A little backstory.
I’ve been a digital artist for the entirety of my career. I love drawing on my iPad with a TV show on in the background! The ability to undo is all but baked in to my creative process! BUT.
In 2022, in a rash, TikTok algorithm-fueled decision, I bought a rug tufting gun with zero experience. Learning a new skill, making something with my hands - something clicked. I felt like I was coming back to something I didn’t know I was missing. So, after a tenuous few years of employment, I’m choosing to lean into this silly little craft and see where it takes me!
Playing with color and shapes within the constraints of rug making has been SUCH a fun experiment for me as an artist. I’m reeeeeeeally interested in making work that sits at the intersection of pop culture, queer identity, and kitsch, so if this sounds like your vibe…
BUY A RUG FROM ME!
Thank you for your interest in buying a Ben Haist original handcrafted rug! The diva in me sees the diva in you, etc. etc.
I’ll be releasing new designs available for purchase (or to claim before I make it) on my Instagram, but also very open to making custom work just for you!
Please fill out all the forms below to reserve a place on my rug waitlist - it may take me a minute, but I’ll get back to you as soon as I can! Looking forward to making something rad just for you and your home!
NOTE: PLEASE READ THE FAQs below the form before filling out, thank you, love you, mwah!
RUG FAQs
HOW BIG ARE YOUR RUGS, BEN?
Wow, so forward! Right now, the frame I’m working with is 28” by 31.5” (approx 71cm by 80 cm for my metric system girlies), so pieces will be smaller than that. I’m working out of a corner of an average-sized one bedroom apartment, so I’m limited to smaller pieces at the moment. But, the more orders I get, the higher likelihood I’ll be able to scale up my work, so in essence you’re helping me pay it forward for future Ben Haist rug customers!
HOW MUCH DO YOUR RUGS COST, BEN?
My benchmark cost is around $400 (USD) per rug, excluding shipping. However, I factor in the complexity of the design and the size of the rug - smaller piece, smaller price! I know this cost may be steep for a lot of folks, but these rugs are entirely custom designed and hand-made, so you’re paying not only for the artwork, but the real human craftsmanship that goes into it. That being said, I’ll do my best to make a non-rug version of each design (a print, t-shirts, hats) available at a more affordable price point!
WHAT MATERIALS DO YOU USE TO MAKE YOUR RUGS, BEN?
At the moment, I use acrylic yarn for my wall art rugs, backed by a simple household glue (Elmer’s equivalent) to keep the piece intact. As I expand into floor pieces, I’ll be scaling up to more sustainable and durable wool yarn, but may be using a stronger carpet adhesive for added durability. If you have any specific concerns about allergens or sustainability, shoot me an email at ben.j.haist@gmail.com and I’ll answer to the best of my abilities. ALSO NOTE: these rugs are made in an apartment with a dog that sheds, if that is a concern.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO MAKE MY RUG, BEN?
It all depends on a number of factors (complexity of design, workload, availability of supplies, etc.), but the rugs I make typically take 1-3 days, start to finish, plus shipping. I aim to be communicative and transparent through the entire process, but if you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
I LOVED [x rug] YOU’VE ALREADY MADE - CAN YOU MAKE ME ANOTHER ONE, BEN?
Bluntly (and don’t hate me), probably not! Given that these are all handmade start to finish, no two rugs will be identical, and part of the fun of these rugs for me is getting to make lots of different pieces! Plus, we can have so much more fun making one that feels like YOU than to just make someone else’s. That being said……if you’re dead set on one I’ve already made, shoot me an email and we can discuss :)
BEN, DO YOU SHIP OVERSEAS?
Right now, given international shipping constraints, I’m only accepting rug commissions from within the USA (sorry to all my lovely international fans!). As my scope expands, I may go international!
BEN, DO YOU MAKE BATH MATS?
Unfortunately, given my material and craft limitations, not at the moment! That may change in the future though……no promises, but stay tuned, divas.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
Email me, babe! ben.j.haist@gmail.com :)