Are you going to be at Convergence* next week? I hope so, and I also hope that you drop by my classroom to say hi. No, at this moment, I have no idea where my classroom might be. As a Convergence newbie, I’m taking it one day at a time.
While I’m clueless about my class location on Saturday (July 13), I do know that Friday I’ll be at the Marketplace entrance volunteering from 1:30-3:30. (After that, I’ll most likely be IN the Marketplace. Don’t tell Tom. Hopefully, he’ll be napping in our room then.)
At some point we’ll both head to the exhibits (and probably the Marketplace again). I’ve got a piece in the Leaders Exhibit. Very exciting!
“Seasons Change” can be found in the Leaders Exhibit at Convergence. (Instructors are referred to as “leaders.”) She’s hooked with wools and repurposed textiles.
Beyond that, there are no plans. Of course, I’ll be taking notes and lots of photos. Keep an eye on my Instagram; I’ll post if I get the chance. A full report will follow here. 🙂
If you’re into fiber arts at all, I hope to see you in Wichita next week!
Happy 2024! I hope that everyone toasted to love and life at midnight a week ago. Tom and I did, albeit at about 6:00 PM. Drinking late at night doesn’t work well any more. LOL Besides, even after more than eight years out here in New Mexico, we still celebrate the New Year on East Coast time.
My 2024 will be a big teaching year.
Classes are scheduled for the Española Valley/New Mexico Fiber Arts Center up in Española, New Mexico, this month (1/27, hooking) and in February (2/24, punching). The hooking class is full, but they’re opening a second session that should be on March 9. It hasn’t been posted yet, though, and probably won’t be for another week or so.
In Aril, we’ll be up in Loveland, Colorado, for the Maker Festivals Colorado/Yarn Fest Again, I’ll be holding workshops in both hooking (4/13) and punching (4/12). I love Colorado, so I’m pretty pumped for this trip.
And in July, we’re off to Wichita, Kansas, for HGA’s Convergence. Hooking’s up (7/13). I remember the marketplace when Convergence was in Providence 10 or so years back. Read about that HERE.
And while I’m not teaching at In the Studio Online’s Workshop Week 2024, I am the Administrator, so very much in the middle of things. If you’re looking to work with teachers you see on social media but couldn’t travel to, check out our offerings right this minute. Prices are right, and no travel is needed! Classes are filling. We’ve got some great bonus events too like a talk by Liv Aanrud sponsored by Sauder Village. And if you’re interested in attending Rug Hooking Week at Sauder Village in 2024, Deb Ridgway will be giving a free talk on that and more. (BTW, some of the SV teachers this year are teaching at WW2024! Again!)
Fortunately, all of these events are at least a few weeks away, as I’m still recovering from a much too busy December. And the kid arrives tomorrow from Seattle to have her holidays. Sadly, in the hospitality industry, one does not often have Christmas off. So, I will be busy with family this week but still available if you have any questions.
My wish for you all is a 2024 filled with kindness and creativity. Learn something new; risk a bit and maybe you’ll surprise yourself!
New Mexico peeps! Is stretching creatively one of your New Year’s resolutions? Looking to learn a new technique? Whatever your reasons, the time is now! Or at least on January 21. New Mexico Fiber Arts Center (aka NMFAC/EVFAC) is hosting moi so that YOU can start punch needle rug hooking. The funny thing is that I taught this class for NMFAC/EVFAC just before Covid sent us all home for our extended “vacation.” Who knew it would take soooo long to get back?
Find all pertinent info copied below, but register HERE.
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Introduction to Punch Needle Rug Hookingwith Laura Salamy
January 21st: 10:30am-1:30pm
Members: $70
Non Members: $80
Students (Ages 14-18): $40
Ages 14+
Limit: 10 participants.
All skill levels welcome!
Materials fee (Paid upon arrival directly to instructor): $20
You can learn to punch projects like this at NMFAC!
Students will learn how to use the punch needle to make a small project that can be hung on a wall or used as a “mug rug.” The basic skill set gained will allow students to move on to larger projects like table runners, pillows, and rugs with confidence. During the class, students will: • transfer a simple pattern onto a cotton, monk’s cloth backing • prepare materials • begin punching a mug rug or wall-hanging.
We’ll also discuss various ways you might want to finish your rug after all the punching is done. No experience is necessary; just come prepared to play with all the colors!
Materials Instructor will provide: Handouts, rug yarn and monk’s cloth. An Oxford punch needle and frame will be provided and can be purchased after class, if desired.
Please bring a pair of scissors!
About Laura Salamy: Laura Salamy is the experienced, albeit “not-so-traditional” fiber artist behind High on Hooking (www.highonhooking.com). She serves as President of the Adobe Wool Arts Guild, New Mexico’s only rug hooking guild. Laura teaches locally and on Zoom. Her work can be seen online, in various books, in Rug Hooking Magazine, and in the Association of Traditional Hooking Artists Magazine.
Class cancellation policy: Students will receive a full refund if cancelling up to 7 days prior to the class. If cancelling within one week of the class, students will receive a 50% refund to be used for NMFAC class credit only.
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Finished punch needle rug hooking project.
FYI – If you can’t make this workshop, I’ll be in Los Alamos teaching at Fuller Lodge Art Center in late February and early March. Find info about those classes HERE.
See HoH’s entire calendar of events and classes HERE.
Every year – usually in the late fall – I create an angel for the coming year. See 2022, 2021, but not 2020; not sure where she went.) This year I was a little tardy and finished her up on January 1. Given everything HOLIDAY going on and the passing of another year, I’m thinking that I’ll keep this schedule from now on. It gives me a break after festivals, sales, and late fall teaching.
THE ANGEL OF 2023, SHE PRAYS FOR RAIN Hooked (various fibers) and embroidered (bamboo yarn and cotton embroidery floss) on 4×4 monk’s cloth; mounted on a black canvas.
In my fiber art practice, I focus on reuse and repurposing, especially of textiles of all kinds. Better to use something than let it fall into landfills. Sadly, this is particularly the case in this time of fast fashion and its concomitant waste. I will never run out of raw materials for my work.
At the same time, I live in the American Southwest, a land still wildly beautiful but suffering from a megadrought. You’ve all seen the pics of Lakes Mead and Powell. No need to repeat it here. Our uncompromising thirst for water and other resources has brought us here. Truthfully, I don’t think that much will change, but if it’s going to, WE better get to it right quickly to help with water and all of our other environmental crises.
Please Join Us For The Two Moons Exhibit Series Opening Reception
Friday, October 7, 5:30 pm to 8 pm
at FUSION 700-708 1st St., NW – Downtown ABQ
Part of the Two Moons exhibit series curated by artist Martin Terry, this contemporary exhibition – PROTEST, See Something, Say Something – will focus on a select group of artists whose works speak to a social consciousness. Included are fiber arts, sculpture, painting, graphite, mixed media, written word, video, song, and other new and innovative means of communicating social commentary. Work in a wide range of styles matches the breadth of subjects addressed, including racism, sexism, economic inequality, climate change, violence, political upheaval, war, disease, and hatred.
