The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
All the Trimmings
Annual craft show features a variety of local artists
By Sheila Pursglove, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: November 27, 2008
Local artisan Kris Miller says she has been driven by three lasting passions - a fascination for textiles, the desire to learn the skills of years-gone-by, and a love for animals.
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Miller, who will exhibit rug hooking and supplies Dec. 6 at the "All the Trimmings" arts and crafts show at the Chelsea fairgrounds, says she has always loved making things with her hands.
"Color and texture spark my creativity," she said. "I learned to knit at an early age and was mesmerized by my grandmother's friend's rug looms and spinning wheels. I knew one day I would come to find satisfaction in learning their time-honored secrets."
Years later, when working as a production sewer for a local clothing designer, Miller discovered rug hooking by accident. The designer incorporated hand-dyed woolens into her clothing and explained it was rug hooking wool. Intrigued, Miller bought two rug hooking books and a magazine.
"I discovered it was everything I loved —color and texture, design and old time skills, working just like women did 100 years ago," she said.
Miller's rugs have won ribbons and awards at county fairs, the Michigan State Fair, and Sauder Village in Archbold, Ohio. She has had two Honorable Mentions in the Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs magazine, and has written several free pattern how-to articles for Rug Hooking Magazine. She also served as a judge for the 2008 edition of Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs magazine.
Miller, who has been rug hooking for 10 years, owns seven angora goats and two sheep that provide material for her craft. She has taught rug hooking on a national level, and her specialty is primitive folk art designs and rugs using textured woolens such as tweeds, plaids and stripes that add dimension and interest to rugs.
This is her first appearance at the All the Trimmings show.
"I'm very excited to be a part of such a talented roster of artists," she said. "I feel the Chelsea area has been blessed with a wonderful core of creative artisans, all with a wide range of quality products that appeals to many tastes."
Miller will bring folk art patterns on linen and monks cloth (cotton), hand-dyed wool fabric that also is good for applique work, rug hooks, books, and kits for beginners or experienced rug hookers.
"I also carry a line of beautiful implements for sewing and needlework -needle cases, tape measures, thimble holders, scissors in a protective case and more - that are hand-turned from exotic wood and make the perfect holiday gift for knitters, quilters and sewers," she said. "I will be happy to demonstrate rug hooking at my booth for those who are curious about the art."
Manchester resident Jo Ellen Kladzyk is a ceramic and glass artist who divides her time between Manchester and Grand Marais. Her main focus is designing and creating decorative ceramic tiles, her work reflecting the colors and themes inspired by living on the River Raisin and near the Great Lakes.
Kladzyk became interested in tile making after attending a class 13 years ago at the Ann Arbor Art Center.
"I love the three-dimensional sculpting phase of tile-making the most," she said. "I also enjoy the research and designing aspect too."
Kladzyk has been taking part in "All the Trimmings" since it started and it is the only show she is doing this year.
"This show is one of my favorites, good people, good fun, good art," she said.
Kladzyk recently was contacted by a sales representative for Garden Artists in Michigan, and is mostly selling wholesale and consignment at present. Her artwork can be purchased locally at the Garden Mill in Chelsea and at stores and galleries throughout the upper and lower Peninsula.
Saline resident Debra Kureth makes jewelry as a hobby and does a couple shows a year in Chelsea and Dexter.
"I make strung jewelry using semi-precious stones and vintage components as well as Peyote bead-woven pieces that can be quite intricate and take 12 or more hours to make," she said. "This year I am also bringing vintage bags that I have embellished with ribbon flowers and leaves."
"All the Trimmings" is organized by Chelsea sisters Susie Ogden and Marlene Dusbiber who are well known in the local art community - Dusbiber for woodcarvings and Ogden for pastels.
Their father, Lawrence Ogden, a retired field geologist and geology professor, took up counted cross-stitch in retirement, with birds as his theme, and designs his own patterns.
"He has participated in several craft shows over the years, gaining a devoted following of his art," Dusbiber said. "He just turned 89 and will be doing our show, as well as Dexter's Pioneer Craft Show next March. I know I am biased, but his cross-stitch pieces are beautiful."
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