Rug Hooking Week at Sauder Village

ll right, so I have been a terrible blog host these last two months, but do know that I am running around like a kid in a candy store, checking out all the riches of northwestern Ohio which, it turns out, is a arts and craft lover's paradise. I'm investigating quilt classes, checking out arts centers, looking for a studio out of which to do my ceramics and meeting all kinds of interesting women artisans. Have some patience and stay posted, because eventually I'll be sharing it all with you...And don't think I've given up on our global women--things continue to brew there too, and I will be sharing updates with you shortly...

Last week I went out to Sauder Village in Archbold, Ohio and attended their 13th Annual Rug Hooking Week. I have always wanted to learn how to hook rugs, and took an introductory course with Nancy Blair of Tomorrow's Heirlooms in Allendale, Michigan. I cannot say enough about Nancy--she was a fabulous teacher and a wealth of knowledge. I have tried rug hooking before and wasn't happy with what I wound up with. (I figured I just didn't have the touch.) But Nancy was able to recommend what kind of fabric I should use as well as what type of hook might make rug hooking easier and more satisfying for me and my style of working, and she was able to help me learn to space my hooking for better results. 

I plan on attending next year's Rug Hooking Retreat, scheduled for August 16-21, 2010. Check out www.saudervillage.org for details. You can also reach Nancy Blair via email regarding her products, patterns and teaching schedule at thhkrugs@altelco.net .

On the Journey to a New Beginning...

Beautiful handmade, extra thick but ultra soft wool socks, knitted by a North Carolina craftswoman in her eighties! I purchased them at Dogwood Crafters Cooperative in Dillsboro, North Carolina, just south of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can special order a pair to your specifications for $40. www.dogwoodcrafters.com

Not only are these soaps molded into gorgeous patterns, but they are about the best smelling guests soaps I've ever encountered! (The blue oval soap has a piece of genuine sponge from Tarpon Springs, Florida, set in it, so of course I couldn't resist buying it!) At three for $10, these soaps would make lovely gifts, and your purchase supports the work of of Franciscan Sisters of Sylvania, Ohio, who make them. holyaromasoaps@sistersosf.org . 

Beautiful Boleslawiec ceramic ware for my new home. Handcrafted in Poland; each piece is unique. The Polish Art Center in Hamtramck (Detroit) Michigan has about the most extensive inventory I've ever seen, among all sorts of other folk art items, books and Polish crafting supplies. www.polartcenter.ocm

The owner of The Polish Art Center (left) and an assistant pose proudly in front of an autographed picture of Clint Eastwood, who starred in and directed "Grand Torino". The crew came by the Polish Art Center to buy authentic Polish crafts and "knickknacks" to give main character Walt Kowlaski's Detroit home that little bit of Polish flare!

As Stephen and I continue to settle into our new home and our new lives, we're happy to see all sorts of opportunities here for connecting with other artists and craftspeople, especially those who love to create things while trying to use their skills to make a better world. I will continue to be posting our discoveries, so stay tuned, and blessings on your own journeys!