Thursday, October 10, 2013

Why Do We Hook What We Do?

My desire to learn to hook was my love of the antique rugs in issues of Country Living magazine.  Knowing I'd probably never be able to afford an antique one nor a newly hooked one, decided to teach myself.  So it was the naïve, primitive, wide cut rugs that I was enamoured with.  Therefore that is what is usually on my frame.

I have friends who hook a variety of styles with the intent on challenging themselves and broaden their hooking experience.  My friend Lynne Fowler is working on a piece called Steamy Windows, which I have not seen yet but hope to see in November.  Knowing her I can only imagine it will be awesome.  Laura Pierce's Girl Blowing a Bubble blows me away with how she got the translucent rainbow colored effect in that bubble amazes me. 

Another would be Joan Strausbaugh who hooked her Thumbprint using lights and darks, wish I could remember the other 'out of the box' pieces she has hooked which I've seen in person.

My friend Char hooked an incredible wedding rug with the names of the family members of both sides hooked into the roots of the tree and would love to see a rug she started which is the ends of tree trunks from the back of a log truck. 

There are many more hookers I could name as there are many who challenge themselves, work outside their comfort zone in the name of creativity .  These type people are who I consider artists.

Me?  I don't bother challenging myself as I hook what I enjoy and designs which grabbed my attention at that time.  Okay, I take that back.... once I did try working outside my comfort zone and learned a very valuable lesson.  My class was with a teacher who I respect, love her work and had high hopes that she could pull me outside my box.  She tried but I felt like a fish out of water floundering around. 

That is NOT a statement about her teaching ability but rather the narrowness of my creativity.  I just felt awkward stretching and using bright colors.  The rug did get finished, I didn't like it for my house and sold it.  A woman at a show was gravitated to it and didn't question the price, bought it on the spot.  The customer was very excited to go home and hang it on her wall that afternoon.  Sadly I didn't even take a picture of it.  I'd like to see again, tho I know my taste hasn't changed, just want a record of it.

Speaking of antique rugs, thought I'd post a few here for your enjoyment.

 
 
 
 
 
Oh I've lots more antique rug photos as I'm looking thru them now to see what may strike my fancy to hook at a workshop in November.  I think I've made my selection but that will be for another day's post.  Have a great afternoon and hook on.

Saundra



 

6 comments:

  1. Hi, Saundra,
    I so admire other people's work when they attempt new things, but I am like you, and never really change. I hook rugs and stitch samplers that look antique and therefore enhance my home. Like you, I couldn't afford the real thing, so I have to make it!! I suppose most of my rugs more or less look the same, as that is the antique style and colors that I like.

    Thanks for continuing to post photos of antique rugs, I love looking at them.
    Melinda

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  2. Saundra,
    Melinda said it perfectly. I don't care to go out of my comfort zone not one little bit. I proved that to myself with my DF style rug. I am happy I did it but don't care to do it again.
    Hugs :)
    Lauren

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  3. Nice commentary on the many different styles, color choices and motifs we choose to hook.
    The antique rugs are beautiful.
    Rose

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  4. Hi Saundra
    As a new hooker (just started this year) I find myself already in a comfort zone. It was very evident when I returned home from a show in New Jersey. The photos of the rugs that caught my eye were all the same style, primitive, antique and a bit folky.
    ~Sue

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  5. I feel exactly the same way. I'm in a comfort zone and I'm staying there. I've tried to hook a larger abstract style rug several times. I don't like it and it ends up either stuffed away or dismantled.

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  6. I totally agree with what everyone is saying, you have to hook what feels right to you or you won't enjoy the process or like the rug. As you all know so much time and expense goes into hooking a rug. A challenge for me is to design and color plan to my liking!!!
    Have a great weekend!
    Louise

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Thanks for taking the time to visit and I always welcome comments.