ISSN 2207-100X 4th April 2020
Connecting locally, nationally and with our rug hooking friends overseas …………
In the USA on 4th April, Susan L. Feller and Gene Shepherd shared Facebook posts in advance of 4th December, International Rug Hooking Day.
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 introduction to rug hooking for beginners. More tutorials can be found on Rug Hooking Magazines website.
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 in her artwork which invites the viewer to think.
Both Susan and Gene visited Australia for the 2012 TIGHR Triennial (The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers) and are well known to rug makers here.
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.
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-Daly about 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 page an 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. 
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