Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Rug Hooking Fun

There were three of us hooking at the Library in Cody, WY Saturday. We had a lot to discuss at our meeting. We would like to start a Hook-In Camping weekend next summer in the Shell Campground. Shell, WY is nestled just off the Big Horn Mountains. It is truly one of the most beautiful little towns. There are a couple of cabins for those who don't have campers or tents and we want to make it a fun weekend for the husbands and kids too. The campground is right along the river and trout fishing is right at your fingertips. We have a lot to do to prepare for this event, like a vendor or two, but I know it will be a GREAT time for all who attend.

Debra is getting so close to finishing her Beverly Conway rug she started in the class at Old Faithful Rug Hooking Retreat in Cody, WY with Diane Stoffel as her teacher. It is so elegant looking. I know she is very happy with it.
Patty worked on the rug she started at Prairie Rose Rug School in Richardton, ND. Her teacher was Nancy Gingrich. The flowers in the fields and the river turned into a road are wonderful touches that makes this rug unlike any of the others we've seen. Don't you just love the blue house? Her pattern is from Woolley Fox.
I decided I'd better get busy on the purse I will be finishing in Carrie Martin's class at the Denver Hook In. The event is put on by the COATHA group and it is by far the most fun I've ever had at a Hook In. Okay, so it's the only Hook In I've ever been to, but it's still the most fun!
We are working hard to bring rug hooking to more people in Wyoming. Our Facebook page has been successful in finding another rug hooker in Gillette, WY. We hope to meet her soon.

Debra also finished her Saddle Up by Pine Island Primitives. It is truly stunning! I love the directional hooking.

Be sure you check out our Facebook page Wild West Rug Hookers and join our group. We want to hear from you!

Monday, August 6, 2018

Demonstrating Rug Hooking in Wyoming

We had a very successful weekend demonstrating in the Master Craftsman Tent at the Folk Festival in Hot Springs State Park, Thermopolis, Wyoming. We considered this our most successful event so far.
 Visitors at our booth not only learned about the history of rug hooking in North America, but were able, this year, to get them the tools they needed to start hooking right away. We had several beginner kits available for purchase that have everything they need to complete a mat except a hoop and a hook. We also sold the Moshimer hooks. We had several sign up for our Newsletters.
 In the very right hand corner you can see the mug rugs made by Debra that were for sale. Behind Debra you can see two of her rugs. Patty's footstool is peaking out from under the table.
 Debra was so happy to show the process of rug hooking to anyone who stopped by.
 Here is a woman who was very interested in our craft. Notice the Lincoln Bag of Patty's next to her chair. It is all hand hooked!
 You can see some of our kits available for anyone wanting to learn how to hook. Our favorite customer was an adorable little 10 year old girl. Her mom was a vendor at the fair so we lent her a hoop and she hooked the afternoon away. She was a natural! Her mom also got a kit and they will hopefully come to one of our hooking days at the Library in Cody.
 Patty is telling a visitor about the history of rug hooking.
It was so nice to show so many people, who had never seen rug hooking before, what we do and promoting rug hooking not only in Wyoming, but to people from all over the world. We had the most amazing time and we even learned from other craftsman as well. Debra and I came home with beads and jewelry from a wonderful woman who demonstrated Lampwork glass beads.

A Native American sang songs beating one of the drums his son had made. His son Cole demonstrated his drum making ability while his father told stories and sang. Cole is learning the craft of making drums from his father through the Mentor-ship Program through the Wyoming Arts Council. Now the Lone Bear family will be known as the drum makers of the Shoshone tribe.

Von Ringler showed leather work and sold his amazing goods. There were two men tying flies, and a woman demonstrating horse hair braiding. The booths were filled with art, jewelry, crocheted rugs, hand made goats milk soaps and lotions, and many many other things. Music and stories are always going and the food and drink vendors are SO good!

This is an event that is definitely worth traveling to!