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“Funky Birds” Workshop

THIS EVENT IS PAST!

Wise-Michelle

Michelle Wise

Seabeck, WA 

Dates:   1 day – Saturday, August 15, 2020 
Time:  9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Class Fee: $125.00 / Sauder Village Members $115.00  
Supply Fee: $15.00 - payable to teacher at the beginning of class
Location: Heritage Inn - Gathering Room B
Teacher’s Website: wooletc.com

Dfunky-birds-hooked-rug-sculpture-Michelle-WiseESCRIPTION:  Come to this fun and creative workshop to make a “Funky Bird” or two to start your collection. You will learn the basics of making a 3-D bird (6-7 inches in length). You will receive instruction on different ways to make textures with your materials. Learn 3-D assembly techniques by hand sewing pieces and stuffing the bird (not like Thanksgiving stuffing). Michele will also show you how to make the wire legs and posable wings.

This is a great project for using leftovers and scraps like: wool strips, yarn, ribbons, nylons, etc. – all are perfect for creating a one-of-a-kind bird. Students should gather and bring some funky items to use for the head and tail. Feathers, wire, beads, buttons, wool labels from recycled clothing, bells, jute, hemp and string can all be used for this project. If you don’t have these items in your stash, Michele will have them available in class. The pattern is on Monks cloth, which is both soft and flexible for 3-D projects, and can be hooked in your choice of #5-8 cuts. Written instructions for this project are included, so you might not be able to stop making Funky Birds!

Everyone will leave this workshop with one completed Funky Bird – or possibly more!

funky-birds-rug-hooked-sculptures-Michele-Wise


colorful-hooked-rug-birds-Michele-WiseTeacher will contact students prior to class:  Yes

Level:  Basic - students must have basic rug hooking & hand sewing knowledge & experience.

Supply description:  A bird pattern on Monks cloth, thread, needle, wire for legs, skewer for beak, an assortment of mixed media materials, written instructions, and a paper pattern to make more birds.

Students Need to Bring:  Basic hooking supplies: a frame, scissors, cutter, cutter blades #5-8, hook, leftover fibers and scraps (as mentioned above).

Bio: Twenty-two years ago Michele was learning to quilt and in her favorite quilt store she spotted a hooked pillow. The shop offered a traditional rug hooking class to make that pillow, so she signed up. As a result of that class, many of Michele’s quilted tops have been sitting unfinished and aging for 22 years.

Michele had a 30-year career as a high school teacher and is a life-long learner. In order to learn all there is to rug hooking she attends many workshops and became a McGown certified teacher. She feels that hooking is a great outlet for creativity and as a teacher she believes in sharing all she knows through demonstrations, visuals and examples. Michele likes to problem solve and her interests in rug hooking vary from small to large cuts and various styles. Her students develop their own style through encouragement, humor and fun. She believes that the whole process, from designing to hooking, should be enjoyable.  

Michele has taught nationally and internationally as well as in her studio in Washington State. She believes in promoting rug hooking through her memberships in TIGHR, ATHA, McGown, and Australian Rug Guild. Michele likes to use different materials and teaches many classes on using embellishments. Other classes and interests are 3-D, upholstery, hooked books, portraits, purses, room sized rugs, primitives, pet portraits, landscapes, indigenous patterns, zentangles as well as non-objective art. She also teachers needle felting, wool applique and dyeing.

Michele is a former director of Western McGown Teachers Workshop, current co-director of Puget Sound Rug School, director of the Reiter Retreats, and former treasurer of ATHA Region 11. She has written many articles for Rug Hooking Magazine, Rug Beat, ATHA, Australian Guild, TIGHR, Wool Street Journal, and the McGown Guild newsletter. She has been a judge for Celebrations and the Virtual Re-imaged Tour. Her rugs have been featured in Celebrations and many published books. She has won awards at Hooked in the Mountains, local and state fairs, fiber events and two of her hooked books are on permanent display at Bainbridge Art Museum.