Sunday, May 29, 2011

Something Fishy

On June 20, I am off to the Manistee Rug Camp. I've gone for the last several years and, since it always begins the Monday after the last day of school, it is always a wonderful and creative way to begin the summer.
This year I am taking a class from Susan Feller, who is known for her Fraktur designs. The purpose of the class is to design a folk art rug based on Fraktur images. Up until now I've only hooked the designs of others, but am interested in designing my own rugs.
I've had one in mind that I would like to make for my husband. He is a avid fisherman and collects fish decoys.
Don't worry if you've never heard of fish decoys because unless you live somewhere like Michigan or Minnesota where ice fishing is a popular winter sport, you would probably have never heard of fish decoys.
Actually, I've lived in Michigan all my life and never heard of fish decoys until I met myhusband. But I have to say since that time that I've become quite an expert on them.
For the uninitiated, fish decoys are used to attract fish while ice fishing. They are hung from a length of fishing line, dropped in the water where curious fish come up and to investigate and then--BLAMO--they are speared with an ice fishing spear.
Sadly I am not making this up.
Anyhoo, as I said, we have quite a collection of fish decoys which, all kidding aside, are a really neat form of American Folk art. I've been wanting to make a rug for him with his decoys as a model.
This is what I've come up with:



The border will be a planned hit or miss--kind of wavy like the water. I wanted it bright and I wanted it fun. So, I'm not sure, in fact I'm pretty positive, that fish are not among the fraktur designs that Susan will be showing us--but hey, gotta start somewhere!




4 comments:

  1. I love that fish. It is going to look amazing hooked. You should show us some of his decoys.

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  2. Your folk art fish will be so much fun to hook! I have always been fascinated by old decoys and they are really sought after in the art and antique world! Ditto what Kim said...... would love to see some of your husbands collection!
    Nice pattern and you haven't even taken the class yet! Way to go!
    Cathy G

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  3. Loved hearing about the decoys. I just enjoy all folk art. I think I'm with everyone else, let's see that collection!! Love your fishy...it will be great and I can't wait to see what you do with it!
    Courtney

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  4. I LOVE your design!!! And you will have such fun hooking it. My husband has a huge decoy collection, but they are the duck variety, so this was kind of news to me. However, that said, we have an extensive folk art fish collection from a fellow named Kevin Roach - here's a link to his website http://www.roachtackle.com/ I think you will enjoy it - he's lots of fun.

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