punch needle rug hooking workshop Archives – Page 3 of 3

It finally happened: We have a new look! What a way to start off 2020. Hopefully, you like it. It’s a bit cleaner, and, hey, change is good.

“Diamonds of New Mexico” was punched. Take my Santa Fe workshop February 29, and learn how to punch one yourself.

A little catch-up…

The year’s started quietly enough. I’m currently prepping for an introductory punch needle rug hooking class at the New Mexico Fiber Arts Center in Santa Fe. (Note that this is Española Valley Fiber Arts Center’s new name, and the class is in the shop they launched in November down near the Rail Yards. Guess I’m not the only one with a new look.) It’ll run on Saturday, February 29, 10:00-2:00. Bring a small pair of scissors and a lunch/snack. And be ready to have some fun! More info here.

The secret project is still secret. Had to get some other work done besides the website, so we’ll be working to finish that in February. Yikes, that’s only a day away!!!

Cathy Kelly and I are still “working” as artists in residence up in Santa Fe at the Inn on the Alameda. It’s a swell hotel, big old fireplace and all, but truthfully, it’s been a bit of a bust thus far. There’s not much traffic coming through. Big surprise; it’s winter. Next year, I hope to “graduate” to one of the busier hotels on the town’s historical plaza. If you’re around, though, we’ll be at the Inn again February 7 and 21, both Fridays.

Hooked rug on burlap ribbon — The image on the left, the fireplace with it’s cozy fire, is the same one that’s in the lobby of the Inn on the Alameda. Why did I hook it and maybe a…butterfly? That’s a story for maybe next week. Or **Instagram**. It’s a new project. Because I don’t have enough time (?). BTW, it’s not a butterfly; it’s an open book.

We’ve had bad news regarding a couple of events where I usually vend each year. Albuquerque’s apparently still up in the air regarding the Recycled Art Festival. After having nowhere to put us last year, a new home was promised for this year. Sure. And I’ve got swampland in Florida for sale. Also, the end may be near for the High Desert Studio Tour in November. I’m always at my friend Dagmar’s home/studio where she creates BEAUTIFUL hand-dyed yarns under the name ZiaWoolz. 🙁 We’re hoping to bring new life to this event, so hang on for more info.

Lovely news! Many of you have probably seen Karen Miller‘s book that came out last fall: Eyes Open to the World – Memories of Travel in Wool. One of my rugs is featured in it! I’m very grateful to Karen for that. It’s a delightful book to read and take in. And it gives me more rug hooking street cred, if you know what I mean. And that’s despite the fact that my rug was hooked in recycled t-shirts, not wool. 🙂

I guess that’s it for hooking news for now. Regarding the boys, Tynan is fit as ever. A bit furry this time of year, of course. Bowyn, ah, Bowyn. He’s a character that one and not nearly as easy as his big brother. We’ve had a dog trainer in as there’s NO WAY that he could handle the excitement of a puppy class. By that I mean he would generate much of the excitement. Some might even call it…CHAOS. But after being so sick with puppy strangles last summer when he was just a wee one, he’s definitely bounced back. And I do mean bounce. If you get our Instagram feed, you know that we call him Sharknado. Always in the air, always the mouth open. Some day he’ll be a great dog like Tynan. Some day…

Dog Bowyn sleeping — Bowyn at rest. It doesn’t happen much and never when we have visitors.

I think that’s enough for today and three other marathon days at my computer revamping this site, giving it the new look. It’s not even live yet. Pray that that went well and that you’re happily reading away on your own electronic device. And if you have any questions for us here at High on Hooking, know that we’re only an email away. Happy 2020!

Dog Tynan on hooked rug pattern; no new look — Tynan’s back, though no new look for him. And he’s got the newest rug on the frame here at High on Hooking. Its a floral sort of thing being hooked with old bed sheets. Have a great weekend!

Example of punch needle rug hooking. — My second punched rug. Began at an Amy Oxford workshop at **Fletcher Farm School of Arts and Crafts** in Vermont years ago. Clearly finished in 2011.

If you’re a rug hooker on Instagram, you’ve seen the crazy increase in punch needle rug hooking posts. Like me, you probably marveled that, hey, some are calling the back the front and the front the back! Which is just fine as long as they’re having fun – the real point of this whole art/craft.

If you get Rug Hooking Magazine, you’ve seen that there are now regular articles on the punch needle universe and its concomitant projects. You’re no longer a second class hooker if you punch!

And if you’re at all familiar with punch needle goddess Amy Oxford, you know that her business sky-rocketed a couple of years ago:

Her business chugged along quite nicely, growing slowly and steadily. Then textile artist Arounna Khounnoraj, co-founder of Bookhou studio in Toronto, became a fan. “I like that her tool is ergonomic and that it’s quick and easy to thread,” says Khounnoraj. “Also, you can use both yarn and cut wool strips in the needles.”

Amy Oxford de-fuzzing a punched rug with…sheep shears! (2008)

When Khounnoraj posted an Instagram video demonstrating a project using an Oxford

Punch Needle, things exploded. The video went viral and Oxford began getting orders from all over the world.

“Sales were up 644%. This was thrilling and incredibly exciting. We sold out instantly. We made thousands more and sold out in 48 hours. Did the same and sold out a third time in 24 hours. I was in shock. I knew I was supposed to be happy but honestly, it was terrifying. Overwhelming is an understatement… We didn’t see this coming. When our punch went viral I promised myself that no matter how many orders we got, I wouldn’t skimp on quality to create more quantity.”

– Amy Oxford in Craft Industry Alliance article

(For the record: You can punch with more than yarn and wool strips. I’ve even punched with recycled t-shirt strips.)

Punched rug (hooked rug) — A punched rug in progress last spring.

To celebrate punch needle rug hooking and to further spread the rug hooking gospel, High on Hooking will be teaching an INTRODUCTION TO PUNCH NEEDLE RUG HOOKING workshop THIS SATURDAY at Española Valley Fiber Arts Center. Contact EVFAC to get in on the fun. (Just don’t call today, Monday, as they’re closed till tomorrow morning.)

During the class, students will:

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

We’ll use Oxford punch needles as several years ago, after teaching myself to punch using her tool (before she even owned her current rug hooking school), I was lucky enough to attend a workshop with Amy. Lastly, 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!

Punch needle rug hooking example — This rug was based on a child’s design and punched using recycled t-shirt strips. Imagine how your child or grandchild would feel if you hooked a wall hanging or table-topper using one of their drawings. And think of how much linger it’ll last than paper!

For those unable to join us in Española Saturday, I offer rug hooking and punch needle rug hooking classes in my home in Albuquerque. If you live beyond our beautiful Sandia Mountains, please check out Amy’s excellent tutorial videos on her website. Most of all, have fun!

HIGH ON HOOKING

Tag: punch needle rug hooking workshop

A new year and a new look!

Join the punch needle rug hooking revolution Saturday at EVFAC