80th American Crafts & Historic Homes Tour
Hazelton’s hooked rugs are all her own original designs. Inspirations come from antique quilts, tole trays, weather vanes, photos, geometric patterns and creative imagining. All rugs are hooked on new linen.
Handmade brooms are constructed of broomcorn and sapling handles or hand-shaped wooden handles. Various sizes of domestic brushes, including kitchen and clothing brushes, are made using only broomcorn and twine. The history of broom-making, including Shaker and Appalachian influences, are discussed during show demonstrations.
Mihills creates original pictures using a miniature needle and a single strand of cotton thread producing a series of approximately 1200 loops and stitches per square inch. The technique creates intense detail, surface texture, depth, and a sense of motion.
The technique was used on a larger scale for punched rugs in the 1800s. It was also used on a smaller scale for folk costumes.
She will be demonstrating the technique on a miniature rug.
Handmade, one at a time Carpetbags made in Woodstock VA. Made from upholstery fabric, with leather rope handles, fabric straps and brass or antique brass locking mechanisms. Wooden bottoms with brass stud feet. Inside pockets, some with zippers.
My carpetbags have been in movies like Tombstone, Bewitch, The Lone Ranger, Hell on Wheels (western), Last Man Standing and many more.
Ratcliffe creates miniature quilts inspired by 19th c. quilts. Using the most effective elements in the design and color of 1800s. pieces, She stitches intricate miniatures adding contemporary interpretation. Each is a complete, backed quilt of cotton fabric, hemmed by hand. Quilt tops are sewn using traditional sewing-machine straight stitching and hand techniques such as straight stitching, cutwork applique, English paper piecing, and foundation piecing. She makes patterns chooses fabric based on the study of 19th c. textiles and quilt construction techniques, thus preserving and validating the early works of artistic expression. Quilts range from 6 to 13 inch squares and rectangles, about 1:12 scale, some with as many as 1,200 tiny pieces. Current work reflects the change in style from early chintz quilts to the bold graphics of later and current times. All quilts are presented archivally framed in wooden frames.
Withnell is passionate about fiber arts and particularly enjoys spinning yarns from animals she has bred, delivered, raised and cared for. Weaving allows her creative needs to explore color and texture, while designing unique items. Susan Withnell was the 2020 Waterford Fair Artisan of the Year!
Working over wooden molds, in the method of the Shakers, Wychock’s baskets are traditional in shape and materials. She weaves both Shaker reproductions in ash and traditional, utilitarian baskets of reed. Native hardwoods such as ash and oak are used to make the rims and handles, and all of the baskets are lashed using ash. Each basket takes on its own character as it is woven in a quadrifoil, twill or fancy lace pattern to appeal to both eye and touch.