weekend.

For those with children this period of isolation has had the benefit of time to spend together. In our area, apart from leaving home to shop for food and visit the Doctor/pharmacy, you are allowed, while maintaining social distancing, to exercise with one other person or members of your household. For those of us lucky enough to live by the beach the forced break in our busy schedules has been a positive – especially with the warm weather, making a daily swim really enjoyable.

However, most Nanas and Poppas are missing being with their grandchildren especially over the holidays and some who live alone and are not connected digitally, are desperate for company and contact with the outside world. This is where screen time, usually to be limited, has becomes so important. It seems all organizations are going digital – from local sewing groups to national museums and art galleries …… We’re stuck at home, but have never been so connected to the rest of the world.

So I’m sharing, images and information about, or from, Guild members, starting with ……

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:  These images were posted in a Facebook group by Yvonne Dalton and are shared here with her permission.

Yvonne said – These are the result of a forgotten pot of dye…. forgot I had put cloth into dye…….found pot and felt elated. Cleaning cloth may take some time. Third wash with small scrubbing brush to remove stuck vegetation. Lots of oxidation….cloth scrunched, not tied or bound.

NORTHERN TERRITORY  – Finke :  Shared by guild member Sue Ware

Tjanpi Desert Weavers
March 27 at 3:08 PMPublic
Ever wanted to learn to weave?? Our brand new tutorial is now live and we could not be more excited!!
While we’re all couped up at home, we thought it’d be the perfect time to share our knowledge and bring some joy into your lives. Our artists often speak about the power of weaving as a form of meditation, calming the mind and allowing stress to melt away.  Learn-to-Weave Kits available at
Huge thanks to the talented Mimi Catterns for creating this beautiful little video. We can’t help by smile every time we watch it!!   NPY Women’s Council

 

 NORTHERN TERRITORY:  The  Alice Springs Beanie Festival  like everything else, had to be cancelled this year but from their Facebook page we learn that the Beanie Festival organizers are planning an online competition in June… and need to know how many Beanieologists are willing to take part. Maximum 2 beanies, they can be for sale or not. The Festival organizers will share images online and have voting for people’s choice. They’re looking for enough entries to keep going so are saying – go ahead keep creating!!! pass on this message and keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates !!! As of 15th April the “Head Beanieologist” says

“I’m not sure of the format yet just meeting with the techs. There will be a form to fill in for each beanie, they won’t need swingtags. 2 photos of each beanie anyway you feels best to show the workmanship of the beanie”.

Margaret Stuart a member of the Wanneroo Rugmakers in Western Australia has images of her felted beanie (in Easter Egg colours) ready to go.

 

 

 

 

 

Then there’s this from ArtWear Publications – (publisher of Embellish, Textile Fibre Forum, Yarn, Felt and Vintage Made)

Embellish magazine has a great themed postcard swap in each issue, with a $100 AUD prize up for offer.
The current postcard swap is themed “Layers” – you don’t need a Facebook page to enter this.  It’s a matter of using any technique or combination of techniques to create a textile postcard.  Postcard size approximately 4”x 6” (a quarter of A4 size page).  Click here to read full details about this “swap”.

Something fun to create while you are staying at home? Especially something for Mothers Day. Click this link for free patterns in the ArtWear Publications April 2020 Newsletter.

NEW SOUTH WALES – Epping; the group From Rags to Rugs Sydney Rug Hooking were disappointed when the Sydney Craft Fair was cancelled as they had a table booked to show their work and demonstrate.

Expertise Events intocraft newsletter shows it has been rescheduled, Oct 29-Nov 1  –  see more 

Still in New South Wales – Newcastle:  Feeling like you’d like to go somewhere?  take a virtual tour through the Newcastle Art Gallery.

VICTORIA – Melbourne: the National Gallery of Victoria can also be visited virtually – take a free Drop by drawing class with visual artist Lily Mae Martin – a how-to series on sketching.

VICTORIA (Australia):   Trish Johnson’s Australia Diary;-  Earlier this year Canadian textile artist Trish Johnson visited a meeting of the Yarra Valley Rugmakers.  Trish submitted a journal entry from her Australian trip to the Ontario Hooking Craft Guild and she and Maureen McIlwain, OHCG Multi Media Advisor, have given permission for it to be shared here in the Australian Rugmakers Guild blog.

Maureen, a Member of OHCG, ATHA, RHGNS and ​The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers    says – We’re happy to have our OHCG news travel around the hooking world!   OHCG’s 50th Anniversary in 2016   Ontario Hooking Craft Guild and Ontario Hooking Craft Guild/OHCG, on Facebook.

Trish (left in floral shirt) lunching with the Yarra Valley Rugmakers Group, Victoria, Australia.

See more about the Yarra Valley Rugmakers on their Blog and Facebook Group 

Washinton State, USA: Stuck at home Michele Johnson Wise shared this in Contemporary Rug Hooking Group – Busy trying my hand at punching wool strips and making face masks –ta-da! I was in a hurry so I will perfect my technique. Definitely will block out the virus..maybe even breathing behind the mask. I will try it out and let you know. Maybe I will do animal noses and mouths like the eyes of Judy Carter. I have been at my shelter maybe a little too long. Boing!  Aussie TIGHR members will remember Michele’s creative workshop from the weekend after the 2012 International Guild of Handhooking Rugcrafters, Triennial in South Australia.

CANADA – Newfoundland;  Winnie Galvine     RHGNL Certified Teaching Instructor offering another avenue to mental wellness through rug hooking – says; I had a large bag of white t shirts that friends and family donated for my rug hooking. I rarely use white. So I reached out to a nursing friend and offered to make scrub bags for her and her coworkers. So simple. Cut off the sleeves. Round out the neck and machine sew the bottom. 40 plus gone off today! Whats a scrub bag?  Winnie’s answer; the medical personnel have to change out of their uniforms before leaving their place of work. They can put their scrubs in this bag and throw the whole thing in the washer when they get home.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA  – Perth:  Speaking of “scrubs” –  some of my sewing friends in Perth really wanted to help the healthcare workers and they are sewing scrubs and caps and bags for them.  Volunteers join a private Facebook group and are given sewing patterns to create the items and instructions on where to deliver. The group is in need of more people with sewing skills – if you can help click this link  “Get Scrubbed”

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge;     TextileArtist.org – Arts & Humanities Website 

Why not try the FREE TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge?  For those guild members who don’t “do” Facebook you can still take part watch the video and just click the link above to read more about it.

https://vimeo.com/400278289

WESTERN AUSTRALIA  – the team at  Vancouver Arts Centre, an active community arts centre and gallery and home to many local arts and craft groups, is staying in contact with the community in Albany through their newsletter advising the closure of the Vancouver Arts Centre due to the COVID-19 restrictions and posting links via Arts Hub of what to do while staying at home  – webinars – online courses – gallery tours.

Guild members Jo Franco from Western Australia and Judi Tompkins from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, team members of the Global Textile Hub Team, have been recording “deskside chats” online.

While Judi and Jo were figuring out the “mysteries” of recording their chats about the virtual exhibition “Re-imagined” a Collaboration with a Difference;  Kira Mead, the third member of the GTH Team, as part of her “paid” job at Radio Station Triple M, was interviewing business people and community members about how they were handling the COVID-19 situation.

From the Editor:  For all those feeling isolated during this time of stress, I hope some of these links will help you to feel connected.  Sharing my afternoon beach walk – solo exercise allowed 🙂  I hope you and yours are safe – keep hooking on the creative side.

 

An Online Interview with Gail Nichols

ISSN 2007-001X   –  August, 2019

“Tipsy Tango” new and recycled fabric hooked on primitive linen, 160 x 100 cm by Gail Nichols, NSW, Australia

       Following her exhibition, ‘Viewpoint‘, at Suki and Hugh Gallery, 38A Gibralter St. Bungendore, New South Wales, Gail Nichols made an appearance at Rug Hooking Week in Sauder Village, Ohio, USA – a virtual appearance that is, in the Global Rug Hub video, a world-wide gathering of rug hookers, textile artists and media representatives.

Kira Mead, interviewed Gail when producing the Global Rug Hub video, shown during a virtual hook-in, a new experience for many rug makers.  They were surprised to find they could sign-in from wherever they were at the time;  a gas-lit stone cottage by a windswept tarn on the edge of the Lake District National Park in Cumbria north of England,  from high in the hills of Scotland or the Australian desert west of Alice Springs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members of the Global Textile Hub, Kira Mead, Jo Franco and Judi Tompkins, were represented in the USA at Sauder Village, Ohio, by their associate Susan Feller, Art Wools, West Virginia. Susan and participants of Rug Hooking Week watched on a large screen TV as viewers from around the world were connected via a video meeting link, operated by Kira Mead in Australia.

Susan Feller, ArtWools, West Virginia, USA & Liz Marino, McGown Guild, webmaster.

Many of the rug hookers in the audience at Sauder Village are well-known to Australian Guild members. As are those interviewed for the Global Rug Hub  video or who had sent in voice/video clips and images of work from their groups.

In the case of one rug hooker from Norway,  Håkon Grøn Hensvold, information was taken (with permission) from Tamara Pavich’s book  “Rug Hooking Journeys – Finding the Maker in the Rug”

Håkon Grøn Hensvold. Norway

So much information was gathered  from around the Globe, for this event, it was just not possible to use it all – however, it will be used in future Blog posts.

Unfortunately, some of those registered were unable to make a connection. While it was indicated you could register and sign-in, not only via a lap-top and PC but also on a digital device – i.e. iPad, iPhone or Android – it wasn’t clear that if using a digital device you had to first download the ZOOM app.

Next time this wont be a problem  ……..  and there will be a next time as the inaugural interactive event was well received and more were requested.

The live session was recorded, so if you missed it you can see both the Global Rug Hub video and the discussion that followed on Kira Mead’s YouTube channel – you’ll also see videos Kira has made about other Guild members and events. When you visit Kira’s YouTube channel look for  “SUBSCRIBE”.  By subscribing to Kira’s YouTube channel  you’ll be advised by email when she produces new videos.

 

 

 

The Story of Wool Exhibition

ISSN 2207-001X  9th May, 2017

The Autumn months of April and May are popular times in Australia for Craft Festivals and “Ag Shows”. For our overseas rug hooking friends that’s an abbreviation for Agricultural Society Shows/Events/Field Days        i.e. County or State Fairs.

 Last week in Albany, in the southwest of the State of Western Australia, Kira Mead’s collection of blankets was prominently displayed at the annual  Vancouver Street Festival in the Vancouver Art Centre.     All but about 5 of the blankets used in the exhibition were Kira’s and all were originally from the Albany Woollen Mills.

The theme for the 2017 Festival  – was  “The Story of Wool”  so it was no wonder Kira’s works created from recycled blankets, fitted in so well!  Kira sources these now hard to find blankets, from friends, family and Op Shops around town. The Albany Woollen Mills, the only woollen mill in Western Australia, was built in 1924 and closed in 1996. Those of us who grew up here in the West remember well the distinctive, mostly pastel, plaid blankets.

Kira photographed her creations made with her hand-dyed blankets, many of the works featured her wool quillies.

Kira said  ……..   “I really like what they did with my blankets. “The Story of Wool“ exhibition was beautifully set out as you can see from these images taken by  Isobelle Mead.

Blankets lined the entry into this room where two video’s were playing regarding Shearing. One by Bob Symons and the other by Ron Kowald. There was also a video in the Spinning Room, also by Bob Symons.  Blankets were also used as backdrops for displays in other rooms.

A crocheted version of a coral reef.  It was a project undertaken by many in 2010. 

This installation was created by Anne Walmsley, a contemporary fibre artist and was an entry in a previous years Sculptures by the Sea at Cottesloe.   Anne Walmsley also created this installation of woollen blanket “squares” in the limestone wall of the Vancouver Art Centre.”

Above more blankets and displays.  

Albany has an impressive natural deep-water harbour and is surrounding by scenic coastal vistas.

The Vancouver Arts Centre coordinates, curates and hosts touring and local exhibitions, artists in residence, school holiday programs, adult and children’s workshops, community projects and a range of engaging cultural events across multiple art-forms.  The centre is home to a number of active arts and craft groups and independent artists, it is well used by the local community whilst also welcoming all visitors through its doors.

For anyone interested in history, there is a self-guided heritage trail allowing visitors to explore the building’s unique heritage value; built in 1887 and designed by architect George Temple Poole, the sandstone brick building originally served as the Albany Cottage Hospital until 1962.

This information was taken from the Albany Gateway website, where more information can be found about what to see and do in the area.

Kira Mead, the Accidental Rugmaker with one of her vibrant rugs. Picture: Lata Photography

        Many thanks to Kira for the update on this exhibition.    Jo Franco, Editor

Guild member receives Australia Day Award

ISSN 2207-001X

DAWN HOLLINS has been named  BEGA VALLEY’S SENIOR CITIZEN of the YEAR

Photograph provided by Bega Valley Shire Council

While following the Bermagui Surf Life Saving project we’ve read much about Dawn’s “abundant enthusiasm” and dedication to making a difference in the community.

An article in the Bega District News – “A Lifetime of Service Spanning the Globe” gives an instight into Dawn’s early family life and her involvement with orphaned and abandoned children throughout Asia, increasing her own family of 3 to 6 with adoptions from Thailand, Sri Lanka and South Korea and her work with the Adoptive Parents Association.

How, after moving to the Bega area 20 years ago, this background as an organizer saw her become an active member of the Rural Women’s Network and a key member of the Bega Valley team hosting the 2005 Rural Women’s Gathering.

As reported in the Bega District News article, Dawn’s passion for learning and teaching led her to the Bermagui and District Branch of the University of the Third Age – a group that looks to create and foster educational opportunities for people in retirement. In this group Dawn helped broaden the variety of courses to 80 subjects available through local presenters.

One very active Bermagui and District U3A group, the rug hookers created seven amazing rug panels now hanging in the Bermagui Surf Club.

Dawn Hollins and Bermagui & District U3A Rug Hookers with Bruce McAslan President, Bermagui Surf Club.  Photographer Ben Smyth Bega District News

After the hanging and dedication of the hooked panels on the 15th December, 2016, we decided to create a Guild Video of this impressive project.

On learning Dawn was to receive the Australia Day award, it was decided to wait until 26th January, Australia Day, to publish the video – to honour Dawn’s leadership on the day of the award.

Bermagui & Districts U3A Rughooking Group members describe Dawn as a shining example of the ideal that one person can make a difference.

Congratulations Dawn

from the members of the Australian Rugmakers Guild

 

 

A Hooked Chook

 otherwise known as “Judi’s Folly”

Everybody!

Created by Judi Tompkins, 2016 “Palimpsest” Landsborough, QLD

According to Wikipedia : In architecture, a folly (French term folie – meaning foolishness) is a building constructed primarily for decoration, but suggesting through its appearance some other purpose, or appearing to be so extravagant that it transcends the range of garden ornaments usually associated with the class of buildings to which it belongs.   18th century English gardens and French landscape gardening often featured mock Roman temples, symbolizing classical virtues.

1 800px-Castle_Howard_-_Temple_of_the_Four_Winds[1]1 cb418c88b3138e5e8285b9afda332aa8[1]

 

 

 

 

 

1 images[3]1 Sculpture_à_Parc_de_la_Villette,_Paris,_France_juillet_2010[1]

 

 

 

 

 

In English, the term began as “a popular name for any costly  non-functional structure erected to enhance the natural landscape”.

Hence the terms use for Judi’s installation which to date, has not stopped growing in the middle of her living room!

4 IMG_4318[1]Having made several wall-hangings using the 3D Waldoborough technique (in the extreme)

Judi had a desire to make a full size 3D hooked project.

This ladder no longer in use, and her interest in birds and fowl, was the catalyst for the chook project.

 

First the pattern for the chook (Bertha) was drawn onto hessian

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Then begain the hooking using novelty “Eyelash” yarn, the finished shape was stuffed with wool.

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The ladder was bought into play and the chook perched upon it.

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At this point Judi’s creative sense went into over-drive; the chook needed a nest and if it was going to have a nest shouldn’t there be some eggs?

8 Chook on nest

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And as eggs tend to do    –    they started to hatch

Chick with a face only a mother could luv!
Chick with a face only a mother could luv!

Members of Judi’s rug hooking group who’d seen this installation starting to take shape felt they too wanted to be involved.

Bea showed up with a two specimens of fowl she’d created in a pottery class

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and along with Judi Owen and Ann Naisworth (NSW) they started to collect feathers for the project

Who laid the Golden Egg

… by this time it had grown to include a mat beneath the ladder into which realistic grass and plants had been hooked and other birds and birds nest from Judi’s collection had been placed.

Rooster and hen
Rooster and hen

The circular mat is a massive art work in itself 15 feet (458cm) in circumference and weighing over 6kg.

A video of this huge rug hooking effort was made by Kira Mead using the outline of my blog, with voice over by husband Warren. With the addition of some funky Chicken song music, it created something that made us all smile.

So the video, even though it was only a trial effort, was posted on the Guild Facebook page.   For those of you who may not have seen it, here it is the link

https://www.facebook.com/australianrugmakersguild/

Congratulations to Judi on such a creative effort and to Kira for being clever and persistent and conquering the digital battle of learning how to bring it all online.

I have certainly enjoyed being Judi’s sounding board through the construction of this installation.                          Jo Franco,  Editor

 

So What’s NEW?

the Guild Website!   it’s been revamped –

now mobile & iPad friendly, includes an updated Events Calendar, additions to the SWAP n SELL page and another Book Review by Miriam Miller. 

Printed by Nimbus Publishing Ltd ISBN 978-1-55109-846-3 Paperback ISBN 978-1-55109-829-6 Bound    Miriam Miller received a copy of   ‘A Lifetime of Rug-Hooking ‘ by Doris Eaton,  from the TIGHR member who received Miriam’s hooked Friendship Square at the 2015 The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers Triennial Conference in Victoria, BC Canada.

Speaking of Canada – Miram and the Narrawilly Proggers  enjoyed a visit from a group of Nova Scotia ruggers who were on a South Pacific cruise.  Miriam (second from right) said ..    Canadians_on_Sth_Pacific_cruise_Cindy_Betty_and_Cathy_with_Miriam_Miller_in_NSW_Australia

“it was brief a day and a half. but we managed to fit in many things. Walks on the beaches, a progressive dinner then a rug day, a visit to the milking for Cindy who comes from a dairy farm, and to see the kangaroos at the Conjola Caravan park, they come out each evening for the grass. Even a short bush walk to Granite Falls.”

I’m sure there’ll be more about this visit in the next issue of Miriam’s Narrawilly newsletter  “Connecting Us“.

Miriam Miller, rughooking instructor, NSW Australia_photo, Gillian Lett Milton Ulladulla Times
Miriam Miller, rughooking instructor, NSW Australia_photo, Gillian Lett Milton Ulladulla Times

Miriam has also recently hosted a rug hooker from Darwin – who came on a Thursday for a private workshop and stayed overnight to take part in the Rug Day, held in the Rug Room at Narrawilly on the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month.

Miriam_Millers_Rug_Room_Narrawilly_Australia_photographer_Nina_&_Michael_van_ Ewijk

 

 

 

 

 

On the Guild’s SWAP n SELL page you will find a new frame with “substitute” grippers. These frames have been used by several guild members and reports are, the substitute works well. The frame is available on both the East and West Coast.

A very different frame made in South Australia and featured on Swap Sell was sold to a rughooker in Nova Scotia.  Who’d have thought frames would be going from OZ to Canada when there is so much available in the way of rug hooking equipment over there.

  “NETWORKING”  –  it’s happening on the Guilds Facebook page – 

Cat_elusive_grey_rug_designed_&_hooked_by_Ann_Nickle_Bellingen_NSW_Australia_5816the post about a search for grey army blankets to finish off a large rug  generated much interest.  As soon as the post went up five members from across the country answered the call about the elusive blankets. After Ann’s had a chance to contact them I’ll let you know if any were suitable. Hooked_&_ woven_rugs_designed_&_created_by_Ann_Nickle_Bellingen_NSW_Australia_coloured grey woven _5799

 As you’ll see from a stack of her rugs shown here, Ann from Bellingen doesn’t only work with muted greys and blues.  

Most of Ann’s rugs are hooked, however like the denim rug shown some are woven and there’s even a  crocheted rug in the stack.

 

 

 

 

Queensland:

Judi_Tompkins_QLD_Austrlaia_with new_rughooker

Judi Tompkins not only gives workshops at her Shed studio in Landsborough, QLD, she now has a student in the Netherlands – giving her  rughooking lessons via Skype. 

Read more about Judi’s background and her creations on her website.

And then there’s the Chook Folly or maybe it’ll become Judi’s Folly –  more about this project in another blog.    Hooked_Chook_by_Judi_Tompkins_QLD_Australia

Western Australia:

Another interesting online happening;  the colourful works of Kira Mead from Albany Western Australia, were featured on Folt Bolt an inspiring website worth following.

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Some of Kira’s recent pieces,  will be displayed at Expertise Events  Craft & Quilt Fair in Perth  including this large wall hanging shown below – the oranges and tree created with quillies and the leaves crocheted.

Orange_Tree_Quillies_created_by_Kira_Mead_Albany_Western_Australia

 

 

 

 

 Colour Abounds in WA :-

Robin Inkpen has been giving locker hooking workshops in the South West. Locker-hooked_Tote_Bag_designed_&_hooked_by_Robin_Inkpen_Donnybrook_Western_Australia

More workshops are scheduled and participants will be making this tote bag from a kit prepared by sold by Robin. 

It’s not as elaborate as her bespoke carpet bags, but is an easier project for beginners.

 

 

Carpet_bag_designed_and_hooked_by_Robin_Inkpen_Western_Australia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the Editor:

Don’t forget to click or tap on  Current Events to see what’s happening in your area.   Be sure and let us know if you have an event planned, or if you know of an upcoming associated textile event.  Send details to Jo at  rughookingaustralia@gmail.com

Until next time   –   Happy Hooking    –     Jo Franco;  Editor/Membership

Combining Felting with Rug Hooking

A New Year and new combinations with rug hooking.

Some members of the Wanneroo Rugmakers group like to knit and crochet and some also like to felt.  At the Group’s first meeting for the year Margaret showed her recently felted pieces – images of these have just arrived in my INBOX.

  Margaret says…..    

“The small bowls were cobweb felting and for the flower I used Corriedale wool roving that I just wet felted.  My botanical piece was also wet felted with merino wool and silk. I’ve looked at Kris McDermet’s website – love her work and am really disappointed Kris is so far away.”

Felted_creations_by_Margaret_Stuart_Western_Australia

Floral_by_Margaret_Stuart

In Albany, Western Australia, Kira Mead, featured in the January issue of Rug Hooking Magazine,  is experimenting again ….

this time hooking into felt. Kira tells me she is “contemplating involving felt with standing wool.”

Hooked_felt_Kira_Mead

Also in my INBOX today was the Blog from Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Guild  with an article about Kris McDermet’s upcoming braiding classes and mentioning Kris’s recent awards including 2015 Rug Hooking Magazine’s Celebrations – where Kris was a finalist in the Original Category for “Prints”

Prints_by_Kris_McDermet

“Prints” Described below by Kris;

“This is a 7 path Labyrinth – it is 5 feet round. The braids are the walls of the labyrinth and the hooking the foot paths. The birds, bugs, flowers, prints, leaves etc. are found on our labyrinth paths that we made in our field here in Vermont, USA.”

Australian rugmakers who were in Strathalbyn, South Australia in 2012 for the TIGHR Conference will remember meeting Kris and I’m sure would be interested to hear of her recent award and also the new combinations she is using.

On her website Kris talks about her love of combining hooking and braiding and also combining wool and silk. The latest addition to her combinations is Nuno felting with various wool and silk fibers felted together and cut into shapes and then combined into her hooking  – like the heart shapes used in her wall hanging “Passion”.

passion_by_Kris_Mcdermet

Passion 48”round  Wool silk Nuno felted hearts

You can see more of Kris’s work on her website www. krismcdermetrugs.com

Start the New Year with Rug Hooking Magazine

Jan/Feb 2016  and read the article by Australia’s Accidental Rugmaker, Kira Mead.

 It’s just over a year since Gay Wilkes, a founding member of ARG from Albany, Western Australia, sent me a picture of Kira’s work – a wall hanging made from recycled wool blankets.

Kira Mead with one of her vibrant rugs. Picture: Lata Photography
Kira Mead with one of her vibrant rugs. Picture: Lata Photography

 As Membership Chair, I invited Kira to join the Guild – she was surprized, said she wasn’t a rugmaker, so I explained that though she didn’t know it, she was using a rugmaking technique and making quillies, so was an “accidental rugmaker”, a term Kira has adopted.

Throughout the past year Kira has experimented with eco dyeing, hanging odd-shaped wall art Rose_Gelato_Quillie_rug_by_Kira_Mead_Albany_West_Australia_Grid Back Framingand various rug making techniques.   Her open and sharing personality reflects the bright colours she likes to work with.

Quillie_rug_created_by_Kira_Mead_Albany_West_Australia_titled_So What_as_in_Miles_Davis

           After  going viral on the Guild Facebook page, the giant quillies went from wall hangings to chair covers, to 3D vessels and seat and floor cushions and more.

Chair_Top_Finished_created_by_Kira_Mead_Albany_West_Australia - Copy

3_D Quillie_designed_&_created_by_Kira_Mead_Albany_West_Australia

Quillie_Floor_cushion_by_Kira_Mead

Kira's quilllie cup mat.
Kira’s quilllie cup mat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like many Australian Guild members, Kira’s an isolated rug hooker, she lives in a country town about 417 ks (259 miles) south of Perth.   There are rug hookers in and around the area, Gay and others who have taken the workshops Judith Stephens and I gave in 2010 and 2011, but so far no group has been formed.

Newly retired and looking for an artistic outlet, Kira searched the web and came across the giant quillies. Now as a member of the rugmakers guild Kira continues to search out different techniques on the web and again was surprized to discover this chain stitch is a “rugmaking” technique, one of several stitches to have “cross pollinated” from embroidery to rug making.

King_George_Sound_chain_stitched_rug_135x95_designed_&_hooked_by_Kira_Mead

There’s been articles in previous issues of Rug Hooking Magazine by Laura Pierce, Gene Shepherd and others detailing various rughooking stitches.

Ranunculas_Designed_hooked_chain_stitch_by_Kira_Mead_West_Australia

Still using chain stitch, Kira has made yet another transition from embroidery to rughooking, by creating a design from a traditional pattern worked in cross stitch.  She had been researching Bukovina/Ukrainian and Romanian patterns as it is the area her paternal family are from. Then found in her linen cupboard a piece her grandmother brought with her when the family came to Australia as displaced persons in 1950.

Below, made to celebrate International Rug Hooking Day

is the piece underway, made with up-cycled 100% Wool (Albany Woollen Mill) blankets and the finished project.

Romanian design from Kiras paternal grandmother

Romanian_design_hooked_chain_stitch_by_Kira_Mead

“In my Bunica’s Travel Trunk”   29cm x 29cm

Now I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing what Kira comes up with in 2016.

The year is just beginning and these Before/After images have arrived in my Inbox  “shibori felted knitting”  ??

Pippa_before_losing_knitted_jacket_to_Kira_Meads_Shibori_ProjectAfter_Kira_Shiboried_knitted_vest

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pippa the pooch about to loose the jacket and the jacket after felting, with some “additions”.

Kira intends to enter a hooked fibre sculpture in  WAFTA 21+   a juried Exhibition –  so images of that work must be kept under wraps until after selection for the  Exhibition.

Editors Note:      As a trainee instructor at my first McGown Guild Workshop in Eugene, Oregon, 2002, I had the opportunity to meet and talk with Marie Bresch an accomplished rug hooker (you can find Marie’s name listed in Rug Hooking Magazine as a member of the Emeritus Board).  Marie learned to hook in Canada many years ago in a very formal class setting where everyone was expected to learn all the rug hooking rules, as well as the different creative stitches used in rug making – 13 I was told. Marie said the stitches were detailed in a book published in Canada. I’m thinking given that time frame, it was probably by Rittermere.   

You often hear reference to  the “rughooking police”, but don’t worry its now OK to break some of the rules. Back then, at a time when rugs were IN USE … ON THE FLOOR, the rules were in place to preserve the life of the rugs.    I’ve met rug hookers in the USA & Canada who have on their floors, rugs made by their Grandmothers – its possible some of these rugs could be close to 100 years old because my friends are “mature age” and their mothers remembered the same rugs being on the floor when they were children.                                      

Happy New Year to All              Jo Franco