Category: experimentation

April 7, 2021

Teaching at CREATE DIY in June

CREATE DIY High on Hooking will be teaching at CREATE DIY in June.

I really do miss – and prefer – teaching in person, but one of the Coronacootie’s most pernicious side effects is how it’s kept us all from one another. From family members, from friends, from students and teachers, you get the idea. But humans do adapt, and makers still gotta make, so Zoom entered all our lives. Truthfully, I think that we all understand that that hasn’t necessarily been a bad thing. Many more folks were able to “get together” through Zoom talks and workshops than would’ve been possible pre-Corona. And Zoom will continue well into our futures even when we’re all vaccinated up and, hopefully, have achieved herd immunity and get back to meeting each other in real life. But till then…

If you or someone you know would like to learn how to rug hook, in June I’ll be teaching a class through the online textile arts festival CREATE DIY. In fact, there will be several workshops and a couple of lectures going on during the event. General info can be found HERE. Topics include:

Quiltfest presents … Create DIY, a comprehensive journey into the magical world of the textile arts. Indulge yourself with Create DIY! This online festival includes educational workshops, studio tours, live presentations, and more.

Quilting ■ Needle Felting ■ Stampwork ■ Crochet ■ Wearable Art Japanese Boro Stitching ■ Jewelry ■ Paper Weaving ■ Dollmaking ■ Dyeing ■
Thread Painting ■ Dorset Buttons ■ Embroidery ■ Rug Hooking■ Macrame ■ Knitting ■
Modern Weaving ■ and more!

Join us online:
Thursday through Saturday, June 10-12, 2021

Introduction to Rug Hooking – Not So Traditional
Friday, June 11
Half-Day Workshop
12 pm – 3 pm EDT, Friday, June 11

Learn the basics of traditional rug hooking with a bit of a twist. Not only will we use the usual wool fabric strips (more about that in class), but we’ll also try old t-shirts, yarn, ribbon, and anything else you might have in your house that you can pull a loop with. We will:

Discuss the history of rug hooking and where it is today, including its various forms;
Learn how to prep our materials;
Begin hooking a “mug rug,” a small table mat, or wall hanging; and
Discuss the ways we can finish the piece when the hooking is done.

Welsh Springer spaniel on hooked rug — While big brother Tynan snoozes, Bowyn brings you “What’s on the frame.” “Abundance,” part of the #happyrugseries, is an adventure in mark-making with all kinds of fibers. And she has three holes!

There’s more info online HERE. Kits are optional, but participants need to contact me to make sure they have everything. Contact me at Laura@highonhooking.com if you have any questions.

Hoping to have a new and very special venue announcement in the next week or so. Stay tuned!

So, after a year, what’s your stance on Zoom workshops?

February 13, 2021

Hooking With and Beyond the Wool Workshop – March 20

Hooking With and Beyond the Wool Workshop running again.

Interested in hooking with things you can find in your home? Want to try fibers other than or in addition to wool? Maybe help the environment a little? Then join High on Hooking for an online workshop in March. Information is below. Note that the class is limited to 10.

HOOKING WITH AND BEYOND THE WOOL – Online Workshop

hooked rug like will hook in Hooking With and Beyond the Wool Workshop — “Journey” (hooked with old bed sheets and t-shirts)

Get ready to experiment with new and different fibers in your rug hooking. Working on a “sampler” pattern, we’ll explore how different types of fibers hook up and how they “play” with wool and each other.

Early rug hooking was a make-do affair using feed bags, old clothes, and other “used” fabrics. Those pioneering hookers were practical to a fault and threw nothing away; they couldn’t afford to. Today that’s less of a problem for most rug hookers using both virgin and recycled wools. But why limit ourselves to just wool strips?

Hooking with materials other than wool allows us:

The chance to create new and different effects in our rug hooking;
To work with what we may already have in our homes;
To go back to the thrift store to source some of our fiber (now that quality wool’s often scarce there); and
To potentially do some good for the environment.

This class is designed for a student proficient at rug hooking basics, particularly the mechanics of pulling loops through a backing.

Because this is an online workshop, students will supply their own materials. You may draw up your own sampler pattern or enlarge one electronically supplied by teacher.

DETAILS

Class will run Saturday, March 20, 1:00 PM Eastern.

This class will be held online through Zoom. Upon registration and payment, the Zoom link and password will be sent via email (after March 1).

Class will be limited to 10 people.

The class is ONE SESSION, approximately 2.5-3 HOURS in length.

The COST of this class is $45 US.

Student will supply:

Hooks;
Backing, preferably linen or monk’s cloth rather than rug warp;
A frame;
A variety of “alternative fibers,” list to be supplied upon registration; and
A mind and spirit open to experimenting.

For more information or to register, please email me at Laura@highonhooking.com.

Laura Salamy is the hooker behind High on Hooking.

I’ve never been a “traditional” hooker, preferring to color outside of hooking’s more “typical lines.” Instead of limiting myself to wool, I prefer to use most any material I can get my hands on. Often that means cutting strips from old t-shirts and bed sheets. Up-cycling throw-aways to art is a priority for me. Our landfills are filling up. Or they’re already full. While certain projects benefit from virgin wools or other fibers, I like to do my little part to slow that process and make something lovely at the same time.

Laura’s work has been seen in various exhibits as well as Rug Hooking Magazine; ATHA Art of Rug Hooking magazine; Karen Miller’s book Eyes Open to the World: Memories of Travel in Wool; and Judy Taylor’s T-Shirt Treasures: Creating Heirloom Hooked Rugs from the Humble T-Shirt. She currently serves as President of the Adobe Wool Art’s Guild, New Mexico’s only rug hooking guild.

Learn more about her work at https://highonhooking.com.

December 9, 2020

In the Studio’s Workshop Week 2 revealed!

Workshop Week 2 poster

In the Studio’s inaugural Workshop Week last October was such a hit that we’re doing it again: Workshop Week 2, January 31 – February 2, 2021. You are cordially invited to join the original five of us AND two additional teachers: Nadine Flagel and Donna Mulholland.

Again, all classes will be conducted on Zoom. I know, I know, it’s not the same as being there in person. But think of how this not only keeps costs down, but allows for people to join us from ALL OVER! And we will have the two bonus sessions again during the week – an evening gathering and a panel discussion.

NEW this time around are two official vendors: Parris House Wool Works in Maine for our US students, and Martina Lesar Hooked Rug Studio in Ontario for our Canadian students. Both shops are offering our students a discount coupon that can be used in their stores to stock up on supplies.

Teachers include: Karen Miller (who started this whole In the Studio thing!); Susan Feller; Meryl Cook; Beth Miller; myself; and Nadine and Donna. Class info is below and, if you prefer it a little larger, here.

There’s a wide array of workshops available, and you may take more than one. Email individual instructors for registration and more info. Don’t tarry, as classes filled up pretty quickly last time.

Hope to see you there. It’s a great way to start the New Year, which is something we all need!

October 26, 2020

IN THE STUDIO – Nov. 4 with Nadine Flagel

Nadine Flagel – Slow art vs. Fast fashion

Poster for Nadine Flage's In the Studio talk — IN THE STUDIO WITH NADINE FLAGEL – WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2020; 1-2 PM EASTERN (11-NOON MOUNTAIN)

Join Nadine Flagel as she talks about works-in-progress that explore the implications of fast fashion by restaging and reusing post-consumer textiles. Specifically, her works explore the rag yard as a source of crisis and creativity. Learn about moving between ideas and patterns, between technical problem-solving and more abstract concepts. The central concept will be the snag: the emergence of the unexpected, the jolting sensation when your sweater catches on a rusty nail. Whereas others might see snags as imperfections, difficulties, or dangers, we can see moments that require presence, that require the rug hooker’s celebration of discarded, damaged fabric and fibres.

Find tickets for this event here: https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/33806/

About Nadine Flagel:
Nadine is a self-taught textile and fibre artist whose mission is making art out of “making do.” She holds a Ph.D. in English Literature from Dalhousie University and teaches literature. Early next year Flagel will hold a solo exhibition at the BC Craft Council. She has written about textile art, created textile art for public art commission, and received grants to make art with youth. She is also a member of the Vancouver Guild of Fibre Artists and CARFAC. As a settler, Nadine lives and works on unceded land of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) peoples.

Learn more about Nadine and her work at https://pretextstudio.com and on Instagram @pretextstudio.

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ:
The Zoom link for this presentation will be emailed to you the day before the talk (or after you purchase your ticket, if you purchase on the day of the event). If you don’t receive it, you can contact the organizer at info@karendmillerstudio.com.

Tickets will be on sale until 10am the day of the event. After that time you will no longer be able to purchase tickets.

FAQ’s
* Will this talk be recorded for viewing later?
Unfortunately, no. Due to the logistics involved, we decided some time ago to keep these events live. Hopefully if you can’t make it to this talk, you’ll be able to make it to a future talk.

* It’s the day of the talk and I’m having trouble finding or using the link for the talk. How can I find help?
It is very advisable to LOG INTO THE EVENT A FEW MINUTES EARLY to be sure that you have no trouble with the link, and if you are having trouble the organizer can help you out. You can email or message the event organizer up until 12:30pm Eastern on the day of the talk for help. ONCE THE EVENT STARTS, however, messages and emails are not able to be monitored.

* I’m finding it distracting during the talk seeing all of the other participants on my screen. What can I do?
During the event the organizer will put the screen setting on “spotlight view” so that the presenter is the focus on your screen. Depending on your device, you may still see audience members on your screen and changing your setting from “gallery view” to “speaker view” should help with that.

October 6, 2020

October events: Are you going?

OCTOBER EVENTS

Hooked rug — October’s here, the pumpkin time of year! This little guy was hooked using wool strips and yarn and recycled t-shirts. The background is primarily cotton batik.

October started at a run right out of the gate. Not sure how that can be in these days of Covid, but I suppose it shows that we’re all adapting to our new reality. And, hey, it’s not all bad. Because of Zoom, many of us are seeing each other on a pretty regular basis, which would NOT have been the case if we had to travel any distance to get together.

So, exactly what’s up in October?

Photo for one of the October events — IN THE STUDIO WITH JUDI MILLER – wEDNESDAY, 2020; 1-2 PM EASTERN (11-NOON MOUNTAIN

Wednesday, October 7:
IN THE STUDIO WITH JUDI MILLER

Canadian artist Judi Miller joins moderator Karen Miller of Karen D. Miller Studios to discuss artist residencies. Maybe you’ve considered one? There’s still time to purchase a ticket today to get the scoop. Info can be found here. Starts at 1:00 PM Eastern.

Wednesday, October 14: ALT FIBERS HOOK-IN

This is a chance to just sit and hook together – okay, on Zoom – for an evening. If you’ve been wondering about hooking with something other than wool, this is the place to come and discuss. Grab a beverage and a project and join us. More info can be found here. Starts at 5:00 PM Eastern. And, yes, wool’s invited as well.

Wednesday, October 21: ADOBE WOOL ARTS GUILD MEETING

If you’re a fiber artist in New Mexico and interested in joining AWAG, the only rug hooking guild in the state, please give a yell to attend. We’re not officially meeting in person yet, but Zoom has let folks meet and talk to one another. Please contact moi at Laura@highonhooking.com for more info. (That’s because I’m the guild president.) Starts at 1:00 PM Mountain time.

Monday-Friday, October 26-30: IN THE STUDIO’S FIRST WORKSHOP WEEK

Who says we can’t have classes during Covid? Not only can we, but people from all over Canada and the US and even beyond can participate!

Teachers include: Karen Miller, Susan Feller, Meryl Cook, Beth Miller, and moi. Workshops by Susan and myself are full, but, if you hurry, you might grab a place in the others. (There are waiting lists.) BTW, not only are there classes, but bonus evening sessions include a hook-in and a panel discussion. More info here.

With all these October events, I don’t want to hear that you’re bored or you have nothing to do. You are cordially invited to pretty much…everything! Until we get a Coronacootie vaccine in place and working, this is how we’ll be getting together. But I suspect we’ll keep Zooming at least part of the time because, you know, it works! Hope to see you online!

Dogs present "What's on the frame" this today. — Aren’t they playing nice? Tynan and Bowyn both bring you “What’s on the frame” today. It’s a Boucherouite-inspired rug hooked with t-shirts. I started it on vacation last week. Right now it’s got kind of an October vibe going with those Halloweenish colors.