Tag: New Mexico fiber arts

April 27, 2020

Time to buy the patterns!

"Big Boucherouite' rug hooking pattern, one of our patterns — This is “Big Boucherouite” all drawn out on linen for Leslie. I can’t wait to see how she makes him come to life.

As I mentioned last week, High on Hooking has started something new: We’re offering patterns to all the rug hookers out there. Truthfully, though, we sold our first pattern last year. It was requested, not on rug backing, but on paper. Someone loved our “WOOF” rug but wanted a couple of personal changes made to it. Happy to do it.

Currently, the pattern for “Big Boucherouite” – in linen or in monk’s cloth – is listed up on the Etsy shop. I recently sent one off to Leslie. If you’re interested, I will draw it upon order to your specifications. It’s too big for paper, though. Feel free to contact me through Etsy or via Laura@highonhooking.com. In fact, most any of my rugs can be made into patterns.

This week we’re finishing up a punched pillow and hemming the recycled bed sheet rug. My hands and wrists are unexcited by both of those activities. And then there’s paperwork covering the dining room table (except where the dust is). On the plus side, we’ve started a new rug. Nothing makes me happier than that. And I see a hike in our near future. Early in the day, though, as summer’s suddenly broken here in the New Mexican high desert. Going into the 90s this week. Time to get Bowyn his pool!

Dog on hooked rug — Clearly, Bowyn’s got a ways to go before he can take over for Tynan’s “What’s on the frame.” What is this pattern? But Tynan was distracted and ran off when Tom made noises in the kitchen. What’s a dog to do?

WHAT WILL YOU DO THIS WEEK TO MAKE LIFE A LITTLE LIGHTER?

December 17, 2019

Starting our artist in residence in Santa Fe this week!

Inn on the Alameda, Santa Fe, NM — Inn on the Alameda: “The best of Santa Fe is just a short stroll from the Inn on the Alameda. We are in the heart of the city, just steps from the city’s best restaurants, galleries, and attractions.”

Amidst all the art fairs and general holiday prep, High on Hooking begins as an artist in residence at Santa Fe‘s Inn on the Alameda this Friday. Woohoo! We’ve never done this before, and happily, we’ll be joined by Cathy Kelly. If you’ve read here before, you know that Cathy and I regularly team up under a tent to sell our hooked wares. This winter, though, we won’t be needing no stinkin’ tent. Twice a month through February, we’ll set up shop and workshop next to the Inn’s big, ole fireplace so that we can chat up guests and share the gospel of rug hooking. This is a big thing; Santa Fe, like most of the American Southwest, is all about the weaving. The history and value of our originally northeastern art is less known.

The Inn on the Alameda is one of Santa Fe’s smaller luxury hotels. Unfortunately, I haven’t stayed there, but after visiting last month, I’d certainly like to. (Pray for a snowstorm to suddenly come up one Friday I’m there?) Cathy and I will be “in residence” from from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on the following Fridays: December 20; January 10 and 24; and February 7 and 21. The address is: 303 East Alameda Street, Santa Fe. In addition to a primo location next to the fireplace in the gathering space, they’re providing dinner for us! How swell is that?

I had applied to Santa Fe’s winter artist in residence program sometime last year and then promptly forgot about it. When the Inn contacted me last month, I loved that they were looking for someone other than the usual painter or sculptor. Not that those things are bad, but you know how fiber arts and textiles so often get shoved to the back of the fine art line. Not this time, baby! Okay, a caveat: the Inn will also be hosting other more “regular” artists throughout the winter. And that’s great; it’ll be a fine mix-up for them.

If you’re in the area Friday and need a break from the usual holiday gift buying, etc., come by the Inn on the Alameda in Santa Fe for a visit. There’s even a bar! We’d love to converse and maybe even sell you something better than you’ll get in a tourist trap. As usual, mention this blog post and get 10% off any rug by High on Hooking. If you can’t make it to Santa Fe, be sure to check out our Etsy shop or, even easier, just give me a yell.

Tynan on hooked rug in front of Christmas tree — Tynan not only offers to you one of this week’s “what’s on the frame,” but he offers you a hearty HO,HO, HO and Merry Christmas! Happy New Year too! See you in 2020!

And if I don’t get a chance to tell you before next week: Have a wonderful holiday whether it be Christmas or Hanukkah! Here’s to a happy and healthy 2020 for all!

November 18, 2019

It’s time again for Santa Fe’s Fall Fiber Fiesta!

Hooked rug to be included in Fall Fiber Fiesta — This is a section from a new table runner, “My Bollywood Holiday,” which will be available at the Fall Fiber Fiesta this week.

I’m busy, busy finishing up rugs for this weekend’s annual Fall Fiber Fiesta at Santa Fe‘s Scottish Rite Temple. Unlike Albuquerque’s biennial Fiber Arts Fiesta which is primarily educational in nature, this event brings you items for sale: hooked rugs (!); felted objects; knitted and crocheted items; yarns (you supply the creativity when you get home); Navajo rugs; woven creations to wear; and so on.

Saturday and Sunday are free. Friday night’s Artists’ Reception will cost you $10, but then you have first dibs on…everything! Plus there will be live music, a silent auction, eats, and drinks. See more info on the card below. LOTS of info can be found on Espanola Valley Fiber Arts Center’s website here.

Hope to see you at Fall Fiber Arts Fiesta. In fact, if you mention this blog post, you can take 10% off any of High on Hooking’s rugs! Did I mention that this is an excellent opportunity to shop for those upcoming holidays?

Fall Fiber Fiesta info

November 10, 2019

High Desert Studio Tour this Saturday

Pamphlet for High Desert Studio Tour — High Desert Studio Tour, 2019

Once again it’s time for the HIGH DESERT STUDIO TOUR in Albuquerque. And once again Dagmar of ZIA WOOLZ has generously invited myself and Sarah of SOUTHWEST SUNFLOWER POTTERY into her home and studio to participate in the tour. I, in turn, invite you to come sip a cup of mulled cider and chat whilst perusing the hand-dyed yarns, fabulous pottery, and of course, hooked rugs.

You’ll find us at 13701 Elena Gallegos NE, Highlands, of High Desert in Albuquerque.

Mention this post and get 10% off a rug. That’ll ensure that you and I can both buy some yarn and maybe a mug. 🙂

Now ogle some of the wares available for purchase on Saturday. 🙂

Southwest Sunflower Pottery pottery — Examples of some of Sarahs work at Southwest Sunflower Pottery.

Fingerless mittens — Aren’t these fingerless mittens yummy? Dag made them. Actually, she spun and dyed the wool and then knitted them. So many colors to choose from…

Hooked rug available at High Desert Open Studio Tour — “Kleeful – Autumn” is available at the High Desert Open Studio Tour Saturday. See you there!

October 21, 2019

Hook a Rug, Save the Planet – with Laura Salamy

Want to learn a new skill and recycle some old stuff at the same time? We’ll be doing just that in my workshop “Hook a Rug, Save the Planet.”

November 2, 2019
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Learn the basics of traditional rug hooking but with a twist – using old t-shirts, recycled wool strips, yarn, ribbon, and anything else you have in the house that you can pull a loop with. We’ll talk about “virgin” fibers, certainly, but we’ll do our part for the environment and save some money while we make something beautiful. During the class, you’ll learn how to:

• transfer a pattern onto a monk’s cloth backing;
• prepare your materials;
• begin hooking a mug rug and table “mat” or wall-hanging.

Laura Salamy will present "Hook a rug, Save the planet" workshop November 2. — Laura Salamy will present “Hook a Rug, Save the Planet” workshop November 2.

We’ll discuss various ways you might want to finish your rug after all the hooking is done. *No experience is necessary; just come prepared to play with color and textures!

Learn how to make a hooked rug in "Hook a rug, save the planet" workshop — Rug hooked using recycled t-shirts.

Material students should provide: good scissors and quilting hoop if you have one. If not EVFAC will provide a 12” hoop for use in this class (available for purchase)

Material instructor will provide: Monk’s cloth backing; hooks; rug binding; extra frames to try; thread/needles; hooking materials

Laura is an experienced, albeit “less-than-traditional” rug hooker who owns a business, High on Hooking (www.highonhooking.com), selling hooked items primarily in local shows and on Etsy. She’s lived in Albuquerque for over four years, leaving gray New England for the Southwest’s sunny, open skies. In 2018, she was elected President of the Adobe Wool Arts Guild (AWAG), New Mexico’s only rug hooking guild.

This class requires a minimum of three students.

Non-Member: $80 (Member $65)

Materials Fee: $15
Materials fee is paid at first class meeting.

Class will take place at Española Valley Fiber Arts Center in Española, NM.

For more info click here.