Though Gene Shepherd did not start rug hooking until 1998, it’s been his only outside interest since that time. Described as a “self taught artist who hooks by ear,” Gene hooks, does commission work for individuals and museums, designs, dyes, develops tools, teaches and writes about rug hooking. His work has been featured many times in Rug Hooking Magazine, ATHA Newsletter and A Celebration of Hand Hooked Rugs. Gene has been director of the Cambria Pines Rug Camp, Cambria, CA, since 2001.

In 2006, he became the Author/Editor of The Rug Hooker’s Bible, and wrote and appeared in Rug Hooking Magazine’s two volume DVD series, Rug Hooking At Home.