Classic Rug Collection Introduces
Lakiya Rugs
at Jewish Marketplace
Hand-Made
Bedouin Rugs to Make their Official Bow at the Javits
NEW
YORK, New York — Classic Rug Collection, Inc.,
will introduce its “Lakiya Collection,” a
series of flat-woven wool rugs and accessories, at the
Jewish Marketplace.
The distinctive tribal carpets are hand-woven by Bedouin
women in Israel using wool from sheep raised in the Negev
Desert.
Lakiya is a cooperative venture between the Palestinian Bedouins
who produce the rugs and accessories and the Israeli women
who market them.
Barbara
Barran, Classic’s president, decided to utilize
the festive, pre-Chanukah atmosphere of the Marketplace for
the line’s premiere. “I felt this was the perfect
venue for the inauguration of this exciting new line. Our booth
will feature rugs, pillows, and handbags that can be purchased,
as well as information about custom orders.” Barran will
also have several examples of her own custom hand-tufted rug
designs on display at the show.
Barran
has been developing her association with Lakiya over the
past year. “My former production manager, Miki Baytel,
moved back to Israel, so this was the perfect opportunity to
establish a relationship with Lakiya,” notes Barran. “Miki’s
participation helped to ensure that the women of Lakiya and
I understood each other clearly. Although I started studying
Hebrew at the age of five, I can speak Hebrew only to G-d,
not to people!”
Traditional
tribal-designed rugs form the basis of the collection; standard
sizes are small
enough to be used as wall hangings,
while the largest standard size rug is 6’7”x9’10”.
Sizes are determined by the width of the ancient wooden looms
used by the nomadic Bedouin women for thousands of years. Narrow
strips of cloth are stitched together artfully to create rugs
of varying widths. Some of the rugs are used to produce pillows
and handbags.
Only
women are involved in the entire Lakiya process: They raise
the sheep, shear them,
dye the wool in ancient copper
vats, spin the yarn, weave the rugs, and then market them. “I
love working with products that are designed or made by women,” says
Barran. “This is similar to my venture with the quilters
of Gee’s Bend, Alabama, but in this case, the women actually
make the rugs.”
Standard designs and colors are available for $45/sq.ft.,
custom orders $50/sq.ft. Delivery for custom orders takes approximately
twelve to fourteen weeks, depending upon the size and complexity
of the rug.
Barran
is also looking for retailers who would like to carry the
Lakiya line. “The women of Lakiya are ready for growth,” notes
Barran, “and I would like to help them achieve their
goals. That way, both women-owned businesses will thrive!”
To
see Classic Rug Collection’s new Lakiya
Collection, visit
Booth #208 at the Jewish Marketplace, Jacob K. Javits Center.
Show hours are:
Saturday,
Dec. 17: 8:30 PM-midnight;
Sunday, Dec. 18: 11:30 AM-6 PM;
Monday, Dec. 18: 11 AM-4PM.
Click
Here to Visit the
Official Website