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A SNEAK PEEK – Magnificent Bugs In Rugs

 

From the Editor –  Jo Franco:

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  @niagarafallsartgallery to coincide with the 30th anniversary conference of @tighr24 where 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.

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 statementI 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.

 

 

NEW YEAR’S GREETINGS 2023

ISSN 2207-001X  January 1, 2023

Without fail, on the 1st day of the month “Connecting Us” Miriam Miller’s newsletter arrives in my INBOX. Today, the first day of January 2023, was no different.

Images in this issue, No. 84, reminded me of visitors to Miriam’s Narrawilly Rug Room shared five years ago…

RUG HOOKING VISITORS FROM NEAR AND FAR: April 2017  No.19

On 7th April 2017, Rug Day at Narrawilly, Maggie Whyte, accompanied by Sonja and Janet from Canberra made the 3-hour journey each way to join in for the day… that was the “near”.

From “further away” came Irene Bruninghausen, who lives in Darwin, in the Northern Territory, but spends some each year in Sydney. Irene brought her nearly completed first rug to discuss with Miriam.

 “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.”

It’s a long drive from Darwin in the Northern Territory to Narrawilly in Milton, New South Wales, through the “outback” to the South Central East Coast, approximately 4,567km (2,838miles). These images were taken back when Irene first began her rug. I am in awe of the isolation and distances between stopovers, so have noted them on the images.

Darwin, NT to Camooweal on the NT/QLD border west of Mount Isa is 1410km (876miles)

 

Camooweal to Blue Heeler Hotel, Kynuna QLD thru Mt. Isa, Cloncurry & Longreach 493km (306.3miles)
Kynuna QLD to Tenterfield, NSW 1594km (990.5 m)
Tenterfield, NSW to Narrawilly in Milton, NSW is approximately 903.4km (561+miles)

And from “far away”, in that same issue from long ago…  Sally Gilbert of New Hampshire, USA, who had travelled to Australia and visited with Miriam and the Narrawilly Proggy Rugmakers Group, shared images of chair pads she designed with Australian motifs and hooked with a combination of new and repurposed 100% wool strips. 

Now in this new, 2023 issue, is an image of a door pocket that Sally hooked to fill with Christmas greens and give to her daughter-in-law as a gift. The pattern purchased from Two Old Crows, is 13 inches long and hooked with wool from Sally’s stash on linen foundation cloth.

Miriam’s Rug Room, Narrawilly, 2017 – Sally (second from the left) with members of the Narrawilly Proggy Ruggers; Sue (Sally) Miriam, Margaret, Christine, Judy and Janet.

FROM THE EDITOR:

It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone, let alone 5 years since the images in this report were taken!

2022 saw the loss of many of our rug hooking friends, horrendous floods on the East Coast of Australia, the Northern Hemisphere hit with hurricanes and now extreme cold and snow! a continuing assault on Ukraine and COVID still a problem. Hopefully this New Year will see things  come under control so once again we can plan to travel.

Best Wishes to everyone for a peaceful, safe and happy New Year.

 

Rug Hooking Road Trip

ISSN 2207-100X  April 2022

Australia joins the Rug Hooking Road Trip…  a geographical directory of all things rug hooking!

How can that be when the developer of the Road Trip website, Barb Ackemann starts her journeys in Brattleboro, Vermont, USA?

and no matter where you come from to Australia, there’s an ocean to cross?

Well… we know from contacts made through this Australian Rugmakers website, that many overseas visitors, particularly from North America, who arrive here by plane or cruise ship, do take road trips in Australia, so we are delighted to at last be on the global map! https://rughookingroadtrip.com/places/

On the Rug Hooking Road Trip website you’ll also find [Groups] and [Events]. Currently there are two [Places] (Rug Hooking Artists Studios) listed in Australia – one on each side of the country and one [Place] (Supplier) waiting to be “claimed”. Would you like to add your rug hooking business or studio under [PLACE]? Or your [GROUP] or [EVENT] click https://rughookingroadtrip.com/  and choose [Add Place], [Add Event] or [Add Group].

BUT first, on the front page, scroll down and read Barb’s “Introduction”, and download a one-page guide to “Categories, Tags and see  what you can add for Free Forever”. To compare “Free Forever”, with the benefits of upgrades ($100-$160 annually) click  hereMost importantly, read “What You Can do Here:”… all the way to the bottom line!

Then click the [How to] button showing in the header image and read the clear and concise directions to add, or “claim” a listing added previously by someone other than the owner.

The process is simple, click one of the “Add ……..” headings, to register and create an account. When you receive your account acceptance email with login, click the login link and follow the prompts to create, or claim a listing. You need to make sure the Billing information is correct. Even when using the FREE Forever option – you will be emailed an Invoice showing $0 balance. When completing your billing info be sure to check the address fields are all correct.  Under “Region” enter your “State” – it will already show on the form as VT (Vermont, a State in the USA).

About the developer of Rug Hooking Road Trip, Barb Ackemann, who was also the developer of the Green Mountain Rug Hooking Guild’s virtual show in 2020 (https://rugshow2020.gmrhg.org/best-of-show/)  written up in Rug Hooking Magazine’s June 2021 issue, with her hooked rug “Blueberries Dressed for Fall” featured on the cover.

And about that hooked rug, also showing on the banner above:  Barb says…

“In 2008, on a road trip, I had the opportunity to find the farm that my great-great-grandfather had started in 1855 in south western Wisconsin.

A hand-drawn map in the family history my grandfather wrote in the 1960s, combined with Google Maps and satellite view led me to the farm.

Thinking I might find remains of one of the old houses, I turned down the driveway only to find a brand new house under construction.

In 2021, using Google Maps and Google Earth, I put together a composite image from two different seasons and created the rug “Kilpatrick Farm: 1855.”

This is the first rug I’ve created using a map.  It was lots of fun.

There were farmscapes within 100 miles of the family farm that had even more fun shapes in the contour plowing, but I chose to document the family connection, vs. the coolest patterns.

Exploring Google Earth may yield more ideas for future rugs. What places are special to you?”

From the Editor: Don’t be like yours truly, and pepper Barb with questions because you haven’t read the instructions! However, this website is still under development, so there are some things that may not work for you – that’s when you should contact Barb, she is quick to respond.

This is a great opportunity for all of us in Australia to finally be included in the rug hooking “world”. Please check out the website and support Barb’s ambitious endeavour.   

OPEN STUDIOs Sunshine Coast QLD

ISSN 2207-100X     30th  March 2022

Arts Connect Open Studios (Hinterland) was held last weekend. Artists from the Hinterland area of the Queensland Sunshine Coast opened their studios so the public could see “how art happens”.

This was a first time for Judi to open her studio Palimpsest to the public.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who would have thought it even possible after the extreme weather event of  March 4.  Judi’s home & studio, are in Landsborough, in the middle of the one of the worst hit areas!

Wild winds and flooding. Trees downed, no power, phone or internet. Schools closed and people told to stay off the roads!

Early preparation was her answer.

Judith Tompkins, Queensland, Australia
Jo Franco, West Australia

Judi in QLD  kept me (Jo in WA) up-to-date with her plans for, and then news of, the weekend.

Judi…

I had Studio “Palimpsest” set up

plus two small galleries, the  Foyer Gallery,

 

 

 

 

and Mini Gallery…

 

 

 

 

 

 

and an interactive challenge for people to try and assemble, the “Deconstructed Fibre Puzzle”.   

Since my fibre technique is generally unknown to most people in this country – and it’s so tactile – I also provided visitors with access to a “Touch Table” in the area between the two galleries where the fibres used in my work could be touched and handled. This, to try and restrain visitors from touching the works! I know they are soooooo enticing!”

Saturday rolled around and even though one of the organizers had been to visit Judi to check out her studio space and had indicated there would be many visitors, Judi didn’t really believe it. In the Landsborough area she is one of four artists, a couple of painters and a sculptor working with wood. There are towns in the Glass House Mountains and further north closer to the coast well known for artists colonies but Landsborough is a bit out of the way.

Judi…

“What a terrific first day and my first time with Open Studios… it was exhausting but it was great fun!

I had at least 50 people come through, a really nice group of engaged and engaging visitors with good questions. I sold one work and a few bags and small items. 

Jo:  I have one of Judi’s bags showing the Greater Bilby – it makes a great catch-all  there’s a place for my keys in an inside zipped pocket and the black bottom and shoulder straps don’t get grubby. Plus the zip at the top of the bag prevents things spilling out!

Judi: Most visitors went onto the studio deck, individually and in groups, to “have a go” at assembling the “Deconstructed Fibre” puzzle (16 pieces with an “extra” to throw them off), they tried to match wits with this fibre challenge but only a few managed to put it together (I think it has something with how you squint!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since my two galleries and “touch table” are away from my studio space, I owe the success of the day to my team of highly-trained and immensely creative group of fibre/textile artists who acted as “fibre docents” answering questions and guiding people to various areas. My docents were issued with red aprons (embroidered with my “Moose with Boomerang logo – and tattoo) so visitors knew who to ask for information.

 

 

 

 

 

SUNDAY – Judi…   Oh MY! today was a real surprise even though I expected more people on a Sunday…. I can’t be sure how many showed up (still have the paperwork to go through) but a number of them came back after Saturday’s visit. I would guess there were 80+ visitors. My crack Fibre Docent Team in their red aprons were available to guide visitors to the various locations and to answer questions but even with help, I was flat out all day.   I sold another three pieces as well  as more canvas bags and small kits (people were thinking ahead to Christmas and grandchildren I believe).

 SOME OF MY  SOLD WORKS :

Alley View (Closed  & Open) created by Judith Tompkins, QLD, Australia

 

 

 

 

Short-beaked Echidna – 250 quills from the North American Porcupine
Sold with the Short-beaked Echidna a box with five legally sourced Echidna spines.

The “Deconstructed Fibre Puzzle” served to keep people here even when they said upfront, they were “in a rush”. There were some really hysterical moments with the puzzle and one group of 4 “cheated” by using my new photo that “proved” the puzzle would work and that there was indeed a 17th piece that didn’t fit. I told them I would time them for speed and accuracy…. they failed to do it quickly even then but finally got it together…. and insisted on a “Winners” photo be taken.

 

 

 

 

 

The puzzle served as a great icebreaker and let people experience fibre and my “odd” work tactilely.

The “touch table” was a hit and I had people going back for “one more touch” before they left!  Some in the gallery would begin to reach out to touch and then abruptly withdraw their hand smile at me and quickly walk out to the touch table.

We also offered free Turmeric as people left… many intended to plant some while others said they would use it in the evening meal. 

 Several people have indicated they want bespoke/commission work and I do think that many received a metaphorical “whack on the side of the head” when they were asked to see the world and all who sail in her, differently.

Judi’s take on the weekend event…

The Open Studios was great on a number of levels and the fact that my Fibre/Textile group was so involved as my “Fibre Docents” accounted for the success of the two days! The event couldn’t have been more fun, cooperative, or collaborative! I’ll do it again!  Visitors commented on how well-organised this event has been… I would second that!

Once again, many thanks to Arts Connect for the Open Studios adventure. This organisation will be the topic of conversation and I hope for more memberships in Arts Connect when my Fibre Docents come back for one of our irregular “Gatherings” later in April.

**  The End… of a Great Weekend **

Welcoming New Members

Bobby Melia along with members of Yarra Valley Rugmakers Group had a successful weekend at the Lost Trades Fair, Bendigo, Victoria, on 19th/20th March, 2022. They  demonstrated rug making techniques, displayed their work, answered many questions about rug making tools and frames and attracted new members to their group.

The demonstrations appealed to all ages! Apparently young Marcel spent at least half an hour working on the proggy rug after a short lesson with Lee. Then he ran off to drag his brother back for a lesson. Never mind the heat!   (Photos and permission supplied by Marcel’s mum.)

Fairgoers were intrigued with the traditional craft and many have joined the Victorian’s online group all commenting on the enthusiasm and friendliness of the group members who were demonstrating.

Here are some images from the event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When seeing this frame on the Victorian group’s Facebook page Judi Tompkins, QLD  commented “It looks like the frame shown in Miriam Miller’s Hooky & Proggy Rugs, a great reference and the only rug hooking book written in Australia. The stretcher frame is also useful as a smaller frame.”    Bobby replied that she had shared the information on the frame from a great article on RugCrafting Australia.

Canadian Susan Sutherland (TIGHR/Secretary), also commented on the stretcher frame. Susan is no stranger to Australia rug makers, she lived and taught rug hooking in Canberra before the Australian Rugmakers group was established and has since visited to attend our Aussie Group events.

Here’s the image from Miriam’s book which also has instructions on how to make this frame. Don’t have the book?      For more information email Miriam at  narrawillyfarm@shoal.net.au    or check out RugCrafting Australia.    The frame can be made to any width (see Editor’s Note at the end of this Blog.)

The next get-together of the Yarra Valley Rugmakers is April 9th in Warrandyte.

If you’re interested in learning rug hooking or prodding, or if you just want to check it out please email Anne a.schafer@bigpond.com or send a private message on the Groups Facebook page  – they will message you with more details.

Bobby says:  “We usually go from 10-10:30 until 3 or so.

Beginners, will need a piece of hessian (Spotlight undyed hessian is good, or a sack that’s not falling apart), some cloth (anything you like), tools if you have them, could even be a crochet hook but if you don’t have anything yet, or want to wait and see, tools can be made available for the day, perhaps an embroidery, tapestry or quilting hoop (if you have one already), scissors… hmmm?  What else….     

A contribution to lunch (we eat too much so go easy), (speaking for myself there, I eat too much) or…   just come to check it out. But it’s fun to start and after 15 minutes you’ll know why.”

There is now a second rug makers group in Victoria run by  Chris Noorbergen a member of the Yarra Valley Rugmakers. The new group, the “South Coast Rugmakers” meet at Chris’s house in Leongatha. Vanessa, a new member has been in contact with Chris regarding her first project and says…  “Hi everyone, Thanks for having me in your group. I am very new to rug hooking and this is my first attempt. Chris Noorbergen is patiently guiding me and putting up with my hundreds of progress photos. Eventually it will be a floor rug (nothing like starting big)”.     

Can you believe it…   this is a “first” rug!

FROM THE EDITORAs mentioned earlier, the stretcher frame can be enlarged.  The Wanneroo Rugmakers in Western Australia, had two large frames built to accommodate a group community project.  The “super” frame  seating up to six rugmakers was supported by the side rails on tables instead of sawhorses beneath, allowing space for 3 people to sit each side of the frame without knocking knees. The design outline and small sections of the rug were hooked and then the whole thing turned over and completed with proggy. The backing had been rolled over the top and bottom bars and work started in the middle, unrolled to access the rest of the design. As work on the wall hanging was coming to an end, the finished centre portion of the work became so heavy it was necessary to slide another wooden bar under it between the two tables for support . The group met in a shared space, so after each session the backing was unlaced from the side rails and top & bottom bars rolled back towards the middle, tied together, to be stored laying flat as a “long tube”.

Completed “Lake” now hangs in a meeting room at the Library.
A second large frame was built to accommodate two rug makers on each side.
“Market Gardens”, Wanneroo, Western Australia

The designs for these wall hangings were drawn up by the Community Arts Director from photos taken by local artist Lyn Franke, of Lake Joondalup and local market gardens – rows of lettuce in red soil seen below.

“Market Gardens” is currently installed in a meeting room in the Mayoral Chambers.

Back to rug hooking suppliersBobby shared a list of her contacts in her online group post. Most of us have supplier contacts we’ve made in the US/Canada either through our travels or rug makers visiting OZ – you’ll find some of these on the Swap n Sell page of the Australian Rugmakers Group website.

Here’s a few local suppliers:  QUEENSLAND – Bec Andersen – sells tools, frames & kits and hand-dyed rug wool(yarn). NEW SOUTH WALES – FibreArtshed: Clare Thornley has Gripper strips, Monks Cloth & Oxford Punch needles. Some of their stock shows as “out of stock” this is due to COVID delayed shipments. VICTORIA –  The Studio Workshops Anna Martin has small punch needle kits for beginners.

Having reported on the Victorians success last weekend – the next Blog will be a report on a successful event this weekend in Queensland.  Happy Rugmaking…

AVAILABILITY of WOOL WORMS (pre-cut wool fabric strips) in AUSTRALIA

ISSN 2207-100X         March 2022

A question often asked…

“Where can you buy cut wool fabric for rug hooking in Australia ?”

In North America, many rug hooking instructors sell wool fabric from their studios or online; by the metre, as swatches, or strips cut to the size required. You can find online sellers showing “.au” in their online address – however the cost of the postage indicates the wool strips are coming from overseas and the postage costs more than the wool!

If you are trying to achieve the “carpet” effect in your next rug, then you know you need to use strips of durable wool fabric to achieve the “even loops” that simply can’t be achieved by using miscellaneous recycled fabrics that tend to “mushroom” or shred in a textural way (but still loved by many). The intricate, tapestry-like antique rug patterns were specifically designed for wool strips!

COVID de-stashing – holds the answer!

I received an email from Jenny in the Barossa Valley, South Australia, who was sorting her late mother’s craft supplies and is interested in selling two (2) wool fabric cutters; a large quantity of “re-cycled” wool garments, along with previously cut wool strips; plus a large selection of rug designs drawn on Hessian. Not being a rug hooker, she didn’t know where to find buyers for these supplies or where to start advertising.

 

 

 

 

 

Rugmakers in Australia are well-aware of how difficult rug hooking supplies are to come by, so once again the network of the Australian Rugmakers Group is able to come to her rescue and help our Australian rugmakers! You will find all the items on our Swap n Sell page along with the Jenny’s email address for easy contact.

If you need wool strips but don’t want to go to the expense of buying a cutter; and Jenny’s current stash of strips are not the size you want, or in your colourway, you could arrange with her to have some of the recycled wool fabric cut to the size you need.

If you have shopped online for pre-cut wool strips, you know they are generally cut from swatches that are 31-46 cm (12-18 in.) long and are sold online through places like eBay and Amazon, in 100-strip lots that range in price from US$12.95 – US$15 plus postage of US$25  – more than what the wool strips cost!

Here’s an image showing the different sizes of strips and a Wool Calculator – this information is shared from the website of Loopy Wool Rug Hooking Wool and Supplies, who I’m sure won’t mind the publicity. https://www.loopysupply.com/

Traditional Rug designs are also available For Sale on this website’s Swap n Sell. Some are commercially printed, others hand drawn.

If you have purchased old patterns printed or drawn on Hessian, you know the primary problem has to do with the Hessian backing and how it was stored. These patterns are probably 40-50 years old and have been folded while stored instead of being rolled like quilts. While the creases could be ironed out, it does mean the backing has probably been weakened along the crease lines and most rug makers are reluctant to invest a lot of time and wool into an intricate design on a “suspect” backing.

However, it is possible to save these antique designs by copying them onto a new backing of your choice (i.e., new Hessian, synthetic linen or monks cloth, all available in Australia.)  Copyright would not become an issue as long as the purchaser merely transfers the commercial pattern for their personal use and does not make additional copies for sale.

The rug hooking supplies listed are located in Tanunda, South Australia. If you are interested contact Jenny at  jenny-au@ihug.com.au who said anyone passing through the Barossa Valley is welcome to inspect the items and/or save on postage.

EDITOR’S NOTE:  I know several Aussie Group members who have purchased and hooked up designs on backing from this era – I have done so myself – it seems to hold up quite well. The quality and finish of the “old” Hessian is superior to the Hessian available today, which is smelly and hairy!

In the West, after 2 years of no COVID, numbers are climbing rapidly and we are masked and dealing with severe COVID restrictions. While on the East Coast, they are coming out of horrendous floods. To top this, in Europe, Ukraine and its people are being decimated!  Thoughts are with everyone dealing with adversity.    Stay Safe and keep on rugmaking. 

 

Save the Dates – 2022

ISSN 2207-100X         February 2022

    SAVE the DATES –  Here’s to a good start to the New Year!                     

https://www.becandersen.com/

updating calendars,  networking, coming together to source and share materials… don’t miss sharing “worms”  at the end of this Blog.

Did you know that you can find out about rug hooking groups around Australia on this Australian Rugmakers Group website – just click Current Events 

Some Australian rug groups meet “in person” –  others online, and some groups, like the ones in Sydney (Epping), in Victoria, and in South Australia, do both.

They also have an online Facebook group shown here.

In NEW SOUTH WALES  a group called  From Rags to Rugs, Sydney Rug Hookers meet in the north shore suburb of Epping to learn rug making techniques, encourage and inspire each other. Martha Birch, the groups facilitator, welcomes all rug hookers to their regular meetings, gives tuition to any newcomers, as well as paid Workshops.

Martha can also offer advice on where to source rug hooking materials and equipment. The group meets monthly on the 2nd Saturday, from February to November. For more information email Martha at:  marthabirch@gmail.com

In Milton on the New South Wales Central South Coast, you’ll find in-person gatherings on the 1st & 3rd Friday of the month in Miriam Miller’s Rug Room at Narrawilly Farm, you can’t miss it, it’s surrounded to the north and east by sunflowers. Miriam’s Narrawilly Proggy Ruggers have been meeting since 1994.  Miriam gives private workshops as well as holding her groups gatherings. To contact Miriam, email narrawillyfarm@shoal.net.au    “Connecting Us” Miriam’s newsletter is archived on this website… contact her if you’d like to receive it by email.

 

 

 

 

In Victoria, there are now two rug hooking groups. Members of the original group – Victorian Rug Makers, Yarra Valley Group, travel to meet at each other homes. The new group, the “South Coast Rugmakers” meet at Chris’s house in Leongatha.

Since COVID caused everyone to isolate, members from both groups keep track of each other on a Facebook group This group is open to all rugmakers.

Next month Victorian group members are  going to the Fair!   The Lost Trades Fair in Bendigo on 19th & 20th March, where they will be demonstrating rug hooking. More information on the Fair and to purchase tickets click here.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA – Strathalbyn: The StrathMatters are another “online” group, but when getting together they gather at the Strathalbyn Neighbourhood Centre, Parker Avenue, Strathalbyn, between 10am – 12noon, on the first and third Fridays of the month. Facilitator Judith Stephens, designs rugs, gives workshops, takes part in the SALA trail and Craft Fairs and organizes rug hooking events for her group. Follow their Blog and join their Facebook Group to see their work.  This checkered rug was locker-hooked as a Christmas present by Christina; its now in position in apartment under desk and between main rug as ordered by her second son.

QUEENSLAND – Landsborough: The Sunshine Coast Fibre & Textile Artists meet on an occasional basis at Judi Tompkins Studio, Palimpsest. The “gatherings” that started out as a rug hooking group now focus on both craft/art and the diverse interests and skills of the participants.

On 26th   & 27th March 2022  Judi’s Studio will be open from 10am-4.00pm as part of Open Studios – Sunshine Coast.

The curated week-long art trail embraces the region from Caloundra to Coolum along the coastline as well as taking in the Hinterland through popular tourist destinations like Maleny and Montville, including Landsborough.  Art enthusiasts and collectors can enjoy a rare opportunity to see behind the scenes, meet and directly support local makers.

You will see there are many more Australian rug making groups listed on the Current Events page; if your group doesn’t show up and you’d like to be listed, or if you’re listed and would like changes made, or have events to publicize please email Jo at: rughookingaustralia@gmail.com

NETWORKING & SHARING MATERIALS: Over the last two years, lockdowns have given many people the time to declutter, and across the country rug hooking groups have received donations of rug hooking supplies.

Boxes of packets of cut wool separated by colour and metres of extra wide latch hook canvas (backing) donated to the Wanneroo Rugmakers in West Australia.

It seems latch hooking must have been very popular in Australia in the 70’s – the catch cry now is… “I’ve been clearing out my deceased mother’s craft supplies”, or “I’m downsizing into a retirement home” or “I’m having problems with my hands and can no longer work on this”.  It’s interesting that people are not just disposing of, but are trying to find a home for, craft supplies that were an important to their loved ones.

Through this website we often receive emails from people looking for “pre-cut wool” and the open mesh canvas used as backing for latch hooking so there must still be active latch hookers out there?

Donations offered for sale are shown on this websites Swap n Sell page.  However, some “donations” go straight to local groups like this one in Queensland. The offer came in through the website and the person donating was in the Sunshine Coast area so the donated “supplies” were shared with the Sunshine Coast Fibre & Textile Artists in Landsborough. They said unpacking was like Christmas!

What can a group of traditional rug hookers do with latch hooking supplies?

A couple of members of the Wanneroo Rugmakers who know latch hooking shared the donation, boxes of latch hook wool and backing delivered to their Saturday morning meeting a couple of weeks ago. Here’s the first of the new rugs underway –

Locker hook and mesh

Did you know… the same mesh “canvas” (backing) used for latch hooking can be used for locker-hooking?

Here’s a locker-hooked rug by Anna (from the Wanneroo Rugmakers in West Australia) with a crocheted edge using the same twine as her 1.5m diameter crocheted rug, alongside a rug traditionally hooked with T-shirts.

The best thing about locker-hooking is you can reuse cotton household items like sheets and doona covers. The cotton tears easily into strips and due to the ruching of the material as the fabric strips are gathered up and “locked” into place (see hook with “eye” and locking cord in the image above) there are no raw edges showing.

Now for traditional rug hooking with strips of woollen fabric…  I’m often asked, “where in Australia can you buy wool fabric to cut up for rug hooking. ”  Well, there isn’t a supplier – you’d have to buy from a supplier in North America and pay to have shipped. It’s even hard to find used wool garments in Op Shops here because our winters aren’t as severe as in the North and most of us opt for light-weight synthetic winter garments. This doesn’t help the person who contacted me recently and would really like to give hooking, with wool fabric, creating even rows of loops a go.   I told her I would put the word out that she was looking to buy cut strips of wool fabric.  I keep using that term “wool fabric” because we in Australia use the term wool in place of yarn and hooking with wool yarn is quite different and has a different finish.

I’m thinking particularly of the Victorian Group some of them do use wool fabric to hook with – having had the wool shipped in, and also purchased from Gene Shepherd on one of his trips to OZ.  Or those like myself, who purchased wool fabric while traveling in the USA.  No doubt – like me they possibly have swatches or cut strips left over from various projects.

If anyone finds themselves with left-over strips (worms) they would like to sell, swap or donate, please send images to show approximately how much you have available and I’ll put you together with the person/s I know are searching.

I know this can be done, as many years ago I wrote an article for  Rug Hooking Magazine and mentioned the fact that while Australia has no shortage of sheep, they are shorn and the wool goes off-shore to be milled and the woollen fabric that comes back to Australia is EXTREMELY expensive – you wouldn’t be cutting it up for rugging!  Following that article a rug hooking group in California put the call out for leftover worms (strips) and I received a large box full of strips varying in size and colour.  Over the years those wool strips have gone into many of the groups rug hooking projects. The best part was, we received that box full of cut strips before we had a cutter. Another tool that has to be purchased in North America and shipped here. The cutters are heavy and shipping expensive!

Woollen blankets are used by Miriam Miller and her group (NSW), Judi Tompkins (QLD) & Kira Mead(WA). Unfortunately, like many Australian mills, the Albany Woollen Mills in WA have closed down. Kira has scoured the Albany Op Shops and I think takes the prize for the most Albany Woollen Mill blankets.

Looking for supplies? You’re welcome to use this website to connect with other rug making enthusiasts.

Email questions and they’ll be forward to the appropriate person or group.    Happy Rug Making   

 

End of Year Wrap-up 2021

ISSN 2207-100X 31st  December 2021

“Myron’s View”, designed and hooked by TIGHR Founding Member Peg Irish,(USA). Myron (aka Mr.March) was selected for 2021 TIGHR Gallery Calendar with Editor’s note “He looks like he would fit right in on any rocky coastline here in Newfoundland”

Here we are at the end of 2021, still separated across the country and around the world by lockdowns. The forced separation has encouraged many to accept technology as a way of socializing and taking workshops – the personal touch is missed, but surprisingly these Zoom, Facetime, Google Chats etc have broadened friendships for many rug hookers even though the use of technology has been a steep learning curve.  That was certainly the case for members of the Newfoundland Board of The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers (TIGHR).

Newfoundland coastal scene

They began their 3-year term as host country at the end of 2018 with plans to hold the TIGHR Triennial Conference at the Sheraton Hotel in St. John’s, NL, Canada from October 4-8, 2021.

Expecting to have a diverse group of rug hookers attend with a variety of interests they began looking for instructors who would approach topics in a unique way to stimulate creativity. Workshops were to take place in small break-out rooms in a hotel setting. Due to COVID, the Triennial Conference was cancelled and the workshops and presentations went online once a month, January until December 2021.

In October Jo Franco and Judi Tompkins gave an online presentation discussing contemporary rug hooking and the history of rug making in Australia at the end of which most of the viewers stayed on for a Q & A session viewers mics were opened allowing for quite a social event.

Read More        Presentation for TIGHR 2

The 2018-2021 TIGHR Board must be congratulated for the success of the online Triennial activities. An enormous amount of time and effort must have been spent preparing for not one, but two Triennial Conferences, as well as learning to deal with the technology to take the workshops online and hold the General Meeting as a webinar giving all TIGHR members the chance to attend.

FROM THE EDITOR:

I hope you will enjoy reading the TIGHR Presentation with the history of rug making in Australia and how Australia came to be involved in the International Guild. At this time when we are all so “connected”, it seems hard to believe that in the 1970’s, North American traditional rug hooking was being taught in country South Australia by Pam Whitehead, and on the south-central coast of New South Wales, Miriam Miller was teaching rugmaking using techniques from the UK – and neither knew about the other. Miriam has just published the 72nd monthly issue (uninterrupted) of her newsletter from her Narrawilly Farm Rug Room where the Narrawilly Proggy Rugmakers have been meeting since 1994. Images of all rugs made during that time faithfully documented by Jacqui Thomson. https://www.rughookingaustralia.com.au/connecting-us-miriam-miller-nsw/

By comparison to both the US and Canada, each land mass the approximate size of Australia, the number of rug hookers in Australia is miniscule and those here seem to be allergic to “organization”. In our presentation Judi and I featured some of the groups and their members and have attempted to show how a traditional craft is becoming a contemporary art form. While on the other hand there is a resurgence in reuse/recycle and while doing so creating supportive networks.

While putting the presentation and this blog together I looked back through previous blogs and am amazed at the creativity of the ARG members. At this time of the year looking back seems like the thing to do… you can too, on the left side of the website you will find Recent Posts listed and a search box where you can input the Month & Year for earlier posts.  October 2012 – was a busy month! our first blog on the 2nd about a Rug Hooking Demo in Queensland; on the 8th notice of the ARG General Meeting and the 31st featured the Rug Expo/International Tutors – held the weekend after the 2012 Triennial Conference.  The Blog was preceded by the Guild newsletter which transitioned from a one page email to multiple pages with coloured images printed and posted to members. Then posted online in a private members section of this website. After a revamp of the website doing away with the private section, the Australian Rugmakers newsletter finally morphed into this Blog.

Now it’s time to look forward… and to welcome new rug hookers through this website, ARG Facebook page and online rug hooking groups and to stay in contact with rug hooking friends in Australia and around the globe.

I wish you all a Happy and Safe New Year in 2022

 

 

Lockdowns and Rug Hooking on a Global Scale

 ISSN 2207-100X   September 2021

Lockdowns continue in New South Wales & Victoria and threaten Queensland. The Western Australian state border remains shut to NSW & VIC, and WA residents headed home from Queensland, must quarantine at home for 2 weeks upon their return.

The Team from the Global Textile Hub have not been affected, as they have been meeting virtually, since 2017, before COVID 19 came on the scene and caused everyone to have to re-evaluate and change the way they work, think, play and engage with each other and society.

Entry by Gail Nichols, NSW, Australia, 2018 Pilot Mixed Media Exhibition in a virtual Gallery.

Back then the three GTH team members, Jo, Judi and Kira, didn’t realise they would, offer the first interactive, online, challenge and exhibition in a virtual Gallery focused solely on Australian fibre/textile artists, Re-imagined” A challenge with a Difference (2018);

Successfully launch and self-fund, a new, fibre/textile group, Global Textile Hub (2019) with an international reach, facilitating a “global hook-in” at Rug Hooking Week at Sauder Village, Ohio, USA, August 2019.

Susan Feller, (ArtWool) & Liz Marino, (McGown Guild, webmaster) participating in the Global Hook-in from Rug Hooking Week at Sauder Village, Ohio, USA August 2018

This video  Global Rug Hub, featuring rug hookers from Australia, USA, Canada, England, Scotland and Norway, was shown during the online gathering and seen by visitors to Rug Hooking Week, Sauder Village, USA.

Extend their reach in 2021 to fibre/textile artists around the world in an international challenge and exhibition  “Re-imagineda  Collaboration with a Difference : Make the Ordinary Extraordinary, shown in a virtual gallery. This was launched at Rug Hooking Week at Sauder Village August 2021 to an online audience. You can Enter the virtual Gallery here.

Several entries in the 2021 exhibition combined rug hooking with other textile techniques; Braiding, Quilting, Beading and Hanji.

A two-sided work combining rug hooking by Meryl Cook, [Front] (Canada) and stitch and embellishment by  Linda Rae Coughlin [Back] (USA)
Mother and daughter Yvonne Iten-Scott, (Canada) & Bronwyn Yamasaki (Japan) collaborated on this work with rug hooking and quilting.
(USA) Kris McDermet combined rug hooking and rug braiding her collaborator Marta Bernbaum, added glass beads and glass finials
From Canada – Karen D. Miller, and Kadyn MacDonald combined rug hooking and pastels.
Australia, Textile Artists Judith Stephens and Jan Coveney, combined locker hooking and Hanji

You can see the artwork statements for these pieces and more images of entries in “Global Textile Hub: Virtual Exhibition and More…”  

The Global Textile Hub team would like to thank Jurors, Susan L. Feller (USA), Janet DeBoer, OAM and Wendy Lugg, (AUST) and supporters of Global Textile Hub at…

We hope you will view and enjoy these online projects – they have been a huge undertaking by three women with no formal IT training, who saw a need;  had a desire to make it happen and JUST DID IT!

Stay safe wherever you are and keep on creating.