Irresistible colors: my first rug wool purchase (1 pic)

16 years ago

I've always used found woolens (100% wool clothing from the Salvation Army, washed and dried and cut up) for my rug hooking. But the other day I happened upon Ram in the Thicket, a seller who hand-dyes new wool, and got seduced by her 1,000+ colors. Before you knew it, I'd ordered 14 pieces! But they're small (3 x 18"), and cost only a dollar apiece. I'm going to use them in a simple, primitive design I'm planning to cover an old footstool.

They arrived today. Aren't they beautiful?

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Comments (17)

sheilajoyce_gw
16 years ago
Ohhh, yes, and now we want to see some of the rugs you have made from the reclaimed wool.
glenda_al
16 years ago
Nice colors
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I tend to be willing to pay more to support local businesses and to sustain good relationships with them, but $400 is a bit of a jaw-dropping amount. Yes, I would ask, but (a) I would not necessarily ask for the full $400 difference. After all, if she says no, you have roll up this rug, take it back or be there for someone to pick it up, order the other one on line, see if it's in stock, PAY SHIPPING, wait for it, unpack and unroll it... well, you get the idea. Depending on how complicated its removal is, $100 or so worth of your time may be secured in the fact that this rug is already in your home. (b) watch the timing and the tone. Keep in mind that if she says no, you still have to arrange and complete the return transaction (and finish the couch transaction if I understand correctly). In fact, if it's easy to roll up and handle (negating point a), you could even roll it up, put it in the car, and go ask her in person - then if she says no, it's a quick return and clean getaway. Also remember that if the online seller turns out to be out of stock, you'll want to come back! (c) maybe you could tie it to further purchases for another rug, if she has something in her store that you like. As in, if I buy this one and a smaller one, could you discount both of them? Finally, rugs off craigslist - keep in mind that you probably would want to get a CL rug cleaned right away, and that usually costs a hundred or two. You also often have to spend hours on CL looking for the right size/colour combination to come up, plus arrange a time to view and drive to wherever the rug is. In other words, it's about your time again. I've pretty much found that what I save in money shopping on CL, I spend in time and gas (I have driven an hour out of town to get a $15 lamp after exchanging 300 emails trying to find a mutually convenient day and looking at lamp listings ad infinitum. Was it really a $15 lamp?). So it all depends on how important your time is. Those are some of the things I would be thinking. Above all, check what the online seller would charge to ship the rug. Price plus shipping is the real competing price. KarinL
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Elena, I just love your room! It's exotic and has passion and soul. It's marvelous. Here is a torchiere I like better for you. Or perhaps you like this one? Of coures this floor lamp would be yummy. If I had the money I'd get this one. I've always loved these. If you have a base for it (thrift store?) this handmade lampshade would be yummy on a floor lamp. I have a lampshade from this lady (even though I know how to make my own, so you know I really wanted it) and her quality is great -- I love mine. You could do a pair of these on your table lamps. Or, maybe you like this brown one? This red one is a lot like the one I bought. It sure is fun spending someone else's money! hehe I should stop. I have no idea if you'd like any of these. If you do, there are always more like this on eBay... be sure to look in people's shops for more styles.
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I have seagrass in other rooms, but my husband hates how it feels underfoot. I can't say I don't agree. I hate walking on my seagrass in bare feet! :) We have a rug manufacturer here who will make any size area rug. There was one contender in the warehouse the other day, but I ultimately decided it was too dark for the space. We have a friend who is an expert in oriental rugs take a look at the one we are considering. He said it's from Pakistan and the price is fantastic. a 12x18 from less expensive brands is running $5k in his shop. I think we have a winner!
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jennmonkey
16 years ago
I love those colors, they would exactly what I would choose!
User
16 years ago
Oh my, what gorgeous colors! What does she use for dyes?
alisande
Original Author
16 years ago
She uses Pro Chem dyes. Wanna get seduced? See below . . .

Here is a link that might be useful: Ram in the Thicket
lindyluwho
16 years ago
Beautiful.

Linda
chisue
16 years ago
Gosh! Those are *gorgeous*! Can't wait to see your finished project, made from those colors.
User
16 years ago
Beautiful, I am glad I am not into hooking, or I'd be in trouble now. :o)
joann23456
16 years ago
I'd love to see some of your rugs, too.
alisande
Original Author
16 years ago
I appreciate your interest, but I don't have anything to show you that I haven't posted here before. I haven't done a lot of hooking, and I stopped for about ten years before resuming with great enthusiasm this winter. I have a couple of small rugs that I need to block before I can photograph them. I recently finished my "Seven Cats" table mat and should try to get a picture of the whole thing. Meanwhile, here's a piece. (The thumb tacks hold the backing to the frame during the hooking process.)

Mickey's chair mat is about 80% completed. Here's the most recent pic I took of it:

Then there are the other chair mats. Here's a couple:

{{gwi:604751}}

Oh, and here are two of many Christmas ornaments I hooked.

Thanks, everyone!
mcmann
16 years ago
Those colors are lovely and it's interesting how they all go with each other. How did you manage to only select 14?
joann23456
16 years ago
Oh, my goodness - you hooked all those rugs from castoff clothing??? They're wonderful! I never read your rug hooking posts before, and I hadn't seen them. (I was drawn in by the heathery colors of the wool you just bought.)

Do you know of a website where I might learn what's involved with this? I would love to try.
ronf_gw
16 years ago
How small are the pieces cut into?

Ron
alisande
Original Author
16 years ago
How did you manage to only select 14?

It is pretty amazing, Mcmann. The only explanation I can think of is that I'm cheap frugal.

Joann, give me a day or two and I'll come up with something good for you. I'm in the process of putting together the rug hooking talk and demonstration that I'm scheduled to do at the library on Friday, and I'm researching that very thing right now. I'll be back with info.

Ron, if you mean the strips I cut to do the actual hooking, most of the ones I use are 5/32", or a fraction over 1/8". Most of the hookers I know work with a wider cut, 1/4". It gives a more primitive look--and goes a lot faster. I'm going to try that with my footstool.

I've always been a pretty slow hooker. (And I'm trying not to wink as I say that.)
ronf_gw
16 years ago
You crack me up, Susan.

Ron
sylviatexas1
16 years ago
Yum!

Beautiful wool, beautiful colors!

& you're gonna put 'em on a *footstool*???

but nobody's going to put their feet on that, right?
alisande
Original Author
16 years ago
Ha! I'm gonna put my feet on it, Sylvia. I usually have one foot on the stool when I hook.

Irresistible colors: my first rug wool purchase (1 pic)

Comments (17)

sheilajoyce_gw

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Irresistible colors: my first rug wool purchase (1 pic)

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