Melissa Pattacini - Owner, Honey Bee Hive

Melissa McCray Pattacini was born, raised, and lives in Manchester, Connecticut. She has a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Arts in American/Museum & Archive Studies from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.
Beginning in 1993, Melissa took rug hooking classes with noted colorist and McGown Certified Teacher, Maggie McLea, at the Fraser Rug Hooking Studio, located in the Cheney Brothers National Historic Landmark  District in Manchester, Connecticut.

In the mid-twentieth century, the Fraser's also started the Fraser Rug Making Equipment Company, which manufactured Fraser Wool Cutters and Blades, which are still sold today. 
Melissa's graduate work with the Connecticut Historical Society and the Lutz Children's Museum prepared her well for the historic preservation of the well-loved CHARCO rug hooking pattern line. In addition, Melissa seeks to expand and innovate the craft of rug hooking through the inclusion of new rug hooking designs in Honey Bee Hive's PRIMCO rug hooking pattern line. In recent years, Melissa has added the footstool designs of Kim Nixon, whimsical and colorful designs of Carolyn Stich and has supported fundraising efforts for women in Guatemala, through the sale of rug hooking designs from the  Multicolores Rug Hooking Cooperative. 

Her degree in education and a familiarity with curriculum and instruction also makes Melissa a unique fit for updating and administering the McGown Teacher Certification Program, an internationally recognized training and certification program for teachers of the rug hooking craft.  

Despite her busy schedule, Melissa continues to find time to hook rugs. To the right is Melissa's hooked version of a Gina Paschal design, Chatham Rose (PR1561). Below are two other patterns hooked by Melissa from the CHARCO pattern line, both designed by Pearl McGown and Jane McGown Flynn. 

Chatham Rose (PR1561)
Designed by Gina Paschal & Hooked By Melissa Pattacini

Christmas is A' Commin' (P814)
Designed by Pearl McGown & Jane McGown Flynn
Hooked by Melissa Pattacini

Designed by Pearl McGown & Jane McGown Flynn
Hooked by Melissa Pattacini

 

In addition to her preservation work on the CHARCO pattern line, Melissa works with Jane, who continues to design rug hooking patterns today. Inspired by Jane, Melissa regularly adapts patterns from the CHARCO line, and creates patterns of her own. Below is one of Melissa's first designs, Old Iowa Weave Runner (PR1558-R). This version is hooked by Valerie Begeman. Click here to see Melissa's entire collection of rug hooking patterns.

Designed by Melissa Pattacini
Hooked by Valerie Begeman