News

It's been an interesting year. I took a full time job that required a few days each week down in the city. Lots of traveling, and lots of work. I've changed my routine recently, and while I'm still with the same company, my hours are slightly fewer and I'm able to be in the studio a lot more. In the interim, as so often happens, I've mused over my next direction, and so will be adding new products to my site. New things to come, added as they are ready. Thanks for all the new subscribers, thanks for your support, and so happy to be back

.

I've been working on a lot of new samplers in the past few weeks. I have a collection of wooden panels that have been painted with milk paint and distressed. I make a small rug and attach it to the back. Then I add antique hanging hardware so the sampler can be displayed on the wall. If someone really loves the rug, but prefers for it not to be on the panel, I can easily take the rug off and use the panel for another small rug. This particular rug has a bias binding on the back. All of this new work and more will be on display at the upcoming Designer Craftsmen Show on March 9 through 11.

Valentine's Day will be here before we know it. I love making rugs with hearts and will have a bunch in the Holidays section. Easy shopping with PayPal at my Big Cartel shop (click here to go directly to the Shop).

I'm preparing for an important show in March. It's the Designer Craftsmen's show in Philadelphia. Here's a link for all the information. I'm really excited to be going and will bring lots of rugs and samplers (small rugs on distressed wooden panels) and whatever else I can manage to make by then. I hope you can come if you're close to Philadelphia.

I had a wonderful show at Bedminster this weekend. It's an honor to be included in the fairly small group of traditional artisans. There's a level of quality and energy that I love being part of. Eve and Len Marschark, artisans both, put the show together and it just works so well. I stayed with a wonderful couple who treated me so well and helped take the booth down, a job I usually do myself. They made the weekend even better.

Several friends made the trip, in some cases a longish one, to come and see me. It was so nice to see them and catch up a little.

This photo is accurate as far as how I am at shows (and I only do Bedminster and two here in my town). It's a little of a gypsy feel: surrounded by bags of wool strips, my frame and tools, and work that needs to be done, show or not. Nothing elaborate. Just me and my work with my cards propped up against the chair.

It was so much fun, and I'm looking forward to my next show, the Taste of the Catskills Festival which is growing as we all keep working to make it great. Lots of excellent local food, wonderful local beer, music all the time and a generally good time. I'll be in the old barn with the farm store. Stop by to see me if you come out to Maple Shade Farm. Dates are October 8 and 9, from 10 am on. Here's the link to the web page.

I've got two shows coming up that I wanted to remind you about. The first, on September 17 and 18, is the Bedminster Traditional Artisans show in Bucks County, PA. Here's a link to the web site for more information. It's a small (40 exhibitors), very good show -- everyone is at the top of their game here. You'll see work of all kinds, plus be able to watch our Learn Abouts, where individual artisans demonstrate their process. The other show is the Taste of the Catskills Festival, held on October 8 and 9 (rain or shine, and I have to say that since we've had so much rain the past few weeks). I'll be in the big barn and will be working on and off all day on whatever rug is in progress. I'd love to see you at one or both of these events. Email me if you have any questions.

In the Catskills, we know that Fall is almost upon us when our county fair is in progress. This is Fair Week, town is deserted and the leaves on my hill across the pasture are just starting to turn yellow and orange. I've been working on Christmas rugs. Don't ask me why. I have a Christmas stocking and a small star mat that are perfect for the season that will be here before we know it. Keep your eye on my site for more holiday pieces. Some will be big (a St. Nicholas of the old fashioned, more subdued variety, carrying a tree over his shoulder), and a collection of stockings that can be ordered ahead for December.

This is a busy time of year with the good weather to enjoy and trips to make. I just received my packet of brochures for the Bedminster Land Conservancy's Traditional Artisans Show that's coming up on September 17 and 18. Here's the link to the show's page with all the information you'll need. This year will be the third time that I've participated in this show. It's actually the only show I do at this point. I'm in wonderful company – forty or so craftspeople of the highest caliber – so it's fun to see everyone's new work and talk about things that have happened over the past year. The show is run by artisans and the Land Conservancy finds places for us to stay and really treats us well. The Land Conservancy (located in Bucks County, PA) benefits from the show, so it's a win-win situation. I hope you can make it if you're in the area.

Our weather has been so varied these days. One day will be warm, sunny and clear, and the next will be a day-long downpour. I've been working very hard on my new site and its accompanying Big Cartel shop. My guide has been so exciting to work with, and has made me feel fairly confident about understanding what I'm doing. I appreciate his attention to detail and his desire to make things look really just perfect.

I'm in a bit of a transition time with my rugs. I'm working on a horse rug (always makes me happy to be doing that) and have just finished a large runner and two small angels and a small bird rug. I'll have photos of them up on the site in a few days. I'd like to pursue the avenue of making a lot of horse rugs and am exploring ways to do that.

It's exciting to have a new forum to use to present my work. There will be photos and accounts of trips and ideas that came to me in this section. It's nice to have a place for all that.

This section will offer news such as editorial features and mentions, upcoming shows, and any other news that I think you might be interested in. 

The Taste of the Catskills Festival was a lot of fun. I met many people, talked rug hooking with a few, watched a parade of baby strollers pushed mostly by dads. Lots of activity and great food. I didn't make it back for the fireworks, but I heard they were wonderful. There will be a fall Festival on October 8 and 9.

I do a nice show in September. It's put on by the Bedminster Land Conservancy in Bucks County. It's a very select show with only traditional folk artists, no imports at all, and demonstrations both days. I'll have more news about the show as it gets closer.