It’s only February, but here in the studio we are preparing for our biggest events of the year. It is proving to be an event filled year. There are so many wonderful hook ins and gatherings put on by various guilds and I truly wish I could participate at each one. However, closing the studio every weekend is not an option. I encourage you to support your guild members by attending as many events as possible.
Every April, the Oxwood Hooking Artisans host a wonderful hook- in. I have been attending this event as a vendor for many years now. The venue is spacious, bright and comfortable. The host’s are fun loving and inviting; a wonderful group of women who embrace all styles of rug hooking and encourage individual expression in our art form.
Oxwood Hooking Artisans Hook-in
Saturday, April 7, 2018 from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm at the Maranatha Church, 735 Frontenac Cres, Woodstock. Cost is $5 per person. Bring your lunch and a mug. Snacks and coffee will be provided. Vendors and door prizes. Contact: Janet Snider 519-290-2544 or oxwoodrughookers@gmail.com
Our second event is the OHCG Annual Conference which will be held in Ottawa. A three day extravaganza for members of the Ontario Hooking Craft Guild. This year we are officially launching our exclusive new line of wool fabric. The spring line will be arriving in time for its debut at this event. To my delight, Pantone’s color of the year “Ultra Violet” is very similar to one of our new wools. Be sure to stop by the booth for a free sample of the “Martina Lesar Wool Fabric” line. See the many new products including some luscious, one of a kind dyed art wools by Carla, an incredible selection of silk sari products and so much more. The 2018 OHCG Annual Conference is hosted by the Ottawa Olde Forge and Area 1 branches. It will be held at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre on May 4 – May 6th. For non members the event is open to the public on Sunday for a small admission fee. For more details and information you can visit the conference website by clicking this link https://ohcgannual2018.wordpress.com/event-details/
2nd Annual “A Day in the Country BBQ and Hook In” 
Summer once again promises to be busy as we plan for our 2nd annual “A Day in the Country BBQ and Hook In”. It filled up quickly and unfortunately we had to place many on a waiting list. We sincerely wish that we could allow everyone to attend but had to cap it at 100. This year we are raising money for the Hooked Rug Museum of North America with an awesome array of raffle prizes. Prizes are incredible and I know that our generous community of rug hookers will be eager to support the only museum which exclusively promotes our fiber art.
In addition to our regular line up of classes offered in the studio, we are very excited to be hosting a September workshop with the incomparable Michelle Sirois-Silver. Michelle lives and maintains a studio in Vancouver, British Columbia. Her award winning contemporary work inspires many to explore new techniques and push the boundaries of our rug hooking skills. Her 2 day intensive workshop, “New Materials, New Techniques and the Hand Hooked Surface” sold out immediately. I have long admired Michelle’s work and encourage you to visit her website where you can view her exceptional and inspiring artwork. https://www.michellesirois-silver.com/ 
Recovery Method 2 22×48 inches
Recovery Method Series Hand hooked. Linen, waste materials.
Michelle Sirois Silver
In October you will find us at the Woodstock Fleece Festival on Saturday October 13th 2018 (more details on this link https://www.fleecefestival.com/ ) and the Etobicoke Guilds annual gathering at Neilson Park at the beginning of the month of October. More details for these events will be posted closer to the dates. The rug hooking community hosts numerous events throughout the year. To see what is happening near you, visit the events page on the Ontario Hooking Craft Guild’s website http://ohcg.org/ I look forward to seeing you at all or many of these events.