2015 Brochures are ready.

Greetings from blustery, cold New Jersey. We have included some photos from the workshop last September-yes it was warm and we were wearing shorts and sandals!

The brochure for 2015 is ready and can be downloaded as a pdf. To register, print the registration page and mail with your deposit. Classes are filled on a first come basis. We use the postmark date on your envelope. If you are registering from Canada, please email to let us know the date you are posting it. All checks must be in US dollars.
Cape May Brochure 2015

In coming posts we will expand on the teacher class descriptions with photos. We look forward to hearing from you. Norma and Linda

Hooking on the side porch

Hooking on the front porch

Thursday “Show & Tell” on the front lawn

The cupola

The teachers for the 2nd week- Sept 20-25, 2015

Cammie Bruce, La Grange, North Carolina

PRIMITIVE AND A WHOLE LOT MORE: Bring your wide cuts (#7 and up) and explore the primitive arts of Cammie Bruce. She loves incorporating textures, plaids, as-is, and any other kind of wool you find into your own rug. Her work with color is subtle but definitive. Cammie enjoys playing with shapes and has created many interesting edges and borders on her rug designs. She can help you customize your pattern edge with a unique finish. Cammie has been teaching since 2002 and is McGown certified. Enjoy Cammie’s rugs at primitivejunky.blogspot.com.

Norma first met Cammie in Iowa at a McGown Teachers’ Workshop. She was immediately impressed with Cammie’s clean, fresh primitive look. When Cammie’s husband was transferred to the east coast she closed up her rug hooking shop, Baskets of Wool. We are so pleased to have her available for Rugs by the Sea. Here are some photos of rugs she has brought to camp.

We love how the rugs look on the antique wooden floors in the lobby of the Chalfonte. On Wednesday of each week the exhibit is held there.

Lucille Festa East Rupert, Vermont

ALL AMERICAN FESTIVAL: A history buff and long time antique collector, Lucille incorporates folk art and Americana images into many of her designs. Using wool plaids, checks, tweeds and herringbones, over-dyed and as is, she works to achieve soft and mellow colorations that have the look of being old but not worn. With a keen sense of color, her ultimate goal is for you to create a unique wide-cut hooked rug that is aesthetically pleasing to hand down to the next generation. Lucille’s patterns will be available in the shop and can be viewed on her website at http://www.americancountryrugs.com.

Lucille is another Vermonter with long winters to hook. We met Lucille in a class in Kinderhook, NY with the legendary teacher, Emma Lou Lais. Our mutual love of textures, old colors and recycled wool clothing cemented the friendship. Lucille was always willing to give you a sleeve or pant leg if you need that color. Here are some of her designs as displayed at the Chalfonte.

Michele Micarelli New Haven, Connecticut

RUN WILD: Join Michele for a week filled with vibrant color and fun explorations of your rug. Her beautifully dyed wool will enhance any rug you consider and don’t forget to think about original design. Michele’s creativity knows no bounds-come explore her fantasy world of mermaids, dragons, peacocks and more. Her rug collection was featured during the opening year of the North American Museum of Rug Hooking in Nova Scotia. Michele is an accredited McGown teacher. Visit Michele’s website at http://www.michelemicarelli.com for more information.

Michele gets it. She has a world of knowledge about all aspects of rug hooking. She has found her place with the wild and woolly. With a great sense of humor, her classes are fun as well as instructional. She cares. Here are two of her awesome rugs. We have been fortunate to watch them develop at Rugs by the Sea.

Kris Miller, Howell, Michigan

SOFT PRIMITIVES: Since Kris was with us last she has published two books: The Grand Finale, a self-published finishing guide and Introduction to Rug Hooking, a beginner’s guide published by Rug Hooking Magazine. In her class she will share all of the new ideas and techniques in her books. Bring your own design or visit her website to see a wide selection of patterns designed by her and other featured artists. She will work with each student to create a soft primitive rug with beautiful textures and overdyed wool. Her website and blog can be found at http://www.spruceridgestudios.com

Kris always seems to have the right piece of wool, that one you have been looking for and couldn’t find. Usually right under your nose. Kris has an eye for putting together the mellow colors we love. As a keeper of goats and alpacas, she has a warm heart for all creatures. Here are some of the rugs she has exhibited at our show in Cape May.

The teachers for the 1st week – Sept 13-18, 2015

Beverly Conway Middlebury, Vermont

COLOR CONSULTANT: Bev is best known for her whimsical wide cut designs and luscious dyed wool. Her color expertise will lead you to wonderful new combinations and color explorations. Mini lectures throughout the week will cover many aspects of rug hooking. You may work on one of her designs or any pattern suitable for a wide cut. Bev has recently designed geometric patterns inspired by American artist Paul Evans. Bev’s pattern catalog and patterns will be available in the shop. Join Bev’s class where you all laugh together.

We first met Bev at the Round Barn in Waitsfield, Vermont. We loved her designs and in the years to come have become good friends. When Norma took over Rugs by the Sea in 2002, Bev was the first new teacher invited. She has been with us ever since. Pictured below are some of her rugs that were displayed at the Green Mountain Rug Show. Several years ago, Bev was one of the featured artists.

Floral Checkerboard

Secret message rug. Back and front.

Sock Monkey.

The opening photo our blog is a the Chalfonte rug designed by Bev Conway and hooked by Ellen Savage. The design celebrated our 20th anniversary.

Jen Lavoie Huntington, Vermont

We are happy to have Jen back with us again this year. Her work is an inspiration. It must be those winters in Vermont! Here is Jen’s class description in her words:

“Original Design
The art of Hooking a rug takes time, energy and money. The beauty of an originally designed piece is that it can save you money. But on the flip side, the challenge is that it can take a lot more time and energy! What kind of energy are you willing to devote to your art? What will it take for you to accomplish your goals? And by the way, for that matter-what are your goals? Do you want to show your work in National Galleries? Do you want to win a spot in Celebrations? Do you want to sell your work? Do you sell your work but are you finding it harder and harder to be excited about the work?
This class will focus on the challenges of balancing your time, energy and money while you create an originally designed piece of Hooked Rug Art that brings joy to the process. We will focus on topics and subject matter that apply to all stages of the process but are geared specifically for the intermediate to Advanced Rug Hooker who wishes to build a body of work that efficiently and effectively speaks for them. All styles, all types and stages of projects and all skill levels are welcome.
This is a fun class for people who want to be inspired and learn new techniques but also for those who want to be inspiring to others and share their process with others who are on their own uniquely individual journey. Resources, tips, techniques, along with principles of design, compositions with impact and strategies for success are just a few of the topics that will be covered. Oh and did I mention? Cape May –Rugs by the Sea is simply just a wonderful place to hook and learn! ”

Jen “painting” a sky for a student at Rugs by the Sea in 2013.

Sumac and Birches II are Jen’s most recent work. They were both chosen as Viewer’s Choice at the Green Mountain Rug Show in October 2014.

Betsy Reed Claverack, New York

WIDE CUT FUN: Betsy specializes in hooking with wide cut strips as well as hand torn strips. Learn the technique of hand-torn along with simple finishes to give your work an “old” look. You will also enjoy her charming hooked three-dimensional critters: rabbits, kittens, elephants, snowmen and more. Betsy will bring as-is and overdyed textures especially created for hooked rugs and other wool applications. She has recently purchased the pattern designs of Dick LaBarge. You may work on your own design or purchase one from her. Betsy’s blog and website can be found at http://www.heavens-to-betsy.com.

Norma attended Betsy’s hook-in Feb 14th in Ghent, NY. On display were two new rugs by Betsy showing a new technique. The cat and hearts are done with “standing wool” reminiscent of antique bias shirred rugs. A fun new way to use wool!

Diane Stoffel, Brewster, Massachusetts

NON-STOP ENERGY: In her first career Diane was an art teacher and her artistic skills have made her one of the most popular teachers in the country. She never stops moving and leads her students to beautifully crafted colorful rugs. She is comfortable working with all types of patterns and offers “tweaks” that will set your rug apart from the rest. Diane will bring a supply of wool but can also dye something special for your rug. Diane is an accredited McGown teacher and has a vast historical knowledge of who’s who in the rug hooking world.

We first met Diane in a class in Jacksonville, FL. It was large and the space was tight. Diane didn’t miss a beat and got us all hooking and happy in short time. Below are a few small rugs that Diane has brought in her suitcase to Cape May.