Two potters and a rug hooker.

When I started hooking rugs I had no idea it would turn into a business. I wanted beautiful hooked rugs for the floors of my old farmhouse, and I wanted to have a little fun. It was two years before I started to consider the idea of selling my rugs to the public. I put my rugs in the Craft Gallery in Sackville, New Brunswick, a cooperative art gallery that still exists today. 

At that time seven artists ran it together. They each worked one day a week. I tried being a member but after a day or two manning the shop, I decided that I would leave my work with them to sell on consignment. I had a baby at home and it made more sense to be with him.

Two of the women who ran the gallery were potters, and honestly those two potters taught me a lot. One was Ghita Levin, known for her dark nature inspired pots, and the other was Rachel Mourouney, who made lovely blue and white ware. I would ask them questions about going to shows, how to set up displays, and how to sell craft work.

They would generously tell me their thoughts. But mainly I watched them, how they worked, how they showed and sold their work. And they modelled hard work and independence for me. They also each showed me how a person can carry out their own vision. They helped me see that you could make a living from creating your craft. Before meeting them I really had no idea this was possible. I never saw this growing up. I did not know it was even possible to be an artist. That was thirty five years ago now.  

They were inspirational to me as a younger artist. 

In fact, those women still inspire me today. They are still creative and active and making beautiful work. They are no longer part of the cooperative but they are still actively making, creating and selling their work. We all have a lot of teachers. We all have a lot of influences. And they are often not doing the same thing we do.

I could not begin to name all the people who have been good to me over the years. All the people I have learned from. Artists, authors, business people, customers, friends, and of course family. My sisters were the first to ever buy my rugs. And for each of them, and each of you, I am thankful.

So when I see a potter standing behind their booth at a show I am often reminded of how I began, selling one hooked rug at a time and I buy a mug to gift to someone, or to use as my favourite for a while. And when someone comes to the house for tea they often leave with the mug they drank from.  I have to make room in the cupboard for the next time I need to buy a mug in thanks for the two potters who showed me a way to be an artist.