GREEN MOUNTAIN RUG SCHOOL, Inc., offers innovative instruction with highly qualified and well-respected instructors in the art and craft of rug hooking. Now in its 27th year, the school supports and promotes all styles and techniques of traditional and contemporary rug hooking. During mid-June, the school offers a wide range of classes for all levels at the scenic Vermont Technical College campus in Randolph Center, Vermont.

Classes range from beginning hooking, dyeing, fine hooking tapestry to primitives and wide-cuts, pictorials, folk art, punch needle, penny rugs, braiding and more. Students select one class per session. Classes are limited to 12-14 students to allow for individual attention and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Teachers hail from all over the United States and Canada. Rug exhibits and a well-stocked rug shop are open daily.

We also invite you to visit us year-round at our shop, Green Mountain Hooked Rugs, located at 2838 County Road in Montpelier, Vermont. Give us a call at 802-223-1333, or browse this website to learn more and to buy wool and hooking supplies.

WEEKEND 1, June 6–8

• Beginning Rug Hooking with Terri Strack

• Color Planning for the Color-Challenged with Leslie Levitt

• Dye Pots in the Greenhouse—Essential with Karen Schellinger  *FULL*

• Folksy Wide-Cut with Sherri Hieber Day  *FULL*

• Leaves—Fine Hooking with Nancy Claflin Blood  *FULL*

• Picture This… with Jon Ciemiewicz  *FULL*

THE WEEK, June 8–13

• Braiding for All Levels with Phyllis DeFelice

• Developing Your Own Style—Enhancing Your Creativity with Dianne Kelly

• Dye Pots in the Greenhouse—Comprehensive with Karen Schellinger *FULL*

• Early Primitives with Jule Marie Smith  *FULL*

• Fine Hooking—Flowers, Leaves & Orientals with Nancy Claflin Blood

• Folk-Art Styles with Norma McElhenny  *FULL*

• From Mixed Media to Documenting Your Art with Kim Dubay & Susan Feller

• Gently Yours with Jayne Hester

• People & Places with Roslyn Logsdon

• Whimsical Primitives with Beverly Conway  *FULL*

WEEKEND 2, June 13–15

• Backgrounds Can Be Fun with Jayne Hester

• Dye Pots in the Greenhouse—Advanced with Karen Schellinger *CANCELLED*

• Florals, Leaves & Scrolls with Diane Moore  *FULL*

• Fraktur Designs with Susan Feller

• Fun with Color & Dip Dyes with Angela Foote

• Penny Rugs with Karyn Lord

• Rug Hooking for Beginners & Flower Lovers with Sue Longchamps

EVENING LECTURE

Capturing the Essence with Roslyn Logsdon
Tuesday, June 10, 7–8 PM   
$8—Also available to the public
Old Dorm Lounge, Vermont Technical College

STUDENT RUG EXHIBITS
Saturdays, June 7 & 14
Thursday, June 12, 10 AM-6 PM
Old Dorm Lounge. FREE & Open to the Public
Students attending GMRS display more than 200 finished rugs and hooked pieces in this spacious, well-lit room.
Students: don’t forget to bring your rugs!

THE RUG SCHOOL SHOP
Friday, June 6–Sunday, June 15, 8:30 AM–5 PM
Located in Morey Hall lounge, next to the cafeteria.

A well-stocked shop awaits you with more than 200 bolts of 100-percent wool fabric, a wide selection of dyed-wool fabric and yarn, as well as traditional rug-hooking supplies, such as frames, hooks, cutters, patterns, kits, backings, dyes, magazines, and books. In addition, a special line of Vermont-crafted baskets is available, and GMRS teachers offer patterns and books for sale. We also invite you to visit our year-round shop, Green Mountain Hooked Rugs, at 2838 County Road, Montpelier, Vermont 05602. Phone: (802) 223-1333. Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 to 5 PM (not open during Rug School).

SCHOOL DETAILS

TRANSPORTATION is available from the nearest airport, which is in Burlington, Vermont, about one-and-a-quarter hours from the school. Call Any-Where Taxi Service at 888-768-2958 to make a reservation. The taxi charge is $100 one-way, but they are amenable to two or more people sharing the ride and fee. To coordinate with other rug hookers arriving by air, contact Stephanie at 802-223-1333. The Manchester, New Hampshire, airport is about 2 hours from the school. Car rentals are available at both airports.

ACCOMMODATIONS are in a dormitory—two to a room, unless single occupancy is requested. The college supplies sheets, a blanket, one towel and face cloth. Please bring your own pillow, as well as clothes hangers an extra blanket if desired. Along with your hooking equipment and wool, you might also want to bring a lamp. All buildings are within walking distance, and there are plenty of paved walkways.

MEALS are served from 7:30–8:30 AM, noon–1 PM, and 5:30–6:30 PM.
The cafeteria serves a wide variety of delicious foods, including vegetarian selections, and provides a large salad bar. Coffee, cold drinks, and ice cream are available throughout the day.

ADDITIONAL AMENITIES and attractions include an indoor pool, massage therapy (for a fee), and shopping and antiques within an easy driving distance.

SCHEDULE

MEET THE TEACHERS

“This was my 10th year…thank you for all the work you do to give us such and excellent Rug School. (My teacher) was wonderful and taught me more than just rug hooking—it was also an art class!”
—Cynthia Currier, NH, 2007

McGown accredited and a rug hooker since 1976, Nancy has been teaching since 1980. She has served on many national boards and helped author A Rug Hooker’s Garden, now in its second printing. She has published two dye books.

Jon (pronounced “Yon”) has turned a fascination with wildlife into innovative hooked pictures. His work has been featured in Rug Hooking, ATHA, and McGown publications, and he exhibits at New England state fairs. Jon’s expertise now includes portraits and landscapes.

Best known for her hand-dyed wool and whimsical patterns, Bev is the owner of Beverly Conway Designs, a business she started more than 15 years ago. She’s been a rug hooker for many years and teaches all over the country.

Phyllis received her certification as a practical arts teacher in the art of reversible braided rugs. She has taught a number of adult education courses since 1979, and now has a home studio where she teaches group and private lessons.

Kim has been designing and producing hooked rugs since 1993 in her studio, Primitive Pastimes, where she also sells supplies. Best known for her embellished primitives, her work has been featured in many fiber-art publications.

Susan holds a dual degree in art and history from UMass Boston. She learned handcrafts at an early age from family members and enjoys energizing others to expand their knowledge and talents. For more information, visit her website at www.ruckmanmillfarm.com.

Angela is McGown-certified and is an active member of the McGown Teachers’ Workshop, offering classes in color theory, dyeing, and shading techniques. She also teaches private workshops around New England and in her home studio where she sells supplies

Jayne was first introduced to rug hooking as a child. Over the years, she attended many classes and, to-date, she has hooked 150 rugs mostly in the primitive style. Last year she was a judge for Celebration of Hand-hooked Rugs. Jayne’s hooked rugs are exhibited and sold throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic States.

Sherri has been teaching for more than 15 years in the United States and England. She holds a Masters Degree in American Folk Art Studies and is known in the rug hooking world for her use of color, whimsical phrases and animal imagery. She enjoys designing and hooking commissioned, one-of-a-kind rugs.

Dianne has been hooking for 25 years and is a McGown-trained teacher. Her background is in interior design and she enjoys color planning and design. Dianne owns Woolen Cottage Primitive Rug Patterns and offers classes in her studio, in addition to teaching all over the country.

Leslie studied commercial art, and after college worked as a technical illustrator for the Butterick/Vogue company. In her spare time she designed rug patterns for her mother and friends, and in 2004 began teaching a color and design class.

Having studied art in college and graduate school, Roslyn transitioned from painting to rug hooking more than 25 years ago. Her work has been exhibited all over the country, including the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey. In 1998, she published People and Places: Imagery in Fiber.

Sue has been hooking for more than ten years and teaches classes throughout Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. She has a shop in her home where she offers wool, patterns, and finished rugs for sale, as well as hooking circles and private lessons.

Karyn’s been teaching classes for the past 15 years and owns Wool and Whimseys, a shop offering patterns and kits for her original penny rug designs. Her enthusiasm for this form of Early American Folk Art is contagious!

Norma has been hooking for 20 years and is an accredited McGown teacher. She teaches around New England and is active in ATHA and local guilds. Norma is currently the corresponding secretary for the McGown Guild at the national level.

Diane is an accredited McGown teacher who specializes in hooking with finer cuts. Her work can be seen in Celebrations of Hand Hooked Rugs VII and VIII, and on the cover of A Garden of Flowers, published by Rug Hooking magazine.

A McGown-accredited teacher, Karen is best known for her wide-cut, primitive designs and her warm, richly dyed wool. She teaches all over the country and continues her own education by attending numerous classes yearly. She has published three books on dyeing.

Julie has been at GMRS for more than 25 years and specializes in imaginative designs and beautiful color combinations. Her work has been exhibited all over the East Coast, including the American Folk Museum in New York City.

With 27 years of experience, Terri teaches around New England and is especially fond of teaching beginners. She believes in offering a supportive environment where students can explore their own personal techniques while developing solid basic skills.

 

WEEKEND ONE, June 6–8

BEGINNING RUG HOOKING Terri Strack
Terri guides the beginner in developing solid basic skills. She has kits available or works with each student on a project of their choice. She welcomes both those who have never picked up a hook and those who would like to improve their skills.

COLOR PLANNING FOR THE COLOR-CHALLENGED Leslie Levitt
Leslie walks you through the steps of color planning and good design so that you can leave with skills to color plan at home. Class includes the use of paper and colored pencils, class discussion, and hands-on experience with each student’s pattern. Students are also encouraged to bring a “problem rug”.

DYE POTS IN THE GREENHOUSE - ESSENTIAL Karen Schellinger  *FULL*
In this hands-on dye class, explore the fundamentals of dyeing by mixing the Pro Chemical primary colors. Students practice the “dye-by-eye” technique using fundamentals of the color wheel and learn to set fear aside as confidence builds. Bring wool, comfortable shoes, and dress casually. Create a “wool garden” of color to take home, with a new understanding of the what, when, and why in the dye pots. Students are contacted prior to the class and receive a supply list.

FOLKSY WIDE-CUT  Sherri Hieber Day  *FULL*
See how to use wide-cut strips (#8.5, #9 and hand-cut) to maximize this distinctive and unique way of rug making. Large, simple designs, including animals and flowers, are perfect for wide-cut. Try your hand at adding words, phrases or sayings to personalize your pattern. Play with color to create the mood you desire and explore the use of border designs to enhance your rug. Have fun combining all of these design elements and create a very special and exciting rug!

LEAVES—FINE HOOKING Nancy Claflin Blood *FULL*
Hooking florals has long fascinated Nancy. Her study in this area is extensive and her work reflects an accomplished artist. She shares her knowledge of design and shading of hooked rugs in this class, with a special focus on leaves. She welcomes any width of “cut” and any pattern. Students are contacted prior to the class for suitability of pattern and colors.

PICTURE THIS…  Jon Ciemiewicz  *FULL*
Would you like to capture a special picture on a hooked rug? Jon creates patterns from photos provided by students, and helps them color plan and hook their rugs. During this three-day workshop, receive instruction on creating faces, color planning, shading, and adding perspective. The picture can be of, for example, a person, your favorite pet, your house, a favorite landscape or seascape. You are also welcome to bring a pattern of any of the above. The instruction is applicable to wide- and narrow-cut rugs.

 

THE WEEK, June 8–13

BRAIDING FOR ALL LEVELS Phyllis DeFelice
Beginners explore the fundamentals of creating a braided rug, including braiding, lacing, changing color, tapering, butting, and planning a round chair seat or a small round or oval rug. Experienced braiders have the opportunity to expand their skills to include modified and squared-corner articles such as rectangle, heart and square shapes, as well as arrowhead and rail-fence designs. All braiding is done the "old-fashioned way", by hand, folding the three tubes throughout the rug to give a very even braid. This once-utilitarian craft has seen a resurgence of interest and is now considered an art form. Students are contacted prior to the class and receive a supply list. Basic braiding supplies are available at the GMRS rug shop.

DEVELOPING YOUR OWN STYLE—ENHANCING YOUR CREATIVITY  Dianne Kelly
Wide-cut, hand-cut and designing are Dianne’s specialties. She likes high, wide-spaced loops that make for a very soft rug with a unique look and feel. She encourages embellishments if your pattern permits and has plenty of hand-dyed wools in “country colors” for students to purchase. Her line of patterns is available in the GMRS shop, as well as her specially manufactured rug hook designed for primitive hooking.

DYE POTS IN THE GREENHOUSE—COMPREHENSIVE Karen Schellinger  *FULL*
Amazing color, creativity, fun, 14 dye techniques, and much more! In this hands-on class, learn to mix the Pro Chemical primary colors, “dye-by-eye” using the color wheel, and explore at least 13 other dye techniques. There are no limits to your creativity in this class—fear is set aside as confidence builds! Bring wool, comfortable shoes and dress casually. Create a “wool garden” of color to take home with a new understanding of the what, when, and why in the dye pots. Students are contacted prior to the class and receive a supply list.

EARLY PRIMITIVES Jule Marie Smith   *FULL*
This class focuses on early primitive rugs in the style of the 1800s. Study the designs and colors of rugs from this era, and apply your understanding to create a unique rug, using motif ideas from your own life. As rug hookers of the past used what they had, so will we! Bring your “wool stash” of odds and ends to create the look of “running out.” See examples in American Hooked and Sewn Rugs by Joel and Kate Kopp.

FINE HOOKING—FLOWERS, LEAVES & ORIENTALS Nancy Claflin Blood
Nancy specializes in #3- and #4-cut in fine tapestry work using an artistic, painterly approach. The class focuses on in-depth studies of assorted design elements using different shading techniques and color schemes. All finely shaded designs are welcome, including florals, orientals, fruit, and crewel designs.

FOLK ART STYLES Norma McElhenny *FULL*
Norma’s love of color is reflected in her country, folk-art styles found in all types of rug hooking, fine- to wide-cut. Start a new rug or bring one in progress. One of the highlights of this class is a day of dyeing, in which Norma reveals her tips for creating spot-dyed wool, gradation swatches, mottled, and “abrashed” wool. Norma also shares her “back-to-basics” approach with students, and concludes the week by demonstrating her unusual styles of rug finishing.

FROM MIXED MEDIA TO DOCUMENTING YOUR ART  Kim Dubay & Susan Feller
GMRS is proud to support “team teaching” with this new and innovative class featuring the collaborative work of two very fine artists.
Students take on two projects in this cutting-edge class! During the first part, Susan’s extensive knowledge of rug-making techniques will enable students to create dimension by experimenting with various tools and a variety of techniques for manipulating fibers. In the second part, students take their notes, sketches, dye formulas, and wool swatches, along with their photos and text, to create an “altered-art” book. Kim then shows them how to transform the pages with scrapbook papers, ink and rubber stamps, stickers, photos, and ephemera into a one-of-a-kind art book. Examples of altered books will be on display. Individual expression and creativity are highly encouraged. Those wanting to work with wool can make a fabric art journal. See Susan’s work at www.ruckmanmillfarm.com, and Kim's book, Hooked Heirlooms, at www.primitivepastimes.net. Students are contacted prior to the class and receive a supply list.

GENTLY YOURS Jayne Hester
Jayne guides students in the nuances of working with wide-cut strips— #8.5, #9 and hand-cut. Using many different textured wools, she demonstrates how to blend values to achieve a warm, rich, color palette for an antique-looking rug. Students may bring the pattern of their choice and wool from their own stash. Jayne also has a large selection of wools to choose from.

PEOPLE AND PLACES Roslyn Logsdon
Capture the memory of someone or somewhere using fine-cut dyed or as-is material. You may design your own rug, or for a fee, Roslyn will design a pattern for you using your photos. Students are contacted prior to the class and receive a supply list.

WHIMSICAL PRIMITIVES Beverly Conway  *FULL*
Bev is a well-known designer and a talented and fun teacher for both beginners and advanced rug hookers. Her slide show and commentary are insightful in critiquing artwork and hooked rugs. She shows how to identify color harmonies, how colors influence each other, and how to create harmony in your rug. Her catalog and patterns are available in the GMRS shop.

EVENING LECTURE

CAPTURING THE ESSENCE  Roslyn Logsdon
Tuesday, June 10, 7–8 PM. $8     Available to the Public
Join Roslyn for an inspirational presentation on the creative process. Through slides and discussion, she’ll share her journey and encourage you to develop your own style of expression.

 

WEEKEND TWO, June 13-15

BACKGROUNDS CAN BE FUN Jayne Hester
Bring a rug with the main motif already hooked and Jayne helps you choose colors of textured wool to complete the background. She shares her expertise in blending textured wool using wide-cut strips. This is a good class for students with projects in progress! Join Jayne for a weekend of good humor and relaxed hooking.

DYE POTS IN THE GREENHOUSE—ADVANCED Karen Schellinger *CANCELLED*
More amazing colors, untapped creativity, uncommon techniques, fun and so much more! We continue to use the Pro Chemical primary colors but add more, while focusing on the manipulation of the wool prior to entering the dye pot. The many different techniques produce amazing color combinations and reflect individual styles. Your understanding of color expands as your imagination takes off. Bring wool, comfortable shoes, and dress casually. You will not believe your eyes.... Limited to students who have completed Karen’s beginning or comprehensive dye classes.

FLORALS, LEAVES & SCROLLS Diane Moore  *FULL*
This class is designed for experienced rug hookers who wish to improve their skills through a variety of shading techniques. Fine-cut strips are used to create realistic-looking flowers and leaves. Students also explore different ways of shading scrolls. Diane contacts students prior to the class to discuss pattern and color choices.

FRAKTUR DESIGNS Susan Feller
Susan shares her extensive knowledge of early-American designs used to decorate documents in the Pennsylvania German communities during the 1700s. Simple yet pleasing, the colors are soft, warm and antique-looking. From templates and resource materials provided, select the designs that please you and decorate your rug as the Fraktur artists did. Enjoy the history and hooking of this unique art form.

FUN WITH COLOR & DIP DYES Angela Foote
Dip dyeing is an easy and colorful means of shading whether using fine- or wide-cut strips. Students work on simple, small projects or a project they’ve already started. Angela demonstrates the technique of dip dyeing and helps color-plan the project of your choice. Wool is available for purchase. Students are contacted prior to the class to discuss suitability of patterns and color preferences.

PENNY RUGS Karyn Lord
Take your love of working with wool one step further. Through group and individual instruction, Karyn guides participants from transferring the patterns to wool and assembling the wool pieces, to stitching techniques and final assembly. For inspiration, she presents and discusses her extensive collection of penny rugs, including some antique reproductions. Kits are available for purchase or students may bring their own materials.

RUG HOOKING FOR BEGINNERS & FLOWER LOVERS Sue Longchamps
Sue brings lots of laughter and enthusiasm to her classroom and believes that everyone has the ability to create. She focuses on a selection of simple garden-flower patterns, using bold shapes and vivid colors. Basic skills are explored with some of the history of rug hooking. Kits are available. Sue contacts students prior to the class with a supply list.
“From beginners to seasoned hookers, I like them all.”

 

TUITION & FEES

WEEK Session (5 days): Double $475, Single $595, Commuter $245.  Tuition includes:

• 5 days of hooking, Monday to Friday noon. Teachers are available Sunday evening through Friday noon. Classrooms are open until 11 PM for evening hooking.

• Accommodations from Sunday to Friday noon.

• Meals include Sunday buffet dinner; Monday–Thursday: three meals per day; Friday, breakfast and lunch.

• Commuter fee includes Sunday buffet dinner and noontime meals.

WEEKEND Session: Double $245, Single $295, Commuter $140. Tuition includes:

• 2½ days of hooking instruction, Friday 1 PM to Sunday 4 PM.

• Accommodations for two nights.

• Meals include Friday lunch through Sunday lunch.

• Commuter’s fee includes Friday, Saturday, and Sunday lunches. Other meals may be purchased separately at the cafeteria.

An additional night’s stay is $70, which includes a dinner and breakfast. Accommodations for spouse/partner are available for an additional $325 (Week), $135 (Weekends), which includes room and all meals.

Tuition is due in full MAY 1, 2008.
No refunds will be given after May 15 for any reason.
If tuition isn’t received by May 1, your reserved place in a class may be forfeited.
 

REGISTRATION

TO REGISTER: Send $75 (separate from tuition fee), registration form, and self-addressed, stamped envelope to Green Mountain Rug School, Stephanie Ashworth- Krauss, 2838 County Road, Montpelier, VT 05602. Make check or money order payable to Green Mountain Rug School. For two or more sessions, only one registration fee is required.

FINAL PAYMENT IS DUE MAY 1, 2008. Please send full tuition fee.
Week: Double $475; Single $595; Commuter $245. Evening Lecture $8.
Weekend: Double $245, Single $295; Commuter $140.

CANCELLATION POLICY: If requested in writing prior to May 1, 2008, $50 will be refunded. After May 15, no refund of registration or tuition fees will be given for any reason. The administration reserves the right to cancel any class that does not draw the minimum number of registrants. If a class is full, you will be placed on a waiting list and notified if any vacancies occur.

WELCOME LETTERS: Additional details, a map, and a final bill are mailed out beginning April 18, 2008. For this purpose, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your registration form.

 

Click here for a printable registration form.

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