The Jackson County Public Library in Sylva will host fiber artist Jerry Spears for a demonstration of traditional rug hooking at 7 p.m. on Jan. 10 in its atrium.

The rug is Spears’ palette choice. She creates her own designs and dyes her own wool fabric.

Spears has been involved in rug hooking for 12 years and has studied under many rug hooking professionals. Upon retirement from the rural electric cooperative industry, she started her rug hooking business, called Wool Junction and sells rug hooking supplies and patterns at national fiber shows as well as regional events.

Jerry and her husband, Ray, moved to Sylva in June, coming from Fairfax County, Va. Her parents and sister also live in Sylva.

She says the friendliness of the people in Western North Carolina and the slower pace of life drew her and her husband to the area.

The event will be a demonstration session, with samples of Spears’ work and tools on display. She will talk about the craft of rug hooking and take questions from the audience as she works. She will offer a hands-on class on rug hooking at 7 p.m. on Jan. 31 at the library. The fee is $25 and includes the use of tools and all materials to complete a small project.

The Jan. 10 demonstration is free and open to the public.

To register for the class, call the library.

828.586.2016.