It’s exciting when you know your piece shipped from Australia has arrived safely in Canada. My 3D hooked Australian Witchetty Grub is to be included in the Magnificent Bugs in Rugs exhibition.
Magnificent Bugs in Rugs will be a travelling exhibit of artistic, hand-hooked rugs and a children’s book. Profits will go to creating programs aimed at kids, promoting the traditional craft of rug making to a new generation.
MEET THE CURATORS: When Canadians Yvonne Iten-Scott and Leslie Knight met in an online rug hooking workshop, they instantly realized they had lots in common. Not only were they passionate about rug hooking and all things fibre art but their farms were only 15 minutes apart. They quickly became friends, and started traveling to rug hooking events together, joined the current board of The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers and realized they both wanted to curate a global rug exhibition that would appeal to the next generation of rug hookers.
Leslie and Yvonne hope you will follow along to meet the inspiring and innovative rug making artists who will be creating Magnificent Bugs in Rugs! https://www.instagram.com/magnificentbugsinrugs/
After the Grand Opening in August of 2024 the bugs will be traveling to Niagara Falls, Ontario. They will be displayed from August to October @niagarafallsartgalleryto coincide with the 30th anniversary conference of @tighr24where many of our participants will be in attendance.
If you’re in the area visit this hands-on learning environment and, to learn more about TIGHR (The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers) visit www.tighr.net
This list of the participants includes rug hookers from Australia, Canada, Japan, Norway, UK & USA.
These two rug hookers from East and West of the USA have worked together before on projects. This time, to brighten the day in this time of pandemic and despair, they asked rug makers to flood their Facebook pages all weekend with images of their works in progress with the emphasis on hands working and tools used and the hash tag #InternationalHookin
Rug makers in Australia were invited to take part – so even if you’ve missed the 4th of April, if you have a Facebook or Instagram account share your images with #InternationalHookin
Gene’s studio, where he holds rug hooking group sessions, dyes wool fabulous colours and weaves – is a stone’s throw from Disneyland in Anaheim California. Gene works with community groups and is keen to pass the traditional craft on to young people. This image is from Gene’s website, where you can see more images of works by his students and groups that meet there.
Gene also facilitates an online, Internet Rug Hooking Camp and generously makes “How To” videos available free online. Here is an introductionto rughooking for beginners. More tutorials can be found on RugHookingMagazines website.
Judith Stephens and Gene Shepherd in Gene’s studio, Anaheim, California, USA – 2009
Here’s a blast from the past – in 2011 Judith Stephens, then Vice President of the Australian Rugmakers Guild and me (your Guild Editor, Jo Franco) visited Gene Shepherd at his California studio – which I believe was relatively new at the time. I took this photo of the two of them inspecting the rug that was currently on Gene’s rug hooking frame. To answer a question from many rug hookers – Yes, you can hook a large rug on a small lap frame or a small frame on a stand as Gene was using.
It’s a far cry from the busy freeways of Anaheim, a city which seems like a suburb of Los Angeles when you drive from one to the other, to where Susan lives on the US East Coast, in the mountains of West Virginia.
Unfortunately, development is having a huge impact on the natural beauty of her surroundings. Susan’s work acknowledges the impact while showing the natural beauty inher artwork which invites the viewer to think.
News from another “Northern” rug hooker who has visited Australia several times, most recently last year, attending the General Meeting in Strathalbyn South Australia ……. Karen Kaiser, from Canada.
Karen has produced a series of videos on how to cover a footstool with a hooked pattern, along the way, creating a set of coasters in the empty spaces of the foot stool pattern. You can see more of Karen’s work on her website.
WHILE BACK IN AUSTRALIA ……….. I’m hearing from Members who are really missing the physical contact of their groups in this time of social distancing.
Painted by Heather Ritchie, UK & sent to Miriam in Australia because she knows Miriam loves sunflowers.
In New South Wales; Miriam Miller is receiving many images and articles from rug makers around the country and the world, for her newsletter “Connecting Us” (archived on this website). Here are some excerpts – first from Queensland …..
Kingaroy, QLD – Judith Brook’s response to bushfires in the Narrawilly area – the piece depicting Mollymook Beach is edged with colours of fire and framed by burnt sticks. This framing technique was shared with Judith by Judi Tompkins who often uses this framing technique on her large 3D hooked wall hangings.
From Coolum Beach, QLD – Annette White says:
“Over the last two month I made two little mats (or wall hangings) for my two young grandnieces in Germany, Annette is nine and drew a lion, Johann, seven, drew the penguin. I had promised them I replicate their pictures in a little rug. As a bonus I printed out the Aesop fable about the lion and the mouse and fabricated a little mouse attached with a tiny strip of Velcro and an invisible nylon thread so it can be moved around.
For the penguin I found a story about the penguin and the fish, therefore added the fish in the same manner. So these will be story rugs. These girls are very creative kids and will appreciate something crafted. There are two more younger kids in that family, I will have to think of something for them as well.”
Annette also made something for herself – creating these containers using the toothbrush rugmaking technique.
From NSW – Bermagui – this piece was submitted by Dawn Hollins – it was created by a visitor from out of the area who was house-sitting in Bermagui and attended one of their groups gatherings.
Dawn said “It’s a great feeling to know that we helped launch such a prodigious talent. One lesson and she was off! We’ll see her again this winter when she and her husband return for more Bermagui-time.”
Unfortunately, with projections for social distancing going late into the year they may not be able to make their winter trip.
NSW – Milton: With events being cancelled across the country – the Narrawilly Proggy Ruggers were lucky to have made it to exhibit their work in the Milton Show and also give rug hooking demonstrations there on 7th March.
Miriam Miller might be staying at home, but she’s keeping busy, along with her garden and newsletter, she has started another BIG RUG – yes she is also using a small frame.
Miriam says “I am starting a new rug inspired by a book Maggie Whyte lent me called “Rug Money” authors Mary Anne Wise and Cheryl Conway-Dalyabout rugs made by groups of women in Guatamala. They are so colourful and wild, it inspired me to do something more colourful, I hope. This is the start. As we older people are advised to stay home and avoid mixing with people because of the Coronavirus, it is good to have a project I am keen to work on. (Below my rug progressing.)”
Also a member of the Narrawilly Proggy Ruggers, Leith Brandt sent this piece to Miriam for inclusion in Miriam’s newsletter. Leith says – “I am sending you a photo of some stitch work I have done. It is an abstract impression of the hills around Gundagai, done with recycled fabrics- stitches and needle felting.”
Still in NSW – Milton; Narrawilly Proggy Rugger, Elke Smith-Hill keeps to the social distancing rules enjoying a walk on this deserted beach.
As an avid photographer, it’s not just the chance to exercise for Elke, a bonus is finding fossils in the rocks.
On to Victoria – Loch; where Chris Noorbergen has put aside her rug hook and taken up a crochet hook – to complete this wonderful free-form crocheted jacket.
Chris is a member of the Yarra Valley Rugmakers – who travel to each others homes to hold a meeting once a month. With everyone having to stay at home they have formed a Facebook Messenger Group and for their last meeting they all gathered together their hooking and clicked into the Facebook Messenger Group and were able to chat to each other throughout the day as they hooked – sounds to me like the main disadvantage was they couldn’t all take part in the delicious food that usually accompanies their get-togethers. Here’s a couple of their projects.
Bobby La said “Just doing the dotted edges. First with one colour, spaced out to allow for the next. Listening to ABC radio Conversations, on the verandah.”
By the end of the day Joy had her stair tread finished.
Even with social distancing, they are still open to welcoming new members – you can read about their group here.
Western Australia – Wanneroo – members of the Wanneroo Rugmakers who usually meet every Saturday morning are really missing their time together – I know, as I’m one of the group. We had so much planned for this year. We’re still working on one of the projects and as I make my quick safaris to pick up groceries I’ve been stopping by to pick up sections of the finished work from member’s mail boxes. The pieces will be delivered to Peta Korb’s mail box on another excursion, as she has volunteered to finish them off. The “D” was hooked by Kath and Anna’s “T” is now a block. Recycled T-shirts are being used for this project.
This Blog started with news of rug hooking friends in the Northern Hemisphere so it’s fitting we finish off with News from CANADA – Newfoundland;
Pat Parsons, in Gander, is the TIGHR Communications Chair – Pat sent Miriam news and images from the annual Central Regional Hook In hosted by the Happy Matters Group;
Pat says: it was a terrific success with 70 rug hookers from all over the island attending. There was a delicious lunch served by the Church Ladies, prizes given away, loads of locally dyed wool for sale, and much merriment all around. Below you will see all of us hard at work on various beautiful mats. We are fortunate here on the island to have several active groups from east to west and north to south- and we don’t mind driving 2 or 3 hours to spend the day with our likeminded crafters and support the local rug shops that pop up.
As members of the TIGHR planning team for the next Triennial, I hope that we see as many Australians rug hookers as we can in 2021. Meanwhile, stay safe everyone and Happy Hooking.Pat
Click TIGHR to learn more about The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers.
From the Editor: This started out to be a quick recap of what’s happening with our rug hooking groups – but like Topsy, it kept growing – there’s still more images and news to share …… in the next Blog, as I need to work on the Global Textile Hub’s Call for Entries to “Re-imagined” a Collaboration with a Difference: Make the Ordinary Extraordinary launched this past week. You can click this link to read all about it and complete an Expression of Interest. You’ll also see on the GTH Facebook pagean explanation of a “virtual” exhibition – featuring the pilot virtual online exhibition “Re-imagined” a mixed media exhibition, the Opening of which took place at Rug Hooking Week in Sauder Village Ohio, USA August 2018.
Even with social distancing you can collaborate with others (phone,post,Skype and online) – so stay safe – stay home and get creative.
The danger is not over yet, but some areas have had a reprieve, even some glorious rain!
This Blog contains excerpts from the Facebook pages and emails of Guild members affected by the bushfires. There are many reports on TV and in newspapers, but what follows are unedited reports from those involved.
Miriam Miller was forced to evacuate her home at Narrawilly again on 23rd January – Miriam says:
“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. “
The view from Miriam’s kitchen window.
Editor: Unfortunately, this news of more fires comes on the heels of the Good News from Carey-Ann at Robert Miller’s Narrawilly Farm ….
“The good news is that we and the team are safe and uninjured, and the old farmhouse and the dairy plant are intact. The milking herd was well protected although some of the animals in the dry herd are experiencing difficulties associated with drought, bushfire smoke, heat and environmental stress. They are being monitored and, where relevant, treated.”
…… Also from Carey-Ann
“a Timeline of a Fire – at Narrawilly (photographs, taken by Robert and Carey-Ann), document our growing disquiet morphing into anxiety and then horror as fire arrived on New Year’s Eve and returned, four days later, on 4 January.)
Across the eastern seaboard of Australia, regional communities have been devastated by these out-of-control bushfires. Many people have lost a lot more than we have. Houses can be rebuilt but not everything lost is tangible or replaceable with a credit card. The psychological consequences, for thousands of regional Australians in dozens of regional towns and villages, will persist for years to come. We are very grateful for people’s best wishes, small acts of kindness, and donations — from homemade chocolate brownies through to generous cash donations, and our appreciation will only grow over time, when we have time to reflect on what has happened these past few weeks.
I would also like you to know this: during the course of 24 hours, stretching from mid-afternoon on 4 January 2020 to sunrise of 5 January 2020, Rob and a handful of locals (which included our dairy farming neighbours, the Andersons) worked with basic infrastructure to prevent the fire in the rainforest breaking out of the gully. They fought for hours on end to stop fire and embers from reaching houses on Stony Hill Lane (including Miriam’s timber house) and raging through to Milton village. As an eye witness to what they did that night, I can tell you that they battled that canopy fire alone. They did not have the luxury of evacuating to a safe location. They did not sleep that night or the next. There were no fire-fighters or fire-engines available to protect sleeping residents in Milton and surrounds. What Milton village residents still do not realise is that it was Rob and the Andersons (Brian, Janine, their sons, their nephew and brother-in-law), along with a neighbour’s son, who held that fire in check. If that rainforest fire had not been contained within the gully, nothing in Stony Hill Lane would remain today. Theirs was an act of extraordinary bravery and determination.”
Editor: We are now seeing “Open for Business” reports on TV from the affected areas asking people to return to these country areas so business and livelihoods can return to normal – How can that be when the danger has not passed? I asked Carey-Ann what her thoughts were on this since there is still such a fire risk and communities are so devastated and she said ……
“Local newspapers (e.g. see South Coast Register on Kangaroo Valley and Southern Highlands) are writing of the need for resilience (among the victims) and consumption (among the tourists). It is understandable, up to a point, that certain small businesses want tourists back now.
But where is the line between consumption-tourism as a form of support and providing a respectful amount of time for victims to mourn their dead, their losses and their way of life? And who gets to draw that line in the sand?
It should come as no surprise to anyone when bushfire-affected locals, whose houses and streets were incinerated or damaged, react angrily to cars of Instagram-ing strangers snapping photographs of their pain and despair. (We have heard of this happening in Conjola recently.) I wonder if those who promote unrestrained consumer capitalism in bushfire areas have thought of how to handle that potential for grief-related conflict? I wonder if it will entrench divides between Townies and country people? Somehow I suspect that it will be the locals who are told to be “resilient”, appreciative of the tourist dollar, and respectful. When does that become docility?”
Editor: Which brings up the subject of mental health in these areas – we’ve all heard of PTSD, but what about Continuous Traumatic Stress Disorder (CTSD), which is a sub-category of PTSD?
Carey-Ann said “I have spoken to Rob about CTSD among bushfire-affected dairy farming communities. I see signs of it among this particular community. Fortunately, some academics are already thinking and writing about eco-anxiety. I hope they will consider the link between CTSD and out of control bushfires which return again and again.”
Editor: Still in NEW SOUTH WALES – Conditions are similar at Mongarlowe in the Braidwood area; except they have had some rain! With her permission, here’s some of the images shared on Facebook by Gail Nichols …..
Jan 03: When I think back to how bad we thought things were here in late November, we had no idea what we’d be facing by the New Year. I keep clinging to a belief that this has to end someday. Surely it will rain again.
Jan 4: For all my friends and family following my posts on our ongoing fire situation. It’s hard to believe things could get worse but today is forecast as yet another nightmare. If you want the details here is this morning’s ABC news story.
With massive fires to the north and south of us, into Victoria and even across to Kangaroo Island it’s difficult to know where to start in telling about it this morning. So, I’ll begin with what’s local. We are ok.Apart from putting out a neighbour’s grass fire that ran to our fence, our property was untouched yesterday. That doesn’t mean we weren’t threatened. Fire in pine windrows on property to our west was throwing us flying bark etc. Late in the day the southerly wind change came in like a steam train, blasting that fire to the north toward Mongarlowe village. Today we will be catching up with neighbours and pitching in where we can help. So many other communities in the Braidwood area were impacted yesterday. We are still waiting for the rain that would put at end to this.
Here at home we are prepared to defend yet again, getting well practiced at this. At least we are now well surrounded by burnt out areas and lower fuel loads which should give us some protection. Hoping our locality is spared this time but fearing for what may happen overall.
Jan 08: RFS crews are getting a lot of well deserved kudos. But note also the work being done by SES (State Emergency Service) volunteers. This crew of 8 from Queanbeyan turned up this morning, felled a number of fire damaged trees around our house, cut up and stacked the bits, all with smiles on their faces. Great work, can’t praise them enough
Jan 09: A couple of refired pots emerged from the ashes and cleaned up ok.
Jan 10: A young red necked wallaby eating pellets from one of my old soda glazed platters. He/she only just emerged from mum’s pouch before the fires started impacting here. What a welcome to the world. As for that singed pine trunk, I know some potter friends who would be jealous of those reds.
Jan 15: Painting with fire – Amongst the gems of the ‘firing’ are these pieces of sheet metal that had been draped over a pile of hardwood logs. It gives a whole new meaning to what I used to call ‘painting with fire’.
Jan 16: Rain Rain Rain! What a glorious afternoon.
In the midst of all the black, a puddle of water. Will this weekend see these pots finally submerged? Watch this space.
Jan 18: 61mm of rain over the past 3 days and more coming! The puddle in the dam is growing. The Charleys Forest Fire, which was our immediate threat, is under control. Our brigade station is reverting to local use. My rug making gear has returned from its evacuation refuge and is back in the studio. New green grass is making itself visible. Time to start thinking about some normality.
Jan 19: When there’s little grass to be found,carrots, sweet potato and kibble pellets are prettytasty, and when water is scarce a bowl of it makes a great swimming pool. The condition of local wildlife at our feeding stations has improved noticeably in the past couple weeks.
Thanks again to the Native Animal Rescue Group for their support.
Jan 20: Nice to see some green happening again
Jan 24: Gail says: The summer is far from over, there are still fires about, and we need much more rain. I am currently having some time off from firefighting as my lungs need a break. But there is so much smoke and dust in the air that’s hard to manage anywhere around here. We just keep hoping for some good extended rain. At least there is green grass appearing so our landscape is not just that devastating black. That’s reassuring.
VICTORIA: There are no reports of damage from members there – fortunately all are safe and out of the fire zones.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA is another matter; Sue Gilmartin arrived in Perth on 10th January and gave firsthand information about her host’s property, in the Adelaide hills, safe but still under threat – however, while there she didn’t have to take refuge in the damp sprout fields which was their planned defense. Friends of her hosts weren’t so fortunate, one family lost everything! Escaping only with their lives.
Friends on Kangaroo Island were also affected, with another family losing everything.
A report in the Adelaide newspaper tells of this King Island resident who made a miraculous escape.
Guild Members in Strathalbyn – an area visited by many rug hookers (TIGHR 2012) are reported to be safe.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA has also been impacted by bushfires, to the north and south. After New Years Day Sue Gilmartin from the UK set off to cross the Nullarbor (Adelaide to Perth) on a 10 day camping trip with a small tour group – Sue said 3 days in, after having had the most amazing time sleeping in swags under the stars, the organizers were forced to abandon the trip and return to Adelaide, as the border between SA and WA was closed due to raging fires through the southern area of WA.
The only paved road linking the east and west coasts of Australia was closed for 12 days causing havoc with holiday travelers and freight line truckers. Across this area small towns are shown on maps but they’re virtually only petrol(gas) stations with a cafe and in some places very “basic” motel units – none of these “towns” were prepared with supplies (water or food) to support the hundreds of people trapped at each of them, even with supplies being flown in by small planes and helicopters.
West of the SA/WA border the road is widen in places to create a landing strip. It’s a little disconcerting as you’re driving along and you see the “aircraft landing” warning signs makes you wonder how much notice you’d get of an airplane attempting to land?
Highway airstrip in Western Australia – taken on one of our return road trips from Queensland.
Through that 12 day period police strenuously enforced the road closures due to a horrendous situation in 2007 when three truckers were burnt to death in a bushfire after a road closure was lifted prematurely.
They couldn’t say when the road would be opened, so Sue finally resorted to purchasing an airline ticket and spent a week with me in Perth. Her aim was to see as much textile work and visit as many textile groups and galleries as possible. Unfortunately most of the Galleries were closed for the Christmas Holidays and most groups were on holiday break. Sue did make it to a meeting of the Wanneroo Rugmakers
and while there visited the “Home” Exhibition on at the Wanneroo Gallery.
Baskets by Courtney Hill-Aaron Koolark Collection (6) Natural fibres, emu feathers, ochre pigment from Country to colour natural fibres.
Totems by Val Shaw.
The Wanneroo Rugmakers first wall hanging can be seen in the adjoining room.
This followed by a visit to Nalda Searles home – Sue and Nalda have mutual friends in Kalgoorlie – so a very pleasant afternoon was spent listening to Nalda tell stories about her work.
We took a boat cruise up the Swan River to the Sandalford Winery which involved wine tasting on the boat, a delicious lunch and more wine tasting at the winery – good job we took the train into town to catch the boat.
Another day was crammed full with a visit to the Goods Shed to view “The Alchemist” and on to Fremantle to visit the Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, now the home of marionettes donated to the Theatre by Stella Edmundson of the Sunshine Coast Textile Art Group. The Kidogo Gallery was closed so instead we toured the Shipwreck Museum.
QUEENSLAND: This report started about bushfires and ends with reports of floods in Queensland and in CANBERRA, hail the size of golf balls!
Maggie Whyte, Guild Pres. said she was on her way back to Canberra from a trip to the coast when the storm hit, so fortunately missed that experience – an auto insurers nightmare. Images could be seen on TV of carparks full of cars with shattered windows and car bodies peppered with dents where they had been pummelled by the hail.
Through all this wild weather there have been moments of creative inspiration, friends connecting with friends and help coming from unexpected places – so many people touched by the devastation and others wanting to help.
Now there’s a fine line to tread to support the businesses that are left in tact while respecting the privacy of bushfire victims.
Hopefully, my next post as your Guild Editor, will be less of a weather report, with more emphasis on the art and craft of rug making.
Jo Franco, Editor & Membership Chair, Australian Rugmakers Guild
This is the time of year for reflection and planning – looking back 2018 has been a busy year for many of the members of this Guild. Workshops given, new rug groups formed, solo exhibitions and travel – Miriam Miller and Jacqui Thompson from New South Wales take the award for most distance travelled!
With so much happening where to start? ….. By State – on the East coast, North to South and across to Western Australia.
QUEENSLAND:
In July, two Judiths from Queensland (Judy Brook and Judi Tompkins) along with another Judy and gave workshops at the Kingaroy Regional Art Gallery’s Winter Craft Festival .
In October, Judy Brook travelled to the UK to attend The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers (TIGHR) 2018 Triennial in Reeth.
Below, Judy shows a piece she started in Reeth as she tells members of the Sunshine Coast RugCrafters group about the Triennial and her travels, at the first of the “Palimpsest Studio Days” to be held in Judi Tompkins’ new Studio in Landsborough, on International Rug Hooking Day.
Much of Judi Tompkins time was taken up this year with “Re-imagined” a virtual online Exhibition co-convened with Jo Franco – but that’s another story (Blog).
The“Re-imagined” Exhibition includes works by several members of the Sunshine Coast Rugcrafters.
Judy Owen embraced the Brief, with embellishments required in the Call for Entry, with her original design “Memories of my Father”
Annette White has a way with animals. Her Exhibition entry was a hooked elephant hand puppet – she also hooked and prodded this “bear rug”.
Bea Nitschke added to her butterfly collection with this blue butterfly. Her “Re-imagined” entry was sculptural, a 3D gold butterfly on driftwood.
and Stella Edmundson did more than rug hook in 2018 – entering “Re-imagined” and completing several commission pieces (her own designs)
Stella won first place in the sport of Tae Kwon Do in both traditional and creative patterns for female black belts over 60 years of age at the Pan Pacific Masters’ Games held on the Gold Coast, in Queensland.
Trees were popular subjects as Exhibition entries – Cynthia Nicklin, Mt. Glorious, QLD entered “The Mother Tree”. (Mother tree – timber getters’ parlance for a large old tree whose seed resulted in the surrounding forest)
The subject for Cynthia’s original artwork, an ancient flooded gum, stands outside her kitchen window. Cynthia’s artist statement read “It is thought she saw Captain Cook sail along the southern coast of Queensland in 1770. She survived cyclonic winds and rains, droughts, hail storms, severe lopping, insect infestation. She has been a tent support, a cubby house platform, a rubbing post for cattle, a holder of swings and a haven for birds, marsupials, creepy crawlies and native orchids. And yet she still stands, the last of her kind in this area.”
In Brisbane Claudia Forster-Purchase was busy working on an original tree design, embellished with paper bark found in the area where she lives. Unfortunately preparation for a trip to Canada prevented her from finishing it in time to enter. We look forward to seeing this piece finished and framed.
Bec Andersen from Mt. Tamborine held a Solo Rug Hooking Exhibition at Under the Greenwood Tree Bookstore and Contemporary Art Gallery (Aug 10 – Sep 2) and a Make Do & Mend crafting workshops and installation – this link will tell you more about the project created during a series of workshops spanning over three months across Scenic Rim.
These images of Bec and her work were taken at the end of year gathering of Bec’s group, Happy Hookers posted by Janis Bailey, were reposted on Rug Hooking Magazine’s Facebook coverage of International Rug Hooking Day.
NEW SOUTH WALES:
Jilliby: Guild Member, Clare Thornley, www.feltfine.com.au , offers everything for people to start their rug making journey; Oxford Punch tools, three types of backing fabrics, hand-dyed rug yarn and frames. You can contact Clare online or arrange a visit to her studio not far off the M1.
Sydney : Martha Birch – represented ARG at this year’s Sydney Craft Fair in Darling Harbour – members of the Narrawilly Proggy Ruggers came up from Milton to assist. There was much interest in the colourful display and Martha has formed a Facebook rug hooking group open to the public, From Rags to Rugs, Sydney Rug Hookers https://www.facebook.com/groups/387146415123046/
Martha has also given well received beginner rug hooking workshops and started regular group meetings in the Sydney suburb of Epping 26 Stanley Rd at the Epping Creative Centre .
In 2019 the group will meet on the 2nd Saturday from February to November – from 10.00am to 4.00pm – Tuition is available. Here are images from those first workshops.
Milton is home to a couple of intrepid travellers Miriam Miller & Jacqui Thompson who in 2018 travelled the Australian East coast then around the world. In July they drove north on the west side of the Great Dividing range to Cairns and back down the coast – catching up with family and rug hookers along the way. A distance of approximately 2,652k (almost 1,648miles)
Miriam Miller, Judi Tompkins and Jacqui Thomson at Judi’s new home in Landsborough, Queensland.
Immediately after their return they went up to Sydney and helped Martha talk rug hooking to people at the Sydney Craft Fair in Darling Harbour.
Then began their BIG trip – starting in Milton at the local bus stop – where at 6.00a.m. they caught the bus to Sydney – flew to the UK and visited with family in the south of England – sharing in daily journal entries, emailed to interested family and friends by Miriam’s daughter Robyn, many images of places, rug hookers and their impressions of the different countries they visited. Many of the images from their travels were shared on the Guild Facebook page.
Their itinerary went like this – from Brighton, UK, to the Isle of Guernsey – across to France to stay with the family of a rug hooker – back to the UK to attend the TIGHR Triennial in Reeth where they stayed with Heather Ritchie. Miriam and Jacqui couldn’t get over how much was planned during the Conference, they will be recounting stories from this event for months to come.
There were new friends to be made at the TIGHR Triennial in Reeth as well as many old friends to catch up with – including Marg Arland and Susan Sutherland who have visited Miriam and Jacqui at Narrawilly in Milton.
On the return trip they were Artists in Residence in Corris, North Wales – then travelled to Ireland to met up with Neville Smith the maker of the Irish (Hartman) Hook and his family.
From Ireland they flew to Iceland to take a knitting tour in the company of Heather Ritchie, back-tracking through the UK to Canada. First visiting Newfoundland, then Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, staying with rug hookers who introduced them to members of their groups and their many rug hooking friends, generally touring them all over, even though the weather had definitely turned to winter.
While staying on Cape Breton, NS, Cathy, their hostess, took them on a special tour of Les Trois Pignons – Museum of the Hooked Rug and Home Life in Cheticamp – here is just one of the many large finely shaded rugs hooked by Elizabeth La Fort, click the link above to see all the rooms filled with amazing rugs in this museum.
The travellers arrived back home to Milton just in time for the Narrawilly Proggy Ruggers annual Fashion Parade with group members modelling and purchasing the garments donated by a local Op Shop to be cut up and used to hook with. Proceeds from this event goes to Heather Ritchie for her Rug Aid project.
With much work, from this pile of donations evolved a Fashion Parade
BERMAGUI: Early in the year members of the Narrawilly Proggy Ruggers visited Dawn Hollins to see her new craft room and from Dawn comes the following news;
“The Bermagui & District U3A Rug Hooking Group held its Christmas lunch gathering in my craft cabin in Cobargo on Wednesday 12 December. We have been meeting once a month during term time at the home of Lindsay Potter, our teacher. Since completing the wall hangings for the Bermagui Surf Club two years ago we have been working on our own projects and have welcomed new members. A new cafe in Bega dedicated to using recycled materials has asked us to make hooked covers for all their stool cushions – a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase our craft!”
BRAIDWOOD: Gail Nichols has had a very busy year – beginning with her entry “Stepping Out” on exhibit in the “Re-imagined” virtual Exhibition
Followed by “Rug Up for Winter” a Workshop given with Maggie Hickey to the Braidwood Regional Art Group.
and an Exhibition – “In transit” at the Drill Hall Gallery, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT
and yet another Exhibition “Landscape”, which opened 17th November at Narek Gallery in Bermagui featuring “Wallace Street”
Gail was also a finalist in Rug Hooking Magazine’s Celebrations 2018 – this work “Temple fish” was published in the Celebration of Handhooked Rugs 2018.
ACT – Canberra – Maggie Whyte was one of nine Guild members from five Australian States, who attended The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers (TIGHR) 2018 Triennial held in the UK at Reeth in the Yorkshire Dales.
Earlier in the year Maggie gave a Braided-in Workshop at Narrawilly in Milton and was on hand to help with the recent Narrawilly Fashion Parade filling in for Jacqui Thompson who due to ill health was unable to attend and was missed by all at the event.
VICTORIA: Warrandyte – Anne Schafer also attended the TIGHR Triennial in Reeth and along with Maggie Whyte, Canberra and Janet Tayler-Henry, NSW visited Miriam & Jacqui at their Artists in Residence in North Wales.
Anne Schafer snuggled up under a rug knitted by Miriam Miller
Anne will be entertaining the Victorian group, the Yarra Valley Rugmakers, for some time with tales of her travels …. the knitting tour and sightseeing in Ireland as well as all the wonderful events she took part in at the Triennial in Reeth, UK.
In her absence Robyne demonstrated rug hooking at the Melbourne Show where she started this rug. You can see what inspired her, how she planned the “No name” proggy rug and follow her progress from start to finish on this link
Yarra Valley Group members take turns to gather in each other’s homes, travelling between Lily Dale (Post Code 3140) a suburb 35k NE of Melbourne to Loch (Post Code 3945) in South Gippsland, 106 k SE of Melbourne and Warrandyte (3113) 27k NE of Melbourne.
For those wanting to learn rug hooking who live West of Melbourne in theBallarat (3350) area you’ll find an instructor 30 minutes away, in Lal Lal (3352) Marcia King is a solitary rug maker who also gives workshops, locally and further afield.
Marcia will be teaching an Intro to Rug Hooking at Opendrawer, 1158 Toorak Rd, Camberwell Opendrawer.com.au
on January 22nd, 2019 – 10am to 4pm
Marcia enjoys recycling – this work in progress, a floor mat, is being hooked using T-Shirts some she has re-dyed using Procion dyes to get some nice vibrant colours. The backing is a piece of wool fabric, found in a discount bin at the Creswick Woollen mill many years ago.
TASMANIA: Deloraine – A rug hooking group meets every week on Monday morning at Art as Mania; a Shop, Studio and Gallery space located in the heart of Deloraine Tasmania showcasing the works of talented artists, craftspeople, wood and metal workers and artisans.
Art as Mania, is at 20-22 Emu Bay Road, Deloraine – you can also find them on Facebook.
Hobart: Hobart Rag Ruggers a new Facebook group – open to all –
Emma Gunn is the administrator, and in August organized a get together at the South Hobart Community Centre (in the D’Arcy St Playground). Emma has also been travelling this year, checking out rugs and rug makers in the USA and Canada. For more information about meet ups, contact her via the Facebook page or this Blog.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA; Strathalbyn The StrathMatters rug group started 2018 in a new home and have been busy since, with a trip to the Australian Tapestry Workshop in Melbourne to view the Gordian Knot – these photographs by Malcolm Edward-Cole.
Outside the Law – Hookers and Police?
They also visited the National Gallery of Victoria to view the large interactive rug installation acquired by the Gallery – “Santa Cruz River” by Alexandra Kehayoglou, a Buenos Aires–based artist and designer who uses hand-tufted wool rugs to draw into focus landscapes under threat of irreversible change.
Their Annual weekend retreat, held this year at the Normanville Jetty Caravan Park from Friday 26 to Monday 29 October, involved surprise workshops. The main event was a demonstration and try-out of Tapestry Weaving with guest craftswoman Betty Wolf.
A surprise workshop – button necklacesResults of the button necklace workshop
The StrathMatters also entered rugs in the Adelaide and Strathalbyn shows.
One of the members travelled even further afield – Kathy Saint went to the TIGHR Triennial in Reeth like all the visitors, carrying a rug for display. The small town of Reeth was covered in “hooking” with over 100 members arriving from around the world bringing hooked items to be displayed along with the work of the UK members. The interior of the church and buildings throughout town were “adorned”. The rug, shown below, that may have put Kathy over her airline baggage limit, was designed by Judith Stephens and hooked by both of them. On the way to the Conference Kathy took a textile tour in Italy where she was introduced to an unusual lace making technique
SAVE THE DATE! 1st weekend in Oct 2019 – It’s over 10 years since the Guild was formed in Strathalbyn and more than 2 years since the last Guild meeting was held at the 2016 Coast to Coast Exhibition in Canberra
its time for a coming together of Australian Rugmakers!
Information on the event will be published early 2019 – it’s mentioned here so you can plan holidays and time off.
Suggestions for workshops or events to take place on this weekend are welcome.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: The Wanneroo Rugmakers meet at the Library and Cultural Centre in Wanneroo every Saturday from 10.00am to 1:00pm to work on community projects and their own hooked creations and share many different textile techniques including felting … here are some of Peta Korb’s delightful Aussie critters
Robin Inkpen visited from Donnybrook in the States South West and showed how she made the coils for her entry in “Re-imagined” the virtual Exhibition
“Warning! Bleached coral in a plastic sea” 2018 by Robin Inkpen 68cm x 65 cm Photograph by Skip Watkins
after Robin’s visit Kath Smith created a wrapped rope basket to go with cushion covers she made using the Canadian smocking technique.
Tricia Thacker wearing a beanie 10 years in the making – a circular weaving project put away as a UFO and finally finished this year!
The main focus for the group this year has been on the construction of rug hooking frames. The current models are being made of PVC pipe and started with plans kindly made available by Judy Taylor of Little House Rugs(USA) who has also featured as rug maker of the month on her website two Australian rugmakers Judi Tompkins and Judith Stephens. Images of their rugs are shown in Judy’s new book “T-Shirt Treasures”
Wanneroo group members continue to re-design and refine the frame design and have finally come up with a way to keep the backing drum tight without having to import metal gripper strips not available locally.
This year, travel was on the agenda for several of the groups members. Peta visited her son in Canada and took the opportunity to take more textile workshops, sharing some of her new found knowledge on her return. She is currently traveling in Europe with her other son sending back inspiring images of extraordinary architecture and works of art.
Sharen Smith is back in the fold after a trip to some interesting places in Europe – while the weather was cold, the decorations for the Christmas season made for magical photo opportunities.
Jo Franco gave up on her planned trip to TIGHR when she was invited to attend the Opening of the virtual Exhibition “Re-imagined” at the annual Rug Hooking Week in Sauder Village, Ohio USA – a huge event with several featured Exhibitions, many vendors, and open to the public – think Australian Craft Fairs on a bigger scale. Workshops – daily and residential are booked out as soon as they open at the beginning of each year. “Re-imagined” the virtual was seen on a big screen TV by many, as over 4,000 people go through the event during the week. There was much interest in the “virtual” concept, and the “Textile Tessera” installation, with visitors wanting to know why only work from the Southern Hemisphere was featured – wishing they’d had a chance to participate. They will – there’s to be another virtual exhibition in 2021, coinciding with the next TIGHR Triennial in Newfoundland, Canada, and that virtual exhibition will be open worldwide. Watch this space for more to come!
From the Editor:This is an extremely long post but it doesn’t begin to cover all that’s happened this year in the rug hooking world in Australia. I hope you will take the opportunity to follow the links to read more about the different groups and events.
Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year to All.
2008, 11th & 12th October, a Rag Rug exhibition in Strathalbyn, was billed as the “First Rughooking Exhibition in South Australia” It wasNot so!
Shown here, Judith Stephens, President of the Australian Rugmakers Guild and Joyce Emery, a founding member, discussing the rug hooking supplies Joyce can no longer use as arthritis is preventing her from continuing to rug hook and she would like to advertise them on the Guild website. The box Judith is holding is full of Cushing dyes. There’s also some patterns and a Fraser cutter to be sold.
At almost 90 years of age Joyce still makes lace and spins and doesn’t hesitate to drive herself, along with her well dressed passenger, from her home in Elizabeth, South Australia to Strathalbyn an hour and a half drive.
Back in 2008, early on the morning of Saturday 11th, the day the Strathalbyn Rag Rug Show was to be Opened, Joyce read about it in the Adelaide newspaper and called Judith to ask if she could enter some of her rugs. After the long drive from Elizabeth to Strathalbyn Joyce arrived with a car load of rugs and news that this wasn’t the “first” – there had been many rug exhibitions in South Australia, in the late 1960’s and 70’s. Joyce proceeded to give Judith her knowledge of the history of rughooking in South Australia
Joyce: “American style rug hooking started in Elizabeth in the late 60’s when a lady from Canada came to live here. She was Pam Whitehead, she had been making rugs in Canada for some time and had done a course at the Rowan studio.
I was teaching in the Elizabeth Girls Technical High School at the time and found out that Pam was holding evening classes there. The original members ofthat class stayed together as friends and met at Pam’s house on the first Sunday of the month for over 30 years. During those years all of us passed on our craft to others. Pam had classes in the evenings in Elizabeth, Salisbury, the Barossa and the Hills.
I taught groups in Eudunda, Gawler, Salisbury, Spinners & Weavers Guild, Stansbury and demonstrated all over the State during the 150th celebrations.
I have made over 50 rugs and wall hangings both floral and geometric. I have also made 2 large pictures depicting special activities in the sky. Haley’s Comet and Jupiter. I have only ever sold one rug when I was helping to set up an exhibition at the institute in Lyndoch. Every Easter our group put a collection ofour rugs, made in the previous year, in the hall for the Vintage Festival.
From the original group new groups formed as we moved within the State. A large group was created in Mt. Gambia by Rene Moss. Faye had a group in the Grenville Centre in Elizabeth and I had a group in Salisbury, each one meeting every week. Now all these have closed as people have got older and our craft involves patience and time and there are no people interested any more in working to make rugs. I have been showing how to make cushion covers out of wool, spun wool is not is not good as rugs as it will wear.
Of course when we started, the classes were done through adult ed. and the Education Dept so we never had to worry about getting people to learn, we always had good numbers and people in the country could get a teacher to go to them to run a class.”
“The Rowan Studio, in Canada (mentioned by Joyce) was run by Margaret and Ted Rowan. It became Rittermere and then Rittermere-Hurst and is now the rug hooking supply store of Rittermere-Hurst-Field.” This information was taken, with permission, from the website of Deb Merriam(Canada) http://sustainableslow.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/traditional-rug-hooking-resources-rug.html
Pam Whitehead’s son Peter came across his mother’s name on the Guild’s website and gave this update: Pam moved to Australia in early 1950’s married his father in Goondiwindi, Queensland in 1953 and went to Canada in 1955 arriving back in Australia in 1969 and lived in South Australia until her death in 2006.
Peter said “my mother was involved in many crafts but Rug Hooking was her passion. She would have been so happy to see it continue to flourish in Australia.”
In 2008 we worried about having enough rugs to fill the exhibition space. At that time, you could count the number of Australian rug hooking instructors on one hand; Judith Stephens, South Australia; Miriam Miller, New South Wales; Judy Brook, Queensland and me, Jo Franco, Western Australia. There may have been more rughookers around the country but therein lay the problem, not only were rughookers separated by vast distances, they were mostly in small country towns so there was no way to “connect” and the general population was not aware that this craft was being practiced.
The Internet and Social Media has changed all that!
In 2008 Miram, nominated as the Guild’s first President, had just published “Proggy & Hooky Rugs” also a first, the first (and only) Australian rug making book. Miriam had been giving rugmaking lesson to friends and neighbours for some time and in 1994 her friend Jacqui Thomson encouraged and helped her to form The Narrawilly Proggy Ruggers. They meet at Miriam’s Rug Room in Milton and the groups been growing in number ever since.
Miriam Miller, rughooking instructor, NSW Australia_photo, Gillian Lett Milton Ulladulla Times
We shouldn’t have worried about having enough rugs to show – there were over 100 hooked and prodded pieces to be displayed that weekend and we three were tired when this picture was taken late Sunday.
Following the inaugural Guild meeting in 2008 the next “General Meeting” took place in 2010 in Milton at the same time Gene Shepherd was giving workshops in Miriam’s Rug Room.
In 2012 the TIGHR Triennial Conference was held in Strathalbyn – Judith & Jo having submitted a nomination for Australia to be the Host Country, even before the Guild was formed. Some of the international instructors attending the Conference stayed on to give a weekend of workshops.
This was followed in 2014 by another weekend retreat and General Meeting in Strathalbyn and the
Coast to Coast Exhibition and General Meeting in Canberra, ATC in 2016.
The next General Meeting of the Guild will take place in South Australia in 2019. Hopefully it will coincide with the weekend of the Strathalbyn Show which now has categories for rug hooking. Here are some of this year’s entries
In the meantime if you’re in South Australia you might like to arrange a visit with the StrathMatters in their novel meeting place.
With so many of the Australian rug makers travelling overseas to rug hooking events this year there will be much to share at the next meeting.
As soon as dates have been set Guild Members will be notified by email so holidays can be planned for next year.
I’m sending you my best wishes for a happy and healthy Festive Season. It is a time to share with family and friends, but hopefully you will be able to find a little time for some creative moments which you can share with all of us through this blog. Happy rugmaking!
Judith Stephens, SA, President
&
Member of StrathMatters
Best Wishes also from the ARG Committee & State Representatives
Judi Tompkins, QLD, Communications Chair & Webmaster. Member of the Sunshine Coast RugCrafters and Co-convener of “Re-imagined” a Challenge with a Difference.
The April issue of Miriam Miller’s newsletter “Connecting Us” has arrived in my email inbox, in it some interesting news about visitors to the Narrawilly Proggy Ruggers group in Milton – shared here with Miriam’s permission.
On the last Rug day (7th April) they had several visitors. Miriam said they were thrilled that Maggie, Guild Vice President, accompanied by Sonja and Janet from Canberra made the 3 hour journey each way to join in for the day….. that’s the “near”.
From a further away came Irene Bruninghausen, who lives in Darwin, in the Northern Territory, but spends some of the year in Sydney. Irene brought her nearly completed first rug.
Irene said –
“My Rug was conceived in Ormiston Gorge Central Australia, physically commenced under Miriam’s tutelage at Milton N.S.W. Contributions were made at roadside stops in Queensland and it was almost completed in Darwin N.T. Now back at Milton trying to get a lesson in corner edging. It’s been a scenic journey for us. One thing I have learned about rugging you have to be comfy. In hot sweaty Darwin, I stripped down to a cossie, and set the stretcher frame down on a day bed. Then set up an enormous pedestal fan behind me.Fantastic – it blew all the loose threads and scraps all over the house.”
And from very FAR away ……. Sally Gilbert from New Hampshire USA, came to visit and met with some of the Narrawilly group on Saturday 11th March. Sally draws inspiration from her travels for her rug designs, she hooked this rug (21in x35in ) after returning from a trip to see the puffins in Maine. She used #4 & #6 size strips of new and repurposed 100% wool.
Chair pads designed and hooked by Sally using a combination of new and repurposed 100% wool strips – show the Australian influence which Sally says “is very strong in our house!”
When asked about her rug hooking in the United States, Sally said –
“I hook with the Wolfeboro Rug Hookers, a sub group of the Wolfeboro Newcomers Club. There are usually 6-8 members who come regularly and several other “sometime hookers”. Some are brand new to the craft, others have been hooking many years. We meet once a week in a local church, and welcome all who are interested. Occasionally we go on a trip to a rug hooking supply shop either in Maine (Camp Wool, Kennebunk, Maine) or western New Hampshire to Dorr Woollen Mills.”
Sally (second from the left) with members of the Narrawilly Proggy Ruggers;- Sue, Sally, Miriam, Miriam, Margaret, Christine, Judy and Janet and
Jacqui & Sally
Miriam and Irene in the Rug Room at Narrawilly
Miriam’s newsletter contains more news and images of rugs made by her friends from overseas and around Australia, it can be seen in full archived under the BLOG on this website.
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
From the Editor: I received this invitation from Fumiyo Hachisuka who, like many of the Australian rugmakers, is a member of The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers (TIGHR). Fumiyo first visited Australia in 2012 for TIGHRs Triennial Conference in South Australia.
The 26th Rug Hooking Exhibition at Gallery K, Tokyo 29th September to 4th October, 2016.
As soon as I saw the image on the Invitation I recognized Jacqui Thomson teaching Fumiyo how to spin. Jacqui and Miriam Miller are both keen spinners and knitters so it’s not unusual for rugmakers visiting Miriam’s Studio at Narrawilly to be shown how to spin.
I’d seen the photo on the Invitation, it was taken at Narrawilly during the 2014 Milton Retreat. At that time I had posted a Blog about the Retreat, but do you think I could find this image on my computer today.It’s not on Fumiyo’s computer either as she tells me it was taken by one of her Japanese friends who accompanied her to the Milton Retreat.
However she did send me this photo she took of Jacqui spinning
Jacquie Thomson, Milton, March 2014 – Narrawilly Proggers Rughooking Retreat
and a sumi drawing (painted in black ink) from which she drew the pattern for her rug aptly titled“Friendship”.
Fumiyo also used this “sumi” approach to draw up the pattern
for her entry to
Rug Hooking Magazine’s Celebration 26.
“Chateau de Chenonceau” Another photo, one of a castle in France, was Fumiyo’s inspiration for her entry which is a finalist in the competition. You can cast a vote in the “Readers’ Choice” section of this competition. In fact, you may vote 5 times – a good thing because there are so many wonderful rugs in different categories. To vote go to this RHM Celebrations page
Chateau de Chenonceau – sumi by Fumiyo Hachisuka
and here are the directions to Gallery K in Tokyo
Fumiyo, your friends in Australia wish you well and hope you have many visitors to the Exhibition.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
hand-hooked rugs and a children’s book. Profits will go to creating programs aimed at kids, promoting the traditional craft of rug making to a new generation.
common. Not only were they passionate about rug hooking and all things fibre art but their farms were only 15 minutes apart. They quickly became friends, and started traveling to rug hooking events together, joined the current board of The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers and realized they both wanted to curate a global rug exhibition that would appeal to the next generation of rug hookers.
You must be logged in to post a comment.