Friday's Find

This Friday's Find is a little different.

Most of the time I own my Friday's Find.

Today, I'm sharing a find.

Last weekend, I attended the

West Virginia's Writers' Conference

at

Cedar Lakes Conference Center

 

While I was eating in the dining facility,

I noticed a large rug displayed on the wall.

 

It looked somewhat odd as a display piece

in a rather informal cafeteria.

After eating,

 I went over to read the plaques displayed beside the rug.

Imagine my surprise to see Pearl K. McGown's name!

If you didn't catch my post about Pearl K. McGown and her

great influence on the rug hooking craft,

click here.

The Conference Center features unique handcraft workshops like basket making, pottery design, stained glass how-to's.  The fact that rug-hooking at one point made its way to the Center as a workshop made sense after I thought about it.  I wonder if Jane McGown Flynn was involved with that workshop.  Jane is Pearl K. McGown's daughter.

One side of the dining facility is in honor of both Pearl and Jane.

This photograph gives a better perspective of the handhooked rug's size.

From what I could discover,

 the Southern Teacher's Workshop

was still meeting in the area as recent as 2010.

Really interesting.

I've finished some more teacup

pincushions.

The cashmere aqua rose is in a small

1965 souvenier World's Fair teacup.

What projects have you finished recently?

Amy

Finding a Pearl of Great Price

Here's Friday's Vintage Find.

I didn't think twice when I saw these

 vintage burlap rug hooking backings. 

Their previous owner just barely got them started. 

 Her pulled wool color choices are beautiful.

What do you think?

Both rug patterns had Pearl K.McGown named as the designer.

When I looked her up, I found quite a story.

I'm ALWAYS ready for a story.

(Can you imagine this rug finished?)

Pearl McGown, born in 1891,

 learned rug-hooking from her mother. 

As early as the 1920's she began designing rug patterns. 

When commercially made rugs

came on the market,

 Pearl feared the hand-made art would vanish. 

Her "hobby" eventually became her business.

(This rug backing is from the Old Sturbridge Village Period 1973)

Pearl would go on to publish a book on rug hooking during the 30's,

and teach rug-hooking to about 140 wounded veterans

of World War II during their long hospital stays.

She would even have women send her their very scarce burlap

so that she could apply her rug designs to them during war time.

(rug hooking wool)

In the early 50's, Pearl McGown and family began the

McGown Teachers Workshop

where rug-hooking fans

could learn the craft and become teachers themselves.

(This rug backing is from the McGown Teachers Workshop Period 1956)

By the 70's, Pearl McGown was in her late 80's. 

She and her family were still involved with the rug-hooking,

but needed to sell the business on to Old Sturbridge Village.

I love Pearl McGown's deep love and devotion for this craft. 

To think of all of her designs (over 1,000),

 and her business, and her books,

that she managed with her family

without internet, cellphones, copiers, etc.

My large rug backing is from the

Old Sturbridge Village days (1973).

The geometric rug backing is from the

McGown Teacher's Workshop Days (1956).

Pearl left an interesting legacy that still exists today with the

National Guild of Pearl K. McGown Rug Hookcrafters, Inc.

whose membership has grown to about 1,500.

If you'd like to learn more about Pearl's fascinating story

 or find a Pearl K. McGown instructor near you,

 visit the Guild's website by clicking here .

As soon as I can bear it, I will eventually be placing the rug backings in my Etsy shop along with the rug hooking wool.  (Alas, I cannot afford to take on another craft project despite my desires.  Although I'm sure if I had met Pearl, she could have convinced me.)

Best wishes for your weekend!

Amy