Fiber Art Now Premier Issue

   Knowing the medium of our choice would be featured in the magazine, the TIGHR board placed an advertisement in the first two issues.  We look forward to seeing fiber enthusiasts perhaps at the Australian conference in Strathalbyn this October.

Log onto http://www.FarnsworthMuseum.orgclick Beyond Rugs! for details and to view an online catalog.  Several TIGHR members are included in the collection.

Liz Alpert Fay, of Conneticut delivered a talk and slide presentation featuring international fiber artists active today who are incorporating the traditonal techniques with uncommon materials and innovative designs.  RUGS ARE NOT JUST FOR THE FLOOR.

The US/Canadian side of conference Skype call

   The Australian Board members in their respective homes around the continent connected via skype with several TIGHR members who were attending the Sauder Village Rug Hooking Week in Archbold, Ohio.  Technically the noise level was very distracting in the public space but the ability to see and “talk with” our fellow internationals interested all involved.  Plans are to link TIGHR members who are not able to attend the Tri-Ennial in Strathalbyn in October of 2012 via Skype each day.

As we hear about the horrendous flooding in North Eastern Australia, the state of Queensland and our members there are in our thoughts.  By joining TIGHR, rugmakers worldwide can stay in touch with these artists and others on our private online site.  If you are interested select Membership and download the application.  Contact Jo Franco at tighr@y7mail.com for details on payment if the AU or International Money order is not possible.

We are using images from around the world in our header photos.  As you visit a page or post, learning more about TIGHR, you may see a skyline which one of our members either sees daily or has visited.
Below are the images and a description .  Just another way to meet our great members.

View from Miriam Miller's Farm, Narrawilly, Milton, NSW AustraliaPresident Miriam Miller conducts rughooking sessions monthly at her farm called Narrawilly.She is the author of Proggy and Hooky Rugs, featuring the vista seen and the variety of rugs made by progging and hooking.View from Peg Irish's home Madbury, NH SunsetPeg Irish lives in Madbury, New Hampshire in the Eastern United States. This vibrant sunset is a view from her backyard. Peg was the editor for our newsletter during the 1997- 2000 term.Short Mountain, Hampshire County, West VirginiaSusan Feller, Past President of TIGHR, lives in the eastern part of West Virginia, USA. Looking south from her log home onto one of the "Wild and Wonderful" views in the Mountain State.Island Sunrise, design & worked by Sara Judith, BC, CanadaSara Judith's hooked design exhibits the talent and beauty our members reflect worldwide. She resides in British Columbia, Canada.Sunrise at Cape Leveque, West Australia looking into King SoundJo Franco, our intrepid Editor, Web team mate, took this photograph at sunrise on the Western part of Australia and explains why we are looking at water still.... it is across the King Sound. What a beautiful colorplan.View from Peg Irish's home Madbury, NH Sunset This firey sunset is a common view from former Board member, Peg Irish's windows. She lives in Madbury New Hampshire, United States. Sunrising in Hampshire County West Virginia

The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers welcomes anyone interested in rugmaking techniques and networking with fellow fiber artists worldwide.  Our membership grows through word of mouth best, so let this be our voice to you… roam around the site, visiting our pages and perhaps decide to join using our membership form.  The private on-line discussion site we have developed is filled with talkative groups ranging from ATC’s (Artist Trading Cards .. small works of art), to details on travel to Australia, the site of our next conference.  In between are groups on dyeing fabric, equipment and terminology used worldwide; historical research; and some new ones.  Members post images of their work, and talk to each other from their own pages.

Our other continued contact with members is the quarterly newsletter Hooking Matters, edited by Jo Franco in Australia, each issue includes reports from all parts of our membership.

We consider this organization unique within the rughooking groups for its innovative online connection; futuristic approach to conversations and actions; tri-ennial conferences each with a unique structure because of the Country the Board is located in; and members’ directed evolution.  It has grown, but remains basically: Friends sharing ideas and work with fibres worldwide.

TIGHR members Louisville 2009

It has been almost twelve months since we gathered together in Louisville, KY USA, spent three great days exchanging ideas and making new friends.  Since then the Australian Board members were ambassadors worldwide, finally coming home to their varied spots on the continent and using Skype, meetings and cyberspace to build our group.

This site will gradually take on the purpose of initial contact with The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers.  You will find:  TIGHR Board contact information, perks for members and the membership form, tidbits of news from our newsletters Hooking Matters ; calendar of worldwide fiber events; background history about the Guild; conference details; links to exciting groups and member sites relating to rughooking worldwide.

Look over the pages and ask questions, see our Board Members page for contacts.  We look forward to your joining in the fun.  Our theme for this term is “The Sky’s the Limit!”