Head Hooker
No, no....not THAT kind of hooker! This Hooker uses strips of fabric, primarily recycled wool found at thrift stores, which are hooked through a burlap backing to make unique designs.
Why “Another Happy Hooker” you may ask?
It all started back in 1995 when I attended the California State Fair. As I entered the Hand-made Craft Exhibition Hall, I saw on the stage a group of hookers making rugs. The rugs were absolutely gorgeous!!! One in particular – called “Grandma’s Rug” by Nancy Miller – reminded me of the many hooked rugs I had seen in antique stores
I quizzed the group as to whether they thought I might learn to be a hooker. “Sure you can!!!!” was their answer. So, I signed up for Nancy Miller’s class.
The first night of class was nerve racking. I was the only guy in a group of about ten women. Everyone else in the class had done some kind of craft work before so it came very natural to them. I could barely stick my hook through the burlap backing, let alone make a good loop. I left the first class thinking I would never go back again.
After I got home and stopped feeling sorry for myself, I pulled out all my supplies and had another go at it. I sat up until 3 am and practiced until I got it right. By the time I returned to the class the following week, I had more of my rug completed than any of my classmates.
I was hooked!!!!!!
Since the time of my introduction to hooking, I moved on to become a full fledged Craftsperson. In 2009, I had the good fortune to be accepted as a Crafter at the World Famous Pike Place Market in Seattle.