Recently I had two nearly back to back experiences in which my teachers said “You’re a natural,” or “Have you done this before?” And I had not. I’m not known for my kinesthetic intelligence. I identify as one of the perpetually clumsy (bumps, bruises, and sprained ankles plagued me) and always say that I learn best from books. That’s different from instructions. I glance at them, and they seem inscrutable. I usually ask my child to put the thing together. Or I just use trial and error to get things in workable condition.
Getting the hang of things quickly was nice boost to my self-esteem. And then teaching others how to do it (rug hooking on a small hoop by hand), too was, actually, even more rewarding.
Last Saturday my daughter and I attended a rug tufting workshop taught by Jerry Machen who owns and operates Agape Carpet and Rug Specialists in Kingsport, TN. Maybe you’ve been just as enchanted by rug tufting reels on social media? When they shave down the finished rug, it kind of scares me, actually. But any kind of process or making reel mesmerizes me; maybe even stirs my dopamine production.
Using the rug tufting gun— whose name has AK in it— the teacher intimated to mimic how one holds an AK-47, was novel. The trick is pressing the gun tautly against the monk cloth, otherwise the gun shoots the yarn kind of randomly and that messes up the overall effectiveness of your work on a project while creating a hole in the monkcloth.
Attendees were given a punch needle kit so I’m learning the manual process of rug-making, which is soothing and rewarding. The weird thing about both processes is that the finished work is on the underside or backside of the hoop or frame, so what you see on the working side may be inaccurate.
The footstool making class I took at the McKinney Center flew by. It was a mix of tweens and adults. I’m getting the hang of it, and did so quite early on in the class, hence the teacher asking if this was my second rodeo. Nope, my first, but I am familiar with weaving, so it’s something I know, just very different materials. The reeds we used are from Indonesia and our teacher said that there’s a scarcity of materials, so that is concerning. The way she described it was that there people aren’t interested in harvesting the reeds anymore, not that there was a sustainability issue.
My mantra, whether I follow through are not: Always be learning. Always be making. Always be creating. One of my friends seems amazed by all the things I do or am interested in. I suppose not everyone has the curiosity, free time, extra cash, or opportunities to indulge in every creative whim.
Like the two cyanotype classes I signed up for a few days ago…
Saturday in my basketweaving class, several classmates commented on my progress with the pine needles and the synthetic sinew. Our teacher provided us with a ceramic base she made, which provided an ample height boost. But compared to others I had 9 or 10 rows to their 1 or 2. Do I have a natural affinity for basketry? It remains to be seen. Perhaps.
The basketweaving is a 6-week class, so I’m delighted to try all the other types and see how I manage them. I’m taking two additional basketry classes this year, one in May and another in September (backpack!) with Delia Fian and truly look forward to those. I met her through a SouthArts event and her way with vines and withies is enchanting.
What are you making? What techniques come easy to you?
Brava! Love seeing all that you are creating! Currently I am finishing a cross stitch project that my mom brought me, designing and making beaded earrings for a friend and teaching a friend wife wrapping for a stained glass project she is working on. So, definitely keeping the hands busy!
Wow, you're brave with the cross-stitch. I worked my last one about 18 years ago for my nephew and I struggled with my eyesight then...it's much worse now.