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Comparison of Rug Punch and Rug Hooking

admin — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 00:37:15 +0000

Seeing as I talk about both rug punch and rug hooking, I thought I’d show you the difference between the two in case you are unfamiliar with them.

Neither of the videos are mine, but they are good examples.

This first video is of Rug Punching, a technique that is worked from the underside of the rug. The artist is using an Oxford punch, the one I consider to be the best on the market, designed by veteran rug maker, Amy Oxford. The smaller version of rug punch is called needlepunch and has a rich history in variation from as far afield as Russia and Japan.

These next two are by well known rug hookers, Gene Shepherd in this one:

and Deanne Fitzpatrick in this one:

Enjoy!

Deb

Details of Glass Equipment For Sale

admin — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 22:17:02 +0000

Below is the list of glass fusing and lampworking items I have for sale. Prices are negotiable. I’ll sell as a group, or some items individually. Shipping will be the actual cost. The kiln has the original box.

The Hothead is currently misplaced, but I know it is here. See what cleaning craft cabinets gets you…I can’t find stuff.

1 Paragon Quickfire 6 kiln $360 new, will sell for $150 (includes 2nd shelf, architecture, shelf wash and some shelf paper)

Front:

Interior:

Top:

2nd kiln shelf with feet (architecture goes with kiln):

Some items, grouped:

Marver(new $14, sell for $7) and hot glass shears(new $16, sell for $8):

5 containers glass frit (new $2.25 ea., sell for $5 all):

Kiln shelf wash (goes with kiln)

Approx 20 COE 90 glass rods, (new $3 each, sell lot for $25), System 96 stringers in tube (new $14, sell for $7):

Tool or rod rest( new $8, sell for $4), and wash brush (goes with kiln):

THE geekiest pink Didymium glasses, lol (new $30, sell for $10):

Glass glue (new $7.95, sell for $3) :

Mandrel release (new $5.95, sell for $2) :

Mandrels (new $10, sell for $5) and glass mashers (new $25, sell for $12):

MIA Hot Head torch and 1lb tank attachment/table protector will be posted later.

Work In Process

admin — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:49:36 +0000

Rug punch has been competing with bead embroidery for my attention lately. This piece, my second ever, is to be a wall banner which says PEACE.

There are a few things I will do differently in future, now that I have a wee bit more experience. I used yarn I already had and I’m not crazy about the color choices, in fact, the white C is changing to green to show up better. The back is messy because I didn’t push the ends through as I worked, something I will never fail to do again, as it is a royal pain to do them all at once.

Anyway, it is a quick and pretty cool craft which doesn’t hurt my not so young joints.

How to make a UTEE Tile

admin — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:02:07 +0000

To make those UTEE tiles I melted clear in the melting pot and poured it over some rubber stamp sheets, removed when still warm and trimmed some down with scissors. Some I left just as they solidified. Then, when cool, I embellished some with PearlEx powders or a transparent acrylics and then poured more UTEE over the color, one in a set of three. That makes for a two-sided shine and tiles that can be used in many ways, from mosaics to pendants. So many ideas and I want to make then all NOW, lol.

What Is a Crafty Life and How Do I Make One?

admin — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 22:38:59 +0000

I have a certain picture in my head of what a crafty life might entail and certainly, things I would like it to be. How to achieve it though, is is a bit of a mystery, sort of like a maze, I guess. I can see part of the path, but then it turns and gets fuzzy. Have you created a life you would call crafty? Tell me about it and how you got there.

First, what is a crafty life? To me, it is more than making a living from your chosen skill, it is filling your life with things, people and experiences that synergize with who you are. For instance, my daughter always notices that creative people are friendly and we can usually connect fairly quickly, whereas, there’s more work involved in getting closer to non-crafty types, for me.

Of course, you naturally gravitate to those who fit your comfort zone,we learn that early on, but thats not always possible. We currently live in a southern community surrounded by farms, rather than the buzz of a NW city that I’m used to and prefer, so outwardly artsy folk or places are harder to come by. In contrast, farming families have given me a huge appreciation for those who produce our food. It is an amazingly hard life with many uncertainties, but for most, they would have no other.

Back to the subject. So, the basic element of a crafty life is, of course, preferring to spend your time with your art or craft over almost anything else. My kids are grown, so I can admit to that. : )

Next, is figuring out how to transition from a day filled with mostly ho-hum work that earns money to a day filled with crafting that earns money. Then, taking that from the creation space to the people. Then, growing that in to a lifestyle, not just a job.

Hmm? Come along on this journey as I figure this out and feel free to nudge me here and there…gently.