‘I thought if I made these rugs, people would be drawn to it’
St. John’s resident making unique rugs that represent NL food culture
When Zaib Ramay discovered the craft of tufting in 2023, he said he also found his true passion.
"Tufting is the correct term for rug making," said Ramay.
"I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit, my father ran a business in Pakistan, so business is in my genes. When I saw videos of tufting, I thought it was cool and something that could sell well also."
NOT YOUR AVERAGE RUGS
Ramay's rugs aren't your average run-of-the-mill rugs— Ramay has been living in the province since 2016 and said before he discovered his love for rug making, he first fell in love with the province's culture.
His combined love for the two led him to create unique rug designs of NL staple foods such as the Big Mary and Vienna sausages.
“I thought that since I was obsessed with Newfoundland food culture, if I make a Big Mary, or Vienna sausage, or a Pineapple Crush rug, that those locally would also be drawn to it,” said Ramay.
OVERWHELMING DEMAND
He was right.
In only one year of operating, Ramay added, the demand has been overwhelming.
"I had so many requests and followers coming in, I didn't expect it. I have sold 11 of the Big Mary rugs alone," said Ramay.
"I am not accepting any more commissions, currently, because I have to handle what's on my plate."
Because of the demand, Ramay said he has been looking at upscaling the business further by exploring studio spaces.
FIGURING OUT THE ART
Though getting to this point, he said, was no easy feat, he added it took a lot of patience and dedication.
Ramay said he first needed to figure out how to tuft. "Designing the rugs was challenging because I'm not very good with art," said Ramay.
He added to overcome this challenge he partnered with an artist who helped to create each design.
“I will do a rough design on my ipad and send it over to her. She buffs it up and that design is what you will see on the rugs,” added Ramay.
MATERIALS AND LEARNING TO TUFT
Another challenge was then gathering all the correct materials that he needed.
“Everything I had to get online, so there was a waiting period before I could begin. There are a few stores here with fabric available but when you’re waiting on other materials you can’t start,” he said.
Once he finally did get everything, he said he was quick to catch onto the craft.
“You take your fabric and you stretch it on a frame and then there’s a machine called a tufting gun and that machine is your main tool. That puts the yarn through the fabric, after you put in the yarn you put the glue on, then the backing, which is another piece of fabric and that’s it,” said Ramay. “It’s not very complicated, to simplify it further, it’s almost like colouring.
“You put your picture on the canvas, choose your yarn and start tufting.”
ATTENTION GAINED AND EXPANSION PLANS
In honing in on his craft and choosing designs that represent parts of NL food culture, Ramay said his rugs have garnered significant attention.
“The owner of Mary Brown’s reached out to me when he saw the Big Mary rug, he thought it was awesome,” said Ramay.
“This is currently a side gig, I work Browning-harvey full time but whenever I make a Crush or Pepsi can rug they get so excited to see it. It feels good to know it is striking a chord with people.”
While this is a side gig, Ramay said he soon hopes to take it on full-time as he is ready to start exploring expanding his product range.
“Lamps is another passion of mine, and I would love to start designing and creating lamps as well,” said Ramay.
Outside of rugs and lamps, Ramay has already added new products to his line, including handbags.
These handbags feature Hawkins Cheezie bags and Grape Crush soda cans.