I first learned of Rug Hooking while dating my husband in 1977. His grandmother, Gertrude Schaller, thought that I should learn how to be a hooker if I was going to enter the family. Quite honestly the project she gave me did not exactly cause me to want to learn- it was a very boring “broken glass” design. I did love the work she did, all the wonderful finely shaded flower rugs, as I was a floral designer and was drawn to the amazing colors. Finally she relented and gave me a pansy design and I was HOOKED! It spurred me on to take as many classes as possible taught by some of the finest teachers around and attend as many rug camps as possible (while working and having a family). In 1983 I began teaching rug hooking once a month to enthusiastic students in my studio in LaGrangeville, NY. Classes are now held four times a month teaching finely shaded as well as primitive hooking. Three to five day workshops have also been held for beginners as well as experienced students in everything from hand torn primitive hooking, finely shaded oriental designs to dyeing wool. Loving the art of rug hooking , I also owned a rug hooking design company, New Earth Designs, which is now owned by Jeanne Benjamin of Brookfield, MA. I am currently president of the Dutchess County Rug Hookers Guild, having served as president once before in 1989.

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