Felt has long held craft appeal, but at Peace Industry they've elevated it to a more sophisticated and functional level. Believe it or not, this incredibly dense, matted textile seems to work on the same principles as dreadlocks. It's made using friction, soap, and the natural interlocking properties of raw wool fibers. Watch this film to see how it's done.
There's a lot of wonderful felt craft work out there, and the stuff is all the more pleasing for its imperfect, handmade feel. But few people working in this medium have the means to create on the scale of rugs.
Apparently felt rug-making is a traditional craft in Iran, and painter/rug designer/retailer Melissina Raissnia learned the process there, from the masters. Only she doesn't make traditional rugs; her designs are contemporary, with an organic color palette and a playful aesthetic that veers from Keith Haring-esque abstraction to what she calls "organic industrial."
Though Raissnia seems to favor a muted, neutral colorway for her samples, she will custom create a piece for you in brighter colors made from fruit and vegetable dyes.
Peace Industry, located in Hayes Valley, also sells Raissnia's paintings on steel panels, as well as textile works by other artists. A group show debuting new artists at Peace Indutsry, called "Approaching Felt," is currently on display, through May 1.
Prices for Raissnia's felt rugs range from $310 for a small rug to $2215 for one that's 6'x9'.
Colorful steel paintings, also by Raissnia, are available by special order.
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Comments (4)
We bought two of these rugs and love them!
I would buy more in the future.
I've taken classes in making felt, and annually succomb to the temptations of a local fiber fest (so much that one walk-in closet is full of wool, rabbit, and alpaca fibers). The wool isn't cheap, depending on the animal / breed it may range from $9 to $35 (or more) per pound. A smallish rug (say 18 x 36 inches) might use a couple pounds of fiber (or more), and can take several hours of work to produce. On the other hand, my wool rugs are great insulators from cold floors. And no matter how hard the cat tries, she cannot claw through them!
I visited the shop recently -- they have some really beautiful rugs. Very thick, as if they should last for decades, and the prices are good considering the quality, and also how unique the rugs are. The people are very nice, too.
Can anyone tell me if these rugs are too thick.
I am very interested in buying one but worry I might trip over it.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.