My Interview with a Graduate Student from the Bard Graduate Center, NY.

April 10, 2014

About 2 years ago, I was contacted by a lovely lady who was pursuing a graduate degree from the Bard Graduate Center in New York. She asked to interview me as part of her study on historical crafts, and I happily agreed. That interview with some wonderful photos is now available to the public the Bard Center website, http://www.bgccraftartdesign.org/items/show/3 and now on their Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/BardGradCenter

Here's are a few photos and the beginning of the story...

Conducted by Mei-Ling Israel on November 6, 2011 at Green Mountain Hooked Rugs, Montpelier, Vermont

       

 Stephanie Allen-Krauss, 2011. Photo: Mei-Ling Israel.

 

Stephanie Allen-Krauss, b. 1954, is a Montpelier, Vermont-based fourth-generation rug hooker, business owner and educator. Her great-grandmother, Philena Moxley, owned a store, PC Moxley Dry Goods, where she sold embroidery and self-designed rug patterns in the second half of the nineteenth century. Her mother, Anne Ashworth, was a nationally-recognized rug hooking teacher who also ran a repair and custom dye-business and was a key member in the formation of national rug hooking organizations. Allen-Krauss learned rug hooking as a child from her mother. She holds two bachelor’s degrees, one in elementary education and one in special education. In 2010, she received the Vermont Governor’s Heritage Award for Outstanding Traditional Artist.
In the interview, Stephanie Allen-Krauss traces her family’s history with rug hooking and describes the process whereby she started to make rugs. As an educator, she is especially adept at describing the craft form, its technicalities and materials, and its community of practitioners. The second part of the interview was a tour of her business and adjoining home, including the primary place where she works on rugs. This interview, illustrated with many rugs of her own making, highlights the deeply personal nature of her craft.

Some new faces at Green Mountain Rug School

April 1, 2014

 

I'm thrilled to introduce the new Board of Directors for Green Mountain Rug School

Green Mountain Rug School!  

left to right- my daughter Mariah Krauss, my sister Elizabeth Ashworth, my daughter Lindsay Krauss, my sister Pam Kirk, and my daughter Cecely Conrad

And how did this come about, you ask?   A year or so ago I realized that I am getting close to that magic age when one begins to contemplate retirement and what it might look like for me.  I visited Pam in Florida in late winter and told her I was thinking of stopping Green Mountain Rug School.  As I get older, the eleven-month process to bring Rug School into being every June seems to take longer and longer to complete.  The work of dismantling the shop, reassembling it at Vermont Technical College and then reversing the process to take it home seems to be getting a little more than I can physically manage, although I have some wonderful help with it all.  Pam, nine years my senior, expressed that she had also been wondering just how long she was going to be able to physically help out.  I seriously began to consider that 2014 would be the last year for Green Mountain Rug School.     However, prior to the 2013 session, I visited my daughter Lindsay and shared my thoughts with her.  Through all of the discussions, Lindsay was passionate that our multi-generational family business should not close down.  So began the exciting journey to our current state!  During a weekend in October of 2013, some of us met in Montpelier, Vermont to discuss the future of the family business and how it might look.  One point was unanimous: Green Mountain Rug School should continue!  We agreed that each of us has special skills and talents to help with the various areas of the business.  So with passion and new energy we agreed to move forward from that weekend decision.     Our first Board meeting was held in New Gloucester, Maine in February, 2014 between two snow storms with all six of us in attendance. With luck on our side Pam was able to fly in and out from Florida, just missing each storm!  During the previous months, Lindsay and I worked together to identify specific parts of the business where board members could help.  Each board member then chose the job that best suited her skills.  We now share duties that include selecting the best teachers for Rug School and preparing for the yearly event; writing and editing a newsletter; updating our accounting system; working on a new website; and enhancing the online store. Already my workload is lighter.   One of our most exciting projects for the future will yield a history of our family business, beginning with the work of my great grandmother, Philena Moxley, and culminating with the creation of this new multi-generational Board.  And for the immediate future we are focusing on a presentation at the Green Mountain Guild's 'Hooked in the Mountains' Exhibit in October where I've been invited to be the "Featured Vendor."  I feel revitalized, energized and excited to see "my business" becoming "our business" and moving forward!                   This is of my grandson Emrys, a 6th generation rug hooker (we hope).  You can see his Aunt Mariah is starting him off early in the wool pile!    The full Board - left to right -  Pam Kirk, Stephanie Allen-Krauss, Cecely Conrad and Emrys, Elizabeth Ashworth, Lindsay Krauss and Mariah Krauss.    From time to time, we will share notes and updates from the Board as Green Mountain Hooked Rugs continues on its journey into the future.     Look for Blog notes from Board members on our website, GreenMountainHookedRugs.com and follow us on Facebook!

There's still time to register for this year's classes at Green Mountain Rug School. We have SOME openings! Visit Green Mountain Rug School, 2014  to see details.   In the Boston area, Beginning Rug Hooking with Stephanie.  2-Day class. April 26 & 27 10:00-3:00  at  the Eliot School, Jamaica Plain, MA. Also, Rug Hooking Part II with Stephanie. 1-Day. May 3 9:00-4:00 For more info & to register: The Eliot School     Don't forget about our classes and Free Hook-Ins at the Montpelier Shop. For details go to Green Mountain Hooked Rugs Happenings