Virtual Hooking Inspirations

Check back periodically for new inspirations
Last updated 2021 March 15

	Miriam Miller’s Connecting Us From Australia, and sharing news from various parts of the world, Miriam Miller’s Connecting Us for January is now posted. https://www.rughookingaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/60_2021_01_Connecting_Us_by_Miriam_Miller.pdf
	Hooked in the Mountains virtual exhibition Green Mountain Rug Hooking Guild’s Hooked in the Mountains virtual exhibition is a wonderful show of 151 rugs, including close-ups of various elements within each piece. Best to make a cup of tea before sitting down to check this out! As a side note, judges are Karen Miller and Susan Feller. https://rugshow2020.gmrhg.org
	Landscapes and light Want a few tips on lighting in your hooking? If you scroll down this blog, you’ll find a post on landscapes and light. There’s even a reminder that you can keep it simple and not even worry about lighting. https://www.rughookseaside.com/blogs/news
	Hooking a piece to fit a frame More tips — this time on how to hook a piece to fit a frame, with less hassle. Loretta Moore shared this experience of her beautiful Tom Thompson piece. https://hookedonthelake.wordpress.com/2021/01/11/a-little-show-and-tell/
	Calculate wool requirement for hooking This video shares how Old Tattered Flag calculates how much wool is needed to include in their kits. I’ve heard of the four-fold rule. Their rugs are primitive and wider cut, so it makes sense they fold in 6. I liked the suggestion of figuring out what yardage you need in total, then subtracting for various motifs or fabrics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuMi-9oJhd0&feature=youtu.be
	Exhibition of hooked time-pieces Here’s another great exhibition of hand-hooked timepieces. Each person hooked a specific time and the show captures a wide range of timepiece styles. It’s fun and thoughtful. I’m a fan of Loretta Scena and really enjoyed her capture of the hour. The gallery is on Ingrid Hieronimus’ Ragg Tyme Studio site. http://www.rughookinghome.com/gallery
	Individual Galleries: Michelle Micarelli And for more inspiration, it’s worth checking out various rug hookers’ individual galleries. Here’s Michele Micarelli’s. Courtesy of Mary Ramsey, Albuquerque, New Mexico and secretary, Adobe Wool Arts Guild, 3 links to articles in Piecework Magazine. Michele will be teaching at the Rug Hooking Guild of Nova Scotia’s virtual rug school in May. Known for her brilliant dyed wools, you’ll also see a diversity of styles and subjects in her gallery. https://www.michelemicarelli.com/rug-gallery/
	Displaying textiles A great article about how to display textiles without damage https://pieceworkmagazine.com/how-to-display-most-textiles-without-damage-part-1
	Doilies Many of us have inherited doilies. Here’s an article from Piecework Magazine about their history and current resurgence. https://pieceworkmagazine.com/push-pull-doily
	Upcycling Wool Another Piecework article talks about the ReMitts project: Upcycling Wool to Feed Hungry People. This concept also lends itself to making mittens for those in need. https://pieceworkmagazine.com/remitts-upcyling-wool-to-feed-hungry-people
	Lessons for beginner and advanced hookers Cindi Gay Rug Hooking has a large selection of videos on numerous topics, some more advanced than others. Many are great for beginner hookers. Recent lessons are listed on her home page: https://cindigayrughooking.com. As well, Cindi has this info for brand-new beginners: simply scroll down on her home page till you come to ‘How to rug hook’. Check out her YouTube channel to see all her videos. https://www.youtube.com/c/CindiGay/featured
	Rug hooking guide From Deanne Fitzpatrick. https://hookingrugs.com/pages/how-to-hook-rugs-a-free-guide
	Back to the basics Liseanne Miller has a number of videos, including thes two: back to the basics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbS0_eP6k84 and tools of the trade. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r97UQTp8j-A
	Beginner videos Ribbon Candy Rug Hooking has a large selection of beginner videos. Deana uses a different pattern each month (no need to buy a kit, simply watch the videos to get info that will be helpful in your hooking). Scroll through to find some specific topics as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fpXj-4Q2y4&list=PLoq_WxpH1fYIGfyw9Drk9oVcTcmev5-WO
	Individual galleries: Liz Alpert Fay Liz Alpert Fay’s recent blog features the latest of her ordinary extraordinary women. Love this one — but I’m biased and think all her work is amazing. https://us10.campaign-archive.com/?u=a07b70f66a634559ce9a7e29f&id=5e3606cce9 To see more of Liz’s work, check out her galleries on her website. http://www.lizalpertfay.com
	Individual galleries: Liz Marino Liz Marino is one of a large line up of virtual sessions offered by OHCG in April. Check out the fraktur chair in her portfolio. Wow!!! https://lizmarinorughooking.com
	Individual Galleries: Linda Powell And one more from the OHCG line-up : Linda Powell. I had seen her Barnwood piece in Rug Hooking Magazine, I think it was, and loved it. Great to see it again – and fun to realize it was Linda, who has a couple of virtual workshops in April, behind the hook of that piece. https://www.lkpowell.com/my-work
	Les Trois Pignons – a museum of Chéticamp While it’s not possible to travel, you can visit the museum by taking this virtual tour. You can see the amazing work of Élizabeth LeFort, who hooked large, intricate pieces, many of which were portraits. FYI, the tour starts in the entrance and gift shop; once you move beyond it, you’ll be seeing the life of the settlers, as well as Élizabeth’s work. You can read more about her too. https://www.lestroispignons.com/virtual-tour/
	Individual Galleries: Élizabeth LeFort Éizabeth’s story https://www.lestroispignons.com/elizabeth-lefort-rugs/
	Individual Galleries: Monika Kinne BLURBSomething more contemporary: My Sweet Prairie Monika Kinner is based in Saskatoon and loves the prairies. She captures what she sees through her incredible art: thread painting, hand stitching, yarn painting and soft pastel work. It’s remarkable. https://www.mysweetprairie.ca
	Technique: French Knots This short video will show you how to add this element to your hooking. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=156662255775432
	Save that rug! Deanna David, Ribbon Candy Hooking, uses Judy Taylor’s book as a foundation for discussing rug repairs. This is one of so many videos on this site – well worth a look and good to have a cup of coffee or tea before you settle in. https://youtu.be/jGbVx1E_gzA
	A different kind of wool art There’s nothing you can’t find online these days. We’ve seen yarn painting (using beeswax, and for examples, check out Len de Graff on Facebook), tufting, and now…something very simple, with incredible detail. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=311564443175380
	Wonders in wooll: Folk artist Prudence Matthews If you can’t get enough of other people’s work and knowing more about what inspires them, n this case, the beautiful 1000 Islands region not that far from us. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/R4HGrlBHEeo
	Hooking with yarn Susie Stephenson, author of Designing and Hooking Primitive Rugs, shares her 20+ years of experience in a two-part video. Part 1: Examples and inspiration — https://youtu.be/YzjoFLNYOjc Part 2: How to start hooking — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9rmcnXTKZ8
	Rising popularity of tufting Or perhaps I’m just seeing more of it on YouTube! Here are a few videos that provide some insight into this craft. https://youtu.be/oUoM3tkfRpQ https://youtu.be/4pFos_VZYfk
	Wool Processing at Briggs & Little Have “ewe” ever wondered how Canadian grown wool is transformed from fleece to fibre? Our friends at Briggs & Little Woolen Mills Ltd., one of Canada’s last, let The Campaign look behind closed doors and watch them literally spin some yarns. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2757598054560043
	Experiences of Indigenous Women. A beautiful photo essay Decoding Craft: Fiber Works Seek to “Celebrate, Mourn, and Heal” the Experiences of Indigenous Women. A beautiful photo essay: https://hyperallergic.com/594313/decoding-craft-gallery-222-indigenous-womens-voices-summit/
	African Textiles A nifty intro to 10 African textiles From the Australian Rug Hookers Association, here is a link to a YouTube video by a young woman, making her first YouTube video to educate us about African Fabrics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl23FcegMUo
>	Robin Whitford videos Stop apologizing, start celebrating. Honor your work, don’t minimalize it! https://www.facebook.com/hookingoutsidethelines/videos/371071257637768 Doodles to design https://www.facebook.com/hookingoutsidethelines/videos/627318664603957
	Stunning stitched self portraits ‘Creating self-portraits is a personal journey. Some of the pieces featured here grew from a love of line drawings and emotive postures, combined with the need for an easily accessible model to work with. Some are more concerned with capturing the essence of self through stitch. Others seek to explore an emotional moment in time, or the vast and complex networks within the human body. No matter what first drew them to the process of capturing themselves in stitch, these four textile artists have produced a dazzling array of diverse, personal and inspirational pieces.’ https://www.textileartist.org/stunning-stitched-self-portraits/
	Laura Salamy Laura Salamy’s ‘Holes’ is a powerful piece about motherhood that was part of a show, A Vision of Hope and Healing, at the Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey in Albuquerque. To read about the piece as well as view: https://www.artattheabbey.com/a-vision-of-hope-healing
	Martina Lesa Martina Lesar has created a new Facebook Group: Let’s Talk Rug Hooking. ‘Whether you are experienced or new to rug hooking we all need some advice, opinions or information sometimes. We also encourage members to share their knowledge, information and expertise. Post your questions or tried and true techniques and tips. All styles welcome.’ The focus is on rug hooking and punch needle.
	Lisanne Miller Lisanne Miller’s ‘third Thurs’ with Rug Hooking Magazine is all about how to hook plaid so that it looks like plaid. Her approach seems to simplify. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVQQBQ0UCeU
	Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Guild Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Guild has celebrated their 45th anniversary virtually this year. The Dec 5 post wraps their year with cheery holiday pieces: https://beaconsfieldrughooking.blogspot.com
	Dogs Dogs Dogs Are you a Pluto fan? She’s featured in this amazing dog mosaic. While not hookings, many of the works could be…and we all know I love dogs and so had to share. https://www.muralmosaic.com/gallery/fine-art/dog/ If you’re not familiar with Pluto, a “four-legged” in Montreal, she’s been sharing positive vibes since the pandemic began in spring. Her “two-legged” is a former stand-up comic and amazing wildlife photographer. Very clever and lots of fun. You can find Pluto on Facebook, the ‘youtubes’ as she calls them, and other social media by searching for Pluto Living. She also has her own website now. Her videos are terrific and this one is what set her off on an amazing journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8oxndup1QM
	Linda Rae Coughlin While you may find many of these pieces by Linda Rae Coughlin disturbing, the statements being made ring true for too many: http://www.theartrugs.com/
	Larry Weyand Have some fun checking out the whimsical, meaningful work of Larry Weyand: http://www.larryweyand.com/rugs
	Ruth Manning Ruth Manning shares some of her tapestries and sketches at https://www.ruthmanningtapestry.com. The series she features, Adaptations, reflects changes to her vision, which she experienced during this pandemic year.
	Nadine Flagel Pretext Studio showcases Nadine Flagel’s work as well as her blogs. Based in BC, Nadine was recently in Celebration 30, featuring her piece, ‘Losing Focus’. https://pretextstudio.com
	Anastasia Tiller While on Instagram, you’ll also enjoy the work of Anastasia Tiller from Newfoundland: https://www.instagram.com/frozenpartridgeberry/
	Charline Collette If you’re on Instagram, you’ll enjoy checking out the work of Charline Collette. You’ll see how she hooks with various papers as well as other materials, and creates 3D and traditional ‘flat’ surface pieces: Based in New Brunswick, Charline did her grad studies at the NB College of Craft and Design. For a few more insights into Charline’s work, check out these links: https://www.instagram.com/hookingloops/ https://www.facebook.com/McCainArtGallery/photos https://www.facebook.com/177401015653767/posts/congratulations-charline-collette-hookingloops-charlines-piece-was-selected-into/3635392079854626/
	Susan Feller Susan Feller recently posted about Near and Far, an exhibition with fellow West Virginian, Abbie Chessler, on her blog https://artwools.com/blog/. It’s remarkable to see how the two artists’ pieces complement so well as they focus on their emotional connections with the forest and mountains. There’s good background on Susan’s blog and to see the pieces more easily: https://www.facebook.com/grasshoppergalleryatlostrivertradingpost/photos/
	Workshops Karen Miller’s In the Studio is offering its second week of workshops, featuring 7 different classes: https://www.facebook.com/In-the-Studio-108098860931419 and scroll down to see upcoming events for details and registration info Robin Whitford is also busy with Hooking Outside the Lines workshops:  https://hookingoutsidethelines.com/collections/workshops-1. Robin is also part of the TIGHR line-up, see below A bit further afield (although virtually it really doesn’t matter, does it?), Susan Clarke is offering a few classes, one to make a weekender bag and another on geometric rugs: https://www.srcdesigns.ca/workshops and the info is also posted on the OHCG website under events. TIGHR has also come out with workshops happening from January to June, featuring 5 different instructors and a variety of classes. If you’re a member, check their latest newsletter (Dec) to find out the details. The Rug Hooking Guild of Nova Scotia’s rug hooking school is happening virtually in May 2021. A reminder that registration opens Jan 11 and maybe worth a look. I think they added more classes since their initial info. There are now 17 workshops on offer. https://www.rhgns.com/rug-school-2021-course-overview/
	News from Australia, and beyond First, as always, Miriam Miller’s latest issue of Connecting Us is full of wonderful work and inspiration. Of particular note, a rug by Karen Kaiser capturing her visit to Australia. Wow! https://www.rughookingaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/59_2020_12_Connecting_Us_by_Miriam_Miller.pdf You can also view earlier issues at https://www.rughookingaustralia.com.au/connecting-us-miriam-miller-nsw/
	Q & A Sessions Beth Miller offers a Q&A session, Fridays from 12-12:30 via Facebook Live. Here’s a great way to ask a variety of questions, whether you are new to hooking or more experienced. Beth has lots of knowledge and she’s happy to share. She can also tell you a bit about chickens (did you know they have earlobes?), bees and more. Beth also has a virtual hook-in every Thursday, which is also listed on her Facebook page: Parris Hill Wool Works (note the spelling of Parris). You can also visit her web site: https://parrishousewoolworks.com
	Lisanne Miller This month, Rug Hooking Magazine is featuring Lisanne Miller from W. Cushing and Co as she explains different ways to add sparkle and dimension to your winter rugs using glitter threads, paisley and specialty yarns suitable for rug hooking. And for Dec, the topic is snow. Very fitting as we settle into winter. https://www.facebook.com/rughookingmagazine/videos/685716489038627
	The Eaton Edge Doris Eaton demonstrates the Eaton edge: https://youtu.be/zR-ebWIJd_Y
	Interview with Diane Cox If you haven’t seen it yet, a great interview with Diane Cox: http://raggedlifeblog.com/diane-cox/
	Silk ties in hooking – video Using silk ties to dye wool for rug hooking: https://youtu.be/dJXE8tFn4FM
	Emily Carr – video One of a series about fine artists who also rug hook. This one features Emily Carr. To see her rugs, if you already know about her life (or want to skip that), check out the last part of the video: https://youtu.be/Xq9481qDn7M
	Carol Pugsley’s amazing peacock – video Rug Hooking Review Week 3: https://youtu.be/p_OdmG-OFg0
	A PJ hooking party! Robin Whitford is hosting this fun event this Friday, Oct 23 from 7-8 pm. You can either message Robin on her FaceBook page, Hooking Outside the Lines, or email so Robin can send you the link to join. It’s free and via Zoom.
	Karen Kaiser now zooming. The first Wed of each month, Karen Kaiser is on Zoom with a one-hour class. Cost is $10 and to be on her email list, please contact Karen at hooking.kaiser@gmail.com.
	Multicolores is an not-for-profit organization in Guatamala which fosters Mayan women’s creativity and talent, influencing and enriching their communities. If you’ve not seen the book, Rug Money, by Mary Ann Wise and Cheryl Conway-Daly, Multicolores is a wonderful example of how rug hooking has made a significant impact while enabling these artists to adapt rug hooking to their style. They are offering virtual workshops. To find out more about the organization:  https://multicolores.org/home/who-we-are/. For the scoop on the workshops: https://multicolores.org/tours/workshops/
	Beth Miller of Parris House Wool Works (https://parrishousewoolworks.com/) has a great Youtube video on how to put a rug hooking pattern on the grain. Beth also wrote a great blog post on the importance of including attribution to the original artist and designer when sharing photos or other information and, very importantly, how to do it:
	Karen Miller’s book, Eyes Open to the World:  In her book, Karen lists some of her influences: — Emily Carr, a Canadian artist (1871-1945) — who was inspired by the Indigenous Peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast. https://www.wikiart.org/en/emily-carr — Tom Thomson is listed as Karen’s largest influence. https://www.wikiart.org/en/tom-thomson
	Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Guild has a Show and Tell section on their website.  Check it out at  http://beaconsfieldrughooking.com/show-tell/ . Also of note is their animation rug video:  http://beaconsfieldrughooking.com/animation/
	Ellen Gould from Sisters Three Farm has a video on standing wool/quillies.
	Laura Salamy of High on Hooking (https://highonhooking.com) is an interesting rug hooker and fibre artist also from Albuquerque, New Mexico, with concentrations on the non-traditional, and use of old textiles (especially old t-shirts and bed sheets!), funky fabrics, and notions like yarns and ribbon.
	The website TextileArtist.org is a great resource. and this article on stitching faces is a good place to start.
	Check out Deanne Fitzpatrick’s live-streaming lesson every Thursday, offered via Facebook.  Go to Deanne Fitzpatrick Studio to view the videos, real-time or afterwards, and also to find lots of other interesting hooking tidbits. (Include the link you have) Go to: https://www.facebook.com/DeanneFitzpatrickStudio/
	Meet up with Cindi Gay for a variety of sessions — live lessons twice a week and hook-ins twice a week as well.  Note: Cindi has changed what she’s offering, pulling back a bit. Go to: https://cindigayrughooking.com/
	Liseanne Miller of W Cushing and Co also has great videos, courtesy of Rug Hooking Magazine (every third Thursday of the month they offer a new video and they live on in You Tube).  Liseanne’s June video features her method for dyeing antique black (and she also dyes red and teal, all of which might cause you to drool!) It’s also a bit of a teaser to Beautiful Wool:  In the Dye Kitchen with Lisanne Miller, Rug Hooking Magazine’s latest book publication. Check out all Liseanne’s videos on YouTube.