Penny Busy as a Bee Rug / Tapestry

Penny rugs were originally made in the 1800s. Victorian women gathered scraps of wool or wool felt from old clothes or hats and used coins as templates to create designs for mats and rugs. Each decorative wool "penny" was applied in a blanket-stitch fashion to a wool background. Sometimes, the pieces were backed with burlap bags or feed sacks and a penny was stitched under one of the circles to weigh it down and make it lie flat. Early penny rugs were often used as decorative coverings for beds, tables and mantels. After extensive research, Homespice Decor has adapted this beautiful technique to create lovely handmade rugs as well as wall hangings. Each penny rug features sleeves on the back so rugs may be hung vertically or horizontally.

Designed by Carol Endres, the Busy as a Bee rug in the Penny collection will surely be a welcome addition to any home. Endres has earned her place as one of the country's distinguished "American Primitive" artists. She derives her inspiration from her faith and the creativity of early pioneers. Carol shares their inventive spirit to create textural qualities and enhance descriptions of peace, joy, family and country. In the Busy as a Bee rug, multi-layered, hand appliqued garnet flowers with gold centers and warm toast trim spill out of a finely stitched chocolate brown antique basket, while intricately crafted honey bees buzz nearby. Dark sage green leaves add color, while embroidery and French knots add interesting texture to the Penny collection's transitional styled Busy as a Bee rug!

Features:

• Hand-crafted in India with 30% wool, 22% cotton, 37% acrylic, 6% nylon and 5% polyester
• Multi-layered, transitional design by distinguished "American Primitive" artist, Carol Endres
• Design offers hand appliqued garnet flowers with gold centers and warm toast trim
• Dark sage green leaves add bold color while French knots add interesting texture
• Available in the following sizes: 2' x 3', 3' x 5', 4' x 6', 5' x 8', 7' x 9', 8' x 10', Runner 2'5" x 6', Runner 2'5" x 9'

Recommended Care:

Spot cleaning is important for spills and we emphasize doing it right away. Wool is very durable and responds well to commercial spot cleaners. Common household detergents like Woo-lite also work very well. Cotton as a fiber responds to spot cleaning very well. Just like your clothes, common detergents especially Tide and water work well or oxy-clean type products are very good.