Meet the Team
Perry County, PA— Rug hookers everywhere recognize the name Magdalena Briner Eby and love her primitive style rugs. Born in 1832, she lived he
Northbrook, IL—Ampry Publishing, LLC – Wildfowl Carving Magazine announced its new editor, Mark Allison, in January 2022. In
Northbrook, IL—Ampry Publishing, LLC – Rug Hooking magazine is pleased to announce the release of its latest high-quality book on rug h
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 200th 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!
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.