ABOUT CHRISTIE

Christie Beniston is a public artist and has had a thriving art practice for over 30 years. Her public commissions include the San Diego Airport, Foothill Gold Line and Lucille Packard Childrens Hospital. Christie holds a BFA and is a certified Oxford Instructor and in 2017 she established PUNCH! offering instruction for punch needle rug hooking.

 

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Crafting with Isa on the set of “Maker Knows Best”, a YouTube series for Bluprint and the NBCUniversal Digital Lab.

Crafting with her daughrer Isa on the set of “Maker Knows Best”, a YouTube series for Bluprint and the NBCUniversal Digital Lab.

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PUNCH NEEDLE RUG HOOKING

Punch needle rug hooking is a method of rug-making that dates back to the late 19th century. Up until 1881, hooked rugs were made with a rug hook, a tool similar to a crochet hook. The rug hook pulled strips of cut fabric or yarn up through a backing, such as burlap, to create a pile of loops. The new punch needle revolutionized the craft by punching down loops from the top of the rug instead of pulling them up from the bottom. This method was so efficient that it was often described as “instant gratification with wool,” and over 100 different models of punch needles have been invented developed in the 100 years since its debut.

This traditional American craft is undergoing a resurgence and Christie is one of only a handful of Oxford Certified Punch Needle Instructors on the west coast.

 

Collaboration with Los Angeles retail brand gentle thrills and Urban Outfitters

Collaboration with Los Angeles retail brand gentle thrills and Urban Outfitters

Pillows made in collaboration with Los Angeles retail brand gentle thrills.

Pillows made in collaboration with Los Angeles retail brand gentle thrills.

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