A new craze has taken over social media and we have just two words for you: Rug Tufting. We first came across it on the page, Art By Kemi, and we couldn’t resist a visit. It turned out to be one of the cutest date night ideas ever, perfect for Valentine’s Day! If you are looking for a fun and heartwarming activity to do that isn’t dinner, this is for you.
Nestled in the heart of Johannesburg South, Art By Kemi is a rose amongst thorns. A beautifully reformed setting in the middle of an urban maze, a residential property becomes a commercial gem, making you feel perfectly at home.
The session we attended was jam-packed with mostly couples on dates – a romance-filled evening with a welcoming ambiance. We had sent Kemi our preferred designs a few days prior to the experience. Walking in, we spotted our daisy and car print on the far side of the studio and made our way to our seats.
Looking around, neon signs and rows of wool greeted us. We were briefed on how to use the tufting machine (and how to do so safely) and then, we got to work.
We could choose up to four different colours of wool to make our visions come to life. Black and white were our choices with a hint of yellow for the centre of the daisy – some might say boring; we say sophisticated and chic! Sometimes, less really is more.
Because the rugs are about 30cm x 30cm, we thought it would be a quick and easy exercise. However, it is harder to control the machine than it looks, which makes for a great arm workout. The helpers around the studio were fantastic throughout the process, guiding us with tips and tricks and getting us more wool. Finally, after about an hour and a half, we were on the last sections of our rugs!
As the others around us were also finishing up their designs, we spotted a blue and green globe, a pink and red heart, a lovestruck emoji and more.
The next step was to glue the rug, let it dry, cut it out and shave it. A golden hour glow was hitting the studio at the perfect angle and we couldn’t help but revel in the intricacies of life. Who would have thought that tufting your own rug could be so much fun, let alone romantic!
This arts and crafts outing made for the perfect date night and now, we even have rugs to remind us of the laughs we shared and the love that grew. From only R460 per person, date night doesn’t have to break the bank.
More so, our time together didn’t have to end there, because Art By Kemi is overflowing with more things to do. Sip ‘n Paint is great for a Galentine’s outing, whilst their beauty treatments are perfect for friends and families.
Show your love in a different way this Valentine’s Day by opting for unique experiences that last a lifetime.
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