Ampry Publishing LLC

Katlyne Danko Named New Editor at Ampry Publishing

Ampry Publishing is proud to announce Katlyne Danko as the new editor of Wildfowl Carving Magazine and Rug Hooking magazine. Danko officially assumed her role in May 2024, bringing her passion for creativity and editorial experience to the helm of these beloved publications.

With a background in magazine editing, Danko is well-equipped to continue the legacy of excellence established by both publications. Wildfowl Carving Magazine serves as the premier resource for enthusiasts of the intricate art of wildfowl carving, while Rug Hooking magazine inspires rug-hooking fiber artists with patterns, techniques, and community connections.

Danko studied English writing at Spring Arbor University and has spent more than eight years editing print publications. She previously served as editorial manager for Michigan History and Chronicle magazines at the Historical Society of Michigan.

“I’m honored to step into this role and work with such talented communities of artists,” said Danko. “Both magazines have long-standing traditions of celebrating creativity, and I’m excited to help them grow while staying true to their roots.”

As editor, Danko will oversee content development, ensuring each issue delivers the high-quality inspiration and information readers expect. Her vision includes spotlighting emerging trends, amplifying diverse voices within the carving and rug-hooking communities, and fostering engagement among readers through interactive content and special features.

Beloved Folk Artist Magdalena Briner Eby Honored

Perry County, PA— Rug hookers everywhere recognize the name Magdalena Briner Eby and love her primitive style rugs. Born in 1832, she lived her entire life in rural Perry County, Pennsylvania, as the daughter and then wife of hardworking farmers. She hooked rugs to warm her home, using any textile that was available. Her quirky rugs were inspired by the animals and scenes of rural life. They are admired and valued as exemplary examples of primitive folk art and are found in collections around the world. Her work has been featured in Rug Hooking magazine many times throughout the years.

As part of their celebration of their 200^th anniversary, Perry County created a Bicentennial Trail to honor outstanding citizens in the past. Magdalena (as she is affectionately known by rug hookers) now has a historic marker of her own in western Perry County, near her birthplace. She is also memorialized by a rendition of one of her most famous rugs, painted on the side of the Tuscarora State Forest building in western Perry County (in the style of the many barn quilt trails seen across the US.) This painted rug on the side of the Tuscarora State Forest building was sponsored by Rug Hooking magazine. Magdalena’s descendants still live in Perry County, Pennsylvania, nearly 200 years after her birth. If you are ever in the area, be sure to visit these memorials to one of our favorite folk artists!

Mark Allison Named New Editor of Wildfowl Carving Magazine

Northbrook, IL—Ampry Publishing, LLC – Wildfowl Carving Magazine announced its new editor, Mark Allison, in January 2022.  In his position, Allison oversees editorial responsibilities for the Wildfowl Carving book club and magazines, published three times and four times a year respectively.

Allison’s previous experience includes corporate marketing and book publishing. His skills in copyediting, writing, proofreading, research and project development lend themselves well to this new position.

“I am honored to take the reins of Wildfowl Carving, ‘the only magazine for bird carvers,’” Mark Allison said. “As editor, one of my first tasks was to put the finishing touches on Competition 2021, which showcases some of the most spectacular bird carvings created last year. The carving community rose to the challenge of competing even as live events were put on hold, and it’s inspiring to see how carvers upped their game during a difficult year. The future is looking very bright.”

Allison’s previous role was Senior Content Writer at Gannett Fleming, where in addition to performing editorial responsibilities of copyediting and proofreading, he served as Associate Editor to award-winning corporate magazine, Forces of Change.

About Wildfowl Carving Magazine & Book Club 

Wildfowl Carving Magazine is published by Ampry Publishing LLC – a leader in building multi-platform brands that inform, inspire, and engage consumer audiences. Wildfowl Carving Magazine is dedicated to the art of decoy and decorative bird carving. Published quarterly since its spring 1985 issue, the magazine is available by subscription and in some book stores. Wildfowl Carving Magazine also has a subscription-based book club, which publishes 3 books per year, with topics ranging from step-by-step carving demonstrations to bird reference guides.

Rug Hooking Magazine Publishes New Book with Donna Hrkman

Northbrook, IL—Ampry Publishing, LLC – Rug Hooking magazine is pleased to announce the release of its latest high-quality book on rug hooking: SHADES, TINTS, TONES, VALUES: Hook a Monochromatic Rug, by internationally known artist, author, and teacher Donna Hrkman.

Monochromatic hooked rugs in this new book are works of art. While it might sound simple to hook with only a handful of different wools, it most definitely is not. In fact, it can be a challenge. Author Donna Hrkman’s realistic monochromatic rugs are spectacular examples of what an artist can do with a limited color palette. Enhanced by her masterful use of shades, tints, tones, and values, she demonstrates the power of value and careful use of shades, tints, and tones. Thanks largely to Donna and her exquisite eye, limited-colored rugs have become so much more than sepia and shades of brown. Donna tackles this challenging genre of rug hooking and explains her methods and techniques in this eye-opening book.

Donna Hrkman has been an artist for as long as she can remember. Rug hooking gave her the joy of creating unique artwork that allows her to express her ideas and creative thinking. She is a popular teacher, holding workshops across the country to share what she has learned. She loves the challenge of creating lasting images in pulled loops and making rugs that have deep meaning.

Donna has written two earlier books and has written frequently for Rug Hooking magazine. Her rugs are always at the cutting edge of contemporary rug hooking and we are pleased to have her as one of our authors.

Be sure to order your copy of SHADES, TINTS, TONES, VALUES. It will become a classic in the library of rug hooking books.

About Rug Hooking magazine & Book Club
Rug Hooking magazine is published 5 times per year and is available in some book and craft stores, and by subscription. Our goal is to provide high-quality articles and photographs about the art and craft of rug hooking, and how-to articles on techniques and projects. Whether a reader’s interests lie in traditional patterns, primitive styles, or original designs, Rug Hooking provides how-to articles on planning, dyeing, shading, and hooking. Instructional articles are complemented by features on such topics as hooked stair runners, clothing, wall hangings, decorations, and more, all beautifully illustrated with page after page of color photography. Rug Hooking magazine also has a subscription-based book club, which publishes 4 books per year, with topics ranging from Gene Shepherd’s comprehensive dyeing guides, to books on primitive rugs and easy punch needle projects.

Hundreds Gather Online for RHM’s Latest Book Release

Northbrook, IL – To celebrate the release of Rug Hooking magazines (RHM’s) latest book, Celebration 30 (a juried collection of hooked rugs from a recent rug hooking competition), Rug Hooking magazine threw a free two-part virtual party for rug hookers around the world. Hundreds gathered on Zoom to attend both events, which showcased a variety of handmade rugs featured in Celebration 30.

Summer 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic brought cancellations of nearly every rug hooking school, show, and hook-in, much to the frustration of rug hookers everywhere. Even the grandest event of all, Rug Hooking Week at Sauder Village in Ohio, was canceled.

RHM stepped up to the challenge and created an online webinar series to fill the void. If we rug hookers couldn’t travel to schools and shows to meet, we would gather online!

To launch the Celebration 30 book, our annual publication showcasing the best hooked rugs of the year, we celebrated Celebration with a virtual gallery walk, led by board member and artist Susan Feller. On August 14, Susan and the four judges for this year’s Celebration gave the world an early glimpse of what is included in this edition of Celebration. These fabulous rugs are an inspiration to all of us, even if we have to be apart as we admire them.

On August 21, rug hooker and teacher Gene Shepherd joined RHM and several of the Celebration finalists for a series of conversations on their hooked rugs. We called this event “Celebration Finalists Show and Tell All.” The intriguing and warm conversations led by Gene, speaking with more than 20 of the rug hookers about their pieces, brought smiles and chuckles and even more admiration of the incredible talent on display.

Hundreds of rug hookers around the world attended the events and responded enthusiastically. RHM was pleased to be able to bring a bit of cheer and happiness into the homes of socially distanced creative rug hookers around the world.

• Wow!  it was excellent.  The range in pieces, the participation of the artists, and Gene as host was a perfect combination.  Thanks heaps!

• Thank you soooo much for creating this event. The hosts, Susan Feller and Gene Shepherd were excellent choices. I really learned a lot from their teaching comments on the rugs.

• Thank you for all the work you have done to make the Show and Tell events so very special. I hear nothing but good things and many hoping for a repeat next year!! All of this is really appreciated from the bottom of my heart. You made these difficult times much better for everyone involved.

If you missed the events, each was recorded. You can view both events online at Rug Hooking magazine’s website.

Rug Hooking Magazine Publishes Celebration 29

Northbrook, IL—Ampry Publishing and Rug Hooking Magazine recently released the latest edition of their annual Celebration series, Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs 29.

The Celebration series is an annual publication that features rugs submitted from rug hookers around the world. An esteemed panel of judges evaluate and score the rugs, and the top ones get featured in the book along with an accompanying story and biography. This year, there were 76 total rugs featured with 12 of those being honorable mentions.

Rug Hooking Magazine produces four books per year. Prior to Celebration, they published Hooked Rug Designs for Baby & Beyond by Norma Batastini. In November, they’ll be publishing Eyes Open to the World.

Wildfowl Carving Magazine Publishes Patterns and Color Guides

Northbrook, IL—Wildfowl Carving Magazine and Ampry Publishing, LLC published their latest book, Patterns and Color Guides by Jean Minaudier, on June 1, 2019. The book is the latest in the Workbench Projects series and features information about 30 different birds, plus an entire carving and painting demonstration for a wood duck hen. The most recent entry in the Workbench Projects series was Loon and Chicks by Laurie J. McNeil.

Jean Minaudier is an award-winning carver whose patterns and color guides have appeared in Wildfowl Carving Magazine for the past 15 years. He was born and raised in southern Manitoba and started carving and competing at an early age. He’s won awards at the prestigious Ward World Championship and at various other competitions across North America.

Wildfowl Carving Magazine produces two to three books each year, including its annual Competition book, which will release in early 2020.

Rug Hooking Magazine Publishes Hooked Rug Designs for Baby & Beyond

Northbrook, IL—Rug Hooking Magazine and Ampry Publishing, LLC released its latest book, Hooked Rug Designs for Baby & Beyond: Inspiration for a Family Heirloom by Norma Batastini, on June 1, 2019. The book covers a wide range of rugs that someone might hook for a child or teenager, covering topics such as nursery rhymes, religion, games, art, graduation, and more. The book also contains 11 original patterns that can be used or adapted for any rug hooker’s project.

Norma Batastini is a nationally known teacher of rug hooking and rug designs. Her teaching base is in northern New Jersey though she also teaches workshops around the country. She is the director of Rugs by the Sea in Cape May, New Jersey, and owns Heart in Hand Rug Hooking, a pattern and wool supply business. She is also on the editorial board for Rug Hooking Magazine.

Rug Hooking Magazine releases four books per year. It most recently published Rug Hooking Journeys in February.

Wildfowl Carving Magazine Publishes Competition 2018

Northbrook, IL—Wildfowl Carving Magazine and Ampry Publishing released the latest edition of its annual Competition publication, Competition 2018. The Competition series showcases the top carvings from competitions around the world from the past calendar year.

This year’s Competition features carvings from shows like the Core Sound Decoy Festival, the Ohio Decoy Collectors and Carvers Association, the Canadian National Wildfowl Carving Championship, the Pacific Brant Carving and Art Show, the Quinte Woodcarvers Competition and Show, the Prairie Canada Carving Championship, the Ward World Championship, the Pacific Flyway Decoy Classic, the Columbia Flyway Wildlife Show, the British Decoy & Wildfowl Carvers Association Competition and Show, the Louisiana Wildfowl Carvers and Collectors Guild, the International Wildfowl Carvers Association, and Wildfowl Carving Magazine‘s 1st Annual Online Competition.

Wildfowl Carving Magazine publishes three books a year, including its annual Competition publication. Their latest book, Three Bird Carving Projects by Tom Baldwin, was published in November 2018.

Rug Hooking Magazine Publishes Rug Hooking Journeys

Northbrook, IL—Rug Hooking magazine and Ampry Publishing released its latest book, Rug Hooking Journeys: Finding the Maker in the Rug, by Tamara Pavich on February 1, 2019. The book features several rug hooking artists, including Diane Cox, Ann Willey, and Hakon Gron Hensvold, who discuss their own life’s journey through hooking rugs. Pavich explores how to find depth and meaning in your art and ways in which you can capture the meaningful moments in your life in future hookings.

Author Tamara Pavich has a doctorate in English and frequently contributes to Rug Hooking magazine. Her first book, Designed by You: Ideas and Inspiration for Rug Hookers, was published in June 2017. Tamara writes, designs, and hooks from her home in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Rug Hooking magazine releases four books per year. It most recently published Rug Hooking Through the Year in November.