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 .