As a mother of five, Linda Bell never had enough to do, so she found
several different crafts that appealed to her creative self. Candle-making,
refinishing furniture, making candy and jam, decoupage and especially sewing,
filled "empty" hours.
In 1980 she discovered
traditional rug hooking. It appealed to her love of fiber and changed her life.
Lessons, followed by yearly teacher workshops and week-long camps helped Linda
refine her skills. She has participated in several national exhibits, earning numerous awards, including Best of Show.
Regional exhibits at the Blue Ridge Art Center in Blue Ridge, GA, the Mable
House Arts Center, in Mableton, GA, and the Gilmer County Arts and Heritage
Association in Ellijay, GA have included
Linda's work in recent years. Last summer she participated in Off the Hook, an
exhibit sponsored by the Dogwood Chapter of the Association of Traditional
Hooking Artists, at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center in Buford,
GA. Her work can currently be seen at
the Old Clayton Inn in Clayton, GA ,the Holly Hill Gallery at Crane Creek
Vineyards in Young Harris, GA. and at
ArtWorks, in Hiawassee, GA.
Teaching others the
art of rug hooking has been a passion
for Linda since 1985, when she began her career as a McGown certified teacher
of traditional rug hooking. She holds a weekly class in her home studio
overlooking Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, GA. She has travelled to teach at
workshops in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, and is part
of the teaching staff at John C. Campbell Folk School, in Brasstown, NC.
Linda's work was
recently featured in the book, Hooked Rugs of the Deep South, by Jessie
Turbayne, well-known author of several important books on rug hooking. Her wool
flower pins, sold at the Craft Center of John C Campbell Folk School, were seen in Western North Carolina magazine.
One of her latest pieces, a portrait of her youngest grandson, was recently
chosen to be included in the 2013 issue of Celebrations, an annual publication
of Rug Hooking magazine that showcases the best of rug hooking,
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