Rose Pearlman’s vocation was dictated by chance, as well as the circumstances of being a mother with young children. With a background in fine arts and a love of well designed functional objects, Pearlman took to rug hooking as a way of staying creative while staying at home with her kids. She explains that while painting involved a separate studio space with long stretches of solitude, rug hooking took little space, made little mess, and was easily picked up and put down throughout the day–making it the ideal medium for her.
And so, without knowing so, she took on a hobby which would later become her full-time job. Now a celebrated artist and textile designer, her work has been featured in fiber magazines, galleries, and numerous online design sites; and she also teaches monthly rug hooking workshops in and around her home in NYC.
But what exactly is rug hooking? According to Pearlman, it’s a simple technique that creates looped stitches of fiber onto a cloth surface. “Rug hooking with a punch needle blends artistic expression with tactile material,” she remarked in an interview with Making. “The medium can easily be controlled and designed,” she says, explaining that hooked rugs can be used for a variety of home accessories and objects.
“Finding a way to do what I love and make an income, and not burn out is still a struggle to balance,” she admits. “While making a business of rug hooking removes you from the actual process, teaching workshops feeds my creativity and passion. I am able to share my love of rug hooking, create work at a comfortable pace and stay true to my vision.”
