We had the good fortune of connecting with Alyssa Book and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alyssa, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
To be absolutely honest with you, starting a business wasn’t my goal. Tufting, for me, was a hobby that got out of control. The more that I would post the things I would create, the more people would ask me to make them a rug. I finally realized that people liked my creations enough to put them in their homes, maybe they would actually pay for them too!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I found tufting when I was going through postpartum depression. I needed a hobby, desperately. Having always been a creative person, I signed up for a tufting class with a friend. What I thought was going to be a just fun night out ended up being so much more than that to me. I found a rebellious creative outlet to help me overcome a dark time in my life, and I loved it. Being a lover of music and music culture, I wanted to be able to marry my love for music with my love for fibers. That’s what you’ll see in my work. Maybe there’s a little Lisa Frank loving, music blasting, angsty teenager that lives inside of me, but I think that’s what makes me unique.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I’m a South Florida artist. So for a friend visiting me, I would have a week planned exploring the Miami art scene. We would start at Zero Empty Spaces in Hallandale Beach, then head to the Wynwood art district, and finish off at the Pérez Art Museum in Miami.

I would plan dinner at a waterfront restaurant in South Beach called Seaside. In my view, a week exploring the art, culture, and fashion in South Florida is the best way to spend your time here.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband, Chase, and my son, Avery, are the most special people in my life. If it weren’t for them lighting my path, I would never have found my confidence as an artist and woman. I am forever grateful to them for their constant support of my long days in the studio, their patience with my frustrations over yarn, and their adoration of everything I make. I’d also like to thank the artists and friends that have helped me along the way. Your color theory knowledge, eye for proportions, and your gently critical advice has guided me to this point in my career. Without this village, I would not be here.

Website: tuftyrugs.com

Instagram: @wearetufty

Other: tiktok: @wearetufty

Image Credits
Self

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.