Of course, you like ice cream! Who doesn’t? Now consider combining it with art. Yes! You can do that. Just head into New Mexico’s big sky country, specifically to Cerrillos Hills State Park – it’s just north of Madrid – this Saturday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. for the Art in the Park and Ice Cream Social. High on Hooking will be there selling and hooking away. Mention this blog piece and get a 10% discount on any item I’ve got under the tent.
Below Tynan presents what’s on the frame today. I believe that this one will become a pillow. Almost done, so we’ll know soon. Show us what’s on your frame by posting on High on Hooking’s Facebook page. Happy summer! Now it’s time for ice cream…
Tynan says, “The heck with the pillow! Let’s go get some ice cream. Or at least some Frosty Paws.”
Summer selling and festivals start… The view from right in front of my booth. Could easily watch the musical groups, the watermelon seed spitting contest, and the doggie costume contest.
Had our first summer sales opportunity – okay, late spring – this weekend at the Albuquerque Recycled Art Fair at the Open Space VIsitors’ Center on Coors. Not sure if you saw my Facebook posts; the first pic I took Saturday afternoon once the sun had come out, but, baby, it was still chilly out! At least the slush and rain had ended. Yes, slush and rain, but at least it wasn’t the 8-12 inches they had on the other side of the mountain.
We’ve been pretty warm since February, had lovely weekends. Hell, I even took in an outdoor quilt show last weekend. The fair staff had asked us to set up our tents (generally needed for SHADE her in New Mexico) Friday, but once it started to pour that afternoon, Tom and I took a pass on that, deciding it was better not to completely wet-out the tent. Judging by the foul weather report, we’d need it to keep rain out on Saturday…when we woke up to a temperature of 36ºF. Fun times! Fortunately, I received an email saying that the show would start an hour late, 11:00 instead of 10:00. At 9:30 we were approaching 40º. Hey, it was better than the 30s.
High on Hooking’s new employee of the month! Tom made his first sales – two mug rug sets – while I was moving my car to the vendors’ parking lot Saturday morning right after we set up. Way to go, Tom!
But the question remained: who in their right mind was going to come to the fair to see the exhibits and buy from all of us no matter how wonderful our recycled art was? And they were calling for sun on Sunday. But bless some big, old hearts. It shows what a great art city ABQ is. There were actually quite a few folks who showed up that morning and then later when the rain dried up and blew away. In fact, I sold more items Saturday morning to those die-hards than I did the rest of the fair. Amazing. And while Sunday indeed dawned shiny and bright, those New Mexican spring winds were galing away at full blast. Still, it was a fun fair – lots of good music and things to see. I’ve already told the organizers that I want the same spot next year. And they said YES!
In the meantime, I wanted to post where High on Hooking will be the next few months. I’m hoping to add in a few dates and shows here and there, so more info to follow as it comes in.
Sunday early afternoon we have family coming in for a first-time visit to New Mexico. The Sunday after that: more company!
Albuquerque’s Fiber Arts Fiesta sets up Thursday, May 18, and then runs from the 19th-21st. I’m still sewing binding on my big rug that’ll show. Have to sleeve it and another one for hanging.
The Rail Yards Market opens the 28th, and I have to make more inventory! Summer sales do take work.
“Mama’s Kitchen” Mug Rug Set: sold! By Tom!
Something’s got to give for a few weeks, and, in this case, it’s the blog. So, no more entries till June, peeps. But I will definitely put updates and photos – especially of Cheryl’s class and Fiesta – on the Facebook page. Check in there.
I hope that your spring is going well and that it’s warming up wherever you call home!
I was wondering, trying to come up with something interesting to write about this week. It’s a week that’s got me running around with my metaphorical chicken head cut off. My class up at the Española Valley Fiber Arts Center (EVFAC) is supposed to run Saturday assuming, that is, we have two folks signed up to take it. Last I heard – over a week ago – there was one person on the list. You need two students for the workshop to run. “Don’t worry,” they told me. “Everyone likes to wait till the last minute to sign up.” Okay, I get that, have even done that. But what it means to me right now is that I have to prepare for this class whether it runs or not.
The reality is that, even if it doesn’t run, I can use the materials I put together for a class in the fall when they’ll have more time to publicize the class. (There was a little issue getting the info up on the website after their web coordinator left EVFAC.) And there is a nice arts and crafts show here at home that I’ll have to miss if I’m up in Española.
TO THE HOOKERS!
But you know what I was reminded of again as I was getting ready for the class this week? How really, really nice hookers as a group are. Sure, we see it all the time when we’re on Facebook and sites like Heidi Wulfraat’s Rug Hookers Daily and Wanda Kerr’s Welcome Mat what with all the freely offered advice and such, but sometimes it just smacks you aside the head. These are just some of the people I’m grateful to this week:
My guild. I put out a plea to the Adobe Wool Arts Guild (AWAG) for frames people weren’t using, frames I could borrow that would make life easier for someone learning how to hook. There are currently four frames sitting in my car that members provided to me yesterday afternoon while we were doing our regular Biopark demo gig. Thank you, Mary, Nan, and Melinda! Even more amazing, one woman I’ve never even met offered me a frame! She’s not active in the guild but remains on the distribution list. Is Jan not the best?
Cathy Kelly in my guild offers frames, hooks, whatever. She’s been teaching all along, and I’m just a lowly newbie.
Laura Kenyon and Deb Walland of Seaside Rug Hooking in Rhode Island, I salute you! (And not just because I miss the Ocean State.) A few days ago I saw a great offer for sari yarn on one of their Facebook posts. I was out and couldn’t order it then and there, but I was able to ask if they could hold four skeins for me. Yes! Later I got back to them; long story short: They mailed the yarn to me without having me pay ahead of time. I’ve received the very “wicked” (RI parlance) colored yarn and an invoice and will shoot a check off to them tomorrow. How many businesses are willing to spot you the product before you pay? Actually, quite a few rug hooker-to-rug hooker businesses I’ve found.
And lastly, there’s Letty from Winnipeg. She sent me a lovely email after reading about my class in EVFAC’s promotional material. A rug hooker, she regularly spends time in New Mexico. She’ll be back in October and asked if she could visit and spend some time in my studio with me; she’s even willing to pay for that. Bless her heart! Who charges to sit with soon-to-be friends? Definitely not me. Guess I’ll have to tell her that my studio consists of a narrow laundry room, my admittedly kick-ass walk-in closet (half full of clothes, half with hooking stuff), and, of course, my chair next to the couch. I’ll do that when I get off my butt and properly respond to her mail.
Do you have a hooker or three to thank? Feel free to do it here. Better yet, thank them directly on their own Facebook pages where everyone can see how much you appreciate them.
As promised, Tynan’s back this week with the current rug on the frame. You might remember the little chile mug rug I did last week. Well, I liked it so much that I decided to do a larger version of it. Can’t wait to see how it turns out. In the meantime we’re celebrating Ty’s birthday. He’s nine!
While the Guatemalan rug hookers catalyzed our visit to the International Market, the reality is they weren’t the only game in town. There were artisans from all over the world and LOTS of textiles which made Laura a very happy girl.
There was a decent amount of jewelry at the International Folk Art Market, but these bracelets made in Columbia really caught my eye. I know, it’s all that color. (Artesanias de Columbia)
Funny story and an important tidbit for anyone planning to visit the market next year:
I didn’t read too much about the International Folk Art Market before we headed off to Santa Fe that morning. Having been to the city’s big Indian Market and other events, we assumed it was on the Plaza. Driving into town, though, we saw signs for overflow market parking and the shuttle. “I’m guessing the lots near the Plaza are full and they’re shuttling people in,” I said to Tom. “Let’s park here.” We leave the car and board the bus. Sitting sideways and reading a program that someone had handed me, I
paid absolutely no attention to where the bus was going. Looking up after a few minutes, imagine my surprise when I realized we were NOWHERE NEAR THE PLAZA. We were, however, close to Museum Hill. Oh! I looked back at the program and for the first time noted as well that there was an entrance fee involved. A $20 entrance fee. Tom took it better than I thought he would. Thank God that the kid hadn’t come with us after all. And that it was too hot to bring the dog.
These gorgeous, diaphanous fabrics are from India. Mamta Varma represents a group of women artists who do traditional Chikan embroidery.
We had to give credit to the organization that put on the market, the International Folk Art Alliance. There were several large tents spread on different levels between the various museums housing the artists’ booths. Colorful decorations blew in the breeze contributing to a nice, festive atmosphere. It was a pleasant way to spend a few hours. And entrance to the museums was included in the 20 bucks. Tom and I made use of the restrooms in the Museum of International Folk Art, then stayed a bit to enjoy its AC and some of the exhibits. I see another field trip in our future…
Uzbekistan was really well represented at the International Folk Art Market. These pieces of Rishtan pottery were created by Rustam and Damir Usmanov. How intricate is that design?
How could I have not photographed this??? It was in Ruraq Maki‘s booth. The organization represents women incarcerated in Peru. They make mantas, a handwoven shawl or carrying-cloth featuring a large embroidered stripe down the center and including floral, animal, and bird motifs. Ruraq Maki provides the women a sustainable income for this exquisite work.More on Ruraq Maki and the good they do for women at ruraqmaki.org.
My only complaints about the International Folk Art Market have to do with why I bought nothing, not even a small trinket or two. And there were some affordable items there, really. To allow artisans time to speak to market-goers and to deal with language and tech barriers, no money was exchanged at the booths. Instead there were a couple of central locations where one paid after giving info to a volunteer stationed at a table next to each booth. Unfortunately, all these extra tables and volunteers made for more congestion in the already heavily trafficked aisles. Worse, there were some pretty long lines at the payment stations. They weren’t shaded, and it was over 90 degrees that day, full sun. I,m fair-skinned with red hair and freckles. Add it up; mpulse purchasing wasn’t happening for me. And that was a serious shame.
So cool! These are examples of bark cloth painting from Malaysia. Matthew Ngau Jau decorates the bark cloth (yes, from trees!) with paint, shells, beads, and embroidery.A bark cloth painting close-up.
Enjoy some of the pics I took with my NEW phone. While its camera lens isn’t all scratched up like the old one, and it takes lovely shots, I hate the thing. It overheats on a regular basis. It’s quirky, doesn’t always do what it says it will and is difficult to answer calls on. Worse, the chick at the Cricket store told me how great the camera is – that was my most critical parameter in buying a new phone. Silly me to assume that a “great” camera would
Another instance when colors jumped up and dragged me into a booth. This appliqued wall hanging was hand-stitched by Tarek Abouelenin and Hosam Mamoud of the Tent Makers of Cairo. The designs they create are inspired by those found on mosque tiles and tents from the Ottoman Empire. They were the only Egyptians represented at the market.
necessarily include a “great” zoom feature (like the prior phone had). My bad! It has virtually no zoom. When I need close shots, I have to hope that Tom’s there with his phone (identical to my old phone with its very, very “zoom-y” lens). Now I’m stuck with the damn phone for who knows how long.
Isn’t this beautiful? It’s a Caucasian silk embroidery wall hanging done by one of the artists of the Mehmet Cetinkaya Gallery of Turkey. This traditional art dates back 300 years. I would’ve liked to bring a piece home. Silk items are believed to bring good fortune to families, not to mention status. I.m not greedy; just give me the luck.
I hope everyone’s having a great summer. I’m enjoying all the rugs being posted on Facebook these days, especially as so many are attending rug camps and/or sitting outside on the porch with friends hooking. Me, I’m busy making rugs to sell at the Railyards Market. Mug rugs, it seems, are in. This week, Tom, the child, the dog, and I are off to Taos for a day trip. Looking forward to it. Hopefully, they won’t mind a few fiber stops on the way.
I may take a week or two off from posting here. Will still post to Facebook, though, so see us there. And feel free to post photos of your rugs or paintings or quilts or whatever you’re making these days. I love this time of year!
“Resting at the Spring,” a bronze sculpture by Allen Houser in front of the Museum Cafe. Guess I did have some luck; I’d seen a television piece on Houser a few weeks before I saw this piece.Rather Humpty-Dumpty like, no? He’s from France. Francois Fresnais makes the ceramics and his wife Sylvie decorates them.
The artists of LANDYFIA in Madagascar weave raw silk and cotton scarves and home accessories. I’m always drawn to the silk…What woman wouldn’t want a pair of these flats? They’re made by Gulnora Odilova of Uzbekistan. She embroiders clothing, bags, and home accessories in the Shakhrisabz tradition and has established a school to ensure that the techniques live on. …And that’s it from the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, folks. Happy summer!
I move from a wonderful house, neighborhood, job, church, writing group, rug hooking guild in just four days. Across the country. It’s a planned move; I really have no excuse for my regrets, the things I intended to do, but never got around to making real. And that makes me sad.
Our home has sold. We’ll miss her.
While I did make it to the beach this past weekend for a final farewell to the ocean (necessary when you’re moving from Massachusetts to the southwestern high desert), I didn’t manage to get down to Salty Brine Beach down in the little fishing port of Galilee, Rhode Island. If it sounds familiar and you’re not from around here, it’s because part of the beach blew up last week (no, they don’t know the exact cause yet and exploding beaches are not the norm around here, but the sunbathing lady will be okay). It’s a nice, little place to swim, but more importantly, George’s of Galilee, a fabulous restaurant right on the beach, has a sunny deck where one can sit and eat lobster and drink chardonnay while watching the boats and ferries go in and out. I never got that last lobster.
Despite the fact that I was in New Hampshire last August (and lots of times before that), I’ve never made it to the Dorr Mill Store. It’s my twill tape go-to. Have you seen all the colors they carry? And I’ve never made the pilgrimage to Halcyon in Maine where I get (also via mail) much of the rug yarn that I use. Thank God for the Internet on both accounts.
I planned on hitting up all the cultural activities and museums – especially those dealing with textiles like the American Textile History Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts – before I left. Little did I know how much work, the kid’s high school graduation, home repairs, selling the house, packing, and good-byes would take out of us. Damn, we were lucky if we even managed to watch television. Some evenings The Young and the Restless was as artsy as it got. (I love you, TIVO.)
While life’s been a series of “last times” and farewells these past weeks, there are people I would’ve liked to have seen, especially some I’ve only met through Facebook, but are nonetheless very dear to me. I hope you all know who you are. I’m truly sorry that we couldn’t meet face-to-face. Maybe one day in the future. Tom and I will still have family here in New England, and you are always welcome in Albuquerque.
Lastly, I regret that it took me so long to revamp this website and blog. Posts will undoubtedly be sporadic for a few weeks, but I’ll try to get something of the journey and the adventure up to share. Feel free to check High on Hooking’s Facebook page for updates too. Prayers for safe travels are always appreciated. I’ll see you on the other side of the country. Next stop: New Mexico!
