Dede Ogden of dede's Needleworks, Yountville, California, has been active in the needlearts industry for 38 years. During that time, her contributions to The National Needlwork Association and to the greater needlearts community have been extraordinary.
Dede was taught needlearts as a child by her caring Aunt, attended the University of Kansas to study interior design, and using that as a springboard, became interested in this industry as a career choice. From 1973-1983 Dede owned Dede's Workshop, San Francisco, CA, a retail needlepoint shop. At the same time, her wholesale handpainted needlepoint line was already active. Her innovative ideas with design and color have stood the test of time, and her range of talend is extensive. She also developed and maintains her own line of fibers.
Dede's teaching of embellishment from 1981 til the present has made her an international celebrity. She has taught for the American Needlepoint Guild, the Embroidery Guild of America, Calloway Gardens, many international cruises with Royal Cruise Lines, touring trunk shows, retreats to many continents, and shops nationwide. She has always maintained a rigorous teaching schedule. She is a lifetime member of the American Needlepoint Guild and the National Academy of Needle Arts. Dede's designs have been featured in numerous publications including Needlepoint Plus, Chicago Daily Herald, and McCall's Needlwork and Crafts. She is currently a contributing designer/teacher for www.needleartworks.com, Abracadabra Art and Needle Magic. Dede was a recipient of the TEN Award from the National Needlework Association in 2004.
In addition to an exhaustive schedule, Dede found time to serve The National Needlework Association and the Needlepoint Group. In 1991 she developed The Needlework Industry Beginner Level Booklet, Book I, also known as the little green book, which was sold to retailers by members of the Needlepoint Group which received all the proceeds. From 1999-2001 she was elected to the TNNA Board of Directors and was Secretary/Treasurer to the Executive Board. She also served on the TNNA Education Committee. Recognizing that needlepoint needed exposure to the Great Wall of Yarn, she created the Scrabble Board of Threads, and maintains it by stitching examples into the collage, to help represent participating thread vendors on the Great Wall.
Dede self-published the Encyclopedia and Directory of Threads, a three volume book which receives updates periodically. This book focuses on stitching and sewing information on all threads for needlework including counted thread.
Dede Ogden describes herself as a designer who can take artistic skill and turn drawing and painting into needlework. She moves flat paintings into sculptural pieces of texture work. Currently, she is a participating member of a new website for one of a kind finished needlearts, at www.zoshide.com.