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Simple, naïve, charming, primitive . . . all good terms to describe folk art rugs. In this open retreat you will add to your skills and gain confidence. Develop your own style while hooking a pattern of your choice or one of Laurie’s many folk art designs. The focus of this retreat will be on cuts #8 and up, but each pattern “tells you” what size is best! Learn how to choose wool to create depth and movement. In email contact prior to class, Laurie will help you make initial wool choices from your stash. She can custom dye wool and will be bringing a variety of wool for sale. Explore how color choices affect the mood and sentiment of our rugs. Each day will have short demos and group discussions, but the emphasis will be on individual attention to set you on your way to completing a fabulous folk art rug.
Class size 15
Level Intermediate and above
Student Supply List Basic hooking supplies: a frame, scissors, cutter, cutter blades (your choice), & hook. Rug pattern drawn on foundation of your choice and any wool you might like to use in your rug.
Laurie has been doing some sort of handwork since her Mother handed her a needle and thread at age 5. While still in school and with limited resources, she began designing and hooking rugs in 1970 after seeing an article in Early American Life magazine.
Known for her keen sense of color and whimsical, folk art designs, Laurie has been teaching rug hooking and various fiber arts around the Twin Cities for over 30 years. Laurie’s classes are casual, warm and as colorful as the materials she works with. Packed with tips and tricks even the most experienced students will find useful, she helps each student develop their skills and find their own style.
2022 marked the 35th anniversary of L. J. Fibers, her fiber arts business that became The Wooly Red Rug in 2002 when Laurie opened the doors of her studio to the public. Her museum quality hooked rugs, wool applique, stitched and needle punched pieces are part of private collections across the country and have earned her recognition as one of America‚Äôs top traditional craftsmen by Early American Life magazine‚ where her passion began.
Laurie has been featured in many publications including ATHA’s Art of Rug Hooking, Rug Hooking Magazine, Wool Works, Punch Needle & Primitive Stitcher and The Wool Street Journal. She is currently a Faculty Artist/Instructor at Minnetonka Center for the Arts and has taught at both From Our Hands Creative and Sauder Village Rug Week in Ohio, and many other regional rug camps.
Specialties: color planning; dyeing, especially with sustainable natural plant dyes; rug hooking; punch needle; wool applique and embroidery
Workshops
Rug Hooking Retreat: Folk Art Rug Hooking
Class Confirmation
You will receive a registration confirmation via email. If you do not have an email address, you will receive a snail-mail confirmation.
Please read your class confirmation carefully as it may include a supply list and other important details, and note our current COVID-19 protocols on our Planning Your Workshop Experience page.
Materials Fees
Many classes have materials fees in addition to the tuition. These are identified in the class listing and are usually paid with the tuition payment, however in some cases materials fees are paid directly to the instructor at class time (check the class listing).
Cancellation Policy
While we recognize that life intrudes and plans change, in consideration of the time and energy instructors invest in preparing for classes, we must adhere to the following cancellation policies:
Student cancellations
> Cancellations made 31 days before the published registration deadline date for any given workshop are eligible for a full refund less 25% of the workshop fee OR a gift certificate in the full amount of the workshop fee. The gift certificate can be applied to workshops or lodging one year from the date of cancellation.
> Cancellations made 30 days or less than the published registration deadline date for any given workshop are not eligible for refunds. We encourage all students to purchase trip insurance.
> Cancellation requests must be made by calling our office at (608) 987-3292.
> If you have booked lodging with Shake Rag Alley in conjunction with your class, please refer to our lodging page for the lodging cancellation policy.
Cancellations by Shake Rag Alley
> If Shake Rag Alley must cancel a class you will be notified immediately via email or phone and will receive a full refund or transferable gift certificate.
> If a class does not meet a minimum number of students, it may be cancelled. A decision to cancel a class due to under enrollment will be made on the day following the published registration deadline.
> If you have booked lodging with Shake Rag Alley in conjunction with a class cancelled by Shake Rag Alley, you may receive a full refund on lodging should you wish to cancel the lodging. Please call the office at (608) 987-3292.
Waiting Lists
If a workshop you are interested in is sold out, please fill out this waiting list form. We will contact you if a spot becomes available. The class code requested on the form is the Workshop ID shown at left, beneath the Add to Cart button.
18 Shake Rag St.
Mineral Point, WI 53565
(608) 987-3292
