WORKSHOPS at Beal Cottage
with Sandra Brown
Even though many rug hookers are self taught, our rate of improvement increases dramatically as we stretch ourselves into our gifts. It is a noble goal, working to perfect our craft. Workshops are an opportunity to study a specialized area while receiving individual attention in a classroom setting in the recently opened Beal Cottage--a one-story mid-century ranch house, five houses down from my own home where we would go for dyeing workshops.
Typically the student is there to begin a new piece, and the combination of an experienced teacher facilitating the student’s hooking while tapping into and husbanding the creative atmosphere one finds in workshops can bolster your sense of accomplishment enormously. My goal is to get you to where you want to be in your hooked piece and tickle your brain as to the possibilities.
Geometrics
June 2 - 5, 2023 (3 day)
A comprehensive workshop on Geometrics, including how to design your own pattern using simple grids and templates, how to examine the myriad possibilities of interpretation using Contrast, Color and Texture, and how to create original rugs that qualify for any fiber exhibit.
Students will work on a new pattern of their choice--either purchased on their own or designed in the workshop--and spend time in class learning how to color plan, choosing from a large inventory of hand-dyed, smooth, textured and vintage wools (material fee of $120 covers 2 yards of hand-dyed wool + 1 yard fine cut linen). Cut can be anything from #3 to #9 and project can be anything from a small tote bag to a room size rug.
Essentially my goal is to provide you with a systematic way of approaching ANY geometric - not just the one you're working on for this workshop.
The pleasure of Geometrics and their usefulness cannot be overstated—they are functional and often pull together an entire room, providing relaxed opportunities to just HOOK because this workshop covers all the the preparatory work.
Fine Shaded Hooked Flowers
May 22 - 24, 2023 (2 day)
Students will choose between three throated flowers (daylily, morning glory, or a trumpet vine) to work on in this 2-day workshop using either a #3 or #4 cut. Cost of pattern on fine linen, with wool for flower and leaves is included in the class.
We will be using dip-dyed wools and computer technologies to see exactly where lights and shadows are located in petals and leaves and let the beauty of the wool take us into richly colored flowers with detail and realism.
Arrive 3pm Monday May 22 - Check in, introductions & social hour, dinner provided, discuss patterns, begin choosing wool and slide show discussing how to approach hooking a realistic flower using Contrast, Color Temperature and Intensity.
Tuesday, May 23 - Learning the fine art of shading, hooking petals and leaves, breakfast and lunch provided, dinner out at a local restaurant (not included)
Wednesday, May 24 - Wrap up with projects, wool selections and questions, breakfast included, departure 11am
Cost: $250 + $80 materials fee (includes class fee, double room, breakfasts and lunches and first evening's dinner, hand-dyed wool for flower and leaves + 18" x 18"pattern. $200 to reserve, and balance of $130 by May 1.**
Particulars:
Arrive 3pm Friday, June 2 - Check in and set up, introductions & social hour, dinner (included), discuss patterns, begin instruction on designing geometrics, interpretation of design and transferring pattern to backing.
Saturday & Sunday, June 3 & 4 - Color planning and choosing wool (smooth or textured?), discussing elements like Contrast, approaches to hooking that influence design, and with basic prep done, begin hooking. Breakfast and lunch included, dinner out at a local restaurant (dinner not included)
Monday, June 5 - Wrap up with projects, wool selections and questions, breakfast included, departure 11am
Cost: $375 + $120 materials fee includes 2 yards wool + 1 yard fine linen, class fee, double room, breakfasts, lunches and first evening's dinner. Send check to address below: $200 to reserve, and balance of $295 by May 1**
FIND AND FINISH!
July 9-12, 2023 (3 day)
Stuck on color? Unhappy with your progress and need a lift of inspiration? How about three days and nights of hooking fellowship with a trained teacher, gourmet breakfasts and lunches included so you can concentrate on your craft and forget the household duties?
This is an opportunity for teacher-student interaction on any style of rug with tips and suggestions that might get you inspired to start hooking again. A huge inventory of hand-dyed wools, including vintage and textures, is available for inspiration, no matter what #cut you are using (from #3 cut to #9 and hand-torn).
Arrive 3pm Sunday July 9 - Check in, introductions & social hour, (dinner provided), presentation on basic elements of good design (Contrast, Color, Cohesion, Balance) with individuals sharing their hooked pieces.
Monday & Tuesday, July 10 & 11 - Relaxed two days of hooking, individual instruction with breakfast and lunch provided, dinner out at a local restaurant (not included)
Wednesday, July 12 - Wrap up with projects, wool selections and questions, breakfast included, departure 11am
Cost: $375 + $80 materials fee includes 1 yard hand-dyed wool + 1 yard fine linen, class fee, double room, breakfasts and lunches and first evening's dinner. $200 to reserve and balance of $255 by June 1**
**IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE - Since the workshops are small (6 people), they need to fill in order to be held. Students are encouraged to sign up with a rug hooking friend, otherwise a roommate will be assigned since all rooms are doubles. If the workshop needs to be cancelled by me, your entire deposit and class fee will be refunded. If you cancel but are able to find a substitute for your place in the workshop, your deposit and class fees will be refunded. Otherwise, cancelling in the 30 day period prior to workshop means deposit and fees are 50% refunded.
A group of six can also arrange for a workshop of their choice, scheduled at everyone's convenience. Turn a gathering of friends into a learning retreat!