THE RUG HOOKER'S NETWORK

Dear Fellow Rug Hooker,

I would like to welcome you to The Rug Hooker's Network, and extend my thanks for all of the positive response and kind e-mails I have received. I hadn't planned on inserting a page about myself or why I started The Rug Hooker's Network, but had it suggested to me by a few people that I should.

I created The Rug Hooker's Network to help bring many aspects of rug hooking into one place. I am just a rug hooker who has admired the many, many talented people involved in this art and have a background with computers and design. My objective was to put together a fun and informative arena for everyone involved in rug hooking.

I have grown up with this fiber art all of my life and I am a fourth generation rug hooker. My great-grandmother, Lucy Selene was a student of Pearl McGown in the 1930's; my grandmother, Jane Olson, is a successful teacher, supplier and designer; my mother has hooked for pleasure and I also enjoy rug hooking, although I am no where close to my grandmother's league yet. My great-aunt Norma Flodman is also a wonderful rug hooker. Other members of our family are involved in rug braiding, and it helps to have a grandmother like Jane Olson around. Although, unfortunately for Jane, every time we visit her, she ends up minus a rug or two, including patterns and supplies. I tell her that's what she gets for being so talented and kind!

I recently moved to Georgia (May 1996) with my husband and 3 1/2 year old son and jumped on the Internet to find what sources I could find for rug hooking. That is where I came up with the idea to create The Rug Hooker's Network. I have really enjoyed working with it and look forward with anticipation to what it will evolve into. We have experienced a tremendous response with thousands of viewers logging on since our premiere in October 1996! I encourage all of you to actively participate in the various arenas, such as the Viewer's Showcase and the Talk Show, so that all online rug hookers can enjoy what each of us has to offer. We are continually adding teachers and suppliers & designers, so check back often.

I welcome any suggestions or ideas to make this Web site more interesting and hope all of you will continue to visit with us here. The Rug Hooker's Network is for all of us that love hooking and those of us just beginning to be involved in it.

Best Regards and Happy Hooking,

Kristian Panettiere

December, 1996

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