Sarah Mistele Bechler was born in Oklahoma but raised primarily in Michigan where she lived in a 1860's farmhouse. With an artist mother who loved to shop for primitives out East it was only natural for Sarah to be drawn to all things primitive. Sarah began doing shows in the mid 1980's with cloth dolls she made and dressed in vintage clothing and antique shoes. She traveled to Atlanta, Nashville, and Sturbridge but it was at a show in Michigan where she first saw primitive hooked rugs. She fell in love instantly and signed up for classes with the artisan who was selling the rugs. Sarah now lives in a small historic town in Michigan where she hooks and produces her rugs, chairs and purses. "It is a very satisfying art form and working with hand dyed wools and linen takes me back to my primitive roots," says Sarah. She also teaches rug hooking and has enjoyed opening her home to many Japanese women whose husbands have been assigned to work in the US for 3-5 years. These woman are so talented and take to rug hooking immediately! It is so bittersweet though as she has to say goodbye when they are assigned back to Japan. But new members join and new friends are made. Rug hooking allows Sarah to connect with the past while also making sure this amazing craft continues on for future generations. Romans 10:9-10
