Meetings…..

Tin Pedlar meetings are held on the second Sat. of the month – Sept. through May, 9:30 am – 2 pm. We welcome anyone interested in rug hooking to join us.

Doors Open: 9am (this allows for set-up of tables for presentation and prepping coffee and treats. Coffee will be ready for 9:30am. Remember to bring you own travel mug.

Meeting begins: 9:30am – Business meeting and event updates

10:00 am – Presentations begin. Presentations usually are scheduled for 1 hour. Check monthly program guide for specific details.

Bring your lunch! Stay and hook together until 2pm.

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ATHA Region I Hook-in, Westford

Eliot Hook In

ANNUAL ELIOT HOOK-IN
Saturday, January 26, 2019
(Always the last Saturday of January)
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
$10.00 Donation, NO pre-registration necessary
Regatta Banquet and Conference Center
Eliot Commons at lighted intersection,
Rte. 236, Eliot ME 03903
(a mile off Route 95 at the Kittery Maine exit)

Informal Rug Show: Bring a rug to share with us! There will be labels for you to pin to each item with name of rug hooker, designer & teacher. Rug and other sales outside of vendor spaces are prohibited.

Door Prizes: We ask that participants bring a door prize for distribution to attendees. It can be anything an attendee might enjoy from wool to flowers to lotions to warm socks! If you bring a door prize you will get a door prize.

Vendors: Our vendors will bring a variety of wonderful wools and other items from which you can choose to purchase. You can get your supplies on site or purchase for future projects! Purchase your door prize there! Please plan to support our wonderful vendors!

Lunch: Since this is a banquet facility you are discouraged from bringing food. Coffee, teas (decaf also), soda, juice, and other items will be available for a reasonable price. Lunch items such as soups, chowders and wraps will be available at the banquet concession.

Facility amenities: The Regatta Banquet and Conference Center offers easy handicapped accessibility, drive up “drop off” for your hooking bags, ample parking, good lighting and restrooms just outside of our large room. If you are working on a detailed rug or need extra light please bring a light and extension cord.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US IN OUR ANNUAL HOOKING ADVENTURE!
PLEASE FORWARD TO YOUR LOCAL FRIENDS!

CHALLENGE! The Worm Returns

It’s time to have another CHALLENGE for the Tin Pedlars and the 2019 Cumberland Fair provides the perfect opportunity. We plan to hang the finished challenge pieces on the back wall.

Now for the CHALLENGE! ……..

You must hook a piece with the worms you have on hand. No cutting new ones. You can trade with others, but only use current worms.

The rug can be any size that will accommodate your stash or gathered collection of worms. Another reminder that worms are not just for geometric style rugs. Picture this free pattern done with worms……

We know that some Tin Pedlars have enough worms on hand to make several large rugs. As part of their support of this challenge, they have offered to donate worms for all members to gather from. Members have also offered to help design rugs that will hook up well with worms. Just ask. Here’s some inspiration for rugs, pillow, small mats………

We have established a “community worms box” that will be available at the upcoming meetings while the challenge is active. So, if you need some, take some. If you have some to share, please do so.

And yes, you can just grab a handful or two, or you can happily sort through.

Your challenge piece needs to be completed by the September 2019 meeting, so it can be hung by the Cumberland Fair committee for showing during the fair.

Have fun!

This challenge was originally designed by the Ozark Mountain Rug Hookers Guild.

Dec. Sale!

The Tin Pedlars have receive a variety of generous donations over the years. Recently we received materials from an individual who had a shop. The monies raised by the sale of these materials will be used in support of our programs.

The volume of the materials means we will be having various sales during meetings. We will try to provide a preview of the type of items and prices that will be available each sale.

• The materials will all have a set price.
• If there are more parties interested than there of numbers of a specific item the item will be sold by lottery. All interested parties will have names placed in a box. The pulled name will have the option to purchase the item.
• Items are as is.

Preview for Dec. sale:

Fraser/Rigby Cutter Blades $ 35.00 each

 

 

 

 

Offset scissors     10.00   

 

 

 

 

    Burling irons $ 15.00

 

 

 

Hoops $     1.00 to $10.00  

 

 

 

 

Dye spoons       5.00 

 

 

 

 

   Cushing dyes       1.00

 

 

 

 

Bolt of black watch wool       5.00 a yard

 

 

Felting supplies       1.00 to 5.00

 

 

Wooden prodders       5.00                

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Puritan frames w/stands     65.00 each

Small folding wood frame     25.00

        

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Basic hooks     4.00

Special hooks     10.00 to $25.00

Books       2.00 to 5.00

Noodle holders       1.00 /pair

 

Celebrate 40 years for ATHA

ATHA has invited all chapters to hook a Birthday cake to celebrate them reaching their 40th year. The celebration will be in Denver at the 2019 Biennial Rug show.

We will be celebrating together enjoying carrot cake and joining our hooking skills to complete this birthday cake (designed by a member).

The group hooking of this 16” x 16” mat will start at the Dec. meeting. Please feel free to bring a variety of bright, colorful, sparkly materials to add to the donated fabrics for this mat.

Free Patterns to Share

At the Oct. meeting the following 3 patterns were shared with the group. These patterns are free to use. If you are looking to print any of these patterns off you can find them in the Tin Pedlar Google Drive: Free Pattern Folder.

Anyone can access this folder using this link.

 

 

Cashmere People Yarns

These attending the Oct. 13th meeting of the Tin Pedlar of Maine were treated to an engaging presentation by Casey Ryder, owner of PortFiber, 50 Cove St, Portland, ME 04101, on Cashmere People Yarns.

Casey shared how she became involved in this Cashmere People Yarns, a 4-year development project funded by IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development). The project’s objective was to create opportunities for rural women in remote areas of Tajikistan and Afghanistan for earning income. The project’s aim was to help co-operatives of women in processing local fibers from Cashgora goats into high quality yarns and linking to the global marketplace for sale of the fiber. Cashgora goats are a cross breed between angora goats (mohair) and cashmere producing goats. The Cashgora goats are raised in Tajikistan and Afghanistan. The harvested fiber is washed in Afghanistan, dying and handspinning of the yarn is done by the co-operatives of women in Tajikistan. Cashmere People Yarns are produced in a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable way. The artisans are earning a fair wage and are fully in charge of their business.

Casey shared photos of her March 2017 trip to Tajikistan to meet the groups of women spinning the yarn and learning more about the program first hand. She did not make it to Afghanistan because of weather. She explained how the Tajikistan groups were structured in 2 different parts of the country. How they meet and worked in the group leader’s home until workshops were constructed. How they went from using sheared fibers to hand combed fibers to increase the quality. She provided some history on the strain og goats that provide this incredibly soft high quality fiber. Casey shared her experiences visiting homes and workshops. She shared her experience of the language barrier (English vs Russian), rural travel, and very different culture. Casey shared stories about Skyping with these groups of women as part of their collaboration on marketing their yarn. About how this project has not only provided a source of income for these women, but also an opportunity to gather as women in a social group.

Each skein of Cashmere People Yarn provides a small bio card on the woman that spin that skein. Casey shared how she is also sharing information on how the yarn is being used by US knitters with the co-operatives. 

 

 

Imagine hearing and seeing how a handspun yarn you were responsible for creating has been knit into a beautiful scarf… By seeing the individual who did the knitting and wears the finished item…

 

Visit the Cashmere People Yarn site to get a complete picture of the project, journey of the fiber and the women of the co-operatives. You can also shop online for this yarn from both the link on the site or if in the Portland, Maine area visit PortFiber. You can also watch this short documentary  to learn more about the history of the area, people, culture and this project.

Casey also shared some of the other fiber art pieces she purchased during her visit, and the handmade socks she received as gifts during her visit.

We are a group of rug hookers, many of whom do a variety of fiber arts, and it’s always fun to see the work of others.

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You can also connect to PortFiber and Cashmere People Yarns on Instagram and Facebook @PortFiber and @cashmerepeopleyarns.

 

2018 Cumberland Fair Exhibition

It’s that time of year again when we are getting ready to begin our monthly meetings and programs. That also means it’s time to get together our hooked items to exhibit in the 2018 Cumberland Fair!

To exhibit items within the Tin Pedlars special section, you need to be a current member of the Tin Pedlars and complete a Registration Form. The form can be completed online using this link, or completed as a printed off form (page 62 in the Fair Book) and mailed to:

Carolyn Small
273 Tuttle Rd.
Cumberland, Maine 04021

Register no later than September 9th, 2018.

For numbering information for your submissions use the information in the block below or go to page 25 of the Cumberland Fair Book,

Tin Pedlars:

Place 1st 2nd 3rd $10.00 $9.00 $8.00

• 9.801 Tin Pedlar Rug Hooking Chair seat
• 9.802 Tin Pedlar Rug Hooking Wall hanging
• 9.803 Tin Pedlar – Pillow
• 9.804 Tin Pedlar Rug Hooking Framed picture (ready to hang)
• 9.805 Tin Pedlar Rug Hooking Framed sampler (ready to hang)

Place 1st 2nd 3rd $10.00 $9.00 $8.00

• 9.806 Tin Pedlar Rug Hooking 2 X 3 rug, traditional
• 9.807 Tin Pedlar Rug Hooking 2 X 3 rug, primitive

Place 1st 2nd 3rd $11.00 $10.00 $9.00

• 9.812 Tin Pedlar Rug Hooking 5 X 8 rug, traditional
• 9.813 Tin Pedlar Rug Hooking 5 X 8 rug, primitive

Place 1st 2nd 3rd $13.00 $12.00 $11.00

• 9.812 Tin Pedlar Rug Hooking 5 X 8 rug, traditional
• 9.813 Tin Pedlar Rug Hooking 5 X 8 rug, primitive

Place 1st 2nd 3rd $16.00 $15.00 $14.00

• 9.815 Tin Pedlar Rug Hooking 8 X 10 rug, traditional
• 9.816 Tin Pedlar Rug Hooking 8 X 10 rug, primitive

Place 1st 2nd 3rd $6.00 $5.00 $4.00

• 9.818 Tin Pedlar Rug Hooking felting item
• 9.819 Tin Pedlar Rug Hooking proddy item
• 9.820 Tin Pedlar Rug Hooking mixed media item
• 9.821 Tin Pedlar Rug Hooking, All Other, please describe

You can bring your items to the Fairgrounds at the times designated in the Fair Book, or bring to the Sept. meeting and the Fair committee will transport them. Remember there is a registration deadline. Registration must already be completed for any items you bring to the meeting for transport.

Mug Rug Workshop 5/12

We just found out that there is an opportunity for members to take a short workshop on Saturday 5/12 with Doug in addition to his talk.

They would be working on a pattern of 4 mug rugs which I believe are 5″ across. Most wool is included but would need to be cut, probably in a 4 cut. The cost for all including instruction would be $50.00.

We will try to have cutters there.

 

2018 Two-day workshop with Ania Knap

            

 

Two-day workshop with Ania Knap, September 7 and 8, 2018

Many members expressed an interest in a two-day workshop with Ania after seeing her  poppy piece hooked with torn strips and background of frozen dyeing, so we have arranged for 2-day workshop in Sept. 2018. The workshop will be held at our meeting location. Workshop is limited to 12 people.

 

NOTE:  The first regular meeting of 2018/19 is on Sept 8th. The workshop will be held in the other smaller room and the rest of the members will have an open day of hooking.

As of this posting, 13 members have signed up indicating interest, so we are ready to confirm the workshop with Ania. We need members to send in a deposit of $50 to reserve their space (in order of dates deposit received). We know there are times plans need to change, so we will maintain a waiting list. We encourage other members with an interest to sign up to the waiting list. If we have 20 people interested, we can schedule another workshop with Ania, and divide into 10 in each class.  So, do not be discouraged…..    

SEND CHECKS MADE OUT TO:   MAINE TIN PEDLAR  to:  Faith Webster, 70a Clark Road, York, Maine 03909

The remaining cost of $140.00 will be due in June.  We will send out a reminder.

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Please read and save the following information:

With class size of 10-12, the price for a two day workshop, which includes all wool for background, dyes, utensils, materials, pattern, pre workshop individualized color planning, hand outs and instruction:

• with pattern is $190.00 **
• without pattern  (you may want to use a poppy pattern of your own choosing is $155.00

**The pattern included for the $190 is not the one pictured on this post. There will be a poppy pattern specially design for this workshop. The pattern in the photo is a design of Wanda Kerr, of The Welcome Mat. If anyone wants that pattern specifically it can be obtained directly from Wanda Kerr.

Prior to workshop (4-6 weeks or earlier as needed) there will be discussion with each participant regarding pattern need, color planning and suggestions for each as required or requested.

THE FLOWER MATERIAL IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE.   YOU MAY PURCHASE FROM HER OR PROVIDE YOUR OWN

Recommended for you to have for the poppies:

• 6-10 values for poppies
• 6-8 values for stems/leaves
• 2 grays/1black for centers

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Workshop Schedule:

Day 1:  Dyeing background ~ Ania will provide:

1. Wool for background prepared and frozen for dyeing
2. Formulas, dyes, utensils, trays and materials to complete dyeing
3. Zip lock bags for taking dyed wool home for washing and drying for next day of hooking
4. discussion of effects of dyes in different conditions with wool.

Day 2:  Hooking Poppy rug

1. Handouts and discussion of hooking flowers
2. additional wool available for purchase for participants not using their own stash
3. Individual instruction
4. Group discussion of wide cut shading, light source, warm vs. cool color effects
5. Equipment necessary on site for the day:  hooking tools, patterns, wools and other needs.