Virtual Hooking Inspirations

Check back periodically for new inspirations
Last updated 2021-January 15

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
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.