I hit the mother-lode...a rug hooker's dream!!!
Feeling down & out yesterday I decided to do what cheers me up most...SHOP!
But not any kind of shopping...treasure hunting. Decided to pay a visit to Mr. McGowan's antique shop...it's a teeny tiny place where you have to look carefully, scrounge, get dusty, peek behind things & generally be nosy...I happened upon his glass cabinet of curiosities & started digging around...saw an intriguing looking basket & pulled it out. I near fainted from excitement...inside was a hoard of antique to vintage rug hooks of every size & description...from fairly recent to my favorite...the truly primitive ones wrought by hand & nature.
Some examples were carved from wood, one from bone, another from forged metal. Initials can be seen on a couple of them...the stories they could tell.
It was an older woman who brought them in to Mr. McGowan. I wish I could have met her, heard her memories of how she came by each one. Whoever you are,thank-you! You have made this rug hooker very happy! Usually I would be lucky to find a couple of oldish hooks a year...to find a whole basket full of highly unusual ones is a gift. I am pleased that I found them & could give them a home where they will be appreciated.
Lets not forget the basket...it's rich color & patina...the fabric worn soft from years of use. I am not sure what type of basket it is, but it is beautiful in it's imperfections...a cozy nesting place for a truly one of a kind collection.
After I went to the antique shop I went rummaging in the local thrift store...I found four wool coats in four delicious shades...chartreuse, raspberry red, taupe & a wonderful chocolate brown...I want to use them to create a penny rug.
I spent the morning stripping the coats...us rug hookers...always busy hooking & a stripping...
I'm a work while you wear your flannel PJ's kinda gal...
All the coats are have been stripped, now I want to marry them in a big old pot on the stove...get the colors to bleed a bit so that each piece of wool will have a little of every color in it...makes for a cohesive look in your project. I saved the lining from the chartreuse jacket...just to pretty to throw out...
I have almost completed another rug...an antique reproduction of a French Canadian rug...very primitive & rustic with loads of character...can't wait to show it to you...soon!
I haven't made much in the critter department...just not in the mood...& I definitely have to be in the mood to create them, becuase if I don't they end up looking like crapola...& nobody like crapola...right? I am hoping to be back in the studio soon.
Please join us for our Birthday Giveaway!
Feb 28th - March 20th
Fabulous handmade prizes
Feb 28th - March 20th
Fabulous handmade prizes
donated by our members.
Tdipt is celebrating their Birthday during the month of March with lots of chances for you to win one of many prizes that are to be donated by some of TDIPT's artists. Hope you can all come by for a visit.
Till next time...have a mice day!
Susan
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27 comments:
It is wonderful that you were the one to find the rug hooks. You are someone who will appreciate them. I have a few wool jackets to take apart and felt the wool sometime soon. I will be back for the Birthday Party. Have a creative day.
WOW! What an incredible find! Most likely meant just for you;-)
Museums would be envious!
Thanks for sharing! I love to come and look and get inspired.
How cool it would be to meet the lady. She would probably be delighted to know you have them!!
Blessings, Linnie
What a wonderful find. Enjoy your day.
Becky
I have to say I am admiring that collection of antique rug hooks you found! Oh my, to get the whole collection is astounding! The basket is icing on the cake! I know you will cherish each one of them!
I can't wait to see the rug you're hooking! It sounds wonderful! Isn't it a workout to tear all those coats apart!! I have torn hundreds so I know the work....but I kind of enjoy it once I get going. It's something to do that doesn't require too much thinking yet gives a great feeling of accomplishing something!
Love your creations! Hope you show us the penny rugs too!
Sweet inspirations to you!
Cathy G
It's a great honor your passing by me.
I greatly admire your art and thank you for stopping to leave a .
The newsletter isn't arrived to me.
Sorry my bad english
Hugs from Venice_Italy
Nadia
Holy canoli! You did hit the motherload! What an awesome find, lucky lady! I probably had the same reaction you did when I found my 11" spool at the thrift store. Had to put my eyes back into my head after that one. :) Enjoy!
Hi its lovely to find somebody else who makes rag rugs. I can't wait for you to post the one you have nearly finished. Like you i like to collect hooks and prodders,but they are few and far between so you were very lucky to find such a hoard.I am interested in the way you are combining the woollen coats to make your next rug. Linda Wilks
You did hit the motherload. Sounds like my kind of shop. Don't you just love it when you are digging and there it is, as you gasp for your breath. I know the feeling, love it when it happens. Really nice, you got a whole collection at once. Vicky
Fantastic find. Love the wool colors too. Have fun creating, Kim
I think you hit the Motherlode, all those hooks (could the one be antler or do you think it is bone) in a fantastic basket. If only that basket could talk.
I'm with you on the PJ creative outfit. They're also great for housework.
Can't wait to see your rug from all that fabulous recycled fabric.
Susan x
Susan, how delightful that you followed your joy right to a magnificent treasure!
Happy Hooking!
Hugs,
Terri
The hooks,the basket,the jackets,it's all awesome.Someone was guideing you that day.
Can't wait to see the rug ,I have never done one but I LOVE them with a passion.
Take care and enjoy your treasure
Ginger
I love your Hooking Supplies ~What a great find!
Those Jammies look comfy and warm!
Have you ever taught someone to hook rugs by blog post or email? LOL
I would love to learn how!
TFS
Blessings,
Becky
How cool is that! What a score!!!
Girlfriend, I don't think you could make a crapola looking critter even if you tried really hard. Nope, don't believe that for a minute! :) Sending you lots of hugs and happy smiles for inspiration.
xx, shell
Score!!! Susan, I am delighted to see you back in the mood....can't wait to see this rug!!!!
The critters will come....this was just the kind of day you needed to have!!!
Hugs,
Mags
xx
AH! What a great find - all those old hooks! I recently shared my hook collection, but few are old, and I envy you!
What a wonderful find. The cream one looks as though it would be really comfortable to work with. Pleasing shape. Enjoy. xx
When things happen like that it is just meant to be I believe. You will treasure those hooks and the basket they were held in. I hope the spirit of the previous owner guides your hands as you work with her tools. I have my grandmothers knitting needles and love the feel of them in my hands. It always makes me feel close to her while I use them.
Deb
Hi Susan,
Well, wowzers!!
I think those hooks were meant to be in your care!
Just to think of all the rugs they have helped hook . . .
I might have fainted on the spot!
Amazing how a little antiquing trip can lift the spirits . . . does it for me every time!
Have a fun weekend,
L
I am not a rug hooker, but I can see that you found a true treasure. It is wonderful that the right person found them! Being a rug person you might know something about a couple of old hooked rug samplers I have in my workspace. They are by Pearl McGowan. I don't know anything about them except that she was quite a designer. Any info would be appreciated! Love stopping by your blog to see your work!
From one hooker to another - what a find! lucky you...can't wait to see your French Canadian rug...Joni (quebec-Canada)
Those hooks were beautiful.You are so lucky What a wonderful day. I have never seen old hooks. Plus the wools you found. my Oh My Thanks for sharing the photos, Cheri
What a fantastic find! I don't hook rugs but would have purchased these treasures in a second. I am glad you found them. How wonderful it will be to use these beautiful instruments as you create.
Hi, what a special collection you found! If only those hooks could speak! Have fun creating with them.
Gail
WOW, Sounds good, I believe that we can get lots of benefits through these tools and they will also work good for us, Thanks for posting, I am also looking forward for more updates.
Wow what a find girl. That had to have brightened your day.
So glad I was lucky enough to find your blog! I LOVE your little creatures, they are just perfect! ~ even the name is great! :) Your finds are very interesting, my Mum has a little box of similar instruments that someone found on the ground at the dump and thought she might like... I wondered what the funny looking crochet hooks were...must be for rug hooking! I love a good mystery solved! Awesome stuff ~ makes me smile! :))))
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