Category Archives: hooked rugs

Zodiac Collection Fiber Artists from Around the World

Twelve fiber artists selected by Susan L. Feller for their innovative designs and in some cases young energy, depict the Zodiac signs in hooked works.  The collection is published in Rug Hooking Magazine’s Jan/Feb 2012 issue.

Virgo, by Francine Even, CT, USA

Seeing the pieces in the magazine and reading the thought processes is one thing but actually viewing all twelve works and meeting some of the artists can be done by attending Sauder Village’s 16th Rug Hooking Week in Archbold, Ohio. The event is Wednesday-Saturday, August 15-18.  Susan will lead a gallery walk with fellow artists during the exhibit.  See events, workshops or sign up when you arrive.

Book Released to Rave Reviews

The book is out and we are pleased with the responses.

Go to our store at www.RuckmanMillFarm.com to order an autographed copy. 

Readers have said: “I will definitely use this as a “go to” guide for my students.”

Wendie ScottDavis,Ontario CANADA

“Got your book yesterday and started to read it this morning. I think this book will be a great teaching tool for many years to come… just wonderful!”Linda Rae Coughlin,New Jersey

“I received your book It is GREAT!! It is very easy to read and ALOT of information I think it is one of the best Rug Hooking has put out.” Margaret Wenger, Pennsylvania

Fraktur Designs in Rug Hooking Magazine

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Barbara Ebersol Star Flower Mat hooked by Susan Feller

 
The Sept/Oct 2011 issue of Rug Hooking Magazine includes an article by Susan titled: Frakturs for Designing, Old Pennsylvania German Artwork Finds a New Place.  Using Barbara Ebersol a Lancaster, PA artist of the late 1880’s to introduce Frakturs to the readership, Feller includes several design motifs as free patterns.  The topic is a research favorite which has culminated in a product DESIGN IN A BOX- Frakturs available through the shop at Ruckman Mill Farm. 

Trip Memories in Fiber

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When there is not too much time to hook… but you need to record a memory, make a 5 inch square.  The following are vignettes of three great destinations where I have taught this summer.

Pacific Ocean, Central Michigan Sand Dunes, Prince Edward County, Ontario

Waves crashing on the black sand

  

 The Cambria Pines Rug Hooking Schoolwas site of my Pacific Ocean experience.  Thanks to Gene Shepherd this East Coaster has stepped into the cold, Pacific.

 
 
 
 
 
 
   

Vivid memory of Sand Dunes Lake Michigan

  Central Michigan is bordered on the left by Lake Michigan, there are giant sand dunes on the coast and inland they are covered with trees and grasses, hidden monsters.  This scene was during the Manistee Rug Hooking School in late June.

Square Bales in Ontario

While teaching at Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario I travelled to Prince Edward County several times.  One visit caught their technique of stacking the square bales of hay into small pyramids prior to pick up.  Went back three days later and the field was empty.  Goes to show you, carry your camera and a journal to catch memories.

Juried Art in 2011

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The following three works were juried into exhibitions and/or publications this year.  This exposes the traditional craft of rughooking to a contemporary art audience.  Hope you can visit one or all of the exhibitions:
State Museum, Culture Center, 1900 Kanawha Blvd E, Charleston, WV 304-558-0220 for hours
Tamarack, One Tamarack Park, Beckley, WV 1-888-TAMARACK
June 19-Aug 13
Sauder Village, Archbold, OH www.Saudervillage.org Rug Hooking Week
August 17-20
Celebrations XXI published by Stackpole Books  August 2011

Cedar Lakes in 2011

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Again a great group of students and wonderful weather for the 47th Cedar Lakes Rug Camp in Ripley, WV.   Registration for 2012 is open now. Contact Nancy Blair at thhkrugs@altelco.net or call 616-895-6378. The dates are May 13-18, 2012.

Seems the theme for rug designs included birds, flowers and geometrics. Wow! Must have had some inspiration from the FRAKTURS.  They sure did.  We also learned about the elements and principles of design and used these lessons when looking at the rug exhibit on Wednesday.

Top 15 Tamarack Artists! Thanks

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WVLiving Magazine has just announced on their Facebook page that I am one of the 15 Top Tamarack Artists!   Much thanks to my worldwide audience who entered the pole at http://wvlivingmagazine.com

I will be featured in an article in the Summer issue along with the other artists.  A new order of my hooked mini-mats will be delivered the first week of May to TAMARACK.

Mini Mats by Susan L. Feller

A stop at “the Best of West Virginia” when traveling on I64/I79 is sure to please all of your senses.

We are live with an updated site!

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If you clicked onto this blog through http://www.ruckmanmillfarm.com   welcome!  Look around the posts and pages to learn even more about Susan Feller and Jim Lilly at home in the Mountain State of West Virginia.

Logo designed by Michael Anderson, Romney, WV

  We are thrilled to have an official logo honoring the log home Jim built and the era of time we both are reliving… the Arts and Crafts period of the early 1900’s.

Michael Anderson is our graphic designer, web creator, fellow artist, and friend.  I have found him to be easy to discuss concepts with and the magic in cyberspace he has worked should make your visits enjoyable.

Let us know of any problem, difficulty or enjoyable clicks while on the site, so we can improve it.  

At Home by Jim Lilly

Enough of the thank yous,  ENJOY and come back soon.   Susan and Jim

Two workshops with openings

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Butterfly detail from Conatined Garden Friends

There are a few spaces left in two great workshops this Spring: Contact the directors quickly to get your deposits in– love to see you and spend time working with you.  Check out the Calendar page to see where else we could meet.

May 1- 5 teaching at Laurel Mountains, Ligonier, PA Design a Rug with Folk Art motifs, Learn the History of PA German Frakturs Shirley Engel director contact Shirley for details at shirlet@zoominternet.net see Barb Carroll’s site for more about Laurel Mountains… http://www.woolleyfox.com

May 8-13 teaching at Cedar Lakes Rug Camp, Ripley, WV
Open class:Folk Art to Design whatever you want to concentrate on this year. In its 46th year this camp is a wonderful relaxed experience. Nancy and Fred Blair directors  email thhkrugs@alteco.net  or call 616-895-6378

Entry accepted in WV Juried Exhibition

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Just received notice that “Winter in West Virginia” was accepted in the  Inspired: A West Virginia Series of Juried Exhibitions Historic Buildings.  The opening ceremony was on January 24, 2011 at the WV Culture Center, 1900 Kanawha Blvd, E. Charleston, WV.  Show up through July 25.

Yes that is the Capitol of West Virginia!  Visit www.wvculture.org, exhibits for details about hours of the Commissioner’s gallery.

Winter in West Virginia, Susan L. Feller

This piece was one of the 6 works reviewed by jurors for TAMARACK for the category FINE CRAFT.  It was created in 2009 for a travelling exhibit titled STRIPES.  The artists from Japan and the United States each interpreted that word using some type of rughooking.  I happily packed my work up and sent it off today, for one more leg of its journey.  Japan, NJ, IN and now Charleston, WV.  It is for sale, but I do hope to see its return at the end of the show, since the inspiration is a view right out our kitchen looking towards Short Mountain.