Niche Biz: Fuzzie Wuzzie Rugs
You could say that Lesa Hayes is wrapped up in rugs. Hayes uses salvaged wool from a company in Oregon to create Fuzzie Wuzzie handmade rugs in her shop in Conrad.
One of my customers, Pat Gustafson, brought me a bag of wool salvage,” Hayes said. Gustafson tried to get others excited about making rugs using salvage materials, but the fabric often rippled on the edges and it was difficult to find good patterns. Hayes took up the challenge of designing patterns.
Eventually, she went into business with Belinda Scalese of Sunburst who had taken a rug-making class.
Now, they travel to craft and Christmas shows. Word of mouth has brought them much success. Customers in Boston, Texas, California, Illinois and Idaho have bought their rugs.
Hayes and Scalese also teach others how to make rugs and even offer to sell rugs their students made.
Photo by POLLY KOLSTAD.
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