NORWICH – Bullthistle Rag Enterprises, a one of a kind textile creation store at 12 South Broad Street in downtown Norwich, will be holding an open house on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the public and from 4 to 7 p.m. by special invite.
Bullthistle Rag Enterprises started as an enterprise to encourage textile entrepreneurs to rent a spot and showcase their wares. It evolved into a worksite that allows people looking for work and needing support in learning basic employment skills to hone those skills. “This project touches many elements of responsible business practices and human services. Through the use of leftover clothing from Catholic Charities’ Roots and Wings program and the OFC, Inc. Back on the Rack II thrift shop, we respect the environment by recycling old clothing and turning them into a work of art. We capture the vintage weaving skills and even use looms that have been around for many decades. We use weaving as a tool to teach individuals work readiness skills and, in the process, many of these students find confidence, self-esteem and talents they never realized they had when they complete these unique products,” commented Terri Bickford, Employment and Training Director.
“The beauty of Bullthistle Rag,” continued Bickford, “is that it captures the essence of what so many of our participants need to experience. Most of our participants have faced difficulties and drawbacks in their lives and the philosophy of the weaving is also a philosophy of life. The threads used on the looms (called warp) cannot be changed once the rug is begun and these are the things in life that may haunt us all our lives. But the material chosen to weave the rug (the weft is something we choose and can change. Just as the choices we make day-to-day can be used to change and create the people we are destined to be.” The decorative rugs produced by these students are sold at the retail location to allow students to become skilled at the customer service and retail portion of their worksite project. A website is also in the works to offer these products to other locations. The revenues are put back into the program to offset the cost of facility and utilities. “We stretch every possible resource available to support the program and to look for ways to make this a self sustained entity,” said Bickford.
Fiber Artist Kathryn McMahon will be at the open house and will conduct tours to explain the historical value of the 1800’s vintage looms at the facility. She will share very valuable information about the period weaving patterns and the uniqueness of the weaving process as a tool for workforce education. McMahon also commented about the quality of the final product sold at BRE; “These are not kitchen rugs you toss in the washer every week. These rugs are intended for artistic purposes. Customers benefit from acquiring a one of a kind creation at very low prices. Customers can use them to complement a wall décor or to drape a table for a special touch.” McMahon also added: “Unlike mass produced durable rag rugs sold at box stores, these pieces are delicate. They remind us of skills long-lost and they tell a story of success.”
The event will be held at their downtown retail location located on 12 So. Broad Street. Refreshments will be served and visitors will have the opportunity to win a one of a kind textile creation valued at $45. For more information about the event contact Event Coordinator Martha Ryan at 334-7526.